Karnataka
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.
Wake up and smell the coffee at this Muddenahalli homestay
For Muniswamy, owner of SM Nisarga Farms, the coffee plantation transcends mere farming as it’s a commitment to nurturing a green sanctuary in the arid landscape of Muddenahalli and its neighbouring hills
Kanakapura’s idli king shares secret recipe
Kote Mane Idli in Karnataka’s Kanakapura city is modest yet timeless, where Ramachandra and his family make over 4,000 idlis on a wood fire every day, preserving a secret family recipe.
Ramanagara’s 100-year-old Mysore pak hotel
Shri Janardhan Hotel, founded in 1926 and famed as “the Mysore pak hotel”, is a culinary icon in Ramanagara for confecting the beloved Mysore pak sweet to perfection the traditional way every day
Inspiring rural women who defied expectations
They had only a dream to start with. And they have made their mark in various fields with a never-quit spirit. This International Day of Rural Women, we revisit some inspiring stories covered on Village Square.
Saraswathi’s journey from orphanage student to leader
To get her educated, Saraswathi’s parents enrolled her in an orphanage. From getting married as a teen to leaving her abusive husband, she trudged through her hardships and now runs an orphanage where she nurtures young girls.
Drones patrol night sky to monitor Nagarhole elephants
In the untamed world of Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, where nature’s secrets are guarded by the moon’s silver light, the thermal drone stands as a sentinel of the night — a saviour of both beast and man.
Karnataka’s rural classrooms get a robot teacher
The impact of the robot, called Shiksha, on education in Karnataka is nothing short of transformative. Its engaging presence and interactive teaching style captivate students, making learning a joyous experience.
Bengaluru couple’s startup goes back to the roots
From natural kajal to desi cow milk ghee, this startup by a Bengaluru-based couple offers products made using natural ingredients in an effort to promote sustainable living and empower rural communities.
Meet the Karnataka man measuring rainfall for 47 years
This farmer of Dakshina Kannada district has followed in his father’s footsteps and has weather data for about 17,500 days, a treasure for climate researchers.
A supermarket for the women, by the women
Sanjeevini Supermarket is a testament to the power of collective action, a celebration of local talent, and a marketplace of empowerment where women’s dreams are taking root, and a brighter, more sustainable future beckons.
Karnataka village doctor’s green revolution
Dr Tejaswi HJ, a doctor in Karnataka’s Hassan district, has turned the weed-infested land surrounding a government hospital in Karle village into a thriving mini-forest with over 1,500 plants and fruit-bearing trees.
Artist aims to draw a sustainable future in Western Ghats
An artist from Karnataka has set up a centre for creativity and conservation in Shivamogga district to address the environmental and agricultural challenges of the region.
Reviving humpback mahseer in Cauvery’s hidden world
The Karnataka forest and fisheries departments have launched a recovery project for the critically endangered orange-finned mahseer, a fish native to the Cauvery river and known as the ‘tiger of water’.
Documentary highlights plight of Hakkipikki tribe
Members of the community found in Karnataka were in the news for being stranded by the armed conflict sweeping Sudan in recent times.
Karnataka tribal athlete aims high with javelin
Archana M Siddi, a 19-year-old from the marginalised Siddi community, overcomes adversity with ambition. Rising from her impoverished background, she clinched javelin honours in an athletics meet, aspiring to make her mark in the Olympics. Her story, in her words:
Karnataka youth aims for the sky with astro-tourism
Niranjan Kanagoudar from Haveri district has set up powerful telescopes in his farmland to let people watch distant stars for a reasonable price.
‘We aim to provide employment to 1 lakh youth this year’
Despite their educational degrees, many young Indians find it difficult to get jobs. Ramesh Swamy, director of the not-for-profit organisation Unnati tells us how they are addressing this gap for the youth in the country.
How areca nut plantations get ready for monsoon
Farmers depend on a special chemical mixture called 1% Bordeaux to save the areca nut from fruit rot disease.
The island village that gets cut off every monsoon
With the lone bridge connecting it to the mainland getting dismantled every monsoon, the island of Pavoor Uliya in Karnataka becomes completely isolated for several months each year.