Journalism of Courage
EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS
Portland Frog: The cultural reinvention of the amphibian, now as a symbol of resistance
January 1, 2026 08:44 IST
The frog suits in the 2025 Portland protests and the appearance of Pepe in the 2019 Hong Kong protests herald an increasingly popular trend of weaponising humour and absurdity to respond to perceived excesses
5 board games played in ancient worlds, from India’s Chaturanga to The Royal Game of Ur
December 30, 2025 19:03 IST
A recent exhibition showcased India’s ancient board games, but their archaeological evidence has also been found globally, with some dating back thousands of years.
100 years of Radio Ceylon: How it once made a fractured region hum to a shared frequency
December 23, 2025 19:29 IST
Radio Ceylon was the first radio broadcaster in Asia. As it completes 100 years, we look back at the role it has played for the subcontinent.
No meat, intoxicants to be sold in Punjab’s 3 new ‘Holy Cities’: Reasons for their selection
December 22, 2025 19:49 IST
Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo are associated with three of the five Sikh Takhts. Here is what changes for them.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ in theatres : The debate on the lasting impact of James Cameron’s series
December 22, 2025 20:14 IST
Despite its box-office triumphs, discussion around the Avatar franchise continues to centre on its perceived lack of cultural relevance. Does the series have a cultural footprint — and does it matter?
Recalling Rob Reiner, the versatile writer-director who helped shape today’s HollywoodSubscriber Only
December 16, 2025 19:16 IST
Reiner’s sudden demise has triggered an outpouring of grief from Hollywood elites, several of whom he worked with. Here is everything to know about the prolific writer-director and comedian
Why does Jane Austen remain so popular? Because of craft, commerce, and common senseSubscriber Only
December 18, 2025 10:45 IST
On Jane Austen's 250th birth anniversary, we try to answer in 3 condensed points the subject of countless doctoral theses: just what is so great about her?
Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ mints Rs 300 crore: Why action films are Bollywood’s favourite comeback vehicleSubscriber Only
December 14, 2025 16:27 IST
Dhurandhar Box Office Collection: When a Bollywood star is battling flops or returning after a break, they often don’t go for love stories or comedies. They come back swinging, literally, and for good reason.
A glowing recognition: How Diwali made it to UNESCO heritage listSubscriber Only
December 11, 2025 11:16 IST
Diwali UNESCO heritage, Intangible heritage list 2025: Diwali is the 16th Indian element to be inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The list now features around 700 elements, including 16 from India.
Who is Nnena Kalu, the first artist with learning disability to win Turner Prize?Subscriber Only
December 10, 2025 17:26 IST
Kalu's Turner Prize win not just makes a case for art as a solid medium of expression but also is a step towards blurring the distinctions between the neurotypical and neurodiverse artist
Nuzzi, Lizza, and the RFK Jr scandal: Why Vanity Fair removed Olivia Nuzzi as West Coast EditorSubscriber Only
December 7, 2025 19:42 IST
In his series of essays timed around the release of Nuzzi's memoir, Lizza has alleged that there was more to Nuzzi’s dalliance with RFK, and that she had engaged in gross violations of journalistic ethics. Here is what to know
How 2017 actress assault case involving Dileep brought about churn in Malayalam film industrySubscriber Only
December 8, 2025 11:11 IST
Dileep assault case, 2017 Malayalam actress assault case: The assault was allegedly a part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by actor Dileep
What is Pantone, and why does it crown a ‘Colour of the Year’ every December?Subscriber Only
December 6, 2025 10:53 IST
Pantone began as a printing business. How — and why — did a company decide to become the authority on colours? We explain
Explained: Dizzying popularity of Spotify Wrapped, and why it has set off criticismSubscriber Only
December 4, 2025 16:08 IST
The campaign has been wildly successful: Wrapped’s release has historically correlated with a boost to Spotify’s app store rankings.
What Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year, ‘rage bait’, says about today’s internetSubscriber Only
December 1, 2025 18:15 IST
What does rage baiting mean, why did Oxford choose this word, and what does it say about the world in 2025? We explain.
How the rise of AI songs, including on music charts, is creating a sense of uneaseSubscriber Only
November 28, 2025 13:34 IST
As AI-generated music saturates the market, people are realizing they can't distinguish it from human-made music. Many listeners, and musicians, are unsettled by this.
