Village Vibe
Fests galore for you this April
If you love a good celebration, you will not be disappointed as summer is ushered in this April. Head to these 5 cultural extravaganzas for your fix of fun this month.
Village in Chanderi keeps alive its traditional weaves
Not far from Chanderi, where the movie Stree was shot, is a village called Pranpur. Here communities unite and traditional gender divides blur as its residents strive to preserve the art of weaving sheer Chanderi sarees.
Goa’s last guardians of wooden artistry
One of Goa’s most treasured crafts is the wood carving of Chitari art, a skill passed down through generations. Once admired for its grand Baroque and Rococo designs during Portuguese rule, this craft has been fading due to a lack of support.
Sports Bank Initiative: Field day for Jharkhand’s tribal tracts
Nurturing sporting talent in India – a land of over a billion with uneven development and unequal distribution of resources – requires an innovative approach. That’s precisely how the administration is handling the talent in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, a region where 70% of the population are scheduled tribes.
Nagda’s back with Rajasthani film to light up perspectives
Filmmaker Jigar Nagda, whose film Aravali–The Lost Mountains was a big draw at Village Square’s Chitrashaala film festival last year, has just released his first feature film. Called Batti–A Boy Who Dreamt of Electricity, the Mewadi language film has locals of Raita village in district Udaipur in its cast.
A sacred forest of spirituality & tradition in Meghalaya
The Mawphlang sacred forest in Meghalaya is a stunning natural site with deep cultural significance. Protected by the Khasi tribe for centuries, it’s a peaceful place where nature, spirituality, and tradition come together.
Revelling in nature’s bounty at a rural haat
The weekly haat (market) in Jhirpani provides a glimpse into the lives of the tribals and the way the village economy plays out at the grassroot level. Besides uncommon natural treats, lessons in conscious living get added to the cart organically.
Unveiling ‘landa’, Odisha’s tribal spirit, once forbidden by the British
In southern Odisha’s Koraput district, tribal communities like Paroja, Kondh, Gadaba, Kotia and Dharua have brewed ‘landa’ for centuries. The traditional alcoholic beverage made from ragi is intrinsically linked with their social and religious life.
Bihar’s Mud Holi: A rooted, rustic, rural revelry
Bihar’s centuries-old ‘Mud Holi’, locally called Dhurkheli, continues to refresh and uplift rural communities, blending tradition, joy, and the healing touch of nature in a vibrant celebration.
10 unique ways India celebrates Holi
From displaying martial art skills to lighting bonfires and throwing flowers, Holi is celebrated in a variety of ways across India. Here, we take a closer look at 10 unique traditions.
Traditional Holi snacks from the heartland
This Holi, add flavour to your celebrations with these 5 easy recipes from rural India.
From earth to art: Larnai black clay pottery
Larnai black clay pottery, hand-crafted using locally sourced black clay and serpentine stone, is a traditional art form from Meghalaya. Known for its unique designs, it reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The portrayal of women in Kalighat paintings
Kalighat paintings offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex and evolving relationship between societal expectations, gender roles, and females in India. By portraying women as both symbols of tradition and catalysts for change, the art form serves as a valuable record of a transformative period. The contemporary depiction of women in Kalighat can be seen as a continuing struggle for gender equality and women’s rights in today’s society.
Snow and the spirit of sportsmanship
‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ The adage holds true for young boys of Gurez Valley, a remote region along the ancient Silk Route, home to the Dard Shin tribe in north Kashmir. The valley remains covered with snow and cut off from the rest of the world for nearly six months. However, this doesn’t dissuade youngsters here from indulging in what they love the most–Snow Cricket.
Her cafe’s Kangri dham a big draw
Started by Manisha Thakur in 2022, Her cafe is an all-women-run cafe in Bir that serves local Himachali delicacies and provides the feel of a home-cooked meal in their village-inspired cafe setting.
March’s must-attend fests in India
Spring is the perfect time to explore some of India’s lively cultural and religious events. Village Square presents a list of 5 such celebrations that you must attend this March.
A chance encounter gets an ancient fort a new lease on life
A chance discovery of an early 16th-century ancient fort near Bengaluru during a trek inspired a community to restore it.
Animals are welcome in these Indian temples
From dogs to rats and monkeys, animals occupy a divine status at these temples around India. On World Wildlife Day, let’s take a look at these unique places of worship.
Sacred sounds: Gen Z finds zen in Vedic chants
Vedic chanting, believed to be the world’s oldest oral tradition, seems to be in vogue again, this time among the younger generation.
Tattoos: Wearing cultural history on the skin
Tattoos, passed down generations across India, link individuals to their cultural heritage, depicting a person's identity, caste, gender, beliefs, and customs. Diverse tattoo practices are found in many tribes and groups, each with its methods and meanings.