Photo Stories
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.
Stepping into the tiger’s reserve
Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 at Corbett Tiger Reserve with the primary aim of safeguarding and fostering the tiger species. On this International Tiger Day on July 29, we join a safari jeep driver on one of his trips. He tells us what it’s like to live on the fringes of the forest and work in the reserve, and what tiger conservation means to him.
Halma – MP’s tribal festival helps heal earth
The tradition of Halma, which translates as ‘call for help,’ has been brought back from the brink of extinction and is now celebrated as an environmental festival in the heartland of India.
MP artisans ‘wax’ eloquent through batik
Armed with a GI tag and inclusion under the ‘One District One Product’ initiative of the state government, the batik products of Bhairavgarh in Madhya Pradesh are headed towards better times.
The ‘art houses’ of Odisha’s Santal tribe
The colourful murals painted by Santal women are a centre of attraction in Mayurbhanj district. The community believes that the artworks adorning the mud walls of homes appease their god and ancestors, ensuring their health and prosperity.
World Chocolate Day: Unveil your favourite chocolate’s rural origin
What's sweeter than opening a box of chocolates? The bitter-sweet confectionery is a favourite snack for most of us, but let's not forget its humble origin as a small bean grown in tropical countries like India.
The wrung dhobi ghats of Kashmir
In the Old City of Srinagar, amidst numerous Dhobi Ghats on the Jhelum's banks, a few resilient ghats still bear the legacy of centuries. Meet Kashmir's dhobis who carry on their trade against societal odds.
How areca nut plantations get ready for monsoon
Farmers depend on a special chemical mixture called 1% Bordeaux to save the areca nut from fruit rot disease.
The not-so-sweet journey of Uttarakhand’s peaches
Peaches are the lifeline for many farmers in the Ramgarh region of Uttarakhand. However, the summer fruit is losing its charm as a crop among them due to the rising packaging, labour and transportation costs.
The island village that gets cut off every monsoon
With the lone bridge connecting it to the mainland getting dismantled every monsoon, the island of Pavoor Uliya in Karnataka becomes completely isolated for several months each year.
This colourful card game from Odisha is art
Ganjapa, a traditional card game of Odisha, introduced by the Persians in the 16th century, features hand-painted circular cards depicting Hindu deities. Its popularity has dwindled, but art lovers appreciate the cards as decorative items.
Sal-sufficient: Leafy tableware of Odisha’s Santhal tribe
Santhal women in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district are preserving their ancient heritage by making plates and bowls from sal leaves. However, the arrival of plastic products in remote tribal areas is fast wiping out the practice.
Check out Sarakapatna’s vibrant ‘Hastatanta’ sarees
Sarakapatna in Odisha is the home of 'Hastatanta' sarees that weave a tapestry of beauty and tradition. The rhythmic clatter of tanta (looms) echoes in every household, a testament to the enduring artistry of this captivating craft.
Making of Punjabi Jutti
Punjab is well known for its juttis – footwear made of leather. In the southern region of the state, called Malwa, districts such as Patiala, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib are among the manufacturers of the footwear – the last one being the most famous.