Her first visit to this place was way back in 1991 and one glimpse of the picturesque site was enough to draw her towards Anegundi. Meet Shama Pawar, founder of The Kishkinda Trust, who has made the villages around Hampi her home for the past 16 years. Shama has worked towards conserving a land whose history is embedded in rich tradition.
Shama has taken up the task of restoring houses in Anegundi, so that they can be used by tourists. “Through the rural tourism project, sponsored by the ministry of tourism, we’ve taken up public spaces and houses in the village. The idea is to create a heritage village. We now have guest houses, a library, craft shops and workshops set up in the village. We’ve done six houses and around 30 people can stay there.” She maintains that these are not home-stays and adds, “They are secondary properties of owners that have been restored. People have been trained for house-keeping, maintenance, etc.”
Having lived in Pune for 22 years, Shama says she turned a nomad after that. “I stumbled upon Anegundi and the population was just 4,000 then. I formed the trust in 1997 and moved here in 1995. We use natural and local resources and take inspiration from the heritage. The houses are not owned by the trust, but are owned by locals.” From fighting for trees in Pune to documentation of heritage buildings in Mumbai, Shama says she’s been all over the place. “I’ve also worked in Devghat along the coast, where I worked for architectural conservation.”
Talking about Hampi, which is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO for its cultural significance, Shama says, “It’s a site like none other. It not only has historical heritage but also has natural heritage that goes back around three billion years. It’s filled with boulders, has an irrigation system and the art and engineering of Hampi is spectacular.” From the fascinating folk culture to the architecture, it is one of the most inspiring historical places. “It also has mythical references which have been included in the Ramayana. We want to use locally available resources and leave it in good shape,” adds Shama
