Music and Arts
MP village youth aims for Hollywood spotlight
Shibali Biswas, a 23-year-old filmmaker from rural Madhya Pradesh, defies the odds to showcase her vibrant tribal culture globally.
Family of woodcarvers preserves Chhattisgarh’s Muria Ghotul art
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the legacy of talented artisans endures in the small village of Garh Bengal as a testament to the indomitable spirit of creativity.
Coming up, a fest to connect with Kalimpong culture
The upcoming Kholey Dai festival celebrates Kalimpong’s culture with folk music, workshops and eco-tourism. It’s being organised by Parengtar village residents along with Muhaan and other local enterprises, in collaboration with Village Square.
Jharkhand’s tribal musical legacy teeters on the edge
Banam, a musical instrument of the Santhal tribe and other tribal groups of Jharkhand, is on the verge of extinction due to the younger generation’s lack of interest.
Copperware losing sheen for Tamtas of Almora
Tamta bazaar of Almora in Uttarakhand, the once-thriving marketplace and a vibrant hub of coppersmiths, now stands in desolation as the artisans struggle to compete with machine-made products.
Kumhartuli artisans in full swing ahead of Durgo Pujo
West Bengal's artisans flock to Kumhartuli village for crafting Durga idols during Durgo Pujo. Some switch careers for six months while others specialise in making jewellery, attire and wigs.
Finding a soul in Uttarakhand’s ghost village
Set in a village with seven inhabitants, Srishti Lakhera’s National Award-winning film Ek Tha Gaon showcases the issue of Uttarakhand’s ‘ghost’ villages. She tells us about the movie, its two women protagonists and more.
Why is Jharkhand’s Paitkar scroll art losing colour?
Paitkar scroll paintings of Jharkhand are silently fading into oblivion due to waning interest in the art form among enthusiasts and the apathy of authorities.
Creative economy is empowering rural India
Creative industries are emerging as a powerful way for rural youth to explore new livelihood opportunities based on their traditional knowledge, using new ways to showcase their talents and support the community.
‘I find purpose in life through thangka art’
Skipping school and homebound because of a polio attack, Krishna Tashi Palmo enrolled in a Tibetan thangka art school at 22, finding purpose in life through art. Now she is one of the few renowned women thangka artists.
We need parallel cinema now more than ever: Muzaffar Ali
Acclaimed filmmaker, fashion designer and artist Muzaffar Ali talks to us about his close connect with rural issues, and how the cinema and fashion industries are contributing to the cause of the marginalised.
Jailhouse RJs rock in Odisha prison
Inmates serve as radio jockeys for Azad Vaani, a thrice-daily broadcast created to entertain, inspire, and rehabilitate prisoners in Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada jail. They produce a variety of content, from drama to news updates, which help them find purpose and hope.
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.
Cham – the mask dance of monks
Cham dance has been an integral part of the life of Tibetan Buddhists – exploring the themes of human life and death, good and evil. The dancers (mostly monks) offer their body, speech and mind (three vajra) while performing and are highly considered a religious dance.
Maharashtra’s bharud poetry makes a splash
Water scarcity as well as poor sanitation and hygiene practices plagued villages in Maharashtra until bharud performances brought awareness and turned life around.
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.
Rajasthan music school trains ustads of tomorrow
Gunsar Folk Music Institute of Jaisalmer is wowing audiences across the world with soulful songs by its students from the poor Manganiyar community.
Mandala art and Kashmir’s shikara sorceress
Mahira Shah, a 21-year-old artist from Kashmir, has overcome several challenges to pursue her passion, finally winning laurels for creating ‘world's smallest mandala shikara’.
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.
Young musicians revive Sufi music in Kashmir
On this World Music Day on June 21, we feature two young musicians from Jammu and Kashmir who are working to revive the traditional Sufi music in the region by playing and promoting traditional instruments like the rabab and sarangi.