Adiam Sanghatane

“Mountain” is always a symbol that stands for the transcendental spirit of the toiling communities. But this very spirit of the toiling communities is and was used to dub them as superstitious and therefore as manual. Thus, their fruit of labour is denied and thier role in reshaping the modern democratic state is restricted. Neither the much aspired mass movements nor do the dalit movement takes the above spirit seriously to work out their strategies to tame the state towards delivering justice to the toiling communities. In this context, it is the toiling communities’ shared experiences that still sustain them from the onslaught and still promises much needed meaning systems against the monopolizing modernity. But, the present changes fostered by the culture of Globalization, erases the shared memories of the people. The speed in which this erasure is taking place has no space for the peoples lived experiences and embedded meaning sites of yester years. This language has been mutilated and silenced. In this context, Adima – the arche of our lived wisdom of our ancestors stands on the hills to herald and foster the inclusive politics beyond the social categories of caste, religion, sex and class. 

Those friends, who longed for the much desired changes around us, dreamt of Aadima in its conception stage and resolved to save a rupee a day to concretize their dream. Remember, these friends were the first generation beneficiaries of modern democratic state. But, that no way satisfied their search for their alienated lifestyles. Quite often they used to come together to debate their dreams and the changes around them. Their discussion led to ritualize something different. A little more than 36 friends resolved to save a rupee a day. This continued for a number of years, amidst of their day-today engagements. When they realized that their savings did reach to an amount, came together and entrusted that amount to Kotiganahally Ramaiah concretize their dreams of Adima. The team authorized Mr. Ramaiah to take up the task. First step in that direction was to search for a piece of land. The search took him to the hills of Antharagange. There, he stepped upon a spot that was revered by local communities a spot of a saint called Jinke Ramaiah.

The friends joined together lent their ‘shramadaan’ to build a small hut at Theralli hills of Anthargange Betta (A Mountain beneath which lies the living stream), an adjacent hilly range of the City of Kolar, a boarder district of Karnataka. The place is situated about 75 kms away towards the east of Bangalore. This spot of Jinke Ramaiah, has now become the centre of cultural activities. It is this place that unfolds ADIMA - a Vision or the ARCHE of our toiling communities. About 10 cents of land was bought by the above said saved amount. Thus, saw Aadima in its embryonic sprout!

Thus, the last few years Adima has seen a steady growth of both ethnic structures (Kuteera) that hosted many cultural workshops for the people of different walks of life and particularly summer camps for the Children to enhance their hidden creative powers. Thus, today Aadima has become a reference point for all those people who seek different model to cherish in life.

Slowly, Adima started its Hunnime Hadu (Full Moonday Song) that brings about 500 people around Kolar to take part in the festive performances. On this day many known performing teams come to Aadima not only to perform but also be part of the Adima Cultural ethos!

Due to the generous support of the friends of Adima, the place has become an interesting reference point that symbolizes a deep cultural churning in the district. Further to make the centre as people’s home Aadima had visualized Ranga Yatra 2007, a festival of performance that went throughout the District to wake up the hidden memories of the communities.

The performing team was trained by the well known theatrical personalities in the state like Anagalli, Mr. Ramakrishna Belathur,Mr.C.Basavalingaiah, Mr.Ismail Gonal, Mr. D.R.Rajappa, Mr. Munireddy, Mr.Ishmael Gonal, Mr. Ramakrishna Kannapardi, Shigganv, Mr.Sunil, Mr.B.Suresh. It was a month long hard work that went out for the final finale.

But these are not free shows! For, in order to sustain the troupe for two months (October and November) lot of expanses were involved. Moreover, to create ADIMA’s cultural capital among the people for the future, a request was made to the people for their generous support.
Apart from these programmes, today Adima hosts many other workshops for various groups that are active in the state. For instance women’s, groups, dalit groups, the academic groups in the state have come here to spend their precious time to relook into their paradigms and reorient their involvement among the communities at the grassroots.