Himalayan Echoes fest begins in Nainital, celebrates 10 yrs of mountain culture

Nainital: The 10th edition of the Himalayan Echoes festival commenced at the historic Abbotsford Estate in Nainital on Saturday, bringing together artists, authors, and thinkers from across the world – including participants from Spain and Scandinavia. The opening day featured six sessions exploring the intricate relationship between the mountains, culture and the environment.Welcoming the gathering, festival founder and director Janhavi Prasada reflected on the event's decade-long journey — from six speakers and 50 attendees to a global platform celebrating Himalayan heritage. She described the festival as a space "for the preservation of mountain culture and a celebration of the Himalayas' delicate ecologies".In her keynote address, art historian and scholar Dr Alka Pande urged the audience to view the mountains as a "crossroads of cultures and environment". Quoting poet Kalidasa, she said the mountains were elevated "from a landscape to a sentient being", and called for a "renewed sensitivity to indigenous systems of knowledge, where spirituality and ecology are inseparable".The day's cultural highlights included a performance by Bhutanese singer Leki Tshewang from the Royal Academy of Performing Arts, who captivated the audience with Bhutanese, Pahadi, and Hindi songs, accompanied by a traditional Bhutanese instrument.Discussions throughout the day revolved around nature, language, community, and conservation. Award-winning author Anuradha Roy shared insights on how the mountains shape her writing and worldview and gave an exclusive preview of her upcoming memoir Called by the Hills, in conversation with artist Aditi Singh Sah.Conservationist Neha Sinha and environment reporter Gargi Rawat examined the intersection of advocacy and storytelling, highlighting the growing fragility of Himalayan ecosystems. Gargi spoke about endangered species — including tigers and leopards — themes she explores in her new book Tiger Season.Author and translator Arundhati Nath spoke about her collection The Phantom's Howl, a compilation of classic Bengali ghost stories. Author and management consultant Sujeev Shakya led a session on his book Nepal 2043 – The Road to Prosperity, which examines Nepal's economic path and the prospects for sustainable growth across the Himalayan region.The afternoon sessions focused on ecological housing, with eco-architect Rahul Bhushan reflecting on a decade of nature-inspired design and Shagun Singh, founder of the Geeli Mitti Foundation, sharing her organisation's work in rewilding and sustainable construction.Janhavi Prasada's latest book, Nainital: Memories, Stories & History – a tribute to her hometown and a documentation of its cultural and historical evolution – was launched by the Citizens of Nainital.Visitors also explored the Kumaon Bazaar, featuring local brands such as Peoli, Pala, and Taraiblue, and enjoyed fresh coffee, baked goods, and a range of cuisines throughout the day.The evening program shifted to Hotel Arif Castle, where leading nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar headlined a session titled Mitahara: Food Wisdom From My Indian Kitchen, exploring traditional food systems and the link between nourishment and sustainability. The festival's opening day was set to conclude with a soulful Sufi performance by Rehmat-e-Nusrat.