Rearing cows has taught me so much about life: Bhavana Ramanna

As you enter the Ramanna household in Bengaluru, an unusual sight greets you: a cow and her calf. Gowri, the cow, is adorned with brass bells, while her calf Krishna nuzzles by her side. The sound of anklets approaches and the lady of the household, actor and danseuse Bhavana Ramanna arrives to gently lead her cows into their shelter. “Ever since the arrival of Gowri and her little one, my life has taken a whole new hue.They’re living proof that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Keeping cows at home might seem unthinkable in a bustling city like Bengaluru. But it’s surprisingly manageable, and more importantly, these animals offer a welcome contrast to our tech-driven world. They keep me grounded and connected to a simpler reality,” she says.
‘I ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE AND GROW COWS IN MY HOUSEHOLD’
Growing up in Malnad, cows were a part of Bhavana’s childhood. “I have seen my maternal ajji feeding and looking after our cows. The desire has long been there and a few months ago, a neighbour offered me his cow - Gowri, a black beauty with white spots. We didn’t know she was pregnant then, so imagine our surprise when we got to know about it! Krishna joined our family soon after and our home is now rejuvenated with new life. To hear them moo early in the morning is sheer joy,” says the actor.
‘WE TRANSFORMED THE GARAGE INTO A COW SHED JUST FOR THEM’
Bhavana tells us, “When we initially got Gowri home, the immediate concern was to make a comfortable space for her. Thankfully, our garage is spacious and I decided to transform a part of it into a shelter. A feeding bunk, a linear water space for them to hydrate and clean dry area for resting was created. That’s when I realised the importance of debunking this misconception that we can’t rear cows in a city. If you are blessed with extra space in your home, you can always transform it to accommodate animals, including cows. You just have to plan it well and make the best use of the available space. I have planned it in such a way that the cows are not disturbed even when the cars are taken out.”
‘ECO-FRIENDLY HAS A WHOLE NEW MEANING IN OUR HOUSEHOLD’
Bhavana’s day begins at 6 am and the actor immediately proceeds to the cow shed to spend time with them. “Then I head to the kitchen where all the vegetables and peels are blended into a mix (kalgacchu in local parlance) and I feed it to them. It gives me such joy to do that! I have created a compost pit behind my house and that’s where the cow dung goes along with other organic waste. I have also learnt to milk them and take a lot of pleasure in distributing it to neighbours and friends — it’s fresh, not out of a packet and sent in steel cans. Every product that I make from milk is packed in eco-friendly material and I have eliminated plastic while sending it out to family and friends. I use natural neem oil for the cows to keep insects at bay. Through the day, I’m improvising on various things to ensure we keep the surrounding as organic and natural as possible. We have one life; if not enrich the environment, at least let us safeguard what we have. In an increasingly self-centred world, these gentle creatures have made me revisit an era which was all about bonding between man and nature,” she sums up.
Cow care tips for people living in urban areas ● Find a veterinarian: Locate a qualified veterinarian experienced with large animals before welcoming your cow home. ● Grazing needs: Cows require ample grazing time. If fresh grass isn’t readily available, consider home delivery services. ● Comfortable living: Install soft bedding or rubber mats to provide comfort and prevent injuries from hard floors. ● Safety first: Equip your cow with a GPS tracking device to ensure their safety and give you peace of mind.