Village Vibe

Village Vibe celebrates the art, culture and festivals of India’s village life. Urbanites aren’t the only ones who become social media stars, produce stunning art, enjoy food fads or follow fitness crazes. And as for festivals, there’s a totally different vibe in the villages.

her life

Shirui lilies add to Manipur colour amid concerns

Locals say Manipur’s state flower faces serious threats from the influx of tourists who will descend shortly like every year to witness them bloom in Kashong peak.

her life

Youngsters ditch restaurants, boost roadside stalls in Matheran

Young tourists on shoestring budgets skip restaurants and eat at roadside stalls or buy fresh fruits and berries sold by people living in the valley below Matheran.

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Step-by-step guide to make red ant chutney

The red weaver ant is an integral part of the diet of tribal communities in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. During the lean season, when there is no standing crop, tribals often sell these insects in the local market to make a living.

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Dying Siali craft keeps Mankidia tribe on the edge

The tribe was displaced from the Similipal forest when it became a national park, which reduced access to the Siali creeper they weave into ropes and baskets.

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This paralympian battled odds to smash records

At 18, Palak Kohli became the youngest para-athlete to compete in 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. Kohli and her badminton coach Gaurav Khanna talk about her battles and emphasise that society’s attitude needs to change towards people with disabilities.

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New print on the block

You know about Rajasthan’s Sanganeri and Bagru block prints, admire their imperfections and perhaps have a wardrobe full of them. But have you seen Jhag – the newest print in the collections of some of the reputed Indian handloom brands?

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Karnataka weavers of Udupi sarees face heat over heatwaves

Climate change is adversely impacting weavers of the globally acclaimed sarees as the starch they use is drying up too quickly due to rising temperatures.

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Deaf-mute Kashmiri woodcarver’s work leaves world speechless

Woodcarver Muhammad Yusuf Muran of Srinagar is known to be the man with golden fingers. His Midas touch on his family’s 200-year-old craft amplifies Kashmir’s handicraft heritage.

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‘Folk dance is being appreciated more now’

Traditional art forms are slowly gaining wider recognition in the country but we need more support for the youngsters who want to pursue it as a career, say Kerala-based renowned dancer Daksha Sheth and her musician husband Devissaro.