This colourful card game from Odisha is art

Ganjapa is a traditional card game that gained popularity in the 16th century. Introduced by the Persians, it was primarily a recreational game played exclusively by male members of society. Odisha is known for having the largest community of Ganjapa players and manufacturers. The unique aspect of this game is the hand-painted cards. The circular-shaped… Continue reading This colourful card game from Odisha is art

Self-help groups – learning from the roots

Nanda Kuluch of Boriaindi village and Aruna Chavan of Dahitne village in Pune district of Maharashtra are founder members of a self-help group (SHG). Both of them belong to different Scheduled Caste communities. They formed the SHG when they were training to become balwadi teachers.  Like the two, there are thousands of women across India… Continue reading Self-help groups – learning from the roots

Teachers provide skill training to Udaipur jail prisoners

Priyank Kashyap, a guitarist, has a jail stamp on his hand. So does Rahul Singh, a dance teacher. Though not convicts, they bear the stamp of the Udaipur Central Jail in Rajasthan since they visit the prison to train inmates in music and dance. It allows them to step inside the heavily-secured jail and be… Continue reading Teachers provide skill training to Udaipur jail prisoners

Sal-sufficient: Leafy tableware of Odisha’s Santhal tribe

Santhal women gather sal leaves in the forest near Taladiha village in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Sukri Marandi carries an axe during her visits to the forest to collect natural produce. Along with sal leaves, women also collect sal twigs that have traditionally been used as toothbrushes by the tribal community.  Also Read | Jharkhand’s… Continue reading Sal-sufficient: Leafy tableware of Odisha’s Santhal tribe

How this young man from MP is ‘ringing’ in a new future

Pawan Jamre, a 20-year-old youth from Chitawal village in Barwani district, Madhya Pradesh, remains shy and low-profile. However, he now exudes self-confidence and ambition, a stark contrast to the challenges he faced growing up in poverty. Jamre hails from a family with a small landholding, and his parents and brother rely on agriculture for their… Continue reading How this young man from MP is ‘ringing’ in a new future

Check out Sarakapatna’s vibrant ‘Hastatanta’ sarees

Dhenkanal district in Odisha is renowned for its scenic beauty and popular attractions like Joranda Mela and Kapilash temple. Nestled within this landscape is Sarakapatna, a village where every thread is woven with pride, preserving the age-old tradition of Hastatanta sarees. Dhenkanal district is renowned for its scenic beauty and popular attractions like Joranda Mela… Continue reading Check out Sarakapatna’s vibrant ‘Hastatanta’ sarees

Multiple income streams sustain tribal families in Assam

As we entered the house fenced with bamboo poles, Monomothi Rabha, who was cutting vegetables, stopped her work to welcome us. She manually de-husked some areca nuts and took out a few freshly-plucked betel leaves. She served the leaves and nuts with lime paste on a betel stand and sat with us for a chat.… Continue reading Multiple income streams sustain tribal families in Assam

Madhya Pradesh rural women’s band sings bhajans with a cause

Seated with their legs crossed in the lotus position, a group of women of varied ages engage in rhythmic clapping and swaying to the tunes of the harmonium and dholak. Their throaty voices ring out through the serene village of Dhamanya in Betul district of southern Madhya Pradesh. The band jams at dusk to spread… Continue reading Madhya Pradesh rural women’s band sings bhajans with a cause

Making of Punjabi Jutti

The praise for Punjabi juttis made in Sri Muktsar Sahib could be found in old Punjabi couplets.  “Lai de ve jutti mainu, Muktsari kadai wali,Pairan wich mere channa, jachugi payi bahali’’ (Buy me a jutti, the one with Muktsar’s embroidery. In my feet, oh my beloved, it will look amazing.) According to one study, ‘Dalit occupation… Continue reading Making of Punjabi Jutti

3Ms herald prosperity in troubled Bastar

The Bastar region in Chhattisgarh has been home to some of the most “typical” tribal communities, difficult-to-reach places and wondrous forests. Abujhmad is the mysterious fortress of Naxal forces. This plateau lies in the Narayanpur and Bijapur districts that were carved out of the old Bastar district in 2007.  I had an occasion to visit… Continue reading 3Ms herald prosperity in troubled Bastar

