Dharmadev Kumar Singh, traded the kitchen for the telescope, embracing a life where constellations and galaxies have become his daily companions.
Dharmadev Kumar Singh grew up in Bihar's Kaimur district. (Roshne Balasubramanian/South First)
In the serene Kaimur district of Bihar, situated approximately 2,300 kilometres away from Tamil Nadu, Dharmadev Kumar Singh fondly reminisces about his carefree childhood. Nestled amid green pastures, hills, and water bodies, Singh spent his early years playing with friends, gazing at the unpolluted sky adorned with twinkling stars, without fretting about the future.
Decades have passed and now, when Singh gazes at the night sky, he more than just admires it. With a newfound passion for astronomy, he assigns names to the constellations, star clusters, and nebulae that grace the canvas of the celestial expanse. His connection with the night sky has transformed from a childhood wonder to a catalogue of cosmic awe.
“I wasn’t particularly interested in studies,” confesses Singh as we initiate our conversation.
“I dropped out of school after class 11,” he reveals. However, witnessing the hard work put in by his family to earn their livelihood, Dharma absorbed the qualities of being a quick learner and a hard worker. The 30-year-old emphatically says, “Just because I didn’t enjoy studying doesn’t mean I am lazy.”
About five years ago, following the footsteps of many from his village, Dharmadev embarked on a journey to Tamil Nadu to support his family back home. With several of his relatives finding employment opportunities in the southern state, Dharmadev was confident that he could do the same.
“I didn’t harbour any grand dreams or aspirations to carve my name with lofty ambitions. I simply wanted to come to Tamil Nadu, work, and provide for my family,” says Singh.
Dharmadev Kumar Singh. (Supplied)
After initial stints as a cook at Hinduja Foundries in Sriperambadur, and later at Samsung’s factory, Singh found a path to a different, new life. He was recruited as a cook by Discoveralpas – Kodanadu, a camping site in Nilgiris.
“What I signed up for at Alpas was different from my previous jobs. In my earlier roles, I would cook for 300-500 people every day in a factory set-up. Here, since it was a campsite, the number of people I had to cook for was hardly 5-6 a day, and the camp offered a stunning view too!” he expresses, enthusing about the camp situated at an altitude of 1900 MSL, providing a view of Moyar Valley, Rangasamy peak, and the Eastern Ghats.
This transition occurred amid the pandemic-induced lockdown.
Singh reflects, “I know the pandemic and lockdown were hard for so many people. But I will always remember the time I got for this opportunity. I am grateful for everyone who brought me here, and especially for the owners of Discover Alpas.”
During the second lockdown, Singh found himself stranded at the campsite with the then-manager of the property, Bhava Nandi.
“During this time, we did a lot of DIY – using kottankuchis (coconut shells), we made bowls, light bulbs, we created dustbins and chairs too! By 7 pm, we would have dinner, take the camera and telescope out, and witness the night sky till about 4 am,” he fondly recalls.
A meal prepared by Dharma at Discover Alpas. (Roshne Balasubramanian/South First)
This became the turning point for Singh, and his words are filled with gratitude for his mentor, Bhava anna.
“He taught me everything — about the stars, galaxies. He taught me to use the telescope too,” he shares.
When questioned about his initial encounter with the night sky through a telescope, Singh laughs. “I vividly remember anna showing me Saturn through his telescope. But all I could see was a structure that looked like a dim light bulb,” he chuckles.
“Anna must have thought I was hopeless. But he never gave up… he clicked a picture and showed the actual object to me on a phone. Then I understood,” he says.
Since then, things have changed. Singh has acquired extensive knowledge about the sun, moon, planets, star clusters, constellations, and more.
“Whatever I know is through practical knowledge,” he shares. Singh, who initially joined Alpas as a cook, now holds a managerial role, overseeing the needs of the campsite and the guests. Taking on the baton from its previous manager, Singh has also started showing the night sky through the telescope to the guests.
