Madhya Pradesh
The quirky village that straddles two states
The village of Sajanpur is an anomaly – it navigates the crossroads of two states, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, forging its own path and celebrating its diversity.
In Stree 2’s Chanderi, veil between history and horror is gossamer thin
Bollywood horror-comedy Stree 2 puts the cinematic spotlight on Kati Ghati gate, a massive stone structure steeped in legend and mystery in Madhya Pradesh’s Chanderi, a small town renowned for its delicate sarees.
These architects are building an archive of MP’s tribal traditions
Meet architects Achyut Siddu and Apoorva Mishra who are encouraging members of the Pardhan Gond, Baiga and Bhil tribes of Madhya Pradesh to document their traditions through their initiative, Loksutr.
Travel souvenirs take MP artisans on road to success
Pashoo Pakshee, a social enterprise founded by Savini Sonavaria, supports over 350 artisans producing nature-inspired souvenirs, provides fair wages and financial independence.
Claiming the streets: SHGs, women and public spaces
In rural India, women are boldly reclaiming public spaces through self-help groups (SHGs) and collectives. These gatherings are transforming village dynamics, challenging patriarchal norms and enabling economic empowerment.
Experience a slice of traditional living at this MP ‘ashram’
Reverse-migrating from Gurugram to their roots, this couple from Madhya Pradesh set up Jeevika Ashram near Jabalpur to embrace a traditional lifestyle, promote local crafts and give visitors an authentic cultural experience at their property.
Another brick in the wall: The story of a brick-making village
In a village in the periphery of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, where brick kiln workers toil hard, difficult circumstances force their children to forego education, ending in a cycle of hardships across generations
These workers keep the brick kilns burning despite hardships
In Barkhedi Abdulla, a village dotted with brick kilns, local and migrant workers continue to toil under the sun despite hardships, hoping that the clay they mould will shape their lives for the better.
Meet the last alchemists of Agaria tribe, forging iron from stones
The Agaria tribe’s legacy of turning ‘kaleji patthar’ stones into high-grade iron is kept alive by this uncle-nephew duo from rural Madhya Pradesh, who use traditional methods passed down through generations.
I want to see girls stand up for themselves: ‘Skater girl’ Asha
From growing up in a tribal family in Madhya Pradesh to participating in a championship in China, Asha Gond has realised her dream. The ‘skater girl’ and her German mentor Ulrike Reinhard tell us about their journey and more.
Stay at these lovely homestays to explore Sanchi, Bhimbetka in MP
An hour out of Bhopal, the village of Khari offers guests comfortable homestays run by villagers and nearby attractions such as the Kesla Dam, Bhimbetka caves and the Sanchi Stupa. Village Square does a recce.
Three generations, one melody: Meet Saas Bahu Ki Jodi
Geeta Parag, who forms the ‘Saas Bahu ki Jodi’, a trio of bhakti (devotional) singers along with her mother-in-law and daughter in Madhya Pradesh, overcomes social dictates and inspires young women and girls to embrace their musical heritage.
Blacksmiths show an iron will in this MP village
Faced with dwindling sales, blacksmiths in Kala Dumar village of Jabalpur are looking at giving a contemporary touch to their products to get good prices and also engage their future generation in the skill-based ancestral practice.
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.
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.
‘We need to communicate what safe water means’
Several regions across India face acute shortage of safe drinking water. We speak to Amar Prakash, state programme director for WaterAid in Madhya Pradesh, about their interventions, challenges and success stories.
Handloom and hues of success in Maheshwar
This school at Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh helps aspiring master weavers polish their skills and gain cutting-edge know-how on the practices essential to succeeding in the handloom sector.
Ahead of season 3, a real-life ‘Panchayat’ experience in MP
Harish Joshi, resembling the character of “sachiv ji”, shares his experiences as the panchayat secretary, while sarpanch Inderbai reflects on women’s empowerment in Mahodiya village of Madhya Pradesh where the popular web series ‘Panchayat’ was filmed.
Cutting out prejudices, barbers shine at Bhind weddings
Mata Prasad, a naai from Khaneta in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, plays an essential role in transcending the typical barber's duties in the village's vibrant wedding celebrations.
Can you identify a millet plant?
Many people choose a career in development to improve the world, but often the insights gained make it a rewarding journey of personal growth – from being able to identify unusual crops to appreciating rural life more deeply.