In a serene area of central India is Tulsi, a village similar to many others, featuring simple single-story houses, banyan trees offering shaded spots for gatherings, and roads that are only partially paved. However, Tulsi distinguishes itself with a notable reputation; it has been dubbed India’s «YouTube Village.» What makes this countryside community near Raipur in the state of Chhattisgarh remarkable is the extraordinary number of its residents—more than 1,000 out of its 4,000 populace—engaged in producing content for YouTube.
El pueblo ha experimentado un notable cambio desde 2018, cuando las redes sociales comenzaron a formar parte de su vida cotidiana. Hoy en día, YouTube no es solo una fuente de entretenimiento en Tulsi; es un motor para el crecimiento económico, reformas sociales y la adopción tecnológica. Los habitantes ahora consideran la plataforma como una forma de conectar la vida rural con la urbana, brindando oportunidades que antes eran impensables en esta comunidad agrícola.
The emergence of Tulsi’s YouTube transformation
The rise of Tulsi’s YouTube revolution
. Feeling discontent with their ordinary everyday lives, the pair looked for a creative way to express themselves. Their third video, a satirical portrayal of a young couple being troubled on Valentine’s Day, rapidly gained popularity. By blending humor with social critique, the video resonated with viewers, amassing tens of thousands of subscribers for the channel within just a few months.
When their subscriber count surpassed 125,000 and their videos accumulated over 260 million total views, Varma and Shukla had proven the doubters in their families wrong, those who had questioned their commitment to YouTube. Their achievement motivated others in Tulsi to emulate them. Some locals launched their own channels, while others volunteered to perform in videos or help with production. The income generated from YouTube not only supported the creators but also boosted the local economy.
By the time their subscriber base crossed 125,000, and their videos had racked up over 260 million cumulative views, Varma and Shukla had silenced skeptics in their families who questioned their decision to dedicate so much time to YouTube. Their success inspired others in Tulsi to follow their lead. Some residents started their own channels, while others volunteered to act in videos or assist with production. The money flowing in from YouTube not only supported the creators but also stimulated the local economy.
Walking through Tulsi now, it’s a challenge to encounter anyone who hasn’t been involved in a YouTube production. Farmers take breaks from their fieldwork to join videos, while young creators organize dance routines or set up skits under the village’s banyan trees. For numerous residents, YouTube has opened doors to new opportunities.
Strolling through Tulsi today, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t played a part in a YouTube production. Farmers pause their work in the fields to participate in videos, while young creators choreograph dance routines or stage skits under the village’s banyan trees. For many, YouTube has become a gateway to new possibilities.
, obtuvo su primera oportunidad en sus videos. Su talento pronto llamó la atención de cineastas regionales, y desde entonces ha participado en siete películas. Para Sahoo, YouTube fue un trampolín hacia la gran pantalla, demostrando que incluso en pueblos remotos, el talento puede llegar a audiencias más amplias.
Meanwhile, young individuals like Aditya Bhagel have established careers behind the camera. Motivated by Varma and Shukla, Bhagel started his own YouTube channel while he was still in college and soon attracted a dedicated audience. His achievements secured him a position on the Being Chhattisgarhiya
team, where he refined his abilities as a writer and director. Currently, Bhagel is preparing to contribute to a high-budget regional film, achieving a dream he once considered beyond reach.
team, where he honed his skills as a writer and director. Today, Bhagel is set to work on a big-budget regional film, fulfilling a dream he once thought unattainable.
A significant aspect of Tulsi’s YouTube surge has been its effect on the women in the community. In a society where conventional gender roles frequently restrict women’s opportunities, YouTube has offered a space for empowerment and self-expression.
Draupadi Vaishnu, una exjefa del pueblo, considera que los videos producidos en Tulsi desempeñan un papel crucial al desafiar normas sociales arraigadas. A menudo aparece en videos que abordan temas como el abuso doméstico y la desigualdad de género. “Estos videos ayudan a romper ciclos de prácticas dañinas,” explica Vaishnu. En un papel memorable, interpretó a una suegra que apoya a su nuera para que continúe con estudios superiores, enviando un mensaje contundente sobre la importancia del empoderamiento femenino.
Even women who began by volunteering in videos are now managing their own channels. Rahul Varma, a wedding photographer and part-time YouTuber, observes that the platform has created previously unimaginable opportunities for women in Tulsi. “Initially, our mothers and sisters were merely assisting. Now, they’re the ones generating content,” he remarks.
Even women who initially participated in videos as volunteers are now running their own channels. Rahul Varma, a wedding photographer and part-time YouTuber, notes that the platform has opened up unprecedented opportunities for women in Tulsi. “At first, our mothers and sisters were just helping out. Now, they’re the ones creating content,” he says.
Apoyo gubernamental y un estudio de última generación
The achievements of Tulsi’s YouTubers have captured attention. In 2023, the state government set up a contemporary production studio in the village to assist content creators. This initiative was led by Sarveshwar Bhure, a senior government official who saw the promise in Tulsi’s digital evolution.
“We aimed to connect rural and urban life by offering technological resources,” Bhure explains. The studio has not only improved the quality of local productions but has also encouraged more villagers to consider content creation as a feasible career path.
The Wider Impact of Tulsi’s Achievement
Tulsi’s emergence as a YouTube center illustrates the broader influence of digital platforms on rural areas. By linking creators with international audiences, YouTube has become a significant means for economic and social transformation. For numerous individuals in Tulsi, it has offered a means to transcend traditional restrictions and explore new opportunities.
El profesor Shriram Venkatraman del Instituto Indio de Tecnología señala que plataformas como YouTube han generado una nueva ola de emprendedores rurales. “Algunos incluso inician otros negocios utilizando sus suscriptores como su base inicial de clientes,” comenta, mencionando ejemplos como aldeanos que venden especias caseras o productos para el cuidado del cabello.
Sin embargo, el éxito de los creadores de Tulsi va más allá del dinero. Para algunos, como el rapero Rajesh Diwar, YouTube es un medio de expresión cultural. Diwar espera popularizar el rap en su idioma regional, aportando un sonido nuevo a la zona. “Quiero que Tulsi sea conocida tanto por su música como por sus videos,” afirma.
Un modelo para el futuro
Al celebrar YouTube su 20º aniversario, Tulsi se erige como un testimonio del poder transformador de la plataforma. Lo que comenzó como un experimento creativo por parte de unos pocos se ha convertido en un movimiento comunitario, remodelando la vida de miles.
Para jóvenes como Pinky Sahoo, YouTube ha hecho realidad los sueños de actuar. Para líderes comunitarias como Draupadi Vaishnu, ha ofrecido una plataforma para promover la igualdad y el cambio social. Y para habitantes como Ramkali Varma, ha traído un sentido de orgullo y propósito.
For young women like Pinky Sahoo, YouTube has turned dreams of acting into reality. For community leaders like Draupadi Vaishnu, it has provided a platform to promote equality and social change. And for villagers like Ramkali Varma, it has brought a sense of pride and purpose.
Tulsi’s story is a reminder that technology, when embraced thoughtfully, can empower even the most remote communities. By leveraging the global reach of platforms like YouTube, villages like Tulsi are not just participating in the digital age—they are shaping it.
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