Solaganai is a small tribal village, high in the hills of the Anthiyur forest in Erode district, more than 1000 meters above sea level. About twenty-two years ago, we first came to this village with VP Gunasekaran Iyya, a humble man who has given his life in service to the tribal people. His presence in these hills is like a guiding light, especially for the children growing up here.
In the past two years, along with VPG Iyya and Anburaj anna, we helped bring life back to three old wells through our Public Well Revival Movement. This area suffers from water shortage, and even the softest rains are precious here. Even though the government helped dig 23 bore wells, only two of them have water, while the others remain dry.
But the people here have always depended on traditional open wells, which welcomed all who came in thirst. These wells were used not only by people but also by birds, deer, bears, and elephants, showing us how water can unite all life in harmony. These wells belonged to all with hearts wide open. So we started to bring these wells back to life. After reviving three of them, we also began digging a new well for the village. For this work, Madhu Manjari received the BV Doshi Fellowship.
This summer brought a special experience to Solaganai, Drama Selvam, who has spent over ten years working with children through theatre, came to Solaganai with his team. They worked with the children and enacted the story The Mountain That Loved a Bird by Alice McLerran. It is the story of a small bird that brings life to a dry mountain by planting seeds.
The children acted out the story with songs and joy. They also learned mud sculpting and other simple art forms. Slowly, the story touched their hearts. We could see each one of them becoming the bird in the story. This beautiful experience was possible because of the support given by Dilipan and the Vidiyal team, whose silent work behind the scenes brought everything together with grace.
We believe that in the years to come, these children will grow strong and shine in many parts of the country, like stars rising from the hills. This small theatre workshop is the beginning of their journey, and a chapter in a much bigger story.
And for now, may we continue to plant seeds we may never see bloom, knowing that the earth remembers every act of kindness, however small.
