Daily Routine

Behrampur’s spaces emerge as interconnected landscapes shaped by the rhythms of human lives and natural elements. The Dalai family’s shift from fishing to running an eatery on Rajhans Island reflects how environmental forces, like Cyclone Fani, transform livelihoods and redefine how spaces are used. Their daily journey across the lake underscores the dual role of water as both a challenge and a connector in the lives of villagers. Similarly, the recurring cyclones that damage settlements near the lake’s edge demand constant reconstruction, fostering adaptive architectural practices and creating work opportunities tied to these rebuilding efforts. These cycles of disruption and renewal reveal the interplay between the natural environment and the built spaces of Behrampur.

The routines of the Jena and Barik households further illustrate the deep interconnections between human activity and the environment. Goleka Jena begins his day early, running a small cattle business from his home. By 6:30 a.m., neighbors gather to buy milk, which he sells at ₹15 per liter, earning him a modest but steady daily income.

The Barik household’s relationship with nature is evident in their cattle’s grazing patterns and the daily life of a woman from the family. Their cows graze across fields on the village outskirts, paths, and moringa plantations near Manisha village, utilizing the shared spaces of the community. Meanwhile, the woman’s day begins with milking the cows and cleaning the cowshed before 8 a.m., followed by visits to the pokhari (pond) for washing clothes, bathing, and other chores. In the afternoon, she crosses Chilika Lake to gather firewood from the forest, returning by evening to assist with household tasks.

These interconnected stories highlight how human lives in Behrampur are deeply tied to the rhythms of nature. The lake, forest, grazing grounds, and even the act of rebuilding after cyclones create a dynamic landscape where human and non-human activities shape, and are shaped by, the environment. Behrampur unfolds as a layered space of coexistence and adaptation, reflecting the ongoing negotiation between natural forces and human needs.

Behrampur’s spaces emerge as interconnected landscapes shaped by the rhythms of human lives and natural elements. The Dalai family’s shift from fishing to running an eatery on Rajhans Island reflects how environmental forces, like Cyclone Fani, transform livelihoods and redefine how spaces are used. Their daily journey across the lake underscores the dual role of water as both a challenge and a connector in the lives of villagers. Similarly, the recurring cyclones that damage settlements near the lake’s edge demand constant reconstruction, fostering adaptive architectural practices and creating work opportunities tied to these rebuilding efforts. These cycles of disruption and renewal reveal the interplay between the natural environment and the built spaces of Behrampur.

The routines of the Jena and Barik households further illustrate the deep interconnections between human activity and the environment. Goleka Jena begins his day early, running a small cattle business from his home. By 6:30 a.m., neighbors gather to buy milk, which he sells at ₹15 per liter, earning him a modest but steady daily income.

The Barik household’s relationship with nature is evident in their cattle’s grazing patterns and the daily life of a woman from the family. Their cows graze across fields on the village outskirts, paths, and moringa plantations near Manisha village, utilizing the shared spaces of the community. Meanwhile, the woman’s day begins with milking the cows and cleaning the cowshed before 8 a.m., followed by visits to the pokhari (pond) for washing clothes, bathing, and other chores. In the afternoon, she crosses Chilika Lake to gather firewood from the forest, returning by evening to assist with household tasks.

These interconnected stories highlight how human lives in Behrampur are deeply tied to the rhythms of nature. The lake, forest, grazing grounds, and even the act of rebuilding after cyclones create a dynamic landscape where human and non-human activities shape, and are shaped by, the environment. Behrampur unfolds as a layered space of coexistence and adaptation, reflecting the ongoing negotiation between natural forces and human needs.