Voices of Rural India

A curated platform for rural storytellers

Voices of Rural India
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  • Home
  • About
    • The Initiative
    • The Team
    • Our Partners
    • Our Volunteers
  • Stories
    • States
      • Gujarat
      • Himachal Pradesh
      • Kerala
      • Ladakh
      • Maharashtra
      • Meghalaya
      • Uttarakhand
    • Languages
      • Hindi
        • Written (Hindi)
        • Audio (Hindi)
      • Dangi
      • Gujarati
      • Marathi
      • Malayalam
  • Get involved
    • Partner
    • Volunteer
    • Contribute
  • Contact
  • Contribute

  • The Village Deity who Protects her People from Pandemics

    January 11, 2021 /

    Over a hundred years ago, a strange illness hit Maharashtra's Purushwadi village, writes a teacher as he explores faith in the local deity

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • What Can Two Imaginative Minds Create With Wild Grass and a Thorny Tree?

    October 13, 2020 /

    A teacher from Maharashtra's Purushwadi village visually documents the craftsmenship of two brothers, who use wild grass, a thorny tree and their imagination to create sustainable vessels, vases, ornaments and more

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar

  • Where the Tiger is God

    September 11, 2020 /
    adult tiger walking on brown grass

    A teacher from Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village shares the generations-old practice of worshipping wild tigers, that continues to this day

    Go to story
    Mahadu Chindhu Kondar
  voices of rural india logo  

Voices of Rural India is a not-for-profit initiative that aims to revolutionize storytelling. For perhaps the first time, we bring you curated stories of rural India… in rural voices.

We hope to turn the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity to upgrade digital skills and create alternate livelihoods among rural communities, while building a repository of knowledge and traditions that are slowly fading away.

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Ladakh
Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand

