Rishi Valley
Now that my stay is over, I want to put down some impressions (helped by the starkness of the contrast between RV and crowded, chaotic, dirty Bangalore and its endless din). Although from the start I loved RV (which includes a Krishnamurti Study Centre and the outreach programs), and its school (RVS), every aspect is becoming more precious as I see how utterly unusual it is.
"Impressive" and "inspiring" are the words Rishi Valley summons for me. Like SG, it has its location going for it--but unlike SG, RV largely created its setting, reforesting a barren, arid area, over 80 years, so that birds and other wildlife returned, erosion was slowed, and the bare ground bloomed. The green quiet, the closeness to nature coupled with the sophistication of the inhabitants: that's a rare combination.
The place makes a first impression, but so do its people: faculty in lovely saris, lungis, or shalwar kameez; students in kurtas (with some western attire on males). In Bangalore even the inherently graceful sari is often garish polyester, with glittery edges and harsh patterns. The RVS students look comfortable, informal, but not casual: and only now in the city do I understand how tasteful their clothing was. Beautifully printed and draped fabrics everywhere made RVS as pleasing to the eyes indoors as the flowers and greenery outdoors.
RVS's melding of Indian tradition, in setting, dress, and the school singing-assemblies, is balanced by its progressivism, formed by the philosophy of J.K. Krishnamurti. Co-ed and casteless since its founding (very unusual in 1930), emphasizing cooperation over competition, RVS also balanced its elitism with involvement in the rural villages (through the RV health and education programs) and its focus on the environment and conservation. RVS is a working example of how the world could live a simpler, less energy-hungry and water-wasting life.
The extremely unpretentious facilities still manage to nurture academic excellence, as RVS attracts the very best students and faculty. In this year's annual Education World survey, RVS came top out of all boarding schools in India: the "most admired" (despite its deliberately low profile), ahead of the much better-known Doon School. Many teachers here have come from a professional career in their field; high-calibre students focus on learning, with so few distractions while they're at school. Sitting in classes with the bright, engaged students and their dedicated, excellent teachers was inspiring for me. Students initiated contact with me outside of class, chatting about their holidays, the school, their music, their future, etc. Faculty invited me into their homes for tea or a meal, to yoga classes (begun with a chant in Sanskrit), and into their classrooms. Everyone patiently answered my endless questions.
I'd been told before I arrived that RV is unique: now I begin to understand just how true that is, and in how many ways.
Now that my stay is over, I want to put down some impressions (helped by the starkness of the contrast between RV and crowded, chaotic, dirty Bangalore and its endless din). Although from the start I loved RV (which includes a Krishnamurti Study Centre and the outreach programs), and its school (RVS), every aspect is becoming more precious as I see how utterly unusual it is.
"Impressive" and "inspiring" are the words Rishi Valley summons for me. Like SG, it has its location going for it--but unlike SG, RV largely created its setting, reforesting a barren, arid area, over 80 years, so that birds and other wildlife returned, erosion was slowed, and the bare ground bloomed. The green quiet, the closeness to nature coupled with the sophistication of the inhabitants: that's a rare combination.
The place makes a first impression, but so do its people: faculty in lovely saris, lungis, or shalwar kameez; students in kurtas (with some western attire on males). In Bangalore even the inherently graceful sari is often garish polyester, with glittery edges and harsh patterns. The RVS students look comfortable, informal, but not casual: and only now in the city do I understand how tasteful their clothing was. Beautifully printed and draped fabrics everywhere made RVS as pleasing to the eyes indoors as the flowers and greenery outdoors.
RVS's melding of Indian tradition, in setting, dress, and the school singing-assemblies, is balanced by its progressivism, formed by the philosophy of J.K. Krishnamurti. Co-ed and casteless since its founding (very unusual in 1930), emphasizing cooperation over competition, RVS also balanced its elitism with involvement in the rural villages (through the RV health and education programs) and its focus on the environment and conservation. RVS is a working example of how the world could live a simpler, less energy-hungry and water-wasting life.
The extremely unpretentious facilities still manage to nurture academic excellence, as RVS attracts the very best students and faculty. In this year's annual Education World survey, RVS came top out of all boarding schools in India: the "most admired" (despite its deliberately low profile), ahead of the much better-known Doon School. Many teachers here have come from a professional career in their field; high-calibre students focus on learning, with so few distractions while they're at school. Sitting in classes with the bright, engaged students and their dedicated, excellent teachers was inspiring for me. Students initiated contact with me outside of class, chatting about their holidays, the school, their music, their future, etc. Faculty invited me into their homes for tea or a meal, to yoga classes (begun with a chant in Sanskrit), and into their classrooms. Everyone patiently answered my endless questions.
I'd been told before I arrived that RV is unique: now I begin to understand just how true that is, and in how many ways.
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