Frida Kahlo sets the record for the most expensive work by a female artist’: Five things you should know about her Subscriber Only
November 21, 2025 16:31 IST
This week, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's 1940 canvas El sueño (La cama) sold for $54.7 million at Sotheby’s -- the highest by a female artist at an auction. Here's why Frida Kahlo remains among the most celebrated artists of all times.
International Men’s Day 2025: Why is the event on November 19, how an Indian woman helped popularise itSubscriber Only
November 19, 2025 15:16 IST
International Men’s Day 2025: The International Men's Day website says that the Indian celebration of the day 'is by far the single biggest' by any country. It also credits an Indian woman for popularising the event. Here's the full story behind the day, in five points.
In a lonely world, ‘parasocial’ is Cambridge’s ‘Word of the Year’: What this meansSubscriber Only
November 19, 2025 17:31 IST
Parasocial relationships, digital parasocial bonds: As loneliness tightens its grip worldwide, we are witnessing a profound shift in how humans seek connection. In choosing parasocial as its ‘Word of the Year’, Cambridge both captures the cultural zeitgeist and reminds us of the need to preserve human connection
From ‘national song’ to ‘modern anthem’ – the journey of Vande MataramSubscriber Only
November 13, 2025 18:55 IST
At an event to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram last week, Modi claimed that the song had been “broken and cut into pieces” and that it “sowed the seeds of the division of the nation”. The remarks once again brought into spotlight the debate surrounding India’s national song
End of an era: Last ever ‘lucky’ penny pressed by US MintSubscriber Only
November 13, 2025 18:10 IST
The coin once sufficed to purchase “penny candy” like gumballs from vending machines, or pay for parking tickets. Its utility has reduced considerably since then, while it remains of value to numismatists
Row over ‘Jana Gana Mana’: Why Tagore composed it and how it became the national anthemSubscriber Only
November 12, 2025 19:27 IST
At an event to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’, Karnataka BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri called ‘Jana Gana Mana’ a 'welcome song for the British officials', drawing protests. Here’s demystifying a myth that has surrounded the song for a century.
Dulquer Salmaan’s ‘Kaantha’: Why film that is not a biopic of first Tamil superstar MKT Bhagavathar feels like oneSubscriber Only
November 14, 2025 10:12 IST
While the producers of 'Kaantha' have denied any connection to Bhagavathar, the speculation sheds light on the culture of stardom in Tamil cinema.
President Murmu presented with a Ramman mask: What is the festival, and how did it originate?Subscriber Only
November 3, 2025 19:09 IST
Ramman is a festival celebrated annually in late April during Baisakhi at the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli. It is dedicated to the tutelary god, Bhumiyal Devta, a local divinity whose temple houses most of the festivities
Explained: With Halloween around the corner, the many mysterious meanings of black catsSubscriber Only
October 31, 2025 07:00 IST
Black cats have a long legacy in culture, with innumerable superstitions associated with them. As Halloween approaches, these creatures are popping up everywhere, appearing as decorations, in movies and on costumes.
Advertisement
BEST OF EXPRESS
Cities‘Will not allow this’: Shiv Sena (UBT) targets SRK’s KKR for including Bangladeshi player in IPL team
EntertainmentIkkis: Real-life story of Arun Khetarpal who was martyred at 21, a day before ceasefire; flouted orders to fight till last breath
EntertainmentRajinikanth's lost love, the woman whose Rs 500 gave wings to his acting dreams: 'She vanished one day'
TrendingZohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC’s first Muslim mayor, inauguration features Punjabi music: WATCH
TrendingWho is Edward Nathan Varghese? IIT Hyderabad student bags institute’s highest-ever placement package at Rs 2.5 crore
SportsHockey: Sjoerd Marijne, who guided India to historic fourth place at Tokyo Olympics, returns as women’s team chief coach
SportsShafali Verma 2.0: How India opener has taken her T20 batting up a notch by showing a willingness to evolve her power-hitting game
Advertisement
Must Read
SportsHockey: Sjoerd Marijne, who guided India to historic fourth place at Tokyo Olympics, returns as women’s team chief coach
SportsShafali Verma 2.0: How India opener has taken her T20 batting up a notch by showing a willingness to evolve her power-hitting game
SportsAlireza Firouzja's rollercoaster: From being hailed as the next big thing in Chess to missing out on 2026 Candidates
Advertisement
