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.
Village Vibe
What a ‘grape’ village!
Over 600 years ago, Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Wali praised Repora in Kashmir's Ganderbal district as 'Dachi Repora, Nazar chay cxopoor,' which means, "Repora grapes, your gaze extends everywhere." Today, Repora's vineyards are renowned for top-quality organic grapes, rivalling Italy.
Border tourism boosts Keran village
Standing on the banks of the roaring Kishanganga river, Keran has become a new tourism sensation in J&K bringing both hope and fortune to the villagers.
5 unique homestays across rural India
Pack your bags and leave the city behind! We're about to unveil 5 hidden gems of rural India, where your next adventure begins with these extraordinary homestays.
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.
We need parallel cinema now more than ever: Muzaffar Ali
Acclaimed filmmaker, fashion designer and artist Muzaffar Ali talks to us about his close connect with rural issues, and how the cinema and fashion industries are contributing to the cause of the marginalised.
Jailhouse RJs rock in Odisha prison
Inmates serve as radio jockeys for Azad Vaani, a thrice-daily broadcast created to entertain, inspire, and rehabilitate prisoners in Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada jail. They produce a variety of content, from drama to news updates, which help them find purpose and hope.
Sikkim flowers go online
Although the demand for flowers grown in Sikkim has been increasing, farmers face challenges such as water scarcity, threats from animals like monkeys that damage crops, and lack of proper market linkages — prompting some to tap online sales and eliminate middlemen.
Booze bottles become bangles in dry state Bihar
A factory making bangles from discarded liquor bottles in Sabalpur village stands as a symbol of empowerment and resilience, offering hope to women who have found solace and strength in their work, regardless of the hurdles they face.
This is Pulikkali — Kerala’s roaring Onam dance
Thrissur's traditional Pulikkali street performance, part of the Onam festival, involves locals painting themselves as leopards, tigers and lions. The 200-year-old tradition is accompanied by percussion beats. The event is a big tourist attraction in the state.