music
Three generations, one melody: Meet Saas Bahu Ki Jodi
Geeta Parag, who forms the ‘Saas Bahu ki Jodi’, a trio of bhakti (devotional) singers along with her mother-in-law and daughter in Madhya Pradesh, overcomes social dictates and inspires young women and girls to embrace their musical heritage.
Celebrating the arrival of spring with the Fagli festival
Fagli, celebrated across Himachal Pradesh to mark the transition of the season from winter to spring, is a significant and colourful festival with traditional music and dance that brings communities together.
Manipur kindergarten kids learn to rock
Pam’s Kindergarten in Ukhrul seamlessly integrates music with the foundations of early education, showcasing the remarkable talents of its young students, particularly with the ukulele.
Melodies from Meghalaya
Mookhuri, a four-member band, brings to life the songs, sounds and traditions of the Khasi-Jaintia community from Meghalaya through their folk compositions.
Teachers provide skill training to Udaipur jail prisoners
Inmates are being taught several things – from music and dance to yoga and food processing – so that they heal their scars and rediscover self-esteem.
Madhya Pradesh rural women’s band sings bhajans with a cause
The Saraswati Mahila Bhajan Mandal, a group of women from Dhamanya village in southern Madhya Pradesh, spreads a powerful message through their soulful songs inspired by Sant Singaji Maharaj and Kabir.
First musical band of high-altitude Ladakh riding high
Blending traditional folk music with rock, Dashug is extremely popular since it also focuses on critical social issues.
Alive with the sound of music
Dashug, a music band from Ladakh that was formed in 2020, is riding a wave of popularity in the region because its music remains rooted in local folk songs.
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.
A café in Dantewada resuscitates life in a conflict zone
In southern Chhattisgarh, which mostly hits headlines for Naxalite violence, a restaurant serving fresh, locally-sourced food, good music and a convivial atmosphere is making a difference in people’s lives.
As an Indian Naga, I pray for unity: guitar sensation Imnainla Jamir
Imnainla Jamir caught the nation by storm with her guitar performance of the national anthem at the Hornbill Festival in December 2022. Village Square speaks with the sensational guitarist about performing the national anthem, the challenges of being a female musician, tackling racism and the journey ahead.
She thought baul brings poverty, today she is a baulini of international acclaim
Having seen her father eke out a living, Rina Das Baul disliked the idea of marrying a baul singer, fearing a likely poverty-stricken life. But her husband not only encouraged her to learn baul music, but got her to perform with him, which eventually took her to international stages.
Manipur’s folk-rock band hits the right notes
Featherheads Haokui, an Indigenous music band from Ukhrul promotes the unique culture and oral traditions of the Tangkhul Naga Community through their folk-rock music.
Universal Brotherhood: Baul festival of mystic minstrels enchants Bengal village
A three-day annual festival of Baul mystic minstrels enchants audiences with their songs of love and unity in the East Bardhaman district of West Bengal.