Village Vibe
These rural spots continue to remind us of India’s freedom struggle
These were the places in rural India where blood, sweat and tears were shed for India’s freedom from colonial rule. On this Independence Day, here’s a look at the current state of those historic locations.
Tharu women revive their craft towards financial freedom
Crafting everyday items from grass was a way of life for the Tharu community of the Terai region till modernisation took its toll on their traditional craft. Now the Tharu women are reviving their craft, earning money in the process.
‘Regional is the new mainstream cinema’
National Award-winning director Manish Saini, whose film Giddh (The Scavenger) was screened at the Chitrashaala Short Film Festival, reflects on the art of short filmmaking, Gujarati cinema's revival, and the challenges facing regional storytellers in the OTT era.
Mother-coach propels Odisha lad to throwball stardom
In a country where cricket and hockey dominate the sports landscape, Odisha athlete Kuldip Samant’s journey offers hope to aspiring throwball players, proving that even the most unlikely dreams can become a reality.
Golden needles, purple tea: Women-led estate shines in Arunachal
Driven by an all-woman team, Donyi Polo Tea Estate in Arunachal Pradesh is pioneering sustainable tea cultivation and artisanal tea production, and breaking auction records.
Have you been on these monsoon treks yet?
With the rain gods having obliged us this monsoon, it’s a good time to pack your walking shoes and take off on a trek to the unexplored corners of the country. Village Square brings you five such lush trails.
A filmmaker’s ode to craft on celluloid
Muzaffar Ali, the director of films such as Gaman, Umrao Jaan and Anjuman tells us why he chose to make 18 short films on Indian craft forms, one of which was screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala short film festival.
Rural themes resonate with celebs and cinema lovers at Chitrashaala
The inaugural edition of Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival on rural India, saw the coming together of filmmakers, actors, cinema lovers and critics at the Alliance Francaise on August 3. Here’s a round-up for those of you who missed the fest!
Moving mountains with rural-based themes on celluloid
Aravali the Lost Mountains, by Jigar Nagda, captures this conflict between the many facets of development. In a chat with Village Square, the filmmaker talks about his journey and mining in Rajasthan ahead of the screening of the film at the Chitrashaala short-film festival.
Bittu – A fiction film that borrows from real village life
Karishma Dev Dube, the director of Bittu, which was shortlisted for the Best Live Action Short Film segment at the 93rd Academy Awards, tells us more about the movie ahead of its screening at the Chitrashaala Short Film Festival.
‘Cinema can capture a way of life that may soon get lost’
Cinema has the power to show all facets of society, says Stenzin Tankong, whose Last Days of Summer is being screened at Chitrashaala Short Film Festival. He tells us how his films portray Ladakh, and more.
Taking a deep dive into climate issues through cinema
It wasn’t easy for filmmaker Priya Thuvassery to make Coral Woman, but she gained some novel experiences while making it. She tells us more about the movie, which will be screened at the upcoming Chitrashaala short film festival.
‘I want to make movies about the northeast’
Riah Taipodia, the director of the film Khiew Ranei which will be screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala Short Film Festival, talks to us about her movie and her dream of telling more stories from the northeast.
Here’s a film that takes masks of Majuli to the people
In an exclusive tete-e-tete, Mask Art of Majuli director Utpal Borpujari tells us more about the short film, set in the world's largest river island in Assam, which will be screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala short film festival.
Chitrashaala – Student winners of short film competition announced!
The jury’s verdict is in! Judges from the Film Critics Guild have hand-picked the winners of Village Square’s competition for college students. Check out the winning movies that will be screened at the Chitrashaala short film festival.
India’s hinterland hopefuls at the Paris Olympics
As all eyes in the world turn towards Paris for the Olympic Games 2024 starting today, we bring to you six Indian athletes with humble beginnings who are representing the country at the international event.
This is why gucchi mushrooms are the world’s priciest
Morel mushrooms, also known as gucchi, may be the globe’s most expensive mushroom, but now climate change is impacting its availability. Village Square does a visual essay on what goes into sourcing the prized delicacy.
All you need to know about Village Square’s Chitrashaala short film festival
Screening of selected short films on rural India, conversations with filmmakers, interactions with acclaimed directors, actors and critics – you can catch all this and more at Chitrashaala on August 3. Here’s what the day will bring.
Elderly puppeteers of Odisha keep kandhei nacha alive
Rabi Narayan Jena, Dukhabandhu Jena and Umakanta Jena are fighting to revive the ancient art of kandhei nacha (rod puppetry), despite modern entertainment threatening its existence in Odisha.
Nothing ‘aam’ about these mango varieties
Move over Safeda, Langda and Chausa – the more popular mango varieties of India. This Mango Day, we do a round-up of some lesser-known regional favourites for you to savour.