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The villagers of Abha Nagari exercised their entrepreneurship by leasing some of their land to a group of five young men who established a camp there for visitors like us. Furthermore, the villagers put on quite a show for us. We were welcomed to the camp by a reception line of several men, women, and children.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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The jumble of bed coverings in our host’s small bedroom.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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A few miles from this village we visited a “women’s cooperative.” Seven women were sitting on a rug sewing colorful quilts.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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Others were washing themselves in a fountain.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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... and the furnishing in his only other room spoke of a simple rural lifestyle.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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Some covered their faces.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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One of its richest residents invited us to his house for tea. He sent his children to the model school. He rode on a motorcycle to greet us. But there was also a car in the backyard of his house, where he had parked his tractor. We could see his water buffaloes nearby. His extended family was present, although they did not participate in the conversation with us.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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There were several buildings in a big yard. Our guide pointed out the teacher who wore a sweater over his shirt.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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... and climbed the roofs of neighboring houses for a better view.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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The green fields of crops in the village had indicated that there was wealth in this village.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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Their teachers stood behind the students.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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The students all stood up while the headmaster walked through their rows.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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Throughout our time at this model school, the government school girls, whom we had seen before, were observing us. They stood outside the school door.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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We followed the boy to a model private school established here by a native son who was from the “untouchable caste.” He was the headmaster. When we arrived the students had already come and gathered on a narrow roof of the school building, waiting for us as they had been told about our visit. They sat in five rows and as the headmaster supervised, they sang “patriotic songs,” led by four older students who were seated in front facing them.

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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The headmaster then held up a picture of the “Goddess of Wisdom.”

Photo essay: Folklore in India’s villages

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