Music and Arts
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.
Teachers provide skill training to Udaipur jail prisoners
Inmates are being taught several things – from music and dance to yoga and food processing – so that they heal their scars and rediscover self-esteem.
Madhya Pradesh rural women’s band sings bhajans with a cause
The Saraswati Mahila Bhajan Mandal, a group of women from Dhamanya village in southern Madhya Pradesh, spreads a powerful message through their soulful songs inspired by Sant Singaji Maharaj and Kabir.
First musical band of high-altitude Ladakh riding high
Blending traditional folk music with rock, Dashug is extremely popular since it also focuses on critical social issues.
Alive with the sound of music
Dashug, a music band from Ladakh that was formed in 2020, is riding a wave of popularity in the region because its music remains rooted in local folk songs.
All that glitters in Antia village is indeed gold
The centuries-old use of golden grass in making crafts is financially empowering the women of Jajpur in Odisha. A GI tag and aggressive marketing can improve things further.
Dying Siali craft keeps Mankidia tribe on the edge
The tribe was displaced from the Similipal forest when it became a national park, which reduced access to the Siali creeper they weave into ropes and baskets.
‘Folk dance is being appreciated more now’
Traditional art forms are slowly gaining wider recognition in the country but we need more support for the youngsters who want to pursue it as a career, say Kerala-based renowned dancer Daksha Sheth and her musician husband Devissaro.
Have you seen these traditional Indian dances yet?
Dialects, dresses, cuisines, rituals… There is always something new to learn about India. This World Dance Day, here are some traditional dance forms from across the country that’ll make you want to shake a leg.
Music band rings in new dawn for ex-prisoners
Naya Savera is a unique band comprising former inmates of Udaipur Central Jail out to shrug off their past for redeeming themselves.
Mizo singer’s journey from local church to Padma Shri
Singing her way through her childhood, KC Runremsangi of Mizoram cut her first music album when she was 23. At 60 now, she has been conferred with the Padma Shri award for popularising Mizo folk songs through her albums and teaching youth.