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*NEW STORY* Over a hundred years ago, a strange il *NEW STORY* Over a hundred years ago, a strange illness hit Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village. But the village found strength in its local deity and continues to lean on her to this day. ⁣"When news of the Coronavirus pandemic reached Purushwadi, many people felt that only the name Corona is new, but the symptoms of this disease are old. They followed the guidelines, but also kept faith in Jakhubai in order to keep her protection", writes Mahadu Chindhu Kondar, a teacher who grew up here. @mahadu.kondar.23 A beautiful narrative on exploring (and keeping) faith, especially in times that have tested all of us. Read Mahadu's story in Marathi/English through the link in our bio or on voicesofruraindia.org 😊
The people of Sarmoli village in Uttarakhand are c The people of Sarmoli village in Uttarakhand are celebrating the Ghughuti Festival⁣ today 💚 ⁣ Ever pictured yourself at a feast where the guests of honour are black crows? While it⁣ sounds like a chapter from a novel, you can experience this first-hand in the⁣ mountains of Uttarakhand.⁣ ⁣ Kamla Pandey from Sarmoli describes the history and traditions of this festival in her story “A Mountain Festival to thank the Crows". ⁣ Every January, the serene Sarmoli village prepares a feast for the black crows of Kumaon!⁣ As part of the Ghughuti festival, people cook the first dishes of the day in the crows’ honour.⁣ Ghughuti is a local delicacy made by kneading wheat flour with jaggery and ghee in milk,⁣ and then deep-frying them in oil.⁣ ⁣ Find out more through Kamla's lovely story. Read in English or Hindi through the link in our bio, or on www.voicesofruralindia.org
⁣*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Divya belongs to Bihar v ⁣*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Divya belongs to Bihar village in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. She is 21 years old and is studying in the final year of B.A. She aspires to become a History teacher. Diya loves writing stories for her college magazine and would also like to learn the Kullu art of weaving traditional clothes. ⁣ Have you read her wonderful story on the architecture of traditional Himachal homes - where each corner speaks to age-old beliefs and local traditions? ⁣ ⁣ “A home is a pure space – right from its doorstep to the rooftop – and its inhabitants are looked after by goddess Jogni herself. This belief among people in my village, Bihar, in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, is the reason why shoes are not allowed inside any house in the village.⁣ ⁣ I live in a four-storeyed house made of deodar wood, which we get from the nearby jungle. All homes in my village have a layout similar to mine, typically with a rooftop, kitchen, bih, fadh, khud and chaudi…We count the levels of a house from top to bottom. Not like how it is done in cities – bottom to top.”⁣ ⁣ Intrigued? Go to the link in our bio or voicesofruralindia.org to read Divya’s story.
Happy New Year Insta fam! We’re rolling into 20 Happy New Year Insta fam! We’re rolling into 2021 with this beautiful feature by @thecaravanmagazine on our work at Voices of Rural India! An excerpt: “In the 1970s, when the bazaars first came to Uttarakhand’s Munsyari village, people began to purchase grain instead of growing it. Barley, one of the crops native to the region, slowly diminished in quantity and purpose. Rekha Rautela, who wrote about this, learnt about the rise and fall of the grain in her village through scattered accounts and personal reflections. Her memories of barley fields, however, are deeply personal and capture aspects of her identity and culture. Rautela’s story was published three months ago in Voices of Rural India, a non-profit online platform for rural story- tellers founded in August 2020. VoRI carries digital snapshots of people both similar to, and different from, Rautela. The web- site functions as a novel way to offset the tourism industry’s crisis. Guides, homestay-owners and Sherpas—who make up most of the rural commu- nities of the state—were witnessing their liveli- hoods wane under the impact of the pandemic. While the platform emerged as a response to this, it is as much an ode to travellers who found themselves disconnected due to the pandemic.” Read the entire story at https://caravanmagazine.in/media/online-platform-amplifies-stories-rural-communities So grateful for all your support in 2020, and excited to share all the incredible stories we’ve lined up for you in 2021 💚 @defindia #voicesofruralindia #indianvoices #storiesofindia #indiatravel #digitalindia
