Village Vibe
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Six celebs contesting from rural constituencies
Lights, camera, ballot! Bringing glamour to the 2024 parliamentary elections are these six famous personalities who are standing for the upcoming polls from various rural constituencies in India.
Asia’s largest tulip garden and its 17 lakh blooms
Nestled in the foothills of Zabarwan, Asia's largest tulip garden emerges as a rainbow of colours as different varieties of tulips blossom attracting tourists from all over the country.
5 must-see films that show rural India differently
There is more to the rural tracts of India than meets the eye. Village Square curates some internationally acclaimed films inspired by the Indian hinterland.
Majuli mask of Assam receives GI tag
Majuli masks of Assam receive the prestigious Geographical Indicator(GI) tag for their unique cultural tradition. The craft dates back to the 15th century and is made on bamboo frames, with unique clay.
Immersing in tradition: A pictorial tale of West Bengal’s Charak puja
Charak puja honors Shiva and Kali, symbolising renewal, forgiveness, and agricultural prosperity. It is celebrated on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti, the last day (April 14) of the month of Chaitra, which is followed by the Bengali New Year.
Celebrating the arrival of spring with the Fagli festival
Fagli, celebrated across Himachal Pradesh to mark the transition of the season from winter to spring, is a significant and colourful festival with traditional music and dance that brings communities together.
Have you heard these rural Indian musical instruments yet?
Rural India is a repository of folk music traditions. Here is a round-up in images of some of the musical instruments that are a part of this rich legacy. They certainly strike the right chord in the community, don’t they?
Unsung heroes of Odisha’s anganwadi centres
Despite formidable challenges like traversing a hill trail on foot, these anganwadi workers ensure that essential medical services reach those in need, even amidst Koraput’s rugged landscape.
Jharkhand’s tribal cuisine gets a trendy twist
A team of young professionals is giving a contemporary touch to Jharkhand’s tribal food through an agro-tourism venture, which offers a fine dining and farm-stay experience to visitors on the outskirts of Ranchi while empowering local villagers.
Kashmir’s turquoise crafts may fade into oblivion
Turquoise jewellery encapsulates Kashmir's rich cultural heritage. The traditional craft got severely impacted due to covid as many craftsmen moved to other jobs. Mohammad Hanief finds himself the sole torchbearer of this tradition today.
Watched Laapataa Ladies? Here are 5 other hit films shot in MP
Over 175 movies, OTT series and TV shows have been shot in quaint settings across Madhya Pradesh. Here are five of them for you to binge-watch, and get a taste of the true heartland of India.
Delicious traditional Odia recipes that you must try
As Odisha celebrates its Utkala Divas (formation day) on April 1, we bring to you some star dishes from the state that appeal to varied palates.
The cheesiest Indian desserts on offer
One of India’s favourite sweet treats, rasmalai, was chosen as the second-best cheese-based dessert in the world. Here are more such sweet dishes from India that lean in on our cheese-making traditions.
5 folk theatre forms that are a must-watch
India is home to several folk theatre forms, some hundreds of years old. This World Theatre Day, we do a round-up of five popular folk theatre forms that live on in the distant corners of the country.
Splashes of joy – Exploring the magic of Holi
Join us on a journey through different shades of Holi, where every snapshot tells a vibrant tale about color, camaraderie and pure joy.
Looking for natural Holi colours? You will find them here
This Holi, you can easily ditch artificial colours and make the switch to natural gulaal. Here are five online sources you can buy them from.
Melting point! Ice hockey rinks need cooling fans in Ladakh
A warmer-than-usual winter in Ladakh this year has robbed ice hockey enthusiasts of conditions favourable to the game, as fans are being used to keep the temperatures down and keep the arena frozen.
Explore the village ways with this Uttarakhand venture
Village Ways, a social enterprise, takes tourists on walking tours of five villages within Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. This is a win-win not just for the visitors but also the hosts, who are all local residents.
Meshing tech and rural crafts
Meenakshi Dubey, the founder of the online portal Yespoho and winner of the Union government’s Prajjwala Challenge, talks to us about how she uses technology to promote rural craftspersons.
Odisha’s guardian angel for the homeless
Setting a profound example of empathy and social responsibility, Bipin Bihari Panda has been rescuing and rehabilitating mentally ill and destitute people from the streets for nine years.