Detour to Manduki: Weaving Dreams from Nalia Grass
In the courtyard, a grandmother was massaging her grandchild in the sun. As word spread of our arrival, more people started pouring into the courtyard. One of the ladies stepped out of the house with baskets in hand. As soon as we saw the baskets, we all fell in love with them—beautiful natural colors blending into intricate patterns. When we asked if she had made them, Kamali Mausi beamed with pride. Manjulika, Kikina, and Sulachana soon joined, their enthusiasm lighting up the space. We asked them if they would show us how they weave them. After a lot of animated discussion, the Nalia grass was brought, and the ladies started to weave them together. As Soumya was busy taking photos of them weaving, Kikina Mausi asked me bluntly, "Why have we come here… To take pictures or to make reels?" Seeing my surprise, she explained: Earlier visitors had come. They roamed around a bit, shot some videos on their mobile phones, and left. "Everyone knows about Mayurbhanj and Sabai Grass craft, but no one knows about us," says Kamali.
Children's Chariot on Wheels - The Story of Lanka Podi
As the sun sets, magic takes over. As darkness blankets Sonepur, the streets begin to twinkle with hundreds of dancing flames. Children as young as three grasp the ropes attached to their fiery chariots and pull them with beaming pride, their faces glowing in the firelight. It is a breathtaking illusion, the entire town looks as if it is ablaze, just like the legendary Lanka. For one night, these children are not merely playing, they are Hanuman, leaping across a kingdom, turning darkness into light.