Artists recognise no barriers of caste, creed or colour. And Noya village in West Bengal, made up entirely of Muslim Pattachitra artists, stands testimony to this as its nearly 300 inhabitants continue to tell stories of Hindu Gods and Goddesses through their beautiful cloth-based scroll paintings.

In the upcoming Jagannath Yatra festivities slated for the first week of July, preparations are underway for the grand event in Odisha's Kendujhar district. The tribal communities who live on the margins of the society in the coastal state are also contributing to the Rath Yatra by supplying the ropes needed for dragging the chariots to the temple. Details here.

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.

Art imitates life and so it is with the traditional Molela, Kaavad and Phad paintings of Rajasthan that are struggling to remain relevant in modern society. From holding pride of place in religious rituals and entertainment, the art now finds itself on cupboard doors and designer clothes.

After Independence, akhadas (wrestling hubs) have constantly suffered the apathy of governments. As a result, most of the akhadas teaching native art of wrestling in the country are struggling for survival