Fresh apricots are neatly stacked over the yak hair blankets, to be dried under the scorching sun. While sipping the renowned salty butter tea (said to be an acquired taste) we watch the village fields down in the valley, coiled like a green snake between the rugged mountains. The silence is sometimes broken by the encouraging shouts from an archery game (an annual event) held at a distant field. A bunch of kids with red cheeks and ever smiling faces run past us to join the excitement of the sport. They are wearing their Ladakhi traditional red dress particularly saved for such special occasions. A magpie wings its way to the top of our shed. Pleasant breeze brings us the smell of purity that only exists in Ladakh. It’s impossible not to get infected by such supreme presence of peace and happiness.
In several books as well as hundreds of websites, Ladakh is described as one of the most beautiful, scenic places in the world. Its recent popularity as a tourist spot has attracted innumerable travellers to its unparalleled beauty, incomparable innocence and matchless diversity.
Before my trip to Ladakh (as most tourists do), I read all about the place, the crystal blue lakes, the never-ending deserts, multi-colored rock mountains, diversely colorful monasteries, the breathtaking journeys through some of the highest motorable passes in the world, the most anticipated camel ride, rich Tibetan culture, food, festivals … almost every aspect that a visitor needs to know. And I was satisfied and somehow felt that at-least I know what was to be expected from that place.
But I was wrong.
Not that I was anyway disappointed with the heavenly picturesque views all around but what I never expected was the feeling to be at a place which though geographically exists in our very own planet but somehow pragmatically doesn’t. That’s because in today’s cynical world, does anybody know of a society where there is neither waste nor pollution, where crime is virtually nonexistent? A community not hostile in the name of religion or politics, where family values are still given the highest priority, where there is enough food and drink for all despite extreme natural conditions and may be the most simple yet mystic phenomenon – a hearty smile on everybody’s face? Such a paradise is commonly known as Ladakh.
Present-day Ladakhis descend from a blend of three races – two Aryan groups, the Mons of northern India and the Dards of Gilgit, later joined by a larger group of Mongolian nomads from Tibet. Culturally, Ladakh is Tibetan and often referred to as ‘Little Tibet.’ Language, art, architecture, medicine, music and their philosophy of life all reflect this heritage. Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism is the predominant religion, and the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader.
Increasingly, Western culture is trickling down through every region of the world and Ladakh is not an exception. The grand admittance of modern technology, fashion and moral values are chained to many invisible evils like greed, a sense of competition, ego, lack of traditional respect and family values. Sometimes when you look at their innocent happy smiles, the calm way of their life, the unalarmed acceptance of any stranger, you feel a certain urgency to save them from the so called modernization. I wish, I could.
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Souranath Banerjee is a commerce graduate from Kolkata. He came to Mumbai and worked with Prana Studios (Animation Company) for four years and then had a crazy idea to learn direction. So he did a film direction course at Whistling Woods International. Has made two short films. Currently working on the script of his own Bengali feature film. Also loves to travel and write and click pictures as well.