Village Vibe
Manipur’s transmen’s football team transforms lives
Ya_All, a UN-recognised LGBTI+ youth-led organisation in Imphal, Manipur, symbolises resilience and inclusivity in Northeast India. This groundbreaking initiative goes beyond sports, making a significant impact.
8 rural women who got the Padma Shri this year
From training elephants to healing people with herbal medicines, these heart-driven Padma Shri recipients of 2024 are raising the bar in social impact, and establishing a legacy through their contributions.
Bengal Patachitra weaves tales of resilience and expression
Naya village in West Bengal showcases vibrant Patachitra artworks, gaining global attention and adapting to modern times while preserving its traditional art that serves as a vessel for addressing various issues.
In Tripura, balladeers of snake goddess battle drug crisis with music
This music band in Jolaibari village of Tripura revives near-obsolete folk performance of Manasamangal, dedicated to snake goddess Manasa, with a message – Don’t do drugs.
Letters that sing and dance
Warnamala Pariwar, a Kalimpong-based organisation, uses local references to make education more fun for young children by integrating music, animation and games into alphabet lessons.
Dry winter hits Gulmarg tourism
Kashmir’s Gulmarg doesn't have much snow this season. A dry winter has been devastating to Gulmarg, one of Asia’s highest ski resorts, in India.
Pristine beauty meets cultural riches in Reiek
Reiek, a hidden gem celebrated for its unspoiled beauty in the heart of Mizoram, has earned its place among the country’s best tourism villages, captivating adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Manipur kindergarten kids learn to rock
Pam’s Kindergarten in Ukhrul seamlessly integrates music with the foundations of early education, showcasing the remarkable talents of its young students, particularly with the ukulele.
The 3rd Annual Village Vibe Photo Competition
Get your lenses polished and creativity soaring for our third photo competition! This year's categories are Food, Fashion, Culture and Aerial Photography related to rural India. A panel of renowned judges, an electrifying exhibition and exciting prizes await you. Submissions close on January 14.
Transgender student uses art to reach hearts
Arnavi Sharma is a final-year student at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts in Jammu University. She strives to create awareness about the LGBTQ community through her artwork and especially for those struggling to own their identities.
Cutting out prejudices, barbers shine at Bhind weddings
Mata Prasad, a naai from Khaneta in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, plays an essential role in transcending the typical barber's duties in the village's vibrant wedding celebrations.
‘My songs come from my heart’: Pushpan Pradhan
Pushpan Pradhan, who grew up seeing his parents toil in a tea plantation, makes music to bring attention to the working class. He talks about his journey in an exclusive interview with Village Square.
Jen and the art of making carpets fly in Maharashtra
Jen is a timeless craft woven into the very fabric of Maharashtra’s heritage, a testament to the resilience of tradition against the backdrop of modernity.
Dance to the beats of dollu at this Karnataka festival
In Karnataka’s folk heritage, the energetic drum dance of dollu kunitha weaves together devotion, tradition, artistic expression, and entertainment, connecting people with their roots.
Wake up and smell the coffee at this Muddenahalli homestay
For Muniswamy, owner of SM Nisarga Farms, the coffee plantation transcends mere farming as it’s a commitment to nurturing a green sanctuary in the arid landscape of Muddenahalli and its neighbouring hills.
Photos that reveal Kashmir’s hidden wildlife treasures
Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, a forest guard who joined the wildlife department reluctantly, is now a passionate photographer who wants to make people interested in the rich natural fauna of the region.
Melodies from Meghalaya
Mookhuri, a four-member band, brings to life the songs, sounds and traditions of the Khasi-Jaintia community from Meghalaya through their folk compositions.
Guardians of the hoolock gibbons of Hollongapar
In Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam, tourist guides stand as sentinels, ensuring that the echoes of “hook hook hook-ooo” continue to resound through the ancient hollong trees, signalling a harmony between humans and nature.
This Manipur designer’s creations echo tribal roots
Designer Easternlight Zimik draws from tribal heritage for his latest kashan (wraparound) collection, aiming to redefine conventional attire and empower rural Ukhrul's weavers.
Homestays open doors to Kashmir’s final frontier Keran
Amid a captivating landscape, the homestays in Keran become a bridge across borders, inviting guests to feel at home in one of the remotest frontier villages in Kashmir