From the Heart

Our association with the Valley for over a decade now has created several moments to reminisce about.

With each passing year, there are many pleasant memories that get added on—be it the camaraderie on the School’s Birthday, the vibrant energy of the Sports Day or the colours and bonhomie of the Mela! The lush greenery and vast spaces greet one upon entering the campus…from the ethnic beauty of the Mahasagar to those long walks through the winding pathways to reach the amphitheatre. We recall the rushed early morning walks to attend those scary PTMs at the Study centre; only to be relieved of all the stress with that cup of hot tea/coffee with ragi biscuits post the meeting! The thought of warm welcoming smiles lingers on; it always seemed like a place where people had different responsibilities, but everyone shared a common ground.

Unforgettable are the many occasions when a short visit to the school for an event got extended until lunch time—thanks to an invite to get satiated with a plate of piping hot paneer pulao or the traditional favourite bisibelebath. The one specialty on the menu, however, was the steaming hot masala dosas and the bajjis served at the Mela, which helped to keep our spirits soaring, also gently reminding us of a home cooked meal served with love.

Here’s wishing The Valley a Happy 43^rd Birthday! Our best wishes to the school, as you continue to nurture and guide young minds.

Pranothi and Pruthvi Banwasi

‘Naïve’ was the word used to describe me when I first joined the Valley School in 2015 and, I partly agree with it because everything that I knew until then suddenly felt scarce. We tend to think that what we grew up with is right. Then comes the point in life where we gain perspective of our culture by seeing ourselves from the perspectives of other cultures. Getting into The Valley School was that turning point for me. It was a real community where love and respect for all, in emotional and practical ways, were seen as a vital necessity and not an optional add-on. It was a community with new seeds and also aged oaks. It was the smiles of new joys and the mirth of aged reminiscence and wisdom, a community of birds, insects, snakes, and dogs. It was a place we all called home. We can only be vibrant individuals within a strong society that nurtures and is ever there with a welcoming hug.

Music and art are synonymous to The Valley. During assembly, there were times when it felt as if the music taught my brain how to flow and how to be peaceful. It was a sort of auditory massage for my mind. It was an invitation for me to slow down and be the best version of myself. There were times when light, wind, and nature did the same, yet differently, each in their own way.

Our birthday picnics were wonderful, not just because of the food but because of the sweet company. Food was one of the ways we expressed our love for one another, a kind of hug and a way of bringing out that inner sunshine. Birthday picnics were an opportunity to perform new songs, crack jokes, watch movies, climb trees, and swim in the streams and lakes.

The Valley School bestowed upon me the only Himalayan Trek of my life, and I am eternally grateful for it. The Rupin-Supin trek took us on trails along the rivers, through hamlets, gushing waterfalls, endless forests, green meadows, pebbled rivers, and a surprise snowfall on a tiring day! The best part was the fact that the journey began just a day after I turned 27. The trek allowed me to build rapport with the hostel students, share their excitement and apprehensions, do the camp chores, work efficiently, treat each other compassionately, and communicate openly.

Education at The Valley is unlike what I had known. Here, a child who loves history can choose his/her own time or event to study, then talk about the geography of the region, weather patterns, biome and wildlife, the religions of the region, and how they were practiced in that era. He/she can then write a fictional story about the characters, make a poem, a song, artwork, and/or a dramatic presentation of the event. Facts and figures from the time can be used in mathematics too. This way, there is an integrated approach to learning that can be driven by the interests of the child so that at the end of the day, no child feels inadequate.

To say that my stay at the Valley was conflict-free would be an understatement. I felt a strong urge to fit in. It was like shedding my older skin and developing a new one. But, when the urge to travel the road less traveled comes from a loving impulse, from the callings of the heart, and they echo in the soul, is it possible to ignore it? My three years at The Valley have definitely helped me come out of my comfort zone. It has taught me to accept everybody's differences, celebrate their wisdom, forgive their ignorance, feel gratitude for the answers which they handed to me on a platter, and strive to take my own shot into that far horizon.

Arya

Out I stood on the carpet of purple jacaranda blooms

Gazing at the flight of uneven steps beneath,

Just to glance the never-ending beauty of my wonderland

The spot we call the Junior School

The haven we leisurely walked and talked

The site where little melodious voices sang,

The paradise where tiny footsteps romped

The place we adore and call the Triveni

The tyre swings in random odd motion

With their lengthy, rusted iron chains.

