Adi-Johar

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Adi-Johar Adi-Johar aims to be a meeting ground of adivasi and mainstream knowledge. The primary intention is

Join us for 3 days immersive musical retreat where we will coax sounds, rhythms, beats, melodies, from the jungle, using...
18/09/2026

Join us for 3 days immersive musical retreat where we will coax sounds, rhythms, beats, melodies, from the jungle, using only that which nature provides

We are looking for curious, open minded souls who are ready to leave the synthesisers behind and experiment with the most raw musical sounds found in nature. Inspired by the orchestra of sounds found in the rich jungle of Madhya Pradesh, we will find seeds, roots, reeds, anything with a voice, and use basic tools to craft found-sound jungle instruments.

We’ll have experienced musicians and a natural builder on site to guide us through the process and explore the potential of our new found sounds. What could it sound like when all of these sounds come together? What expression can we find in these elemental sounds? What inspiration will come as we sit beneath canopies of trees and stars?

This is a unique opportunity to explore the raw essentials of what music means in its most stripped down form. You don’t need to be a musician to join, but you do need a sense of curiosity and be willing to explore.

Accommodation is tents or shared dormitory in our hand-built cob house. All meals included, we’ll cook together over the open fire. Get in touch to book your spot.

After we finished the roof of the house, we had a lot of leftover bamboo which I wanted to keep and protect from the rai...
03/09/2026

After we finished the roof of the house, we had a lot of leftover bamboo which I wanted to keep and protect from the rain. So we hauled it all up above the spot where we'd already built our kitchen platform, and threw together a simple roof to keep it under cover.

Around this time, Courtney arrived and she wanted to learn some natural building skills. So, we used the bamboo that wasn’t good enough for the main roof and wove it into a lattice over the structure we'd started, then finished it off with a wattle and daub coating pressed on top to make some nice walls.

This little shelter slowly became its own space - the ground was cool and shaded, so during the hottest weather we all sheltered there - us, the dogs, even the chickens. Once the rains arrived we started cooking there, and the dogs curled up around the fire to dry off in the warmth.

The thing about mud houses - or any kind of building using traditional methods - is that they need regular maintenance. ...
20/08/2026

The thing about mud houses - or any kind of building using traditional methods - is that they need regular maintenance. We built our roof more than 5 years ago, so it really needed some work. There were a lot of termites in the roof and the walls, and the wood was disintegrating - it could have all collapsed at any point!

A few months after Rela, Govind and 5 friends came from the village in Chhattisgarh, and during some of the hottest days somehow we worked together to get it done. We mostly worked in the evening and night time when it was (slightly!) cooler. Firstly we removed the roof tiles and supporting beams, then made a frame from new wood. After making the frame we cut bamboo to size and once we had put that all in place, we carefully replaced the roof tiles. It was really fun to work together, and now we have a new roof that will last us a few more years!

14/08/2026

Rela is a hundred voices joining together in new songs and old. Rela is strangers becoming friends, common ground found beyond the distinctions of language, culture, class. Rela is a circle of hands holding hands, feet moving in unison, the drum beat resounding within and without.

Every 2 years at Adi-Johar we invite musicians & friends to celebrate Rela. If you want a chance to become part of our community for 2028, we ask that you join the family at Adi-Johar beforehand. We’ll be hosting several musical workshops over the next few months for curious souls who want to learn, share, explore. Come and get involved.

Monsoon has officially arrived in Nandora, and we (and the animals!) have been enjoying the break from the intense heat ...
01/07/2026

Monsoon has officially arrived in Nandora, and we (and the animals!) have been enjoying the break from the intense heat of the last months. The river is filling quickly as water gushes down from the hills, and green bursts of life are appearing all around the jungle. We have been busy dreaming up plans for the coming months, stay tuned for updates on how you can get involved in our next natural building projects!

In light of the LPG shortage, we have been reflecting on the many techniques for making Chulha that we have seen over th...
03/04/2026

In light of the LPG shortage, we have been reflecting on the many techniques for making Chulha that we have seen over the years.

