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
Tribal heritage and fashion at Hijla fair
The Hijla fair in Jharkhand’s Dumka district has been annually showcasing tribal talents and a lot more for over 130 years.
Odisha’s blind women cricketers eye spot in Indian squad
For five young Odia women who started playing blind women’s cricket for their state just four years back, being shortlisted for the national team fills them with hope to represent India internationally.
Assam’s wildest jungle safari
Nature lives in its full glory in Dehing Patkai, but illegal logging and coal mining are pushing the virgin jungle to the brink.
Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm
Noor Zora – born as Zorawar Sigh - is hugely popular despite being a man who dresses up as a female to perform the women-only folk dance
Saving Kashmir’s crewel from machine-made copies
After spurning suggestions to adopt machinery, Gowher Ali Bhat successfully carries on his father’s legacy of crewelwork handicraft, and employs 150 women artisans.
Bhagoriya festival – Of blooming flowers and blossoming love
Often misunderstood as a rural Valentine’s Day, the tribal festival of ‘Bhagoriya’ was a few days back declared a cultural heritage by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The week-long carnival marks the onset of spring. Amid the amber hues splashed by the blossoming palash and the fragrance of yellow mahua flowers, the community rejoices the rabi crop harvest.
The disappearing wild orchids of North Bengal
Known for their beauty, fragrance and medicinal properties, epiphytic orchids found in the Dooars and Darjeeling hills are dying out because of deforestation in their natural habitat.
Go gypsy this summer with colourful Lambani decor
Sandur, a small town in Ballari district of Karnataka is on the world map for the beautiful embroidered products created by the Lambani women.
Festival of colour and courage – Hola Mohalla 2023
Color and courage are on display in Punjab at the annual three-day Sikh festival, Hola Mohalla. Celebrated at the religious site of Anandpur Sahib, the festival coincides with the Hindu festival of Holi.