Culture

Mian Maqdoom Shah shrine, Mumbai’s Mahim Durgah & the December Urs

I saw quite a few processions going towards the Mahim dargah in Mumbai for the annual Urs celebration of the Muslim saint last evening. A lot of colour, not...

Once Upon an India — reminiscence at Ganesh Chaturthi

…and then in the middle of the school year, just like that, it would be time for the festival of the Elephant-headed God!

Sanskrit & the democracy of language

The claim to “save” Sanskrit is nothing but part of a manipulative conspiracy to limit and control languages under the canopy of Hindutva   

2034: A Futuristic Play Involving Magic and Dystopia

A few months ago, I Went to watch "2034",...

When I hear bloodthirsty slogans of ‘Jai Sri Ram,’ I remember Fr Camille’s ‘Ram Katha’

As the fringe slogans  'Jai Sri Ram' while ransacking shops & houses disrespecting the name of Sri Ram, I hear...

Government a threat to Indian legacy, education, jobs: Gandhian institute taken over, residents evicted, bulldozer to follow

On Saturday, over 500 police men entered the campus of Sarva Seva Sangh, Varanasi, forcefully evicted residents, threw books and furniture out in the rain, employees too were left jobless and homeless; civil suit pending in court

Is anyone listening? Two creative works that transform personal tragedies into powerful political statements

This article delves into the artistic narratives of dissent and personal journeys of Mari Selvaraj's 'Maamannan' and Nisha Abdulla's 'We Push the Sky'.

Artists & Intellectuals must appeal to the Good: Joy Sengupta, theatre-film actor

Culture will always be a personal struggle of communicating what is inherently essential in the hope that progressive aesthetics shared through different mediums awaken a mass, wider consciousness

Breaking silences makes civilisations heal: theatre director, Sunil Shanbag

In this thought-provoking essay, the theatre director producer of 45 years explores multiple worlds, political, artistic and personal

Art must mirror an urgent need, the personal and the political: Asmit Pathare

In this powerful essay of self-expression, theatre and film director, Asmit Pathare explores the challenging world of a young artist challenged by deep schisms in society, driven deeper by a politics that thrives on division and repression.

Lord Ram, in my sixth letter I appeal to your diverse forms

This is the sixth letter in a series: the writer's point is to emphasise the importance of diverse perspectives, critical thinking, and open discourse when portraying Lord Ram and discussing his significance in Hindu culture. The writer criticises the limited perspective in a recently released film and contrasts it with the nuanced portrayal in the Sanskrit play "Uttara Rama Charita." The writer advocates for embracing multiple interpretations of Lord Ram's character, highlighting the dangers of dogmatism and the need for inclusive dialogue to safeguard societal harmony and progress.

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Sharia, Manusmriti or the Indian Constitution

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