The Indian Census of 2001, state that 74% of Indians live in 6,38,365 different villages. India has about 500,000 villages that are scattered throughout the country, where the population varies accordingly. Some villages have a population less than 500, while 3,976 villages have a population of more than 10,000 people. In hilly regions of central, eastern and far northern India, villages are more spread out, reflecting the nature of the topography. In the wet states of West Bengal and Kerala, houses are more dispersed; in some parts of Kerala, they are constructed in continuous lines, with divisions between villages not obvious to visitors.
In the Indian villages the villagers share the use of common village facilities - the village pond (known in India as a tank), grazing grounds, temples and shrines, cremation grounds, schools, sitting spaces under large shade trees, wells, and wastelands. Even the village fields surround the settlement and are generally within easy walking distance. The sight of villagers slowly coming or going, oxcarts creaking, cattle lowing, and birds singing--all present an image of harmonious simplicity. The ways of life in the villages of India differ from one region to another. The family customs play an important part in Indian village life. In most of the Indian villages, the head of a family is the father, who is also the principal source of income of the family. The women in a family usually stay back in the home and take care of household works. However, the family structure is different in the tribal societies, where mother is the head of a family. There has been a change in the role of women in a family in the contemporary period. Apart from taking care of the household works, the women in Indian villages also engage themselves in different kinds of handicrafts. This helps them in getting some extra income for the family as well. Apart from the family customs, the lifestyle in the Indian villages also includes occupation or education of the villagers. People in most of the Indian villages get primary education from the government primary schools established in their villages. The occupation scenario in the villages of India varies according to the regions. In spite of industrialisation reaching most parts of India, majority of the Indian villagers still depend on agriculture to earn their livelihoods. However, many people in the villages of south India depend on fishing or farming as the villages are located along with the coastal lines. The villagers in north India are mostly dependent on agriculture; however, the scenario is different in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of this state are engaged in various arts and crafts and handicraft industries and tourism is also a major occupation in this region. On the other hand, many people in the southern region of India have taken fishing as their principal occupation for earning livelihoods. Apart from all these occupations, many villagers are also choosing alternate occupations like running their own businesses, getting involved in tourism related occupations, cottage industry, various small, medium or large scale industries, etc. Every village is connected through a variety of essential horizontal connections with other villages and with urban areas both near and far. They are also characterized by a range of economic, caste, kinship, occupational and even religious groups linked vertically within each settlement, making these cosmopolitan, in its own way.
In Indian villages the presence of all the four castes with the hierarchy of the Brahmin is noticed. Typically, a village is dominated by one or a very few castes that essentially control the village land and on whose patronage members of weaker groups must rely. In northern and central India, neighbourhood boundaries are vague, with the houses of the Dalits generally located in separate neighbourhoods or on the outskirts of the nucleated settlement. By contrast, in the south, the socioeconomic and caste observances are stronger than in the north, Brahman homes may be set apart from those of non-Brahmans and Dalit hamlets are set at a little distance from the homes of other castes. Although, caste system in its original sense has collapsed yet caste identities are very much present there in the village life in India. .Fellow villagers typically include representatives of various service and artisan castes to supply the needs of the villagers-. Quite ideally therefore priests, carpenters, blacksmiths, barbers, weavers, potters, oilpressers, leatherworkers, sweepers, waterbearers and toddy-tappers are there almost in every Indian village.
Apart from the many caste barriers and differences, there are many observances that emphasize village unity. Typically, each village recognizes a deity as the village protector or protectress, and villagers unite in regular worship of this deity. This is considered essential to village prosperity. Festivals such as Holi, Diwali, and Durga Puja, Eid, Muharram bring villagers together.
The social structures in the villages of all regions in India are almost the same, as a common village governing body can be found everywhere. The disputes in the villages traditionally are decided within the village precincts as much as possible, with infrequent recourse to the police or court system. Mostly a headman is appointed and the "Panchayat", which composed of important men from the village`s major castes, were the decision makers in the entire problem solving techniques. They had the power to levy fines and exclude transgressors from village social life. In present-day India, the government supports an elective Panchayat and headman system, which is distinct from the traditional council and headman, and, in many instances, even includes women and very low-caste members. However, since nowadays, the system has got its own flaws, the villagers mostly take their disputes to the courts.
The difference in costumes worn by the villagers in different regions of India is also quite significant in Indian villages. Though, in most of the places, the Indian men and women wear the costumes like Lungi, Dhoti, Saree, Choli, Lehanga, Dupatta, Churidaar, Salwar Kameez, Borkha, etc., the wearing style differs a lot. While the Hindu women in Indian villages of eastern and southern regions mostly wear Saree, the style of dripping the Saree differs from region to region. The women in the northern Indian villages usually wear Salwar Kameez, along with Saree. The women in western Indian villages usually prefer to wear Ghagra Choli or Lehangas. However, there is no difference in men`s wear in most of the villages in India, as all men generally wear Lungi or Dhoti in their daily life. However, they sometimes wear the modern outfits like Pants and Shirts, etc. in special occasions. The Indian villagers also like to wear traditional garments during various religious or traditional festivals.
The emblem of serenity and quietness Indian villages entwined with its folk tradition, uncomplicated village life, village art and culture are perhaps the best places to feel the pulse of nature.
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