Bonfire Bonanza
Written by: Jahnavi Sakhamuri
The lively chatter of geckos and volunteers around the bonfire in Haritachala filled the night air, drowning out the usual sounds of nature. Every evening, promptly at 8:30, we gathered in eager anticipation to share moments of gratitude—a cherished ritual in our camp. The days were so full of experiences that our gratitude circles often stretched for hours. This year, with a larger group, the circle had grown, making it even more challenging to avoid repeating someone else's gratitude (a feat nearly impossible!).
Our evenings began with two geckos distributing warm saffron tea, a seemingly simple gesture, but it became an expected and essential part of our routine. In addition, I loved how we never sat in the same spots each night, unintentionally finding ourselves next to different faces. Every evening, we laughed and cried with different people as we reflected on the day’s events.
In our previous camp, these gratitude circles had become one of my favorite parts of the day. It was wonderful to relive small moments and hear how others interpreted the same events. I always found it beautiful how the simplest actions—like washing a plate—could somehow hold deep meaning for someone else because of what transpired surrounding that action. And it was the same this time around. Each person had their own unique moment they cherished, no two alike.
As a volunteer for the documentary series, one of the activities I was able to film was the gratitude circle. Capturing the pure, raw emotions people experienced as they shared their thanks was priceless. The glances exchanged, the laughter that couldn’t be contained, the tear-streaked faces (thankfully, only happy tears!), and the radiant smiles—these were moments I was deeply grateful to capture and eventually share with all of you.
One of the most touching aspects of these circles was hearing from the Aunties and Uncles. While we geckos and volunteers were vocally appreciative, always thanking Baba and Guruji for the opportunity, this time, I got to hear how the Aunties and Uncles came to join the camp for the first time. Their stories were heartfelt and moving, often bringing me to tears. The Aunties, in particular, spoke emotionally about their time in the kitchen with Ammagaru. They shared how they had their own way of doing things but would eventually learn a unique and perfect method from Ammagaru, who taught them with such care and patience. The Aunties marveled at how Ammagaru cared for everyone in the intense heat, something they themselves couldn’t handle at times. We were all so grateful for her, and one Aunty even joked that she was having more fun than the geckos, stating that the camp felt like it was meant for her!
It was heartwarming to hear the Aunties and Uncles recount the smallest moments from their day in such vivid detail, offering us a new perspective. Though I hadn’t met some of the aunties and uncles before, through these shared experiences, it felt as though we’d known each other for years.
Each night of the gratitude circle was a beautiful reflection on the day's smallest moments, offering the perfect close to a fulfilling day. I’m grateful that this practice continues beyond camp, even if it's through digital means.