Gond Art Workshop

As World Localization Day approaches, it’s crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of our local cultures and the diversity they bring to our world. The online Gond art workshop organized by Village Square on June 21st presents a special occasion to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Gond art. Discover the gateway to… Continue reading Gond Art Workshop

Sarakapatna’s Hastatanta sarees add life to loom

Step into the enchanting world of Sarakapatna, where the illustrious ‘Hastatanta’ legacy has gracefully flourished for over a century now. Prepare to be captivated by a timeless artistry that has left an indelible mark on the fabric of history.  These exquisite sarees, crafted from the finest handloom silk, bear testament to the unwavering pride and… Continue reading Sarakapatna’s Hastatanta sarees add life to loom

Every house has a traditional healer in this Odisha village

Bhoisahi village in Khordha district of Odisha has no hospital or qualified doctor. But for years, the sick and anxious have been queueing up at the village every day, hoping to find a solution to their ailments.  Many even undertake long and arduous journeys to reach this village nestled in the lap of forested hills.… Continue reading Every house has a traditional healer in this Odisha village

Could this Odisha tribal snack start a food trend?

Palami Mallick winnows niger seeds on a bamboo tray called kula. The niger plant is a significant commercial crop among the tribal communities in Odisha. Hand-pounded niger seeds are collected from the dhinki, a traditional grain-threshing method followed in rural Odisha. Also Read | Dhinki delight in Odisha: Bringing back hand-pounded ragi Palami gathers pounded… Continue reading Could this Odisha tribal snack start a food trend?

The much-maligned khaaps still have potential

Preface: The internal social governance systems in Indian villages remained relatively stable for centuries. The khaap, jajmani, bara balutedar and the gam bura systems are but a few examples of these stable systems in different parts of the country. When viewed through the lens of today’s values, they appear patriarchal, feudal and iniquitous, but they… Continue reading The much-maligned khaaps still have potential

‘We lack robust mechanisms to tackle child labour’

Village Square: What are your personal reflections about rescuing kids from child labour? Shrishti Shankar: Child labour is not a standalone problem. It has various dimensions related to it, including forced labour, bonded labour and trafficking. We need to understand them together. For instance, when going for rescue, most times we come across children who… Continue reading ‘We lack robust mechanisms to tackle child labour’

Bengal’s Sabar tribe struggles for survival

If time travel was possible, a visit to 2004 would be worth taking – a leap year that saw humankind take many leaps, for better or worse. A wide-eyed American geek launched Facebook, NASA’s Opportunity rover landed on Mars, but no warning system foretold a tsunami that strafed the coasts of India and South and… Continue reading Bengal’s Sabar tribe struggles for survival

Fishing and fresh springs: Kashmiri festival unites villages

 Armed with baskets and nets, villagers flock to the Panzath spring for the annual fish-catching ritual. An eager boy waits for the arrival of his friends and other family members at the venue. With water up to their knees, people pluck out weeds while trying to catch fish. More weeds than fish? No problem! The… Continue reading Fishing and fresh springs: Kashmiri festival unites villages

First musical band of high-altitude Ladakh riding high

The stillness of Ladakh surrounded by snow-peaked mountains gets broken rather frequently these days as a group of young men take to the stage. They sing, sway, and tap to the beat of drums, guitars, and other instruments, producing a heady mix of music that echoes across the breathtaking landscape marked by vast valleys, high… Continue reading First musical band of high-altitude Ladakh riding high

Horseshoe crab: The granddaddy of sea creatures needs help

The horseshoe crab, one of the oldest living animals on the planet, is facing extinction. The Indian horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) and the mangrove horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) inhabit Indian waters off Odisha and West Bengal, the latter being found in the mangrove swamps and mudflats of the Sundarban delta. The horseshoe crab is often… Continue reading Horseshoe crab: The granddaddy of sea creatures needs help