Special video conversation: Saving our roots - The Nazareth Foundation

As responsible citizens, it is very important that we bridge the gap between city dwellers and our roots in the countryside and wilderness areas.
On that note, It was my absolute honour speaking with the core team of The Nazareth Foundation.

The Warli community who live in the backyard of Mumbai in the urban forest of Aarey, form the core of the foundation. The foundation, run by Cassandra Nazareth,Blasia Pinto,Mahesh Bariya & Rita Newnes, pooja Sinha has worked in creating livelihood for the women by providing them basic amenities in over 12 villages in Aarey, 11 villages in Sanjay Gandhi National Park & 6 villages at Madh Island.

Through the foundation’s flagship programme, Tribal Tadka, we have been able to transform the lives of communities in the the villages. The women today, are able to host the Tribal Tadka lunch or breakfast programs along with the flea market and are capable of providing a village experience to any and everyone who visit them. The program also includes a Warli art and craft workshop with a Village Walk about and a sumptuous meal. Besides the Tribal Tadka programme, the Foundation has also been able to successfully campaign for electricity for Naushacha Pada via the change.org/battijalao petition.

The Foundation along with the Warli community has been able to provide a much needed impetus to the #SaveAarey campaign and are attempting to save the land and villages of Aarey.

Cassandra Mendonsa Nazareth, a resident of Mumbai and is the founder of #TribalTAdka, a social enterprise for the warli women of Aarey Forest that has expanded around Mumbai. She is a proud supporter of the #SaveAareySaveMumbai Movement. Cassanddra became a lawyer at the age of 55 & is a mentor to non profits & startups.
Www.undercoverkidsgifts.com is Cassandra's creative business.

Mahesh Bariya is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and a Wall mural & Warli Art Expert by passion.

He is the anchor for the Warli Art Workshop at our #TribalLunch events and has been part of our #ProjectRoots , ie teaching Warli Art to the women & children at theTribal villages at Aarey and to other Mumbai residents online & offline. The purpose is to keep alive the Warli art tradition within the community and to create awareness about the art amongst Mumbaikars.
In his spare time he is busy beautifying walls around Mumbai city with traditional Folk arts of India such as Warli, Gond, Madhubani , etc. He and his team had an Art installation at the prestigious Kalaghoda Art Festival Mumbai in 2019. He was part of the Tribal Food Festival at the Mariott Hotel Renaissance , Powai & also part of The Step Festival Bandra, Mumbai and has been judge for many Maharashtra state Level.

Please have a listen and help us share the good work by The Nazareth Foundation.