It’s sometimes hard to believe we launched @voic It’s sometimes hard to believe we launched @voicesofruralindia only four months ago! When we⁣ first started out, none of us imagined all the possible directions this initiative would take.⁣ ⁣ In just four months, we've discovered beautiful stories from the heart of the country, connected with⁣ some of the most inspiring, driven people we’ve ever known! We’ve witnessed the power of⁣ storytelling and how it brings people together.⁣ ⁣ As also, moments that don’t make it to the feed 😜 Volunteer translators and editors agonizing⁣ over each word. Our storytellers hiking up steep hills for a faint phone signal to discuss story⁣ ideas. The flurry of back and forths on the phone / WhatsApp - from disseminating training⁣ modules, exchanging knowledge and ideas, to rounds of hellos and congratulations!⁣ ⁣ What’s more, it somehow feels like we’ve always been here - like all of you have always been⁣ here, rooting for us 💚 In a year that’s felt unreal, we perhaps discovered a sense of permanence⁣ and impact through the stories we were able to bring you.⁣ ⁣ Our journey began with the hope to transform a global crisis into an opportunity. We’re getting there,⁣ and it’s all been possible because of our amazing storytellers, partners, volunteers, and you -⁣ our wonderful readers. What a road it’s been! Thanks for following, thanks for all the love.⁣ We’ll be back in 2021 with many more fantastic stories. Until then, here’s wishing everyone a⁣ kinder, more gentle year - and beautiful things to look forward to. @defindia @himalayanecotourism @spitiecosphere @voicesofmunsiari @globalhimalayanexpedition @grassroutes @kabanitour @cntravellerindia @theprintindia @the_hindu @timesofindia @firstpost @travelandleisureindia @outlooktraveller @ijnet . @thebimblebee @janusasangma_ @richvegetarian @leo_richaa @priya_rautela_ @fm2709 @kajal.kj @shaileysharmarealtor Pallavi, Aarti. #techforgood
*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Rekha Rautela runs a homest *MEET THE STORYTELLER* Rekha Rautela runs a homestay in Sarmoli and is a much sought after bird guide in Uttarakhand. She's an elected panch of her village Van Panchayat (a member of the Forest Council). Rekha is also a leading member of the women’s collective (Maati) in her village.⁣ ⁣ In the first story of its kind on Voices of Rural India, Rekha muses on the changing seasons of love in her village of Munsiari. While she was able to marry for love two decades ago, things were starkly different for her mother and grandmother's generation.⁣ In fact, her grandparents practically grew up together - married as they were at the age of seven! ⁣ “Take my grandmother, for instance. Married at seven, she recalled how, after her vidai (the ritual send-off), her brothers and other villagers took turns to carry her on their backs all the way to her husband’s home! And then, her jyu (mother-in-law) looked after her...⁣ ⁣ My mother too was married early. She was all of 13 at the time. Although her father was extremely strict, he loved his daughters dearly, and worried about their future. Yet the concept of letting your children choose their own spouse was completely alien to him and his generation.⁣ ⁣ Nowadays, says my mother, people talk a lot about love, but their love is giddy and fickle — first they sing of undying pyaar, and soon enough, they cry and complain that the relationship is not working out.” ⁣ ⁣ Some things change and yet stay the same? 😄 Read this delightful story on voicesofruralindia.org or head to the link in our bio!
*NEW STORY* Fom the doorstep to the rooftop, Divya *NEW STORY* Fom the doorstep to the rooftop, Divya Bhiyar narrates how the architectural design of houses in her village carry imprints of local belief systems. Discover various concepts of 'home' in Himachal Pradesh's Bihar village, and how it is a sacred space. Visit voicesofruralindia.org to read! 💚 Supported by @himalayanecotourism
Life’s always an adventure in the mountains of T Life’s always an adventure in the mountains of Tirthan Valley. The people of Pekhri village⁣ understand this better than anyone - a place where humans and wild bears share the same land!⁣ ⁣ Pratap Singh Chauhan narrates a thrilling story of times when hungry wild bears and humans vied⁣ for the same food - maize.⁣ ⁣ “As darkness fell, my father lit his mashal (stick with a fire burning at the top) and marched off⁣ to the shelter on the upper end of the field. But as soon as he reached, he heard the⁣ unmistakeable sound of a bear eating the maize!⁣ ⁣ He began yelling at the bear to chase it away. But instead of leaving, the bear began⁣ approaching my father, following his voice. The entire field was fenced, so the only exit was on⁣ the opposite end of the field, in the direction of the bear!”⁣ ⁣ A narrative of both conflict and co-existence, especially when crops were all people had. Visit our bio link or voicesofruralindia.org to read Pratap's story - 'Sharing Land and Life with Wild Bears'
Join us on Instagram

