Conversations on Indigenous Culture with innovator Revatha Shah

In this episode Dee speaks with Revatha Shah, founder of Vedda Teas and co-founder of Sarana, a cultural centre in southern Sri Lanka. Revatha shares his journey from Western upbringing in Colombo and the UK to reconnecting with his Sri Lankan roots through promoting indigenous herbs and teas. The episode includes moving accounts on the existential threats to the indigenous Vedda population, the effects of colonisation and modern tourism, and the pressing need to support local Sri Lankan businesses. 

The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in balancing tourism with preserving Sri Lankan cultural heritage, and Revatha’s efforts to create meaningful cultural experiences for travellers at Sarana, including workshops and that delve into Sri Lanka’s rich history, arts, and ancient customs.

This is a timely reminder that travel can be enriching and a force for good. We could all take more responsibility to think about how and who we travel with, a consideration for regenerative travel.  

Episode Summary

00:42 Meet Revatha: Advocate of Indigenous Sri Lankan Culture

03:24 The story behind Vedda Teas

05:12 Exploring indigenous Teas and their cultural importance

10:00 Reviving indigenous practices and connection to the land

15:54 Tourism vs. Travel: Authentic experiences in Sri Lanka

29:02 Sarana: A Cultural hub for authentic Sri Lankan experiences

43:06 Future vision for Sarana and Sri Lankan cultural preservation

46:29 Conclusion and Gratitude

About Revatha Shah

Revatha is the founder of Vedda Organics, an enterprise that offers natural medicines sourced directly from rural communities across the Island of Sri Lanka, including its marginalised indigenous groups. He is also the Co-founder of Sarana, a space in Ahangama Sri Lanka, that tells the Sri Lankan story by providing a platform for local art, wellness and culture through it’s many experiential offerings at its peaceful sanctuary, in the fast evolving and modernising coastal town. 

Revatha grew up near Colombo, Sri Lanka’s metropolitan capital city, he received a private school education and studied economics in the UK, a privilege afforded to very few in Sri Lanka. He went on to work in corporate finance roles, venture capital and then private equity for a large American multi-national before finally cracking and realising the westernised bubble that he had been living in his entire life. He then embarked on a journey to connect to his roots and the abundance of the island he calls home, he has now dedicated his life to creating community centric business models that celebrate the Sri Lankan identity.

Links

Vedda Teas

Sarana 

Dee Gibson is the award winning designer and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, www.kalukandahouse.com ~ Conde Nast Best Places to Visit in Asia 2024 & HIP Hotels Best Hotels 2025. You can follow on
instagram @deegibson2017 or @kalukandahouse

This podcast lifts the veil on what, and more importantly WHO this island is with conversations about all the things you never read about in the travel pages. Dee showcases a fascinating modern society reclaiming their identity and taking ownership of their narratives on the global stage. No subject is taboo so expect guests talking about everything from activism through art and yoga, why sari was modified by British colonisers, a performance on love and lust to episodes on forgotten heroines being narrated back into our history books and much more.