One sees the little ones with their warm smiles

Seated perfectly between the cramped seats.

They twist and furl and spin around

And swing up in the air as high as they can,

In the company of their best partners

They seem to be in their heavenly world

Pebbles of varied shapes and textures

Adorn the rocky slide - as we fondly call it

Arranged in vivid patterns with measured gaps

To perfectly hold the tiny feet.

Little legs tip-toe the tippy top

Soon they slide down the other end

What a fun filled ride it is,

Till they joyfully reach the sandy patch

To rest and come to an abrupt halt

The fervent pond with its curvy shape

Is now home to a family of toads

The still waters reflect the blue sky

And shades of green from the branches above.

Dragon flies, water skaters and swift guppies

Zig-zag across the slimy surface,

The few silent tender water lilies afloat

Their pink blossoms witness the prompt play

The tranquil space, the spot of solace

The humble abode we entitle the Machan

With its majestic black-painted bamboo supports

Under the canopy of our favourite tam.

A scene of general chatter and prattle

A class gathering, a circle time or a read aloud too.

You’d call my land of wonderment but a common place

As you may not see anything grand or fine

But it was here one spent few fabulous years

Which brings admiration of the beauty one has found

Pray to continue to connect with this marvellous den

Which has brought many a smile on the mystified face

Where one found great friends and colleagues

Who put in all their trust and faith

Who never hesitated to tell things straight-up

And many times, also made one pause and think

Relationships with their innate multi-facets

Some superficial, some professional, some complacent

Some one assumes as personal, deep, strong and intense.

Nevertheless, the truth of the avoidance or attachment

Which is the demon or shadow of this strange existence

Sends a wave of realization to the intellectual mind.

One seems to recognize all these as illusions of the self

Only to struggle, feel strange and be puzzled,

To drop, to let go and set free!

But I can only confess instantly and honestly

That the addictive joy, cheer and bliss

That friends and little ones bring to you

Are life’s priceless treasures and riches

That one always cares to adore and cherish!

Sunitha Mahesh

Sports Day at my daughter’s school – we were walking down a narrow path towards the lake. Sounds from the playground were fading away behind us. The forest around the school and the school inside the forest were beginning to sing softly in my heart. And suddenly, I noticed a large Silk Cotton tree, just off the mud track, to my right.

arms around you

my face to your skin

I’m home

*Haibun is the combination of two poems: a prose poem and haiku. The form was popularized by the 17th century Japanese poet Matsuo Basho

Charumathi Supraja

I grew up next door to a KFI school and would often hear school songs wafting over our shared wall. I first visited the campus as a high school student, and was greeted by untamed natural spaces, low slung and earthy buildings, students wearing grass and mud-stained kurtas, fondly calling their teachers Akka and Anna. I was smitten, and hoped that one day I would be lucky enough to have some association with the KFI schools.

I married into a family with long and deep connections to the Valley school, and with them, I’d visited the campus a few times for various events, like the School Birthday and the Mela. When it was time to send our kids to school, there was little doubt where they’d go. As a parent, there are three things that I love most about the school.

I often joke that I have no idea what my kids learn at school, and that I think of the school fees as an annual admission fee to a green space—to the wooded paths, the lush farm, the peaceful water bodies, the close contact with insects and birds (and if one is lucky, some animals as well). While I complain endlessly about how often the parents are expected to visit the campus, I have little reason to—every visit is a retreat, a chance to breathe deeply and to allow the silence and birdsong to seep into my bones.

Over the last few years, I’ve been fortunate to attend events by some of India’s greatest artists at Valley. It is truly magical watching a dance performance under the Banyan tree, or listening to music under the stars or in the meditative study centre. This art seeps into daily school life—strolling past the Art Village and the lovely murals that adorn its walls, it is truly joyous to see children practicing the tabla, doing plein air painting, or using their bodies in a theatre class, knowing that creativity will always be a part of their life.

My favourite part of The Valley are the relationships between students, parents, and teachers. At my first Sports Day, I found myself competing with and against other parents, running with teachers on the cross-Valley race, and best of all, watching senior school students cheering on 6- and 7-year-olds. The sense of camaraderie was incredible. I love that a 2^nd grader can look at an 11^th grader and proudly call them a friend, or that a middle schooler can pull a teacher’s leg.

