Along the Betwa is a narrative documentary that transports readers to Bundelkhand, a vast and ancient region in northern India. The book follows the authors as they walk along the Betwa, a river that cuts through Bundelkhand, to engage with the region’s rural landscape and its people. By weaving together stories and images, Along the Betwa invites readers to travel with the authors as they walk from one village to the next.
Bundelkhand has been struggling with recurring droughts, economic decline and political marginalization for the past few decades. Climate change has exacerbated these issues. While on the riverwalk, the authors document a wide range of perspectives on environmental issues, livelihoods, religion, and inequality. They speak with women, men, and children about their hopes for the future. By traversing the region on foot, the authors were able to slow down and experience their surroundings in a truly unconventional way. The book, which uses photographs, maps, and anecdotes to situate the reader on different spots along the Betwa, is an account of daily encounters and observations. Nuanced and never pedantic, the authors reflect openly about their experiences and positionality, while allowing readers to come to their own conclusions about Bundelkhand.
Funded by Veditum India Foundation and National Geographic's Out of Eden Walk, Along the Betwa is aimed towards people interested in engaging with the issues of the Global South in a novel way. It presents an honest and insightful look into the situation in Bundelkhand, with the hope that it will help inform conversations on development in India. By pulling on written and visual forms in equal measure, the book helps readers connect with the day-to-day lives of people in marginalized regions.