This Ethnography Study led to an Urban Renewal project for a circular economy Intervention through the design of new Community activity and manufacturing centres all over Savanur that feed into a central Skill Development and Cottage Industry Centre Park.

These set of photographs that I clicked while delving deep into the socio-cultural, historical, economic and religious realms of this town located in north Karnataka, a state in South India. It was once a capital of the Nawabs that ruled India, right until the British Colonial Rule ended in 1947. This town claimed trade routes linked to the middle-east and till date continues to trade Paan (Betel Nut) leaves with Pakistan. The families that settled down during the Nawabs’ rule staked their subsistence with creative livelihoods such as making Lac (wax) bangles and creating earthen statues of Hindu Gods such as Lord Ganesha. These families passed down these skills through generations but as time passed by, patronage from the Royal Nawab family of Savanur reduced to nil as they gave up their Princely State to the newly formed Republic of India in 1949. As a result, this town reduced to a state of poverty since these families no longer had patronage and had no access to formal education that the British introduced in India- the schooling system.

From the warm welcome of these humble rural people into their houses- whether it was for a cup of tea or coffee, random conversations about their lives sitting on the traditional front porch of their homes- called katta – and playing with animals like cats, goats, pigeons and dogs taught me to enjoy the basic necessities of living a minimal life, far away from the impersonal touch of city-life.

It also made me realise the need for Architects and Designers to become leaders of social change in order to give back to millions of kind, humble and hard-working people like these that live in a harsh state of poverty across India.

it is interesting how all windows in these British Era houses are accompanied by seats so that women from Muslim families that follow the Pardah system can observe the world safely.

All animals in nature tend to look for vantage points or observation points next to their shelters- human beings are no different. Elements like these raised and extended plinths adjoining the edge of streets- called kattas– are crucial for personal and public space interaction, ultimately for a good community spirit- something that we do not usually see in cities.

Paan (Betel or Areca Nut) leaves that are grown in Savanur are exported abroad to many countries, primarily Pakistan. This image captures the important step of sorting through the leaves to check their quality and then packing it in cane boxes that are to be transported to the nearest export city or port- Bangalore or Mumbai.

Women encourage each other and work together to contribute to the livelihood of their families, from the safety of their homes.

Bidi-making (countryside cigarettes)- a traditional livelihood whose production is completely run by women from their homes. Only the final packaging is done by men in a main local shop.

As designers, harnessing the power of such agro-based production or cultural skill-based production that start from the comfort of homes, into a larger creative circular economy, the benefits to a country like India would be enormous. Its a dream for me to do that one day with other people who share the same passion as me.