We are happy to announce the winners of our Village Vibe photo contest – launched in October 2021 in conjunction with the relaunch of Village Square as part of our passion to promote a fresh narrative of rural India.
We received over 2,500 beautiful submissions for our Village Vibe photo contest that set out to change the narrative of deprivation and desolation that surrounds rural India. At Village Square we want to showcase all aspects of rural life in India – the good, the hard and the vibrant.
Throughout the month of October, we received over 2,500 photos across six categories: Her Life, A Hard Day’s Work, Healthy Living, Eco-friendly, Joyful Learning and Art, Culture & Festivals.
Many thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to shoot and send in your village vibe!
Three winners from each category have now been selected by our esteemed panel of judges (listed below). Not just that. Because we wanted you – our readers and supporters – to be a part of this, we asked for your votes too, creating a People’s Choice Award as well.
Yes, there was some overlap of the judges’ winners and your choice!
All the entries of winners and finalists of the Village Vibe photo competition are on display at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi from November 19 to December 5.
Do visit and take a look at the printed photos in all their glory!
And the winners in each category are…
Her Life – Village life pivots around women. While a lot of drudgery falls on their shoulders, village women are often at the forefront of change. The entries show them in all their guises – at the helm of their families and their communities, at work and at leisure.
A Hard Day’s Work – Does rural India work from 9 to 5? They till the fields and what else? These photos show how rural men and women survive and thrive in our jugaad nation.
Healthy Living – The pandemic has changed how we look at health, nutrition and fitness in our homes. How does rural India strive to build better health? The photo entries showcase this aspect.
Joyful Learning – Learning is about nurturing curiosity. The pictures capture moments from villages where learning might be tough but joyous too, where the learners are delighted to be expanding their knowledge – whether it’s basic literacy or computing skills and everything in between.
Eco-friendly – Rural India is stepping up to build climate-friendly, sustainable solutions. The photographs tell a story of building a better environment together in rural India.
Art, Culture & Festivals – We all love a great party! The lens of the photographers reflect the colours, customs and culture of India.
JUDGES OF 2021 VILLAGE VIBE PHOTO CONTEST: Saumya Khandelwal, a highly acclaimed photojournalist; Virendra Shekhawat and Nilayjyoti Talukdar, two leading photographers with a keen eye, from the Delhi Photography Club; Pia Heikkila, an international journalist based in India; Manish Kumar, the chief creative officer at Iridium Interactive; and Ashok Kumar, the director of farm prosperity at Transform Rural India, one of India’s leading NGOs. Many thanks to them all!
Lyndee Prickitt is the director of Village Square.
