Project Overview
Five elements was born from a simple yet profound realization: what if people didn't just trek through nature, but truly connected with every moment? Each vein on a leaf has a story, every mountain holds ancient wisdom — but we've lost the ability to listen. The story behind five elements is about rekindling that innate curiosity about our surroundings. We all share access to the same deeper intelligence, but at times need catalysts to reconnect with it. The Himalayas, nature, and intentional community become that bridge — helping people establish their own internal relationship with the wisdom that's always been there. five elements exists at the intersection of ancient knowledge systems, nature, music, art, and adventure. Through immersive experiences, we create spaces where healthy community thrives, where freedom is experienced authentically, and where genuine connections form — not just between people, but with the living world around.
Expected Impact
The real impact of five elements happens when participants leave the mountains. I hope this project cultivates a deeper awareness and connection that transforms how they move through daily life—seeing stories in tree bark, feeling interconnectedness in crowded spaces, approaching challenges with mountain-discovered resilience. This isn't about temporary escape; it's about fundamental shifts in perception that create ripple effects in families, workplaces, and communities. When someone carries this heightened curiosity and presence into their everyday existence, they become catalysts for conscious living wherever they are. On a broader scale, Five Elements addresses epidemics of disconnection, burnout, and ecological grief by creating new models for relating to nature and each other. By supporting local mountain communities and preserving indigenous wisdom, we contribute to cultural and environmental sustainability.
Applicant Background
Devanshi is a musician, educator, and curator exploring the intersection of sound, nature, and ancient wisdom. Rooted in a deep relationship with the Himalayas, her work blends music, storytelling, and indigenous knowledge to create transformative experiences. Through Five Elements, she designs immersive journeys that go beyond trekking — integrating performances, workshops, and narrative-driven explorations where the mountains become living stages and original compositions emerge in dialogue with the land. Her upcoming projects include an all-women’s festival fostering collaborative creation and a Himalayan residency where artists work with plant music, cosmic soundscapes, and cultural narratives. Devanshi’s vision is to build spaces of healing, learning, and belonging that reconnect people with the Earth and each other through the universal language of music.