In this past year, the teachers have made admirable efforts to recreate some of these natural, artistic, and relational experiences for the children, but the best parts of the school have been, unfortunately, the hardest to replace. I await the day the kids can return to campus, so that, selfishly, I may too.

Valley’s staff and faculty have made me, a mere parent, feel a strong sense of belonging to the school. Whether eating a meal at the dining hall, singing songs with Naad Ninad in hand, or walking along now-familiar paths, the Valley campus feels like home. More than 25 years after my first contact with the KFI schools, I am still smitten.

Abha Rao

Sometimes full, sometimes not.

Either ways a place I sought—

Along the path to ‘the western side’

Built of rocks under which hide

Those residents of the Valley with whom I’d share

Songs, laughter or tears without a care!

I grabbed every chance to be in your lap

If I found between classes, even the slightest gap!

How grateful I am for your silence and grace—

That held me together when I needed solace!

By you, not once did I feel shunned.

Oh! I can’t wait to meet you again…

My dear BUND!

Fondly,

Varsha

मदीयं तदीयम् अस्मभ्यं प्रिये व्याली |

सर्वेषु हृदयेषु कल्पयसि विशिष्टा शैली ||

बध्नाति सर्वान् स्नेहबन्धयिदं गृहम् |

तथापि तिष्ठसि स्वयमेव निःस्पृहम् ||

मन्दहासेन विकसति सर्वेषां वदनम् |

विचारेणानेन स्थित्वापि स्वे स्वे सदनम् ||

कृष्णेनानिकेतनेन प्रतिपादितमिदम् |

भावयन्ति सर्वे तुभ्यं स्वनिकेतनम् ||

चितकला

I attended five schools and colleges during my student years, but I found my favourite one a few decades later - when my son started attending The Valley School. I had quit my corporate job and relocated to India a few years before. In the nearly two decades I was away, Indian cities had become much more polluted and lost a lot of their green spaces (especially Bangalore!). The first time I entered the gates of the school I was struck by the natural beauty of the place and remember wondering where the school building was! All I could spot was a few low-rise structures blending in with the landscape. Soon I discovered that every tree, rock, insect, snake, monkey, and stray dog was an integral part of this school, as much as the smiling faces of its students, teachers, and staff. There was an atmosphere of simplicity and sensitivity to the environment all around – stone benches to sit outdoors, unassuming well-ventilated classrooms with simple furniture, floor seating in the dining hall with fresh local food served in steel utensils. The beautiful artwork on the walls and aesthetic stone and terracotta sculptures placed outside seemed to have a life of their own!

As I walked its meandering paths from the school area to the towering banyan tree near the Art Village and across the Bund to the Study Center the feeling of peace and belonging deepened. There was a silent communion between human and nature, throughout The Valley. Occasionally, I was treated to the welcome sight of a peacock, a flutter of colourful butterflies, and a flitter of glowing fireflies in the evening. On other occasions, I froze with fear when I spotted a wild boar. Much to my relief, the boar simply looked at me and ran away into the bushes. The monkey encounters were much more frequent, but I learned from my son how to nonchalantly walk by them - without making eye contact! Valley helped me face my fear of animals and realize that most of the undesirable behaviours we associate with wild animals or even stray dogs are usually a consequence of our behaviour or action towards them. That said, I must confess I still maintain a respectful distance from them.

I looked forward to every occasion that brought me to The Valley from the other end of Bangalore, whether it was a performance by the children, open house, PTMs or Study Center discussions and retreats. Even more than the events, I enjoyed being there on a regular school day watching children interact with nature and each other - in the dining hall, by the lotus pond, and the playgrounds. The sounds of melodious songs sung in unison during the morning assembly at Mahasagar remain etched on my mind. The lack of hierarchy in the school and genuine warmth between the students, teachers and staff was in stark contrast to my own conventional school experience. I began volunteering on a weekly basis at the Study Center, and explored K’s teachings further. The Study Center is a special place where the boundaries between visitors, parents, teachers, and students, are blurred in the exploration of life and living. Simply being human is the prerequisite!

The significance of places like The Valley which have preserved a harmonious balance between humans and nature cannot be overstated. Especially now, with the global pandemic reminding us of the fragility of human life and the importance of maintaining a healthy balance, in our bodies and minds as well as in our ecosystem. I am deeply grateful to all the people who have made places like this possible - starting with K to all the others who are working tirelessly to realize his vision of schools that educate the whole human being.

