Village Vibe

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Kholey Dai: It takes a village to host this festival

Folk music, local cuisine, scenic Himalayan setting. The upcoming Kholey Dai festival in a Kalimpong village has a lot of attractions for travellers, but at its heart lies the story of a community’s unity and resilience.

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Anusha’s full toss from Andhra village to Team India

21-year-old B Anusha, who hails from a small village in Andhra Pradesh, has etched her name in cricket's glory. She has moved from farm to fame, defying the odds and earning a spot in Team India.

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We just discovered a hidden gem in Darjeeling

Mist and memories intertwine in the village of Takdah, 28 km from Darjeeling, and as the fog lifts, it reveals not just a destination but a timeless escape into nature’s embrace.

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Sikkim’s chhaang losing race in fast lane of spirits

Challenges posed by changing times, shifting tastes, and labour-intensive processes cast a shadow on the future of chhaang, a Sikkimese traditional alcoholic brew, but a handful of women are trying to preserve this age-old legacy.

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Master strokes of a Mithila maestro

Manisha Jha, a passionate Mithila painter and architect dedicated to preserving tradition, talks about her journey, artistic roots and vision for sustaining the rich folk art of this region.

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Teacher inspires school enrolment through films in UP village

Vivek Kumar’s dedication and innovative teaching methods revive the primary school at Mangal Purwa village, kindling the students’ passion for learning, creativity, and art.

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Rural fests you can attend this November

India is bursting with celebrations - from colourful traditions and rituals to music, dance, sports and delicious food. Come and experience the magic of India's festivals taking place in November 2023.

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Learning the ABC of Toto language

Bengal’s Toto tribals, who come under the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, are striving to keep their endangered local language alive by teaching kids its new-created alphabet system.

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Kashmiri women influencers you need to follow

Women from rural Kashmir are challenging societal norms, one social media post at a time, in an inspiring wave of digital change sweeping through the region.

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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.

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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.

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Kanakapura’s idli king shares secret recipe

Kote Mane Idli in Karnataka’s Kanakapura city is modest yet timeless, where Ramachandra and his family make over 4,000 idlis on a wood fire every day, preserving a secret family recipe.

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Odisha’s tribal youth excel in Pencak Silat martial art

The Bhatra family from Modiguda village in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district has scripted an inspiring tale of triumph over challenges as the young athletes overcome all odds with perseverance and indomitable will

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India’s most haunted villages

From ghostly apparitions to hair-raising tales, this list reveals the country's supernatural secrets.

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Jharkhand’s McCluskieganj struggles to stay alive

McCluskieganj, a charming hill town near Ranchi, faces an uncertain fate. It grapples with decaying colonial structures, a departed Anglo-Indian community, and environmental threats posed by illegal brick kilns.

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Students shape a future in terracotta pottery

Two college students start Mittihub, a platform selling terracotta pottery, to improve the livelihood of traditional potters, while offering fine products to customers across India and beyond.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kulasai Dasara comes alive with devotion and delight

Dussehra takes a riveting form at Kulasekharapatnam village of Tamil Nadu, where thousands of devotees, wearing body paint and costumes to look like different deities, gather at the Sri Mutharamman Temple to celebrate Kulasai Dasara.