Culture Archives - Page 2 of 5

Ramzan in Isolation Made Me Realise the Importance of Togetherness

Ramzan in isolation doesn’t make the acts of fasting and worshiping difficult. Those are deeds deeply personal in nature. But what takes a hit is working for the greater good together. When you are looking to usher in change or fight the good fight, the support of a community only strengthens your resolve.

Tasneem Pocketwala July 2, 2016

Culture

Lessons from Navratri in Gujarat: You May Not Get Laid, But You’ll Feel the Love

Like every outsider I believed Navratri in Gujarat was about music and mating. But after attending a garba night in Baroda, I learnt it wasn’t the sausage fest everyone thinks it is. It’s just all of Baroda having the time of its life, soaking in the music, twirling, skipping, and jumping.

Deepak Kaul June 28, 2016

Culture

Gurpurab of My Childhood: Langar, Mul Mantar, and My Dadi’s History Lessons

I remember clutching my father’s finger as we made our way through the crowd at the Golden Temple. My head was covered with mother’s red dupatta; I was clenching onto a ₹100 note for dear life until I managed to slip it inside the donation box. That was always my “duty” and I would take it very seriously.

Sehaj K June 26, 2016

Culture

An “Immoral” Muslim’s Guide to Faking Roza

I’m a non-believing Muslim and people like me have become part of a subculture, where secrets are guarded with greater ferocity than the Illuminati. We bunk namaaz, and during Ramzan we fake-fast: the first major acts of rebellion for Muslim teens.

Godot June 25, 2016

Culture

The Half-Baked Marijuana Legalisation March & Mumbai’s Missing Stoners

You might have ignored that guy you saw in harem pants one day, but marijuana users are everywhere. So why does no one turn up for the legalisation rallies?

Aditya Bhalla June 10, 2016

Culture

The Diwali Shopathon: When Mothers Bargain Like Pros and Children Become their Personal Coolies

A Diwali preparation is incomplete without a trip to the old city market. In Mumbai, it’s Dadar; in Delhi, it’s Chawri Bazar. This is the time of the year, when every mother across the country trots out their bargaining A-game.

Nihal Bambulkar June 8, 2016

Culture

Open House Day: When Teachers Turn Into Monsters

For students who’ve just got their results, Open House Day or the final PTA meeting is that time of the year when the teachers snitch on the students. This dreaded occasion goes by many names, such as Dard-e-Diwas, Yellallympics, or, as Terminator fans would say, Judgement Day.

Nihal Bambulkar June 4, 2016

Culture

Arranged Marriage, Tinder, & Why Manmarziyan is Completely Wrong About Modern Love in India

For all of Manmarziyan’s feminist pretensions, its lead Rumi is a cipher, waiting for validation from the men in her life. Where are the fun, confused young women who end up by themselves and become stronger because of it? Where are the women who bid their orthodoxies goodbye and try to fly solo?

Kamayani Sharma June 4, 2016

Culture

Why Looking at Raavan in a More Forgiving Light Gives India Some Hope

In an India divided over Ram, our willingness to not other Raavan, can serve as a unifier. Our inclination to acknowledge a different point of view – to break the idea of Raavan as a stock evil cardboard villain – is an example of the part of India that is still open to ideas. Raavan gives us that hope.

Pooja Bhula June 4, 2016

Culture

Dhakna Zaroori Hai: Why My Sindhi Family Has a Cover for Everything from the Toaster to the TV

In Sindhi households, everything is veiled. It starts at the heart of the home – the kitchen. The refrigerator handle dare not stand in nudity. The mixer, when not in use, stands gracefully under a crocheted hood. Twenty five years ago, I used to mock this great Sindhi cover-up. Today, I’m the one doing the covering.

Lata Gwalani June 1, 2016