Wishing Valley a happy 43^rd and many more birthdays to come!

Urmila

We moved to The Valley School right in the middle of the pandemic. It was a decision in the making for a long time - we had been engaging with the school and the philosophy of the school for a few years and we knew this is where we wanted our children to grow up. But having lived at the other end of the city for more than eight years with work and community and friends established, it took us time to make all the changes which would help us finally move closer to the school and join the Valley family.

While it has been a deep disappointment to all of us in the family that we have not been able to live the real Valley experience over the last year, we have been overwhelmed with the warmth and friendliness with which we have been included in the Valley community. It has been as enriching for us as for the children to learn so many things which bring fresh perspective and meaning to life. Moving to South Bangalore has also been a great personal change for us - we finally feel as close to nature as possible through apartment living! We have spotted birds which we have never seen from our balconies before, we have grown vegetables in pots, we have relished the mangoes and the litchis, we have stared at the blue sky and enjoyed the sound and smell of the rains. We have also enjoyed the greenery and tranquility of the school the few times we came over last year - my favourite few hours were the ones spent in the Study Center library amongst books and the vibrations of Valley.

We would like to end this with a lovely piece by JK, which many of you might be familiar with, but is always insightful to read - https://kfoundation.org/what-is-our-relationship-with-nature/

Anita & Kiran

listening to the rustling of leaves beneath

and the chatter of little minds, busy at work and play

marvelling at the red hues of the trees

and the violet carpet of some more in the distance

stopping to experience the fragrance of new flowers

and the smell of fresh rain on sandy pathways

tracing the flight of wings amidst lush trees

and the melodies of others in the background

feeling the rush of water across smooth rocks

and the texture of woven thread in ones hands

celebrating every discovery that each little hand makes

and every idea that germinates in each little head

laughing at the utterances of voices finding themselves

and challenging beliefs one did not realise one had

wondering at the limitations of the past

and creating new memories each day, alongside

reflecting on the joy of not having all the answers

and feeling liberated at this discovery

discovering the beauty of imperfection without

and finding that it is equally imperfect within

basking in the knowledge of being enough

and the power of making a difference to little lives

seeking questions unbeknownst to oneself

and finding answers to those one was never taught to ask

wandering along unfamiliar, unexplored trails

and feeling at home always, every day

Vipula

The Valley Was One's Home For Two Decades And Since Has Been An Integral Part of One's Consciousness!

The Lake, The Banyan and The Neem Trees, The Winding Path, The (erstwhile) Cow Shed, The Bund, The Bulrushes, The Panther, The Snakes, The Scorpions and The Birds Hang Sublimely On The Horizon of One's Mind!

The Valley School Inspired One To Learn A Lot More Than One Taught And Epitomised A Great Sense of Freedom and Informality and Inquiry Which One Carried Everywhere One Went!

Let All The Above Remain Firmly At The Core of The Valley School And Share The Joy of Learning and Living Together!

Amaranthan

Studying at The Valley School helped me establish a strong connection with the natural world. An awareness was instilled in us, making us sensitive to its assorted inhabitants and the overall importance of diversity. The art I make, and the very need to create, was encouraged and nourished at The Valley School. Teachers who understood what we held as important, inspired us in our journeys. I am eternally thankful and grateful—for the confidence and trust our young minds and hearts were exposed to.

My multimedia series ‘The Logue’ is a homage to the natural world. The Valley played a huge part in shaping my thinking.

Regards,

Smruthi Gargi Eswar

We walk through the gates of The Valley.

There is an electrifying buzz in the air.

Everyone feels it in their special ways, like magic.

As the children disappear into the span of colours

I let the day soak in

Every single School Birthday!

Always in awe and appreciation of the effort put in by the students and staff alike

Be it the warm and subtle arrangements of flowers and decorations, the detailing in the procession, the props, the spots picked for tree planting, this list is endless.

It is a day all senses come alive

The trees look greener

The chatter livelier

The food tastier

The smell of the earth.

The dust kicked up or the rains that have already visited

The Birthday atmosphere envelopes you in a hug

It was a year of long distance Birthday celebrations

And then another one.

…There is a sense of sadness, a sense of loss

…but I am thankful to the many we celebrated that made lovely memories I can write about and I positively look forward to the many many more to come!

Josephine