IN VIDEOS
Educational society transforms lives in rural Uttar Pradesh
Educating girls empowers them. The Pardada Pardadi Educational Society is making a difference to the locals of Anupshahr by schooling girls from underprivileged backgrounds.
Independent cinema v/s Bollywood featuring Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik
What do Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik have in common other than their rural backgrounds and meteoric ascent to stardom? They were both at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival, to talk about their work, life and the struggles of showing good cinema in India.
Discussing climate change through cinema
The climate change-themed short films screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala film festival drew the audience’s attention to this pressing issue. The filmmakers in attendance – Jigar Nagda and Stenzin Tankong – spoke about the subject during a discussion at the fest.
Bringing back the romance in craft at Chitrashaala
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali discusses challenges of filming crafts with award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and young filmmaker Riah Taipodia from Meghalaya during a conversation at the Chitrashaala short film festival in August 2024.
From fields to skies: Rural women soar with drone training
Over 1000 women farmers have been trained in operating drones at the Drone Destination, enabling them to improve their farming skills and increase their income.
I was inspired by the rural youngsters while filming Panchayat: Faisal Malik
Events like Village Square’s Chitrashaala help promote good content, feels actor Faisal Malik. He talked to us about attending the short film festival, filming Panchayat in a village, his humble roots, and what went into playing Prahlad cha.
Celebrating Teeyan in Punjab
Here is a festival for women where they celebrate through gatherings, dance and customs that have endured despite the passage of time.
A heartful of handloom in Maheshwar
From a sleepy hamlet with struggling weavers to a bustling town known for sarees, it’s taken many years for Maheshwar to appear on India’s handloom map. Sally Holkar, known for reviving the sector, tells us about her journey.
Rural themes resonate with celebs and cinema lovers at Chitrashaala
The inaugural edition of Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival on rural India, saw the coming together of filmmakers, actors, cinema lovers and critics at the Alliance Francaise on August 3. Here’s a round-up for those of you who missed the fest!
Ex-poacher turns messiah for the Royal Bengal tiger
An ex-poacher’s conservation efforts help mitigate the human-animal conflict in the Sundarbans.
Chitrashaala – Student winners of short film competition announced!
The jury’s verdict is in! Judges from the Film Critics Guild have hand-picked the winners of Village Square’s competition for college students. Check out the winning movies that will be screened at the Chitrashaala short film festival.
Chitrashaala – Village Square’s short film fest trains the lens on rural India
Watch powerful films like Giddh (The Scavanger) and Last Days of Summer, interact with film personalities Muzaffar Ali, Adil Hussain, Faisal Malik and others, and learn more about rural India at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival.
Rekindling girls’ dreams through the lens of art
Girls in Jaswantgarh, a small village on the outskirts of Udaipur, are allowed to express their dreams through art during a unique initiative by Vikalp Sansthan.
‘A woman’s life is similar to that of the land’
A woman’s existence has been poisoned by violence, just like land has been destroyed by chemical use, says social activist Abha Bhaiya. She tells us how at Jagori Rural, an NGO located in Himachal Pradesh, they try to heal both.
A beautiful initiative against the hungry waves
The Sundarbans delta has long faced a livelihood crisis due to several factors. Now, a unified programme incorporating technology has been initiated for the sustainable income of local women.
A visual journey through the saffron town of Kashmir
Welcome to Pampore, the saffron town of Kashmir, where nature's splendour and the region’s cultural heritage converge to create captivating sights and experiences throughout the year.
Traditional Odia sweet magaji ladoo awarded GI tag
Magaji is a beloved sweet of Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. Its makers’ dedication to quality and tradition has earned this remarkable preparation a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring its authenticity and preservation for future generations.
Women come to mangrove rescue in the Sundarbans
An all-woman group creates a mangrove forest in the Sundarbans to save it from climate disasters.
‘Indian ragas are about getting connected with yourself’
Indian classical musician brothers Neeraj Dholakia and Palash Dholakia talk to Village Square about the popularity they enjoy, the wide reach of Western music and why fusion isn’t all bad.
Women wedding photographers click in Kashmir
More brides are finding comfort in being clicked by female photographers on their big day. Village Square meets two of them.