The Untold Charm of a Village Life

Yes, there’s no denying that village life has its own unique beauty.

The greenery, the fresh water, the crisp air—these are treasures you can truly experience only in the suburbs and villages. I’m not sure if all the villages across India share the same charm, but the villages in Kerala certainly stand apart. They have a magic of their own.

Recently, I came across a picture of a playground nestled among thick trees. The caption read: “It’s not the Amazon Rainforest. And it’s no ordinary cricket ground either. This is Palapilly Ground, Thrissur, in Kerala.” Honestly, an aerial view of almost any village in Kerala would show you something just as stunning, if not better.

And when it rains—oh, that’s when Kerala truly comes alive. The greenery deepens, the air smells richer, and the freshness seems to seep into the very soul of the land.

But when I say Kerala comes alive, I don’t just mean the plants, rivers, and skies. I also mean the buzzing, creeping, hopping creatures that emerge in full force.

Let me take you into that side of the story—one that people often forget to tell you.

Eezhal

This one belongs to the wasp family. By day, they vanish—who knows where they go, maybe to their secret hideouts. They come with the rain and stay as long as it does. They appear only in the dark and are completely enchanted by light. Leave your lights on, and they’ll flock to them, piling over in huge numbers. By the next morning, they would have met their untimely death, and every woman of the house is left with the chore of sweeping heaps of these flies from the verandah or portico. Leave them unattended, and they stink—oh yes, they stink terribly.

Frogs

Where do they hide all summer? The moment the rains arrive, you’ll find tiny thumb-sized frogs to massive ones, happily playing high jump in puddles and fields. At night, they fill the air with their loud kra kra calls, as if announcing that more rain is on the way.

Vandu

Beetles, that is. They don’t just visit—they invade your home. They watch you from the walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, even your food. Name it, and they are there. The moment you switch off the lights, they descend on you like a summer shower—minus the refreshment.

Atta

Spineless, sluggish, and downright disgusting. They ooze across the floor like they have all the time in the world, leaving behind a shiny, slimy silver signature wherever they crawl.

So yes, when someone says, “Wow, I love villages and village life!”—just don’t forget these little realities that come as part of the beautiful package.

Nisha Kurian (O'Rodha)

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