These photos show a selection of Chulhas that we have built, used, or seen, in our travels across Central India over the last years.

Making a Chulha can be as simple as arranging some logs, starting a fire, and placing the cooking pot on top - or just digging a hole at the edge of something and making a fire underneath.

But when you get mud involved, you can elaborate the whole process… whether it’s a single pot Chulha, double sided, or multiple pots for weddings and other celebrations, rocket stove - the possibilities are endless.

What’s a type of Chulha that you have built or used? Let us know in the comments!

we started building this treehouse after the last rains; the fencing got damaged and the buffalos & cows started coming ...
11/03/2026

we started building this treehouse after the last rains; the fencing got damaged and the buffalos & cows started coming onto the land again. so, we chose a tree where we could sit and keep an eye on the riversideas always, it was a group effort. firstly govind, Yosh*to and prakash made the platform, then anoushka & la-ella came and made the frame and started weaving the sides. neela, neha & anita finished the weaving, then anita & neela went to cut grass for the roof. finally, harsh*t and jay thatched the roof.now until the next monsoon we have a great spot to stay by the riverside and make sure the cows & buffaloes don't roam around on the land and ruin our young saplings.

Jhamela | A Natural Building Residencyat adi-johar, Nandora, Madhya PradeshMarch & April 2026Over the years, I learned n...
25/02/2026

Jhamela | A Natural Building Residency
at adi-johar, Nandora, Madhya Pradesh
March & April 2026

Over the years, I learned natural building by living and working in villages alongside my adivasi (indigenous) friends. Rather than in classrooms, I picked up these skills through participation, mistakes, repetition, and time - and with the gentle & patient guidance of my friends.

Now, I am bringing this same approach to this residency. This is not a workshop, and it’s not volunteering. Instead it’s a small, ongoing natural building process on my 3 acre plot of land in the jungle. Here, we live, experiment, construct, and repair using what the land provides.

This season’s projects include: - A communal shelter + open kitchen
- Renovating a cob house
- Fencing the landYou are also welcome to bring your own ideas to the space

Our days will consist of various activities, including: Mud work. Clay. Wood. Fire cooking.
River swims. Forest walks. Village visits.

Over the years I have learned that if you contribute to the land, the land teaches back.
If this way of learning resonates with you, come and get involved.
DM for details & availability.

Jhamela | A Natural Building Residencyat adi-johar, Nandora, Madhya PradeshMarch & April 2026Over the years, I learned n...
25/02/2026

Jhamela | A Natural Building Residency
at adi-johar, Nandora, Madhya Pradesh
March & April 2026

Over the years, I learned natural building by living and working in villages alongside my adivasi (indigenous) friends. Rather than in classrooms, I picked up these skills through participation, mistakes, repetition, and time - and with the gentle & patient guidance of my friends.

Now, I am bringing this same approach to this residency. This is not a workshop, and it’s not volunteering. Instead it’s a small, ongoing natural building process on my 3 acre plot of land in the jungle. Here, we live, experiment, construct, and repair using what the land provides.

This season’s projects include: 
- A communal shelter + open kitchen
- Renovating a cob house
- Fencing the land
- You are also welcome to bring your own ideas to the space

Our days will consist of various activities, including: Mud work. Clay. Wood. Fire cooking.
River swims. Forest walks. Village visits.

Over the years I have learned that if you contribute to the land, the land teaches back.
If this way of learning resonates with you, come and get involved.
DM for details & availability.

08/01/2026

*English below*

From climbing date palm to draw out sap
to shaping a horn made by hand -
everyone is getting ready for Rela.

Snippets from a visit to villages in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, to invite people to Rela

Rela is a gathering of creation, collaboration, and celebration - bringing together adivasi musicians and friends with musicians from across the world.

To make this gathering possible, we’re raising funds.
If this resonates, support Rela and be part of the circle.

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Balaghat
481001

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+918962113414

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