Bengaluru is hosting a festival dedicated to pastoral traditions until February 16, with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Mallathahalli, serving as the primary venue. The Living Lightly Utsav 2025, curated by the Centre for Pastoralism and Sahjeevan, showcases the Deccan’s rich pastoral culture through interactive exhibits, soundscapes, VR films, theater, workshops, and expert talks.
Pastoralists play a crucial role in agriculture, from dairy production to soil enrichment through natural fertilization. However, their semi-nomadic way of life is often misunderstood. Sushma Iyengar, the event’s lead curator, emphasized their deep ecological wisdom. Kuruba herders like Vazir from Belagavi possess extensive knowledge of local flora, identifying grasses that improve livestock health.
The festival highlights “penning”—an age-old practice where herders fertilize farmland with animal waste in exchange for food, money, or shelter. Exhibits illustrate intergenerational ties between herders and farmers, along with international interest in Indian livestock waste for agricultural use.
Urbanization threatens traditional grazing lands (gomalas), affecting livestock-dependent communities. The festival also revives interest in Indian wool, encouraging its adoption over imported alternatives. Visitors can explore pastoral crafts, taste indigenous cheeses, and witness cultural traditions at the event’s jatre-inspired setup.
Since 2016, the festival has influenced policy changes, including the recognition of 70 native breeds and approval for camel milk distribution.
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