Salutations, Mother Soil! Stories of Land, Belonging, and Ecological Justice from the lands of Tamil Nadu
What can we learn by listening closely to the people whose lives are intimately connected to the land? And what might their stories awaken in our own relationships with the places we call home?
On October 2, 2026, a group of organic farmers, land rights activists, and community members set out on a 100-day journey across the entirety of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. Their initiative, Thaai Manne Vanakkam (Salutations, Mother Soil) seeks to bring stories from the heart of these lands to the forefront, illuminating the lived realities of farmers and villages amid changing landscapes, industrialization, and the climate crisis.
As the only US-based participant in this collective journey, Rishi is returning to share stories, reflections, and learnings from the people and places he encounters along the way. The hope is to invite more people into this journey of listening, witnessing, and solidarity with struggles for farmers’ rights, village rights, and the protection of land.
Join us for an intimate, participatory gathering. Chetna will interview Rishi about his experiences, discoveries, and questions emerging from the journey. Through conversation and storytelling, we’ll explore what it means to listen to communities whose lives are shaped by the land, what we can learn from struggles for ecological and cultural survival, and how these stories might deepen our own relationships with our motherlands.
We’ll gather in the spirit of a traditional Tamil village kootam, a circle for coming together, sharing, and listening. After the opening conversation between Rishi and Chetna, we’ll open the circle for participants to share their own reflections, questions, and stories.
Whether you have roots in India, feel connected to another ancestral homeland, or simply care about the future of the places and communities we inhabit, you are welcome here. Come to learn something new, listen with care, reflect on your own sense of belonging, and perhaps leave with a new friend.
A few things to know:
A space for candid conversation: To encourage openness and trust, we ask that there be no recording or other documentation of the gathering.
An invitation to contribute: In support of the larger journey and its initiatives, Rishi invites participants to make a donation of any amount they choose. It will be passed directly to the initiative.
It's Halloween, so show up in costume if you like!
Learn more about the journey: https://www.thaaimanmarch.org/
Come as you are. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your own stories of land and belonging.