Photo Essays
Have you heard these rural Indian musical instruments yet?
Rural India is a repository of folk music traditions. Here is a round-up in images of some of the musical instruments that are a part of this rich legacy. They certainly strike the right chord in the community, don’t they?
Splashes of joy – Exploring the magic of Holi
Join us on a journey through different shades of Holi, where every snapshot tells a vibrant tale about color, camaraderie and pure joy.
Spare a thought for the sparrows
One man's mission is to save the sparrows on his land after being devastated by the death of three little birds trapped in his house.
Birds worth – One for sparrow
Once a familiar sight at our houses, sparrows are now rarely seen in our neighbourhoods. This World Sparrow Day, we present a silver living – photographs of these tiny birds clicked at various locations in India.
Manipur woman makes clothes with lotus stem fibre
Bijiyashanti Tongbram, a 30-year-old entrepreneur from Manipur, makes mufflers and stoles by spinning lotus stems. Her innovation caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Display of India-Bangladesh friendship at Tripura’s Akhaura post
Akhaura, 10 km from Agartala, serves as a vital land port connecting India and Bangladesh. A zero line, marked near Agartala-Akhaura check post, symbolises camaraderie. On Bangladesh's Victory Day, guards exchange greetings, sweets, and flowers.
Sohrai workshop brings together artistic hiveminds
Khwabgaon near Jhargram experienced a collaborative exchange between two cultures as artists from Hazaribag, Jharkhand, came over to Konedoba in Jhargram district and painted an illustrative Sohrai mural for three days.
The exuberant post-wedding bridal march of Tangkhul Nagas
Ngala katha remains a prominent tradition in Tangkhul Naga weddings, enduring despite modernization. The vibrant post-wedding march from bride's to groom's house is cherished as its highlight.
Manipur’s transmen’s football team transforms lives
Ya_All, a UN-recognised LGBTI+ youth-led organisation in Imphal, Manipur, symbolises resilience and inclusivity in Northeast India. This groundbreaking initiative goes beyond sports, making a significant impact.
How the Oraon tribe makes Mahua liquor
In India, the Mahua flower, nestled in the branches of the Indian butter tree, is a cherished secret of the Oraon tribe. Explore the significance of Mahua liquor in their culture and its timeless recipe.
Delivering smart solutions for sustainable food security
In this visual journey, we encapsulate the determination and hard work of farmers from around the country. From traditional farming to technological advancement, farming has evolved differently under different climatic conditions. This kisan diwas we celebrate farmers across India who toil day and night to put food on our tables.
What it’s like to travel in an all-woman train
Introduced by the West Bengal government, Matribhumi trains are meant exclusively for women's mobility. Though two mixed compartments were added post the protests in 2015, women still opt for it, valuing its comfort and safety.
Kashmiri women navigate success in water chestnuts
Locally known as Singhara, water chestnuts grow naturally on the margins of Wular - one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. From harvesting the produce to selling, it is an industry run primarily by women.
A day at Pushkar camel fair
A day spent at Pushkar camel festival unfolds a tornado of sights, sounds and feelings. We made a touch-and-go visit and returned with a mind full of memories and a memory card full of photos.
The Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu and their sacred stones
The Irulas worship deceased family members by erecting ancestral stones. The waterworn pebbles and sculptures represent the connection between the living and their forebears.
Kashmiri Muslims light up Hindu homes for Diwali
In Kashmir, septuagenarian Abdul Salam Kumar crafts diyas (clay lamps) for Diwali. Despite his age, he diligently fulfils a 20,000 diya contract beneath Zabarwan peaks near Dal Lake.
Kulasai Dasara comes alive with devotion and delight
Dussehra takes a riveting form at Kulasekharapatnam village of Tamil Nadu, where thousands of devotees, wearing body paint and costumes to look like different deities, gather at the Sri Mutharamman Temple to celebrate Kulasai Dasara.
Life at Daribokgre village in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is home to three prominent communities - Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Garos comprise the second-largest tribe in the state. Let's explore a Garo village and their way of life.
A forest hunt for Chhattisgarh’s delicious Pihiri mushrooms
The rare Pihiri mushrooms found amid the lush greenery of Chhattisgarh's Achanakmar Tiger Reserve serve as a lifeline for local villagers who harvest them for income while tackling challenges like wildlife threats.
Bt cotton, pink bollworm and the debt cycle in Punjab
As cotton harvesting begins in Punjab, this World Cotton Day we look at the impact of introduction of Bt cotton in the state. Almost two decades later, farmers are still grappling with pests and other problems.