Overview

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A River Rises is a Kavad, a traditional storyteller's box native to Rajasthan, India. Historically, this art form was used by Rajasthani natives to tell stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana (two Sanskrit epics narrating the lives of Hindu gods). Akin to a portable shrine, Kaavad was a way to display these stories and engage its viewers. Taking inspiration from its mobility and use of vibrant colors, we designed and created a 6 foot tall Kaavad of our own.

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Challenge

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India’s rivers are undergoing a drastic change. Due to the increasing population and the rise in global temperatures, perennial rivers are becoming seasonal, while many of the smaller rivers have already vanished. Floods and drought are becoming more frequent. Many Indians are unaware of this issue and what can be done to solve it.

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Solution

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Planting and maintaining a substantial number of trees along riverbanks is the key to bringing India’s rivers back to life. Tree roots make the soil porous so that it can absorb rain and retain water during rainfall, preventing flooding. The water in the soil is then gradually released into the river throughout the year. With the absence of trees, the soil is unable to retain water and  rivers go dry as soon as the monsoons end.

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Our goal

To spread awareness on the depletion of India’s rivers through a traditional storytelling box. Our goal was to highlight the importance of having trees along riverbanks in a fun and creative way.

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