She sowed seeds of a grain bank to feed the poor

The marginalised families of Bedada village in Narmada district of Gujarat have to face many problems, the biggest one perhaps being lack of sufficient resources to purchase rations. Malnutrition is a huge problem in this region, especially in Bedada. There are many families unable to consume three meals a day. They survive on just roti… Continue reading She sowed seeds of a grain bank to feed the poor

Theyyam – Narrating stories of gods

Though theyyam involves dance, makeup and mime, with the artiste performing in elaborate makeup and costume, it is not merely a dance but a ritual considered sacred by the believers. The local residents believe that their god descends in a human body to interact with and bless them. Bali theyyam is based on the character… Continue reading Theyyam – Narrating stories of gods

‘Men acknowledge domestic violence shown in our plays’

VS: How has theatre impacted your personal life and beliefs? Munia Murmu: Theatre’s impact on my life has been extraordinary. The change I wanted to achieve in society through theatre started with me.  Initially some in my family and outside did object to my doing theatre. But I thought to myself – what’s really bad… Continue reading ‘Men acknowledge domestic violence shown in our plays’

‘We brought Shakespeare to Punjab stage’

Village Square: Tell us about the early days of Dastak? Rajinder Singh: I was always very interested in art, stories and entertainment. I was in class X when a nearby private school organised a theatre workshop. I was really excited. But I could not afford the entry fee for this workshop, which was Rs 500.… Continue reading ‘We brought Shakespeare to Punjab stage’

Tribal artist creates coat of many colours for PM

I have always been steeped in ordinariness. Born in a small tribal town of Jhobat in Madhya Pradesh, I am the eldest of three siblings and my father is a motor mechanic. Like many others, I did not enjoy studying. But then the pressure on me to find a suitable job was immense. I did… Continue reading Tribal artist creates coat of many colours for PM

A new chapter begins for Rajasthan school libraries

Birju loves khichdi, but keeps forgetting the word for his favourite food. Memory isn’t the strong suit of seven-year-old Mohan either. But when he plays protagonist Birju for the school play ‘Khichdi…Ek Lok Katha’, the Class II student in Ajmer of Rajasthan remembers and delivers his lines with expression, feeling and fluency. The rest of… Continue reading A new chapter begins for Rajasthan school libraries

Kashmiri artisans like none other

In 2010, three specially-abled brothers started Special Hands of Kashmir (SHK) in Gotapora – a small hamlet in Budgam district. All the three had been battling muscular dystrophy since childhood. They grew up learning sozni embroidery work from their father. The needle embroidery is mostly done on shawls. Among the brothers, Tariq Ahmad Mir was interested… Continue reading Kashmiri artisans like none other

Arecanut goes from yucky paan stains to dandy dye

The 'Tree of Life' motif prepared by Pitchuka Srinivas in Kalamkari art style using areca nut dye (Photo by Adike Patrike)

Pitchuka Srinivas’s kalamkari paintings bear no resemblance to the streaks of red splashed over sidewalks, bus stops and other public spots, unless he reveals — with great pride — the source of the ink used in his artworks.  “My Tree of Life wall hangings were much appreciated. I sold them to a client in the… Continue reading Arecanut goes from yucky paan stains to dandy dye

Tribal heritage and fashion at Hijla fair

Hands down Dumka’s most colourful annual celebration, the Hijla mela acts as a platform to showcase the art and culture of the tribal communities in Jharkhand.  The fair begins with traditional dance and music, and you can witness invigorating performances on traditional instruments like the mandar and tamak (drum), tirio (bamboo flute), junko (ankle bell… Continue reading Tribal heritage and fashion at Hijla fair

Odisha’s blind women cricketers eye spot in Indian squad

Phula Soren of Salamani village in Baleswar district of Odisha is eyeing a bright future, though she is blind. As a budding blind woman cricketer, 16-year-old Soren has just been chosen for the national camp which will lead to the selection of the first Indian blind women’s cricket team that will take on Nepal in… Continue reading Odisha’s blind women cricketers eye spot in Indian squad

