Art & Culture

How We are Funny

Rahul Bhatia

Two online humorists tell us about what led them there, and where they go next.

The Lady Cremators

Avantika Bhuyan

Hindu tradition has long resisted the presence of women at funerals. But in a village near Allahabad, female professionals conduct the last rites.

Staple Art

Shubhra Mazumdar

Pooja Iranna creates miniature sculptures from staple pins to make a monumental statement on the human psyche.

A Photo Speaks Many Words

Pablo Bartholomew

How I rediscovered my father and the times we lived in when I decided to exhibit personal photographs from our archives.

Get It Right

Open

We couldn’t prise the patented haleem recipe of out of anyone’s lips. But here’s a version

Now, the Hyderabadi Haleem has received a Geographical Indication tag to protect it from poorer imitations that stand to dilute a rich tradition—and make sneaky inroads into a Rs 100 crore cottage industry.

Abhinav Kashyap’s Uneasy Tryst With Fame

Shubhangi Swarup

The man who doesn’t have a sofa in his home is still coming to terms with becoming a big-time director after Dabangg.

A Brahmin Gives Jesus an Indian Makeover

Jaideep Mazumdar

And there is nothing contradictory or ironic about it, he would have you believe.

Catholic Church Goes Desi

Jaideep Mazumdar

The Catholic church in India is out on a limb to indigenise. Images such as Jesus seated on a lotus in padmasana and the Virgin Mary clad in a sari are now commonplace.