@voicesofruralindia

*NEW STORY* Over a hundred years ago, a strange il *NEW STORY* Over a hundred years ago, a strange illness hit Maharashtra’s Purushwadi village. But the village found strength in its local deity and continues to lean on her to this day. ⁣"When news of the Coronavirus pandemic reached Purushwadi, many people felt that only the name Corona is new, but the symptoms of this disease are old. They followed the guidelines, but also kept faith in Jakhubai in order to keep her protection", writes Mahadu Chindhu Kondar, a teacher who grew up here. @mahadu.kondar.23 A beautiful narrative on exploring (and keeping) faith, especially in times that have tested all of us. Read Mahadu's story in Marathi/English through the link in our bio or on voicesofruraindia.org 😊
The people of Sarmoli village in Uttarakhand are c The people of Sarmoli village in Uttarakhand are celebrating the Ghughuti Festival⁣ today 💚 ⁣ Ever pictured yourself at a feast where the guests of honour are black crows? While it⁣ sounds like a chapter from a novel, you can experience this first-hand in the⁣ mountains of Uttarakhand.⁣ ⁣ Kamla Pandey from Sarmoli describes the history and traditions of this festival in her story “A Mountain Festival to thank the Crows". ⁣ Every January, the serene Sarmoli village prepares a feast for the black crows of Kumaon!⁣ As part of the Ghughuti festival, people cook the first dishes of the day in the crows’ honour.⁣ Ghughuti is a local delicacy made by kneading wheat flour with jaggery and ghee in milk,⁣ and then deep-frying them in oil.⁣ ⁣ Find out more through Kamla's lovely story. Read in English or Hindi through the link in our bio, or on www.voicesofruralindia.org
⁣*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Divya belongs to Bihar v ⁣*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Divya belongs to Bihar village in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. She is 21 years old and is studying in the final year of B.A. She aspires to become a History teacher. Diya loves writing stories for her college magazine and would also like to learn the Kullu art of weaving traditional clothes. ⁣ Have you read her wonderful story on the architecture of traditional Himachal homes - where each corner speaks to age-old beliefs and local traditions? ⁣ ⁣ “A home is a pure space – right from its doorstep to the rooftop – and its inhabitants are looked after by goddess Jogni herself. This belief among people in my village, Bihar, in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, is the reason why shoes are not allowed inside any house in the village.⁣ ⁣ I live in a four-storeyed house made of deodar wood, which we get from the nearby jungle. All homes in my village have a layout similar to mine, typically with a rooftop, kitchen, bih, fadh, khud and chaudi…We count the levels of a house from top to bottom. Not like how it is done in cities – bottom to top.”⁣ ⁣ Intrigued? Go to the link in our bio or voicesofruralindia.org to read Divya’s story.
Happy New Year Insta fam! We’re rolling into 20 Happy New Year Insta fam! We’re rolling into 2021 with this beautiful feature by @thecaravanmagazine on our work at Voices of Rural India! An excerpt: “In the 1970s, when the bazaars first came to Uttarakhand’s Munsyari village, people began to purchase grain instead of growing it. Barley, one of the crops native to the region, slowly diminished in quantity and purpose. Rekha Rautela, who wrote about this, learnt about the rise and fall of the grain in her village through scattered accounts and personal reflections. Her memories of barley fields, however, are deeply personal and capture aspects of her identity and culture. Rautela’s story was published three months ago in Voices of Rural India, a non-profit online platform for rural story- tellers founded in August 2020. VoRI carries digital snapshots of people both similar to, and different from, Rautela. The web- site functions as a novel way to offset the tourism industry’s crisis. Guides, homestay-owners and Sherpas—who make up most of the rural commu- nities of the state—were witnessing their liveli- hoods wane under the impact of the pandemic. While the platform emerged as a response to this, it is as much an ode to travellers who found themselves disconnected due to the pandemic.” Read the entire story at https://caravanmagazine.in/media/online-platform-amplifies-stories-rural-communities So grateful for all your support in 2020, and excited to share all the incredible stories we’ve lined up for you in 2021 💚 @defindia #voicesofruralindia #indianvoices #storiesofindia #indiatravel #digitalindia