‘Planting trees is not forest restoration’

Village Square: What inspired you to take up conservation through Forrest India? Neha Singh: After graduating I worked with various organisations in the domain of waste management, organic farming and watershed development. I felt that not many were keen to take up challenges at the grassroots level and make efforts where it’s really necessary. I… Continue reading ‘Planting trees is not forest restoration’

Bringing the Aravallis back to life

The sun is at its peak, and the only sound interrupting birdsong is the crunching of loose gravel under the feet. The precarious path has to be trodden carefully to avoid a fall. At times, the rocky terrain of the Aravallis gives way to ochre-coloured sandy soil. A sudden exclamation diverts the attention of the… Continue reading Bringing the Aravallis back to life

Assam’s wildest jungle safari

Behind Deepmala Das’s home in eastern Assam stands a vast rainforest so deep that the tropical sun struggles to squeeze through the close-packed canopy and touch the moist soil.  This 232-square-km expanse is the Dehing Patkai national park, a relatively new designation given to a primal tree-hugging landscape that shows up in every shade of… Continue reading Assam’s wildest jungle safari

How ‘Canal Man’ channelled strength for Odisha village 

The silence blanketing a woody, tribal village in Odisha is broken by the chirping of sparrows and farmers shooting the breeze while drawing water from a canal to irrigate their fields.  The sight of lush farms starkly contrasts the Talabaitarani village’s parched past and a happy right-now reality — all because a man dreamed big… Continue reading How ‘Canal Man’ channelled strength for Odisha village 

This is where your cabbage may be coming from

Farmers in Bara Garan grow cabbage on hilly terraced fields. Sown in April and harvested by September-October, cabbage is easier to grow for them because of less chances of crop damage. (Photo by Novita Singh) Also Read | Overproduction leads to distress sale of cauliflower in Bengal Villagers recall that after a road was built in… Continue reading This is where your cabbage may be coming from

Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm

Zorawar Singh is a quiet person who could easily qualify as a quintessential introvert. But the moment he slips into an exceptionally colourful attire and starts singing and dancing to the pulsating beat of drums, he transforms himself. He becomes Noor Zora, and one of Punjab’s most famous giddha dancers. Giddha is a popular folk… Continue reading Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm

Of pani puri and beauty salons: Gujarat tribals turn entrepreneurs

Along with colleagues from Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India, I waited at around 4 pm in the dusty weekly haat (village market) of Vadpada village in Umarpada tehsil of Surat district. Umarpada is at the eastern fringe of the district.  The villages we visited are riparian to Tapti and its minor tributaries. Small hillocks,… Continue reading Of pani puri and beauty salons: Gujarat tribals turn entrepreneurs

Drone didi: Odisha sarpanch takes aerial route to deliver pension

Life is difficult, and so has been mine. I was born and raised in the western Odisha town of Rourkela. While growing up, I had never imagined that I would ever live in a village, or become a sarpanch serving some 7000 people. But then I got married and moved to Nuapada, some 400 kms… Continue reading Drone didi: Odisha sarpanch takes aerial route to deliver pension

How authentic Goan feni is made

The lead image shows crushed pulp of the cashew fruit piled up next to the fresh cashew fruit that is being readied for crushing to make fenny.

The matriarch of a feni-making family in Paliem in North Goa sorts the cashew fruit before initiating its crushing. It is important to pick sufficiently ripe cashew fruits to ensure a good brew. The cashew feni season starts from late February and goes up to mid-May every year, depending on the fruiting of the cashew… Continue reading How authentic Goan feni is made

Dung ho! Gujarat villagers fired up about biogas

Limbala, a village in Surendranagar district of Gujarat, has more than 300 families. Most engage in agriculture and related activities, cotton being the most important crop.  Extensive farming and grazing by the livestock, lack of any major water bodies and an extremely hot and dry climate has resulted in very low vegetation cover in Limbala… Continue reading Dung ho! Gujarat villagers fired up about biogas