-Oishee Bose What made people spend time braiding, oiling, winding, braiding again, knotting and adorning hair across centuries until whole guilds of specialists existed to do it for them? Hair reveals much about one’s age, lineage and care and unlike clothing, it cannot be changed by a single purchase. In South Asia, hair became a […]Read More
-Oishee Bose For many observers in the mid-twentieth century, Japan presented a convincing image of social discipline: regimented schools, deferential workplaces, and a tightly policed public morality that valued conformity, hierarchy, and a narrowly circumscribed feminine ideal. That very culture of visible order and predictability makes the sukeban phenomenon all the more contradicting. From the […]Read More
– Bhoomee Vats Used in the border of the saree and not in the saree itself, the term “kasavu” refers to the Zari that is used in the border of the famous Kerala sarees, making it the name of the material which is used in the manufacturing process of the saree. Extending this term, when […]Read More
-Mili Joshi Stories were in the air of ancient Indian palaces — stories of power, devotion, and artistry. With each breath, whispers of rose, sandal, and jasmine entered the lungs. Not mere sweet scents; they were a civilization’s lifeblood. Now we live among quick, ephemeral chemical fragrances — all very handy but easily forgotten. But […]Read More
-Mili Joshi As if we were conversing with two people at once, but only one of them seems to be speaking, there is a strange intimacy in reading a work in translation—the feeling of meeting a mind across linguistic boundaries while also being aware of the invisible presence of another: the translator. This triangulated relationship […]Read More
-Anushka Sengupta → Examine cinema as resistance—from To Kill a Mockingbird to Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Within the story of human civilization, the marginalized have struggled to find the means to express their suffering, resistance and hope. Wherever political systems have let them down and the mainstream media has ultimately ignored them, cinema has […]Read More
– Anushka Sengupta → Spotlight Parasite, Pather Panchali, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and their global cultural breakthroughs Cinema is a universal language. For more than 100 years, the global cinema stage was heavily influenced by Western, and especially Hollywood narratives. Yet some landmark films from Asia and other non-Western parts of the world broke those […]Read More
Manjusha Art, also known as Angika Art, is a traditional and vibrant folk art form that originated in the Bhagalpur region of Bihar, India. Deeply rooted in the cultural and religious history of the region, Manjusha Art has been cherished for its distinctive style, rich storytelling, and religious significance. This article delves into the origins, […]Read More
Sikki art, a unique and intricate craft form originating from Bihar, is a testament to the region’s rich artistic heritage. Made from the golden-hued sikki grass, this art form has been practiced for centuries, traditionally depicting folklore, mythology, and scenes from nature. Once an integral part of everyday life and cultural expressions, sikki art has […]Read More
The Indian state of Bihar, known for its rich spiritual and artistic traditions, has long been a center of esoteric knowledge, particularly in Tantra. The Tantric art of Bihar, deeply embedded in mystical practices, serves as a visual representation of spiritual concepts that transcend ordinary perception. These artworks, found in ancient wall murals, temple sculptures, […]Read More