Village Vibe
When the goddess comes calling
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory not just in the cities, but towns and villages too. Village Square offers glimpses into the celebrations across rural West Bengal.
The woman behind the Durga idol
Mousumi Sardar redefines the art of idol-making, creating a niche for female talent in the male dominated tradition.
There’s art in Ladakh’s choktse, the multi-purpose low table
Each motif in the ornately carved wooden choktse of Ladakh, an everyday object in every household, reflects the facets of life. Despite challenges and the intense work involved, artisans persevere to preserve Ladakh’s distinct cultural heritage.
Fabulous village festivities you can attend this October
The changing weather in October heralds not just the onset of winter, but also a host of celebrations across the country. We list some special fairs and festivals from the rural tracts that you can visit and enjoy this month.
Champions on wheels defy odds to conquer world
Once confined by severe spinal cord injuries from road accidents, Anjali Thakur and Vidya Kumari have shattered barriers to become international para-athletes with support from Chandigarh Spinal Rehab centre.
A Tangkhul Naga writer’s quest to keep his community’s memories alive
Jim Wungramyao Kasom, a Tangkhul Naga writer shares the inspiration behind his works and the importance of writing for a community that relies heavily on oral traditions to preserve its history.
‘Mother India’ to ‘Laapataa Ladies’: Rural themes in Oscars race from India
As Laapataa Ladies makes it as India’s entry to the Oscars 2025 in the Best International Feature Film category, here are some other rural-themed movies sent as the country’s submission for the prestigious award in the past.
Why you must visit these stunning hill destinations
This World Tourism Day Village Square brings you a curated list of hidden hill stations from the Indian hinterland. From the pristine meadows of the Himalayas in the north to the rolling hills of the south, we’ve got a recommendation for every kind of mountain enthusiast.
Rural escapes that celebrate the romance of Indian villages
From quaint temples and ancient trees to art villages and traditional huts, there is much to be enjoyed in the remote, picturesque Indian villages. So pack your bags and hop on for a ride!
Meet the 24-year-old who wants to preserve Mising culture through music
Rediscovering the rich roots of the Mising culture during a fellowship, Sikur Padma Pao promotes and preserves the indigenous peoples’ natural and cultural heritage through the music that he and his band, The Dynamics, create.
Cruise these historic Indian rivers in style
While rail and road have been the more popular ways of traversing the hinterland, this World Rivers’ Day we recommend a few charming river cruises in India that can take you touring around the countryside.
Rural India wins big at the Paris Paralympics 2024
These Paralympians from rural India have overcome the odds, and their disability, to reclaim glory during the recent Paralympic Games in Paris. Here are six such athletes who are an inspiration for all.
Odisha dholak player’s journey from village squares to viral video
Despite battling night blindness and financial hardships, Golak Paik, a musician from Dublabahal village in Odisha, has captivated netizens with his Sambalpuri music after a video of his performance went viral on social media.
Independent cinema v/s Bollywood featuring Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik
What do Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik have in common other than their rural backgrounds and meteoric ascent to stardom? They were both at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival, to talk about their work, life and the struggles of showing good cinema in India.
Hail these sports coaches for their illustrious proteges
This Teachers’ Day, Village Square tips the hat to the coaches of some of our sporting greats, winners of the Dronacharya Award, who hail from villages across the country.
Reel encounters with some special rural teachers
Over the years many filmmakers have paid tribute to the gurus in our lives by making films that depict the teacher-student relationship. Here are six such movies with rural stories that revolve around inspiring teachers.
Discussing climate change through cinema
The climate change-themed short films screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala film festival drew the audience’s attention to this pressing issue. The filmmakers in attendance – Jigar Nagda and Stenzin Tankong – spoke about the subject during a discussion at the fest.
26-year-old Puri youth leads Odisha’s green revolution
Soumya Ranjan Biswal, the 26-year-old founder of Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Aviyan, has mobilised local communities to protect ecosystems, promote mangrove restoration and Olive Ridley turtle conservation, and organise events to combat sea pollution.
How many of these lesser-known local greens have you tried?
Indian regional cuisine is full of nutrient-dense ingredients. This National Nutrition Week, which is observed in the first week of September, here is a list of six healthy foods from the far-flung corners of the country.
Celebrate a spectacular September at these rural festivals
A line-up of ceremonial celebrations across the hinterland gives Indians something to look forward to in the last month of the monsoon season, as September comes alive to showcase the rural culture in the country.