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.
Since 2018, the village has experienced a remarkable shift as social media started becoming an integral part of daily life. Nowadays, in Tulsi, YouTube serves as more than just a medium of entertainment; it acts as a catalyst for economic progress, social change, and the embrace of technology. The locals now view the platform as a tool to connect rural and urban lifestyles, providing opportunities that were once unthinkable in this farming community.
El auge de la revolución de YouTube en Tulsi
Tulsi’s path to becoming a hub for content creation began humbly. In 2018, a villager named Jai Varma, along with his friend Gyanendra Shukla, initiated a YouTube channel named Being Chhattisgarhiya
. 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.
Al recorrer Tulsi hoy en día, es difícil encontrar a alguien que no haya participado en una producción de YouTube. Los agricultores interrumpen su labor en los campos para formar parte de los videos, mientras jóvenes creadores coreografían rutinas de baile o realizan parodias bajo los banianos del pueblo. Para muchos, YouTube se ha transformado en una puerta hacia nuevas posibilidades.
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.
, she got her initial opportunity in their videos. Her skills soon attracted the interest of regional filmmakers, leading to her appearance in seven films. For Sahoo, YouTube acted as a launchpad to the film industry, demonstrating that even in isolated villages, talent can reach broader audiences.
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
, donde perfeccionó sus habilidades como escritor y director. Hoy en día, Bhagel está a punto de trabajar en una película regional de alto presupuesto, cumpliendo un sueño que en algún momento consideró inalcanzable.
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.
Uno de los aspectos más transformadores del auge de YouTube en Tulsi ha sido su impacto en las mujeres de la comunidad. En una sociedad donde los roles de género tradicionales a menudo restringen las oportunidades para las mujeres, YouTube ha brindado un espacio para el empoderamiento y la autoexpresión.
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.
Incluso las mujeres que inicialmente participaron en videos como voluntarias ahora gestionan sus propios canales. Rahul Varma, fotógrafo de bodas y YouTuber a tiempo parcial, señala que la plataforma ha abierto oportunidades sin precedentes para las mujeres en Tulsi. “Al principio, nuestras madres y hermanas solo ayudaban. Ahora, son ellas las que están creando contenido,” comenta.
For homemaker Ramkali Varma, participating in YouTube videos has become a source of satisfaction. Renowned for her depictions of caring mothers, she is now one of the most in-demand actors in the village. “Through my roles, I can advocate for women’s education and achievements. Acting provides me with peace of mind,” she states.
For homemaker Ramkali Varma, acting in YouTube videos has become a source of fulfillment. Known for her portrayals of loving mothers, she has become one of the most sought-after actors in the village. “Through my roles, I can advocate for women’s education and success. Acting brings me peace of mind,” she says.
El éxito de los youtubers de Tulsi no ha pasado desapercibido. En 2023, el gobierno estatal instaló un estudio de producción moderno en el pueblo para respaldar a los creadores de contenido. Esta iniciativa fue promovida por Sarveshwar Bhure, un alto funcionario que reconoció el potencial de la transformación digital de Tulsi.
“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.
Las implicaciones más amplias del éxito de Tulsi
El crecimiento de Tulsi como un centro de YouTube refleja el impacto más amplio de las plataformas digitales en comunidades rurales. Al conectar a los creadores con audiencias globales, YouTube se ha convertido en una herramienta poderosa para el cambio económico y social. Para muchos en Tulsi, ha brindado una forma de escapar de las limitaciones tradicionales y explorar nuevas posibilidades.
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.
No obstante, 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 lengua regional, introduciendo un sonido nuevo en la zona. “Quiero que Tulsi sea conocida tanto por su música como por sus videos,” afirma.
Blueprint for Tomorrow
Mientras YouTube celebra su 20.º aniversario, Tulsi se erige como un testimonio del poder transformador de la plataforma. Lo que comenzó como un experimento creativo de unos pocos individuos se ha convertido en un movimiento comunitario, transformando las vidas de miles.
Para jóvenes como Pinky Sahoo, YouTube ha convertido sus sueños de actuar en realidad. Para líderes comunitarios como Draupadi Vaishnu, ha ofrecido una plataforma para promover la igualdad y el cambio social. Y para aldeanos 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.
