folk art

her life

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.

her life

Bengal Patachitra weaves tales of resilience and expression

Naya village in West Bengal showcases vibrant Patachitra artworks, gaining global attention and adapting to modern times while preserving its traditional art that serves as a vessel for addressing various issues.

her life

‘My songs come from my heart’: Pushpan Pradhan

Pushpan Pradhan, who grew up seeing his parents toil in a tea plantation, makes music to bring attention to the working class. He talks about his journey in an exclusive interview with Village Square.

her life

Master strokes of a Mithila maestro

Manisha Jha, a passionate Mithila painter and architect dedicated to preserving tradition, talks about her journey, artistic roots and vision for sustaining the rich folk art of this region.

her life

Bahurupi folk theater finds few takers in West Bengal

The Bahurupis of West Bengal, who donned greasepaint and entertained the rural masses through folk and street theater by masquerading as mythological characters, have dwindled in numbers due to lack of patronage