cultural heritage
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!
Celebrating Teeyan in Punjab
Here is a festival for women where they celebrate through gatherings, dance and customs that have endured despite the passage of time.
These two women are singing Punjab’s past into present
Virpal Kaur and Pawandeep Kaur from Khosa Kotla, dedicated to preserving Punjab’s folk music, have collected and documented hundreds of traditional songs to ensure the rhythms of Punjab’s past resonate with future generations.
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.
Must-see museums showcasing Indian rural culture
Planning your next travel itinerary? Here are five fascinating museums across the country that will bring you closer to the vibrant cultural heritage of India.
Straw artist Pradeepta Nayak preserves heritage using paddy waste
Armed with little more than paddy straws and a boundless imagination, Odisha’s national award-winning artist Pradeepta Nayak resurrects an ancient art form and empowers women in his native Jirala village through his craft.
Three generations of the Khatri family revive the bagh print
In a quaint town of Madhya Pradesh the Khatri family is responsible for putting the spotlight back on the ancient bagh-printing technique, something they have now introduced to a global audience.
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?
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.
The exuberant post-wedding bridal march of Tangkhul Nagas
Ngala katha remains a prominent tradition in Tangkhul Naga weddings, enduring despite modernization. The vibrant post-wedding march from bride's to groom's house is cherished as its highlight.
8 rural women who got the Padma Shri this year
From training elephants to healing people with herbal medicines, these heart-driven Padma Shri recipients of 2024 are raising the bar in social impact, and establishing a legacy through their contributions.
Dance to the beats of dollu at this Karnataka festival
In Karnataka’s folk heritage, the energetic drum dance of dollu kunitha weaves together devotion, tradition, artistic expression, and entertainment, connecting people with their roots.
Melodies from Meghalaya
Mookhuri, a four-member band, brings to life the songs, sounds and traditions of the Khasi-Jaintia community from Meghalaya through their folk compositions.
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.
Mayurbhanj revives traditional looms
Mayurbhanj’s handloom legacy is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, stitching together threads of tradition and innovation, painting a brighter canvas for its future, one vibrant sari at a time.
Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Amid technological advancements and other challenges, Kashmir's traditional stone carvers, known as sang tarash, are striving to preserve their craft.
Mahua wine – the joyful spirit of tribal life
It’s time for educated urban people to shed their contemptuous attitude towards the traditional mahua wine and accept its significance as cultural heritage.
Puppets in Jaisalmer museum preserve old tradition
Storytelling through puppetry is being kept alive at this museum, but more needs to be done if the ancient art form is to thrive.
Can handlooms provide a viable rural livelihood?
There are reasons not to give up entirely on the rural handloom sector, and we can learn from northeast India on how artisanal weaving can still be an attractive livelihood option