It’s sometimes hard to believe we launched @voic It’s sometimes hard to believe we launched @voicesofruralindia only four months ago! When we⁣ first started out, none of us imagined all the possible directions this initiative would take.⁣ ⁣ In just four months, we've discovered beautiful stories from the heart of the country, connected with⁣ some of the most inspiring, driven people we’ve ever known! We’ve witnessed the power of⁣ storytelling and how it brings people together.⁣ ⁣ As also, moments that don’t make it to the feed 😜 Volunteer translators and editors agonizing⁣ over each word. Our storytellers hiking up steep hills for a faint phone signal to discuss story⁣ ideas. The flurry of back and forths on the phone / WhatsApp - from disseminating training⁣ modules, exchanging knowledge and ideas, to rounds of hellos and congratulations!⁣ ⁣ What’s more, it somehow feels like we’ve always been here - like all of you have always been⁣ here, rooting for us 💚 In a year that’s felt unreal, we perhaps discovered a sense of permanence⁣ and impact through the stories we were able to bring you.⁣ ⁣ Our journey began with the hope to transform a global crisis into an opportunity. We’re getting there,⁣ and it’s all been possible because of our amazing storytellers, partners, volunteers, and you -⁣ our wonderful readers. What a road it’s been! Thanks for following, thanks for all the love.⁣ We’ll be back in 2021 with many more fantastic stories. Until then, here’s wishing everyone a⁣ kinder, more gentle year - and beautiful things to look forward to. @defindia @himalayanecotourism @spitiecosphere @voicesofmunsiari @globalhimalayanexpedition @grassroutes @kabanitour @cntravellerindia @theprintindia @the_hindu @timesofindia @firstpost @travelandleisureindia @outlooktraveller @ijnet . @thebimblebee @janusasangma_ @richvegetarian @leo_richaa @priya_rautela_ @fm2709 @kajal.kj @shaileysharmarealtor Pallavi, Aarti. #techforgood
*MEET THE STORYTELLER* Rekha Rautela runs a homest *MEET THE STORYTELLER* Rekha Rautela runs a homestay in Sarmoli and is a much sought after bird guide in Uttarakhand. She's an elected panch of her village Van Panchayat (a member of the Forest Council). Rekha is also a leading member of the women’s collective (Maati) in her village.⁣ ⁣ In the first story of its kind on Voices of Rural India, Rekha muses on the changing seasons of love in her village of Munsiari. While she was able to marry for love two decades ago, things were starkly different for her mother and grandmother's generation.⁣ In fact, her grandparents practically grew up together - married as they were at the age of seven! ⁣ “Take my grandmother, for instance. Married at seven, she recalled how, after her vidai (the ritual send-off), her brothers and other villagers took turns to carry her on their backs all the way to her husband’s home! And then, her jyu (mother-in-law) looked after her...⁣ ⁣ My mother too was married early. She was all of 13 at the time. Although her father was extremely strict, he loved his daughters dearly, and worried about their future. Yet the concept of letting your children choose their own spouse was completely alien to him and his generation.⁣ ⁣ Nowadays, says my mother, people talk a lot about love, but their love is giddy and fickle — first they sing of undying pyaar, and soon enough, they cry and complain that the relationship is not working out.” ⁣ ⁣ Some things change and yet stay the same? 😄 Read this delightful story on voicesofruralindia.org or head to the link in our bio!
*NEW STORY* Fom the doorstep to the rooftop, Divya *NEW STORY* Fom the doorstep to the rooftop, Divya Bhiyar narrates how the architectural design of houses in her village carry imprints of local belief systems. Discover various concepts of 'home' in Himachal Pradesh's Bihar village, and how it is a sacred space. Visit voicesofruralindia.org to read! 💚 Supported by @himalayanecotourism
Life’s always an adventure in the mountains of T Life’s always an adventure in the mountains of Tirthan Valley. The people of Pekhri village⁣ understand this better than anyone - a place where humans and wild bears share the same land!⁣ ⁣ Pratap Singh Chauhan narrates a thrilling story of times when hungry wild bears and humans vied⁣ for the same food - maize.⁣ ⁣ “As darkness fell, my father lit his mashal (stick with a fire burning at the top) and marched off⁣ to the shelter on the upper end of the field. But as soon as he reached, he heard the⁣ unmistakeable sound of a bear eating the maize!⁣ ⁣ He began yelling at the bear to chase it away. But instead of leaving, the bear began⁣ approaching my father, following his voice. The entire field was fenced, so the only exit was on⁣ the opposite end of the field, in the direction of the bear!”⁣ ⁣ A narrative of both conflict and co-existence, especially when crops were all people had. Visit our bio link or voicesofruralindia.org to read Pratap's story - 'Sharing Land and Life with Wild Bears'
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