From Courtyards To The Digital World: How Social Media is Changing Our Festivals

Festivals used to come alive in courtyards, in the songs women sang, in the colours of hand painted rangolis, and in the rhythm of dances that pulled neighbours together. These days, those same moments show up many times on screens, in reels, trending in hashtags, and shared with audiences beyond their homes. The happiness is still there, but the way we celebrate is changing, bringing new visibility while silently pushing the intimacy of community into the background.

Folk Songs and Dances on the Social Media Stage

Folk songs, dances, and rituals have long been passed down by women, shared with daughters, nieces, and neighbours in living rooms, courtyards, and village squares. Women weren’t only participants, they were the custodians of culture, keeping stories and art alive across generations.

These days, many of these same practices pop up as trending hashtags, viral challenges, or small reels. It gives them visibility, reaching younger audiences who might never have experienced them. But at the same time, it changes the closeness of community bonding, the way these traditions once connected people of all ages face-to-face.

Even festivals like Navratri have changed a lot with social media. Dandiya nights, which were once sarvajanik events, are now often “curated experiences.” Some groups even go so far as to block strangers from joining their circles while dancing, to keep their reels looking perfect.

It’s hard not to notice the irony that, in chasing Instagrammable moments, the very spirit of mingling and community gets lost. And then there’s the music, Bollywood hits and trending remixes now drown out the classical and folk tunes that used to define these nights. The vibe is still a lot of fun, but it does make you think, are we really celebrating tradition, or only performing it for the gram?

Festive Crafts in the Age of Hashtags

It’s not only about dance and music; festive crafts tell a story. Traditional practices like rangoli, alpana, diya painting, or intricate phulkari work used to be the heart of celebrations. They weren’t only decorations; they were acts of devotion, ways to bond, and outlets for creativity. These days, many households go for store-bought LED diyas, sticker rangolis, or ready-made decor that looks good in photos and saves time.

The market also plays a role in this shift, with malls, online stores, and decor brands offering ready-made “festive vibes” that many time take the place of handmade traditions. It’s easy, convenient, and fits today’s fast-paced lifestyle, but it also sidelines the beauty of handmade work, pushing it out of popular festive culture.

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A post shared by Anindita Vaishnava Hazra (@aninditacreates)

There’s a bright side, too. Social media has definitely helped these art forms reach a much wider audience. A rangoli artist from a small town can now get millions of views from all over the world. A folk singer can find fans far beyond their village. Young women experimenting with modern takes on traditional crafts can inspire others to try them out as well. Trying new things like this is a simple way to keep these traditions alive.

The real challenge is finding a balance. Social media makes it so simple to share and enjoy festivals with a wide audience, but sometimes it feels like the warmth and closeness that really make these celebrations special are slipping away. It makes you think, can we enjoy the Instagram-ready moments and still hold on to the small traditions that give festivals their meaning?

Festivals have always been about people, strangers turning into friends, families sharing stories, and songs that connected generations. The challenge is how to carry that same spirit into the digital age without losing what makes these traditions meaningful. One way to do it isn’t by turning away from social media, but by finding a way to share these traditions while still enjoying the happiness of being part of them in real life.

Views expressed by the author are their own.