“The campsite, known for being a great place for astro and night photography, attracts many photographers from across the state and country. There is a lot of knowledge sharing that happens. They teach me more, and the experience has been wonderful,” he shares.
Dharma has acquired extensive knowledge about the sun, moon, planets, star clusters, constellations, and more. (Supplied)
Presently back in Bihar for a brief break to spend time with family, Singh is engrossed in a busy schedule. He proudly shares over a call, “We are constructing a house.”
As a father of two, Singh is keenly aware of the importance of offering his children a life filled with intangible experiences similar to the ones he has encountered.
“While formal education might not encompass everything, I aspire to take them across the country, offering hands-on experiences. However, I also recognise the equal importance of formal education,” he expresses.
Singh has extended his learning about the night sky to his village as well.
“Initially, when I spoke about astronomy, the village elders dismissed it as mere talk, considering my dropout status. However, the village’s schoolchildren, who study these concepts in class, ensured that people believed me. They asserted that what I am sharing is entirely accurate. They even defended me, stating that is his job, and he gets paid for it,” he shares.
Without a telescope, showcasing the magnitude of celestial objects isn’t easy for Singh. However, he improvises by using his smartphone to capture photographs of the night sky and educate those in his village.
“A lot of people in the village own smartphones, but they primarily use them for watching videos, not realising their full potential. I have adjusted the camera settings, etc., for many people in the village, and now, you’ll find them engaging in night photography!” he enthusiastically shares.
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During pitch-dark nights, some elders seek out Singh, accompanied by their children.
“Where is Dharma? Can he show the night sky and teach the children?” they inquire. “But during this season, with a lot of mist, visibility is usually low. Still, I make every effort to teach,” he adds.
Our entire conversation with Singh unfolds in Tamil. Despite a slight accent, his Tamil is clear and impeccable.
“I learned it within 6-7 months of being in Tamil Nadu. A significant portion of my learning occurred during the lockdown when I was stuck with Bhava anna as well. He didn’t know Hindi, and I didn’t know English. So, we found a common ground in Tamil, and thanks to that, I learned it!” he shares.
Having travelled across Tamil Nadu, he elaborates on the linguistic diversity, noting how people from different parts such as Kanyakumari, Chennai, Coimbatore, etc., speak various dialects.
“In Chennai, if they use ‘va da po da,’ in the other districts, they only say ‘vanga ponga.’ I am always intrigued by the language,” he adds.
Singh is now deeply ingrained in Tamil culture, enjoying comedy tracks from Tamil movies. (Supplied)
Singh is now deeply ingrained in Tamil culture, enjoying comedy tracks from Tamil movies, particularly those featuring comedian Vadivelu. “My younger son also loves his comedy,” he says.
From expertly preparing dishes from the Tamil Nadu cuisine to seamlessly conversing in the local language and even incorporating a Tamil song as his phone caller tone, Singh has fully embraced the culture of the state. This commitment remains steadfast despite experiencing some exclusion from certain individuals in the state due to his migrant background.
“I’ve encountered people questioning why I came from Bihar to work in Tamil Nadu, seemingly taking away their opportunities. Especially during the unrest surrounding the Tiruppur migrant workers issue, it was challenging. People would inquire about my origin, and so on. However, personally, these incidents have been sporadic. On a broader scale, I’ve found a very supportive environment for self-development in Tamil Nadu,” he shares.
Singh has extended his learning about the night sky to his village as well. (Supplied)
When asked about his plans for 2024, Singh responds, “I have no specific plans. Whatever I am today has evolved serendipitously. However, my goal is to continuously enhance my skills. Many in my village stick to the same daily wage jobs and earn a meagre income. I aim to break free from that cycle and achieve greater growth. Despite living apart from my family, our driving force is the commitment that I will not only provide for them but also etch a name for myself,” he shares.
Taking the timeless advice to “dream for the stars,” Singh gazes at the sky, reminiscent of his childhood when stars twinkled in a celestial dance.
Yet, in this contemplative moment, his thoughts delve into the mysteries beyond the vast stellar expanse and within the intricate weave of his own life.
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