11/02/2026
When living off the land is just a natural way of being. Yes, life is slow here in the backwaters, life is hard, but there is a beauty and a way that is so in tune with nature and the surroundings that I feel like we have completely forgotten to be a part of it’s rhythm. Whenever I am here in Kerala with Balan, I am reminded how we ‘used’ to live in turn with nature. Waking with the sun to morning rituals of prayer, walking on tiny dirt paths toward the sea and receiving the fresh air. Followed by a day full of household duties and often eating completely from the garden full of mango trees, pepper vines, jackfruit, tulsi, banana trees, coconut trees, tamarind trees, cashew trees and so much more. Even their weekly hair wash comes from the garden a concoction of hibiscus leaves leaving the hair healthy, silky and strong. Balan and his wife Pankaja have followed this routine for nearly half a century and they are both, not only agile as they age, but also in good health, with glowing skin and strong bodies. I admire the effort they put in to daily life and I love the acceptance of what is. One thing following the next in a rhythm so on beat that time flows one day in to the next. Step by step as it all gets done. As I sit here next to Balan filing the closures of our elis’, I am watching a beautiful bright blue kingsfisher on a palm branch and a rather large humming bird suck nectar from the hibiscus flower from the bush in front of me. Oh India! And all your many facets. May you always continue to be mindblowing and inspiring.
Balan is currently making us Elis’. If you are interested in having one for yourself or someone special, please send me a DM and we can discuss.
