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 43rd and many more birthdays to come!
Urmila