My father was born in Nimbehalli (literally lime village). I have gone back to that village often, for short and long stretches, to learn about the most ethical way of living, to live off the land. Today or in the past, Nimbehalli has never been the utopian space I could return to. Yet, it has always had generous, creative, hardworking and ethical people, who have over the years taught me much. In particular, I always remember of my uncle, Gangappa, who would miraculously appear at home the day before I would return to Delhi or Chicago, with a generous cash gift and a simple demand: be a credit to the family and the village. The village Gangappa referred to is a space that he and others, including my parents, created within me.
Land of Lime is my Port William. Like Wendell Berry, I want to be able to live close to that real place but until that happens this utopian space will have to be my location from which to engage the world. Like Port William, Land of Lime too is real and will continue to be my connection to a place and community, appreciation of work and a genuine commitment to art and culture.