Village Vibe
Chitrashaala – Village Square’s short film fest trains the lens on rural India
Watch powerful films like Giddh (The Scavanger) and Last Days of Summer, interact with film personalities Muzaffar Ali, Adil Hussain, Faisal Malik and others, and learn more about rural India at Chitrashaala, Village Square’s short film festival.
Echoes of Portugal ring out in tiny Maharashtra village
Home to 250 Catholic families, the coastal village of Korlai in Maharashtra stands out for its preservation of a rare creole dialect called Kristi, a mix of Portuguese, Marathi and Konkani.
Bahabanga festival: A cultural identity of the Santhals
The Santhals’ practice of welcoming a new season through rituals, songs and dances during the Bahabanga festival showcases their culture, and demonstrates how their lives revolve around nature and agricultural seasons.
World’s highest hamlet – What it’s like to live at 4,500 metres
Komic village in Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh stands as a unique blend of tradition and adaptation, where modern challenges meet ancient ways of life, and where the serenity of the Himalayas shapes every aspect of existence.
Odisha man’s home museum boasts 3,200 rare coins and more
Meet Mitesh Ranjan Sahu, a 38-year-old government employee in Odisha, who is an avid collector of coins, currency notes, matchbox labels, postage stamps, and medals, earning him the nickname ‘Currency King’.
Add this waterfall-side Himachali dhaba to your Manali itinerary
You can enjoy Himachali delicacies like lingdi sabzi, sidu and kadhi at Sagar Thakur dhaba, which is run by a ‘Pahadi didi’ next to a natural waterfall far from the maddening crowd of Manali.
This rural sports academy is shaping champions in Punjab
Amol Academy, founded by Sant Gurmeet Singh in 2017 at Khosa village in Punjab’s Moga district, has transformed the lives of aspiring athletes by providing modern training facilities and promoting hard work through sports.
A visual journey through the saffron town of Kashmir
Welcome to Pampore, the saffron town of Kashmir, where nature's splendour and the region’s cultural heritage converge to create captivating sights and experiences throughout the year.
When it rains, it pours festivals in July
From spiritual processions to harvest festivals, and everything in between, here are six vibrant rural celebrations across India that you can visit this month.
Traditional Odia sweet magaji ladoo awarded GI tag
Magaji is a beloved sweet of Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. Its makers’ dedication to quality and tradition has earned this remarkable preparation a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring its authenticity and preservation for future generations.
From momos seller to hockey hero, Odisha teen overcomes hardships
Dhenkanal under-19 hockey team captain Debrat Nayak, an 18-year-old from Mangalpur village, works at a street food stall to support his family and fund his hockey gear.
‘Kantha Didi’ takes Bengal’s age-old art to global recognition
Meet ‘Kantha Didi’ Tajkira Begum, a self-professed go-getter who has sewed together a narrative of personal resilience, professional excellence and social inclusion using Bengal’s revered kantha stitch.
Why this couple said konnichiwa to a Himachal village
Michael and Devanshe, who run the Himalayan Orchard homestay, quit a cosmopolitan life in Japan to live in her ancestral village in Himachal Pradesh. They tell us about the challenges and opportunities the move unfurled for them.
How the decline of launda naach has impacted the queer community
Launda naach, practised in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, dates back to when women, barred from dancing in public, were replaced by effeminately dressed men. Kajal Bhabhua, a trans performer, says the dance form is fading now.
‘Queer voices are almost absent in the northeast’
Belonging to the LGBTQ+ community is tougher in the northeast, with its context of militarisation and political violence, says Sadam Hanjabam, the founder-CEO of Ya_All, a Manipur-based organisation working to empower the queer identity through sports.
Trans queen from Cooch Behar sets eyes on global stage
Hailing from a small district of Bengal, Arshi Ghosh, the winner of Miss Trans Queen India 2023, will represent India at the International Queen pageant in Thailand. She talks about her journey with Village Square.
Look hot, feel cool with sustainable fabrics this summer
With the mercury breaking records this summer, why not cool things down with some lightweight natural and sustainable fabrics made from crops that our farmers grow? After all, the only thing that should sizzle is your style quotient.
‘Indian ragas are about getting connected with yourself’
Indian classical musician brothers Neeraj Dholakia and Palash Dholakia talk to Village Square about the popularity they enjoy, the wide reach of Western music and why fusion isn’t all bad.
Tribal girls are kicking conventional norms through football
The defiant all-women football team in rural West Bengal is winning hearts for their skills and resilience, and also bridging the gender divide.
From shattered dreams to ecotourism success in Corbett village
Naveen Upadhyay, disheartened after failing to join the army, turned his setback into an opportunity by founding the ecotourism venture Camp Hornbill, dedicated to preserving the beauty of their village despite competition from luxury resorts.