Social media handle Dakshina showcases the way of living at Sarang, a one-of-its kind alternative school in Palakkad

dakshina showcases the way of living, food, day to day affairs and more at sarang the alternative school founded by teacher couple gopalakrishnan and vijayalekshmi

Roasted and ground puzhukkalari (double boiled rice) is mixed with jaggery, grated coconut and crushed pappadam. The sweet is served on banana leaves kept at four corners outside the house. It is for the ants! This is Urumboottal or feeding the ants, an age-old ritual in Kerala done on the evening of Thiruvonam, which has been documented on the social media handle, Dakshina.

While the practice may not be known to many, siblings Kannaki Sarang and Unniyarcha Sarang have been doing it every year at their home, Sarang, near Attappady in Palakkad district. They, along with their friends and siblings, Vishnujith Unnikrishnan and Indulekha Unnikrishnan, have recorded it for Dakshina.

The social media handle has many such stories from Sarang, an alternative school opened by the teacher couple, Gopalakrishnan and Vijayalekshmi, over 40 years ago. They converted barren land into a lush, green forest, and created a way of living and learning for their three children – Gautham, Kannaki and Unniyarcha who did not receive any formal school education. Vishnujith and Indulekha, who belong to Thrissur district, are alumni of Sarang.

Dakshina’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram (@darpanaofficial) pages have videos about life at Sarang. Besides capturing the greenery around Sarang, spread over 12 acres, and the flora and fauna on its picturesque hilly terrain, the videos celebrate food, especially those made with foraged greens, vegetables, and tubers from in and around Sarang.

“Teacher (Vijayalekshmi) has a treasure trove of recipes with her. She does not keep a record of it and we felt that they had to be documented. Since cooking videos have a good viewership on social media, we decided to feature her recipes through Dakshina,” says Vishnujith, 29, who joined Sarang when he was 12, along with his sister, Indulekha.

They grew up with Kannaki and Unniyarcha and learned everything in their company, be it art forms, life skills, or cooking. They wanted to do something together and chose social media to showcase their way of life. “That’s how Dakshina was started over three years ago. We decided that even if people don’t watch it, we will keep on posting videos. That way, we can keep a record of everything,” adds Vishnujith, a flautist.

Vijayalekshmi, 66, who was not enthused about the concept initially, gives eloquent voiceover for the videos. “I have always kept myself away from technology, gadgets and social media. But I never discouraged them from doing it. Now, I enjoy doing the videos, especially after reading the comments on the videos,” she says