Dudhsagar farmstay
Writers' Retreat
Sunday, 16th June to Saturday, 22nd June 2019
Want to finish A pending article? Struggling to start off A story that has been on your mind? Need to push A book which is way past deadline? Or just wish to try your hand at writing?
This is an opportunity for you to meet and work with other writers in a beautiful natural setting. At this organic spice farm in Goa, sitting in verandas or under the gazebo looking out into the coconut trees, listening to the puttering of the incessant rain you will get on with your writing for a week.
Programme
⦁ Reach the location before tea time at around 5 pm on Sunday 16th June.
⦁ Orientation session over tea/ coffee; where writing plans for each participant can be discussed.
⦁ Conveners shall share writing and publishing tips
⦁ Concluding session on Sat morning 22nd June.
⦁ There will be a collective interaction (voluntary) everyday with the group or individually.
⦁ Yoga session will take place every day. Swimming in the pool throughout the day (or in the well or in the nearby stream for the adventurous souls).
⦁ Mid-week excursion to Tambdi Sula; trekking through forest to an off-beat waterfall, stop at an ancient local temple located in the wildlife sanctuary
venue
Wake up to the sound of birds, and be inspired by the beauty of nature all around…
Dudhsagar Farmstay is a tropical paradise where time stands still. The 50 acre organic farm was started by Ajit and Doris Malkarnekar on a near – barren piece of land which has since been transformed into a vibrant ecosystem. A small dairy unit supplies fresh milk and manure for the farm and biogas is used for cooking. Most of the foods come from the land or are locally sourced. The independent cottages are set in a palm grove, amongst lush greenery, with plenty of tropical flowers, birds and butterflies all around… there’s a natural swimming pool set on a little hillock and a poolside yoga shala.. there’s a nature trail on the property and walks in the neighborhood could take you past adjoining villages and to the nearby river.
See http://www.dudhsagarplantation.com/
accommodation
Five cottages offer twin sharing stay. Some with open to sky bathrooms. All with hot water showers. All cottages have a patio and a seating area. You can enjoy plantation view from the room. Towels and free toiletries are provided.
Food consists of vegetarian home cooked Goan food. All three meals and tea are served at the common gazebo area.
fees
Rs. 21,000/- for 6 nights (includes stay, food, workshops, yoga, swimming pool access and the spice tour)
Special price of Rs 19,000/- only for applicants who register on or before 30th April, 2019
the team
CONVENOR
Dr. Sameena Dalwai is a bi-lingual writer who specializes in gender, caste, communalism and the law. Her co-edited anthology of personal memoirs titled “Babri Masjid – 25 years on…” was published in December 2017. Her forthcoming monograph, “Bans and Bargirls” is a legal ethnography published by Women Unlimited, Delhi. She writes in English and Marathi newspapers including Indian Express and Divya Marathi.
Sameena founded Development and Human Rights Institute (DHRI) in 2009 that organised summer schools and internship programs for students from Western universities. She has conducted a Writing Boot Camp within Jindal Global University, Delhi NCR where she is currently an Associate Professor in the Law School.
The idea of a writers’ retreat emerged in the monsoon of 2017, when Sameena spent a month in Goa immersed in writing. She wishes to repeat the experience with others, while working on her first play script.
Email: sameenad@gmail.com
CO-CONVENOR
Bhushan Korgaonkar is a Chartered Accountant by profession and writer by passion. He is a co-founder of a theatre company, Kali Billi Productions in Mumbai. He started engaging with and writing about the traditional lavani artists in Maharashtra in 2005. His first Marathi book ‘Sangeet Bari’ was published in 2014 by Rajhans Prakashan. This then turned into a full-length theatre production which has been performed across the country in varied venues including theatre, dance and music festivals.
Bhushan writes fiction in Marathi; his stories are published in leading Diwali issues such as Maharashtra Times, Antarnaad, Lokprabha and Maher.
He loves food, travel, yoga, meeting people and understanding their cultures
Email: bhushank23@gmail.com
HOST
Ashok Malkarnekar is a Development Economist turned farmer, eco-tourist resort owner. In 2013 he took time out from his professional life with German Development Cooperation agency GIZ as Advisor for Financial Inclusion to follow his passion for nature and returned to his hometown Goa, He now lives on the farm where he spent his childhood and enjoys treating visitors from all over the world to a lesser known green side of Goa. Brought up by Indo German parents, Ashok speaks several languages, and has lived and worked in several continents.
Email: ashok.malkarnekar@gmail.com
CO-HOST
Nihal Satpute is connected with Bollywood for past twenty years. He has worked as an Associate director and creative director for many movies and television shows. He is also associated with scripting of many movies.
Goa is his grandfather’s origin and his favourite destination. He has moved to Goa a year back and is setting up a line production for film shoots in this beautiful land. Nihal runs several properties as homestays in Panjim and around. He is an avid traveler and his travel blog is loved and shared on social media.
Email: nihalsatpute@gmail.com
TO BOOK, SHOOT AN EMAIL TO dudhsagarplantation@gmail.com with subject line ‘Writers’ Retreat’
see a video of the venue...
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
“This place has a magical down to earth feel to it. I will go back for a visit soon.” – Raj Anand/Cologne
“The unique garden is one of my favourite places in India. I have found a real paradise here.” – Olga Okuneva/Amsterdam
“Would definitely recommend it.” – Janelle Meier/Berlin