Village Square

1 week ago | villagesquare.in | Anuradha Varma |Saurav Kumar |Atray Karmahe |Jeroo Irani

Once upon a time, mango was a central part of the rural economy and it had an important role to play in cities, too, says Sopan Joshi. In a freewheeling interview, he tells us about his book Mangifera Indica: A Biography of the Mango, which took him eight years to write and research, and how India is home to as many as 1,000 varieties of mangoes, and much more. Sopan Joshi (SJ): My favourite memories of researching this book have to do with moments of clarity amidst a cat’s cradle of material.

1 week ago | villagesquare.in | Suhail Bhat

As India’s largest shoemaking hub, with 7,500 footwear units employing 400,000 workers, Agra produces 65% of the country’s footwear. However, rising leather prices have made it increasingly difficult for businesses to sustain operations, putting the leather industry here, a key part of the city’s heritage since the Mughal era, in jeopardy. Agra, Uttar Pradesh

1 month ago | villagesquare.in | Asma Khan |Umar Altaf |Novita Singh

Originating near the Kali temple in Calcutta in the 19th century was a simplified version of the Pattachitra scroll paintings made by the Patuas who migrated to the urban areas of Calcutta. The paintings are characterised by bold lines, and bright colours and do not have a lot of details in the background. They often portray scenes from Hindu mythology and from everyday life. These paintings were created as souvenirs for those visiting the Kali temple, and later in the entire region of Calcutta.

1 month ago | villagesquare.in | Umar Altaf

‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ The adage holds true for young boys of Gurez Valley, a remote region along the ancient Silk Route, home to the Dard Shin tribe in north Kashmir. The valley remains covered with snow and cut off from the rest of the world for nearly six months. However, this doesn’t dissuade youngsters here from indulging in what they love the most–Snow Cricket. Gurez valley, Bandipora district, Kashmir

1 month ago | villagesquare.in | Aakriti Dhawan |Anuradha Varma

Ranthambore National Park, nestled at the meeting point of the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, is famous for its Bengal tigers and stunning landscapes. However, growing human-wildlife conflict is threatening the fragile balance in the region. In the last 15 years, tigers have killed nearly 15 people in the area, sparking fear and tension among locals. Many villages are situated at the park’s periphery, where tigers often wander into farmlands and attack livestock.