By Ashis Senapati
Age is no deterrent to Banabihari Das, the 84-year-old teacher in Odisha, who continues to impart education at the same village school after retirement in 1999, free of cost. The octogenarian said that he plans to teach till he turns 100!
Age is no deterrent to Banabihari Das, the 84-year-old teacher in Odisha, who continues to impart education at the same village school after retirement in 1999, free of cost. The octogenarian said that he plans to teach till he turns 100!
By Ashis Senapati
Kumari Urvashi Das teaches 30 children at an anganwadi centre in Kendrapara district of Odisha and says her disability has never come in the way of her dreams to become an educator.
Kumari Urvashi Das teaches 30 children at an anganwadi centre in Kendrapara district of Odisha and says her disability has never come in the way of her dreams to become an educator.
By Ashis Senapati
To beat the heat and overcome discomfort caused due to the heatwave, people in villages and towns have increased the consumption of ice apple, locally called ‘taalsaja’, which is a source of income for several sugar palm tree farmers in the eastern state.
To beat the heat and overcome discomfort caused due to the heatwave, people in villages and towns have increased the consumption of ice apple, locally called ‘taalsaja’, which is a source of income for several sugar palm tree farmers in the eastern state.
By Ashis Senapati
Inscribing horoscopes on palm-leaves is a tradition in Odisha that is in its autumnal years. Artisans who painstakingly cast horoscopes on dried palm leaves with an iron stylus are being edged out by computerised horoscopes.
Inscribing horoscopes on palm-leaves is a tradition in Odisha that is in its autumnal years. Artisans who painstakingly cast horoscopes on dried palm leaves with an iron stylus are being edged out by computerised horoscopes.
By Ashis Senapati
The otherwise quiet village of Posei in Kendrapara district bustles with activity before Kartik Purnima when its artisan families get busy making miniature boats that are sailed on water bodies to commemorate the state's maritime history.
The otherwise quiet village of Posei in Kendrapara district bustles with activity before Kartik Purnima when its artisan families get busy making miniature boats that are sailed on water bodies to commemorate the state's maritime history.
By Ashis Senapati
Aul — a small town in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has got the attention of the state government that has announced the setting up of a football academy with all facilities there to encourage more young players to step up.
Aul — a small town in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has got the attention of the state government that has announced the setting up of a football academy with all facilities there to encourage more young players to step up.
By Ashis Senapati
Puppeteers are a fading phenomenon but 74-year-old Fakir Singh is doing his bit by teaching the tricks of his trade to young children in his village in Kendrapara, Odisha.
Puppeteers are a fading phenomenon but 74-year-old Fakir Singh is doing his bit by teaching the tricks of his trade to young children in his village in Kendrapara, Odisha.
By Ashis Senapati
The gola is a traditional and eco-friendly storing facility, once a very common sight in rural Odisha. It is made out of bamboo, then slathered in mud and cow dung and topped with a thatched roof. Paddy and other grains are stored in them soon after harvesting. But, these silos are slowly vanishing.
The gola is a traditional and eco-friendly storing facility, once a very common sight in rural Odisha. It is made out of bamboo, then slathered in mud and cow dung and topped with a thatched roof. Paddy and other grains are stored in them soon after harvesting. But, these silos are slowly vanishing.
By Ashis Senapati
The 10-day long Bali Jatra is considered an integral part of the socio-cultural identity of the eastern state. It also provides an opportunity to the artisans of the state to promote their traditional crafts.
The 10-day long Bali Jatra is considered an integral part of the socio-cultural identity of the eastern state. It also provides an opportunity to the artisans of the state to promote their traditional crafts.
By Ashis Senapati
Two years after finding it unsustainable to pursue their traditional singing, about 150 Kendara singers in Odisha are now back to wandering in the villages, humming songs while playing their cherished musical instrument which dates back to the 12th century. State government’s efforts to include these artists in the craft festivals and the ongoing festive season has brought cheers to the wanderer-singer community. Details here.
Two years after finding it unsustainable to pursue their traditional singing, about 150 Kendara singers in Odisha are now back to wandering in the villages, humming songs while playing their cherished musical instrument which dates back to the 12th century. State government’s efforts to include these artists in the craft festivals and the ongoing festive season has brought cheers to the wanderer-singer community. Details here.