The 1952 film by Karunanidhi, Parasakthi, democratised the DMK’s message of Dravidian ideology. But it was more than a propaganda film. Revolving around a divided Tamil family left broken and destitute by World War II, it was a scathing critique of a sexist, casteist society.

“Media line mein paisa hai kya?” That’s a question I often get asked. In India, picking a career and sticking to it is important. Because changing professions is a sign of fickleness and instability. But more than that, it sends your parents into a tizzy.

The battle over Karunanidhi's burial at Chennai's Marina Beach unfolded in a tense few hours at the Madras High Court. Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi’s final farewells, symphonised by their followers and the state, will now become part of their personal mythology.

With Karunanidhi gone, it’s the end of an era in Tamil Nadu politics. The state’s civic life now faces a huge void and is likely to see the emergence of a new political order. Will we see the rise of a leader from within the two big TN parties – DMK and AIADMK? Or will the next chieftains come from newer fronts?

Oh, the success you can achieve by tapping into people’s need to be validated on social media! This is the reason urban and rural Indians alike have taken to the Kiki Challenge faster than Ganesh Gaitonde took to Cuckoo.

Much before the days of support groups for women, India had the “kitty party”. But the humble kitty party doesn’t get credit as an instrument of microfinance, even though the first TV in any home was probably bought from the money saved from a women’s kitty.

Twenty years ago in India, there was one box-like device with numbers on it that bonded families together like a viewing of Hum Saath Saath Hain. The landline had a wire that kept you rooted – but it could also set you free if you chose to be unavailable.

Breastfeeding was perfectly normal in our culture that otherwise advocates modesty for women. Possibly because we celebrate and eulogise motherhood to such an extent that we’ve completely denuded an exposed breast of all sexuality. So what’s with our newfound coyness around breastfeeding?

Ever since my little sister was born, it feels like she’s strolling down a path I’ve had to gruellingly blaze with my blood, sweat, and tears. My younger sibling’s arrival was bad news, as I was going to be held up as a role model whether I liked it or not.

One week into your childhood swimming classes, the coach becomes more dangerous in the water than a coked-up crocodile. Scared toddlers are thrown from the diving board and horrified kids are set adrift without floats, struggling for their lives and gulping down weird-tasting water.