folk music

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Blind siblings from Uttarakhand on road to musical success

Born to daily wage labourers and facing the harsh realities of their disability, three blind siblings are making a name for themselves through their music in Garhwali and Kumaoni languages.

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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.

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‘I want to help preserve Uttarakhand culture through my songs’

Girish Jeena, the man behind the viral ‘Gulabi sharara’ song from Uttarakhand, talks to us about his journey, the unexpected fame, and the personal stories behind his popular songs.

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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?

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Delhi grooves to sights and sounds of rural India

Vignettes from rural life came alive at a special evening held to felicitate the winners of Village Square’s Annual Photo Exhibition, as the Delhi audience were mesmerised by the winning photos and live folk music performances.

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In Tripura, balladeers of snake goddess battle drug crisis with music

This music band in Jolaibari village of Tripura revives near-obsolete folk performance of Manasamangal, dedicated to snake goddess Manasa, with a message – Don’t do drugs.

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Letters that sing and dance 

Warnamala Pariwar, a Kalimpong-based organisation, uses local references to make education more fun for young children by integrating music, animation and games into alphabet lessons.

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‘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.

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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.

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Jharkhand’s tribal musical legacy teeters on the edge

Banam, a musical instrument of the Santhal tribe and other tribal groups of Jharkhand, is on the verge of extinction due to the younger generation’s lack of interest.

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Maharashtra’s bharud poetry makes a splash

Water scarcity as well as poor sanitation and hygiene practices plagued villages in Maharashtra until bharud performances brought awareness and turned life around.

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Rajasthan music school trains ustads of tomorrow

Gunsar Folk Music Institute of Jaisalmer is wowing audiences across the world with soulful songs by its students from the poor Manganiyar community.

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Mizo singer’s journey from local church to Padma Shri

Singing her way through her childhood, KC Runremsangi of Mizoram cut her first music album when she was 23. At 60 now, she has been conferred with the Padma Shri award for popularising Mizo folk songs through her albums and teaching youth.