Spores of wonder: Fungi take centre stage at Shroom Sabha

Mangaluru: In a quiet corner of coastal Karnataka, an unusual gathering brought mushrooms and fungi into the spotlight, drawing enthusiasts, researchers, cultivators, chefs, farmers and artists from across India and abroad.

The third edition of Shroom Sabha, described by its organisers as India’s only festival dedicated entirely to mushrooms and fungi, was held from September 4 to 6 at Varanashi Organic Farms near Mangaluru. About 150 participants from different parts of India and countries including Oman, Malaysia and Canada attended the three-day event.

Spread across the 100-acre organic farm, the festival combined science, ecology, agriculture, food, art and local knowledge through a series of workshops, discussions and experiential sessions.

Speaking to this Correspondent, Krishnamurthy Varanashi of Varanashi forms in Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district said, “Participants joined guided mushroom forays, cultivation and microscopy workshops and discussions on fungal ecology and conservation. Sessions also explored conventional and unconventional approaches to mushroom cultivation, including techniques that involve minimal intervention.”

The festival also addressed the growing interest in entheogenic mushrooms in India, examining traditional knowledge, changing perceptions and contemporary curiosity around them. An international session by MycoStories offered participants a broader perspective on mushroom communities and movements in different parts of the world.

The commercial side of mushroom cultivation was discussed at a round table involving Sumit Sharan of Shroomery, Snehal Mane of Manegrow Mushrooms and Namrata Goenka of Green Apron. The discussion focused on opportunities as well as challenges confronting India’s emerging mushroom industry.

Medicinal mushrooms formed another part of the programme. Jashid of Nuvedo led a session on traditional uses and contemporary applications of medicinal mushrooms.

Food was central to the festival as well. OG Mushroom curated evening menus featuring different mushroom varieties, while Brewcha conducted a fermentation workshop. Fungamental Co. organised a citizen-science trial involving functional mushrooms. Tastings and hands-on kitchen sessions introduced participants to fungi as food and as ingredients beyond the commonly cultivated varieties.

The festival extended into art and sound, with installations by artists from Lost Kids Garage across the farm. Sanjana Singh presented projection mapping, while Alt Space’s Mushroom Listening Lab, featuring Shivhari and Fluxvortex, explored the relationship between fungi and sound.

The Iyashi Experience included sound healing sessions, journeys and a drum circle, adding a sensory dimension to the gathering.

One of the festival’s stated objectives was to make conversations around fungi accessible beyond specialist and scientific communities. First-time enthusiasts participated alongside researchers, cultivators, foragers, farmers, chefs and artists.

As the third edition concluded, Shroom Sabha brought together subjects that are rarely discussed in the same setting — fungal science, cultivation, conservation, food, traditional knowledge, art and contemporary culture — around an organic farm in coastal Karnataka.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M Raghuram

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