West Bengal
Bhapa pitha: The Bengali rural delicacy for winter mornings
The soft, sweet and savoury bhapa pitha is a favourite breakfast item for West Bengali villagers -- especially on the cold mornings – but the delicacy is losing steam because of rising material costs.
The sweet success of a tea plucker-turned-dragon fruit farmer
Poverty followed Abha Toppo into marriage. So she readily gave up work on a poorly paid tea plantation to grow something she’d never heard of: dragon fruit. Though everyone told her it was too risky, she ploughed on and is now reaping the rewards.
Conch seashell bangle makers losing their grip in Bengal
Worn by married Bengali women, conch shell bangles have long been part of Bengal’s tradition, but artisans are finding it difficult to keep their grip on their trade because of rising material costs.
Lanterns of Bishnupur fading into darkness
The lantern industry of Bishnupur in West Bengal that once sustained hundreds of artisans is on the verge of fading out thanks to the rising cost of raw materials, never mind more affordable electricity.
Overproduction leads to distress sale of cauliflower in Bengal
Vegetable farmers in West Bengal suffer huge losses due to a surplus of cauliflower, never mind high fertiliser and labour costs.
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.
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.
Murshidabad children set example in local governance
Children in remote parts of Murshidabad district in West Bengal are taking an active role in community governance that not only lets them tackle social ills at a tender age but also nurtures them as future community leaders