Kamat's Potpourri: The Nation of Villages

Village India

First Online: December 01, 2003
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024

Introduction to Nation of Villages

It is often said that India is a nation of villages. While the urban population has dramatically increased in India over the last couple of decades, the rural economy and life is central to India's existence and identity. This section at Kamat's Potpourri is an attempt to provide graphic insights into the lifestyle and social infrastructure of rural India. The photographs were taken over a fifty year period, and many of the means or tools may no longer be available or practiced. However, we feel they are of historical importance, and wish to document the rural life in India during the twentieth century.

Vignettes of Rural India

How Green Was My Valley Relive the life in India before the Internet, television, cars, or telephones.	Rural Rajasthan Essay on how the rural folk have learned to live with shortage of water in Rajasthan.
Computers in Villages Experiences of introducing computers in rural India during 1980s; includes quotes on why India needs computers.	Hometown India Project Articles and pictures of common towns and villages of India, started by popular demand.
Ants and Tribals Essay on human nature, the life of insects, and their co-existence based on a real life experience in Bengal.	Dancing for the Gods In the remote village of Gundabala, a classical performance of Yakshagana is played for the appeasement of Lord Hanuman every night for eight months.
In Gond Territory Conversation with a Gond elder providing insights into the lifestyle of a large tribal community of India.	Village of Abujamara Kamat ventures into a deep tribal village of Abujamara and documents the experience.
House of Commons Habitats of Commoners in India; includes homes, temples, doors, and windows.