Sanskriti Talwar
Fellow
Sanskriti Talwar is an independent journalist based in Delhi, India. She writes on gender, development and environment. She is the co-founder of Pagdandi films, a small production house, which documents stories from rural India.
Former bonded labourers champion justice in Punjab
In the heartland of Punjab, people who once endured the shackles of debt and bondage now dedicate their lives to freeing others.
Punjab’s daughters revive its cotton weaving tradition
In a remarkable resurgence, 27 women, guided by Rupsi Garg and supported by her Trinjan project, rekindle Punjab’s fading art of spinning and weaving cotton products, gaining financial independence and a deep sense of happiness.
Glittering Punjabi juttis hide grim story of shoemakers
Colourful and vibrant Punjabi footwear is known worldwide, but its makers are struggling to make a decent living.
Making of Punjabi Jutti
Punjab is well known for its juttis – footwear made of leather. In the southern region of the state, called Malwa, districts such as Patiala, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib are among the manufacturers of the footwear – the last one being the most famous.
Small-town lesbian couple await same-sex court ruling
Though steeped in ordinariness, Shalu and Mehak have put up an extraordinary fight for the relationship they want to be legitimised.
College-going dalit students teach children of their community
Free classes are held every evening in two villages of Punjab under an initiative to help children from poor families with their studies.
Mewa Rani’s journey for a healthier Haryana
India has over a million local community health workers in the country. In Malab village of Nuh district of Haryana, Village Square met 32 years old health worker Mewa Rani at an Anganwadi centre.
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
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.
Punjab’s tumbi set to stage comeback and tug hearts
A revival for the somewhat out-of-fashion folk instrument tumbi seems to be on the cards with stars like Diljit Dosanjh taking to it.
Playback time for Punjab’s tumbi
Tumbi - Punjab's favourite music instrument was an integral part of Punjabi folk music. Created from tumba (a similar bigger instrument) post partition by Lal Chand Yamla, tumbi has traversed a long journey. After the introduction of electronic music, tumbi's craze declined. Two men in Punjab, Vijay Yamla and Jai Ram, are doing their bit to keep this traditional music instrument alive in the hearts of people. While Jai Ram is among the few craftsmen left in Punjab who continues to make tumbi, Vijay Yamla (grandson of Lal Chand Yamla or Yamla Jatt) is fusing its tunkar with electronic music to appeal to the younger audience.
How joint farming in Punjab is allowing Dalits to rewrite their destiny
Besides profits, Dalits in 28 villages of Malwa region in Punjab reap pride in jointly cultivating land that rich farmers mostly cultivated in their name earlier.
Everyday struggles of a widow in Punjab
Life for Kulwinder Kaur of Pathan Nangal village in Amritsar district of Punjab, has never been easy. Widowed early, bringing up children on her own, looking for firewood and doing all sorts of jobs to run her family – her life is a grim reminder of the everyday struggles of many in rural India.
In pics: ‘Jesus da langar’ at a Punjab village
At a village in Amritsar, Punjab, Christmas day means appetizing meals, selfless service, dancing and a lot of fun. This unique Christmas celebration represents the true multicultural India, where everyone comes together regardless of their religion, caste and class to celebrate festivals.
Porters at Attari-Wagah border bear the brunt of India-Pakistan trade curb
Penury and debt stare at porters working at Attari-Wagah border as bilateral trade is hit hard by rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack.
Porters at Attari-Wagah border bear the brunt of India-Pakistan trade curb
Penury and debt stare at porters working at Attari-Wagah border as bilateral trade is hit hard by rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack.