• Know about the unique Lekhak Gaon in Dehradun and the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav. 

Different art forms – literature, music, visual arts, crafts, dance, theatre, etc., are intrinsically connected. The idea of writing or literature being confined to the written word in the sense of what’s written on paper, published online, or that comes out in the form of a book, is a predominantly Western construct.

In various oral cultures across the world, including that of India, different creative genres have often coalesced to enrich folk and classical art forms, which have been an intrinsic part of our cultural and civilizational heritage.

Myriad Dharmic traditions and cultural forms, including Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Ram Lila, Vedic Chanting, Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre, Ramman religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal, Himalayas, etc., are a part of the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural heritage list. These diverse traditions reflect a rich synthesis of many creative genres, including music, poetry, mime, storytelling, chanting, sculpture, theatre, etc. 

The rising trend of literature festivals in India also depicts an interesting paradigm shift – literature festivals are no longer just about literature, but cover a wide range of subjects, including cinema, folk culture, performance arts, Dharmic discourse, environmental concerns, artificial intelligence, etc.

It signals a kind of homecoming – a return to the original Bhartiya concept of Saahitya and Sanskriti where myriad art forms intermingle to create a civilizational tapestry. 

These were some of the thoughts that crossed my mind when I attended the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav – an Arts and Literature Festival held at Lekhak Gaon, Dehradun, Uttarakhand from 3^rd to 5^th November at Lekhak Gaon, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Lekhak Gaon – A Unique Writers’ Village in Uttarakhand 

Nestled in the lap of nature amidst the lush green environs of Thano village, Uttarakhand, Lekhak Gaon is a unique writers’ village conceptualized as a confluence point of the folk-art traditions, literature, culture, and Dharmic traditions of Uttarakhand and Bharat at large. 

Lekhak Gaon is the brainchild of Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Former Minister of Education of India, and a prolific author himself, known for his writings on Indian culture, spirituality, Uttarakhand culture, motivational storytelling, and socio-political issues. Dr Nishank has also published many travelogues, based on his experiences of traveling to different countries across the world, including Austria, Belgium, and Mauritius.

Conceptualized along the lines of a small and self-sufficient village community, Lekhak Gaon was created in the image of a unique writers’ village that will embody the cultural richness, spiritual knowledge, life wisdom, and ancient philosophies of the Upanishads, Vedas and Puranas. It’s also envisaged as a unique repository of the indigenous knowledge traditions and the rich folklore of the Himalayas – Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, craft traditions, etc. 

Lekhak Gaon also houses the Nalanda library, which preserves a treasure trove of valuable texts and rare manuscripts across philosophy, science, history, literature, and the arts, with a collection of over 23,000 books.

With its stunning gardens, tall trees that echo the spirit of resilience of the hills and hill people, and the sight of mighty Himalayas surrounding the 25-acre village, Lekhak Gaon teleports you to a different era altogether.

You begin to surreptitiously imagine a group of scholars in the middle of a Shastrath (Vedic style of debate) in the shade of a tree, while pristine sounds of Vedic chanting permeate the environs, with a group of artists sit sketching at a distance.

Sparsh Himalayan Mahotsav 2025

When we reached Lekhak Gaon to attend the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav, it was quite a bit hot for a November morning! Nevertheless, we still managed to explore a bit, soak in the vibe of the place, indulge in writerly fantasies in the stunning gardens, and managed some storytelling video recording sessions in the shade of a tree.

We also got to attend a few sessions of the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav, which featured multiple panel discussions on a wide range of subjects – Vedic culture and heritage, Yoga, Ayurveda, ancient knowledge systems, education, Himalaya culture, environment, the global expansion of Indian literature, culture, art, the global identity of Hindi language, etc. 

Discussions on Artificial Intelligence featured prominently in the festival. One of the unique characteristics of the Sparsh Himalaya Mahostav was panel discussions on exploring the interconnectedness between the modern world of AI algorithms and India’s rich civilizational past and its Vedic heritage. 

The speakers emphasized the importance of grounding scientific and technological developments in a spiritual ethos, and that the preservation and sustenance of family values and civilizational values are of utmost significance in the nation’s journey towards becoming “Viksit Bharat”. The speakers also discussed the fascinating concept of Rishi Intelligence, encompassing a range of sustainable practices, knowledge systems, and behavioral paradigms rooted in civilizational wisdom.

Besides panel discussions, the Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav at Lekhak Gaon also featured a vibrant painting exhibition along with a range of performances show casing the culture and traditions of Uttarakhand.

Fostering Vibrant Creative Communities

A writers’ village is based on the idea of fostering vibrant and self-sufficient local creative communities. Lekhak Gaon is not just a venue for holding arts and literature festivals, but rather a confluence point of diverse community-centric interactions on a range of issues connected with the Himalayan ecosystem and its rich repository of cultural and civilizational values. 

This community-centric approach is reflected in the functioning of Lekhak Gaon, where local youth often assume center stage in various events. They recently hosted a special youth program on National Youth Day, or Vivekananda Jayanti, featuring inspirational and motivational sessions for the local youth, and providing a platform to the youth to showcase their knowledge and skills. A cyclethon was organized during the event, where around 40 young people cycled through a nature trail rich in historical legacy, from 6 am to 11 am.

Lekhak Gaon also hosts many social awareness and knowledge sessions for enriching the local community, including health camps, interactive sessions with youth featuring inspirational personalities, yoga sessions for the local community, etc.

Bhartiya Gyan Parampara is all about Samaveshita - inclusion and Samaajikta - the dynamics of a social community. Lekhak Gaon, with its unique amalgamation of the rich tapestry of Indian knowledge systems with the contemporary discourse of technology and artificial intelligence, seems to embody that spirit.

References

1. UNECO

2. ETV Bharat.com

3. Bhaskar.com

4. Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal  

5. Times of India

6. Lekhakagaon

7. Jagran.com

8. Panchjanya.com

9. Garwhalpost.in

10. Instagram 

To read all articles by Author

To read all articles on Indian Culture

Also read/see

1. Festivals of Garwhal

2. All albums on Garwhal and Kumaon