The Himalaya are a vast network of mountain chains and plateaux, spread over at least eight countries and encompassing peaks and canyons, tropics and glaciers. These great spaces contain lonely, pristine forests, secluded villages, and large, crowded cities. Most of the earth's ecosystems can be found in the Himalayan Region, and it harbours a huge biodiversity of plant and animal species. 

It is also home to several hundred million people. Spread over a huge area where communications are often difficult, Himalayan people have developed unique and varied cultures. Hundreds of languages are spoken over the region. Three of the world's major religions (Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam) all count millions of Himalayan faithful, and there are many more local religions. 

 

As modern technology spreads to remoter parts, people find their relationships with nature, knowledge and each other are changing. Traditional cultures are faced with the challenge of preserving their beliefs and customs, or adapting them to fit inside new lifestyles and attitudes. 

As the source of many of Asia's greatest rivers, containing huge natural resources, and commanding a powerful geopolitical position, the Himalaya are strategically important regionally and globally. National and local interests clash over resources and government, and rivalries between powerful states extend tension over the region. Many Himalayans continue to find their homes the theatre of conflict, as India and Pakistan tear Kashmir apart, separatist groups fight to carve out new states in Northeast India, and China struggles to keep control over Tibet. 

The Himalaya are many things to many people - the abode of gods to Hindu holymen, a cistern of spirituality to Western religious enthusiasts, an inalienable homeland to a Manipuri separatist, a hardship posting for an Indian soldier, a guarantee of future water security for Chinese bureaucrats, feared bringer of floods to Bihari villagers, the most exciting destination in the world for a young backpacker, the most boring place in the world to a Nepali village boy of the same age. 

Satsang's work and outlook aim to be fully international. However, we have a special passion for and expertise in the Himalayan Region, and much of our work is focused there. 

There are several reasons for this. Firstly, many of the Satsang team originate in the region or have lived there for long periods. Our experience of the Himalaya, both as children and as adults, has influenced our worldview and creative expression to this day. 

 

Secondly, we feel that representation of the Himalaya in the mainstream media often fails to portray the full richness of the region, instead tending to focus on a few well-used narratives which reinforce existing views rather than presenting new angles. 

 

The Himalaya are an extremely complex region, of great cultural, biological and geopolitical importance. While many of the themes which tend to crop up in the international media - peaceful, 'timeless' village life, Buddhism, monasteries, etc - are important features of the region, there are many stories of the Himalaya which do not fall neatly into categories, and receive little coverage. 

The villages of Shangri-La find their environments altered by climate change, and armed conflicts loom over villages in many areas. Young people are forsaking monastic life as Himalayan youth's career aspirations become globalised.

 

We hope to present the Himalayan Region in its full, living complexity - not discounting the exceptions, contradictions, and surprises which exist as much here as anywhere else in the world. 

 

Some of our projects deal with themes and stories which are seldom given airtime at an international level. Others look at well-known subjects from new angles.