Art & Culture

Propaganda on a Screen Near You

KA Shaji

Entertainment in Tamil Nadu is almost entirely motivated by politics, and the DMK is nowhere near loosening its grip on audiences.

The Pete Beat

Rahul Jayaram

He may have made James Bond move to his beat, yet percussionist Pete Lockett says he’s still learning.

Desert Rose

Radhika Bordia

Rukma Bai defied convention and faced ostracism to sing in public. Fame may have brought her acceptance from her fellow villagers, but they still won’t let their women follow in her footsteps.

When Ray Met Kurosawa

Open

Satyajit Ray’s account of his meeting with Kurosawa.

10 Things Music Owes The Beatles

Open

More cool info on the Fab Four, just in case you've missed it all before.

Life on the Dunes

Sohini Chattopadhyay

Photographer Gauri Gill’s images of Rajasthan are distinct for their absence of colour. She says that would have just got in her way.

Fighting to Tell a Tale

Anil B. Lulla

For 125 years, the families of Surabhi have been making sacrifices just to ensure that the show goes on. But now, they won’t last much longer without some help.

Love, Sex Aur Censor

Rahul Bhatia

In the final days before the release of his film Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, director Dibakar Banerjee gave Open full access to his life.

When Hitler Took a Bow

Jaideep Mazumdar

Shantigopal Pal rewrote jatra history by taking Hitler, Lenin and Marx to Bengal’s villages. As he takes his final bow, it’s time for a standing ovation.

The Shape Shifter

Manjula Negi

Boman Irani has never been to an acting school, but he is still an intelligent actor. He knows that audiences today appreciate complex characters, and playing just a good or bad guy isn’t enough.