Photo Essays
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.
A day at a village square
As Village Square turns 7 today, we feature a village square from Punjab where elders gather during the day as they return from fields – to take a nap, play cards or just catch up on everyday life.
What a ‘grape’ village!
Over 600 years ago, Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Wali praised Repora in Kashmir's Ganderbal district as 'Dachi Repora, Nazar chay cxopoor,' which means, "Repora grapes, your gaze extends everywhere." Today, Repora's vineyards are renowned for top-quality organic grapes, rivalling Italy.
Bamboo, a miracle material in Meghalaya
Bamboo, locally called wa.a, has deep roots in the Garo community of Meghalaya. It thrives in the hills, used for homes and culinary delights. Discover its versatile role in Daribokgre village.
The Srinagar haveli where ‘Rockstar’ was shot
Jalali House, a downtown Srinagar marvel, hosts political dignitaries from pre and post-independence India. This heritage gem also stars in Bollywood films, drawing tourists to the valley.
Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Amid technological advancements and other challenges, Kashmir's traditional stone carvers, known as sang tarash, are striving to preserve their craft.
This is Pulikkali — Kerala’s roaring Onam dance
Thrissur's traditional Pulikkali street performance, part of the Onam festival, involves locals painting themselves as leopards, tigers and lions. The 200-year-old tradition is accompanied by percussion beats. The event is a big tourist attraction in the state.
Trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes
The Kashmir ‘great lakes’ trek is a stunning adventure in the Himalayas, starting from Sonamarg. The 5-6 day tour takes you through lakes, mountains, meadows and glaciers, making it a rewarding journey.
Women Farmers: Struggling to light up the hearth
This International Photography Day, we present a compelling photo essay by documentary photographer Vicky Roy, spotlighting women farmers. Through his lens, Vicky, a documentary photographer, captures the daily lives of India’s resilient women farmers, shedding light on their kitchen tasks – an added responsibility amidst their already demanding roles as farmers.
Here’s all that happened at Ladakh Nomadic Festival
The Ladakh Nomadic Festival's third edition in Hanle village was a vibrant carnival attended by locals and tourists alike. The two-day event showcased traditional dances, folk songs, cultural performances, indigenous sports, and more.
How Kashmir’s Shiite Muslims commemorated 9th Muharram
In a solemn display of religious devotion, thousands of Shiite Muslim mourners gathered in the interiors of Dal Lake to observe the 9th day of Muharram. Embarking on wooden boats from Rainawari to Kaenkech, they commemorated Ashura, honouring the martyrdom of Prophet Hussain's grandson and faithful companions in Karbala, a tradition upheld with fervour for centuries in Kashmir.
Kashmir’s walnut wonders
In the Haft Yarbal area of Safakadal, located just 3.6 km from Srinagar's bustling Lal Chowk, a group of artisans breathe life into wood with their masterful hands. The magic of wood carving unfolds as delicate instruments shape intricate designs to create motifs on furniture and home decor pieces.