Journalism of Courage
EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 17
With the new ‘Tetris’ movie, a look at how the iconic game took shape amid the Cold WarSubscriber Only
April 4, 2023 14:07 IST
What makes the origins of Tetris unique is that it came from the USSR in 1984, when the communist system in place meant that the spread of new ideas and objects was regulated. Here's how it spread across the world.
How a ‘hybrid’ gamosa sparked protests across AssamSubscriber Only
March 31, 2023 11:21 IST
At a function earlier this week, newly formed Bangla Sahitya Sabha Assam used a hybrid creation— an Assamese gamosa and a Bengali gamcha, each cut in half and sewn together — to felicitate guests, sparking protests in different parts of the state.
A brief history of Nowruz: Celebration of beginnings, assertion of identity
March 19, 2024 07:34 IST
While for the Kurds, Nowruz stands as a symbol of resistance, for Persians, it is purely a cultural festival. In India, the Parsi community celebrates it with fervour.
International Booker Prize 2023 longlist: Who is Perumal Murugan, the first Tamil author to make the list?Subscriber Only
March 17, 2023 11:47 IST
The nomination for 'Pyre' comes at a time when Indian-language works are gaining more recognition through English translation. In 2022, Geetanjali Shree became the first Hindi novelist to win an International Booker Prize for 'Ret Samadhi'.
‘RRR’ Oscars win: Who were Alluri Sitharama Raju and Komaram Bheem, whose stories inspired RRRSubscriber Only
March 14, 2023 17:06 IST
Both Raju, who is played by actor Ram Charan in the film, and Komaram Bheem, played by Jr NTR, were 20th century revolutionaries who led tribal people in present-day Andhra Pradesh against the British and the Nizams. Here is their story.
Kenzaburō Ōe passes away: The life and legacy of Japanese Nobel-winning authorSubscriber Only
March 14, 2023 15:09 IST
A prominent dissident and writer with a cult following in post-war Japan, Ōe became the voice of change in a country trying to adapt to new political circumstances.
All you need to know about the stage of the 2023 Oscars ceremonySubscriber Only
March 14, 2023 07:31 IST
For the first time ever the set design was headed by women, with production designer Misty Buckley and art director Alana Billingsley at the helm.
What is the history behind the golden Oscars trophy and why is it only worth $1?Subscriber Only
March 14, 2023 08:07 IST
What are the origins behind the name 'Oscars', and is the statue really made of gold? We explain the history of the coveted statue.
‘Naatu Naatu’ wins at Oscars 2023: Who are the people behind the global hit?Subscriber Only
May 7, 2023 23:25 IST
Composer MM Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose, SS Rajamouli, Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj: Who are the men behind 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR', and how did the Oscar-winner for 'Best Original Song' become a global hit?
What is hustle culture, and how can it affect you?Subscriber Only
March 14, 2023 08:24 IST
In recent years, many have embraced hustle culture, believing sustained hard work can turn every dream into reality. However, several studies have shown that overwork can not only lead to early-age burnout but also severely damage people's health.
Oscars 2023: Why has the Academy done away with the ‘red’ carpet this year?Subscriber Only
March 13, 2023 13:32 IST
Oscars 2023 red carpet: For the first time in 62 years, the Oscars will replace its red carpet with a champagne-coloured rug. Here's why.
Oscars 2023 were a watershed year for Asian nominees. Does it mark a turning point in its history of inclusivity?Subscriber Only
March 13, 2023 22:18 IST
Asians at Oscars 2023: Since its inception, the Academy Awards have never been particularly noted for inclusivity. With several wins for Asians at the latest edition, including for India's 'Naatu Naatu' song from 'RRR' and the documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers', how does it fare at present?
Oscars 2023: What’s inside the $126,000 gift bag and who wins it?Subscriber Only
March 13, 2023 13:28 IST
Oscars 2023 winner and nominees: Beauty and lifestyle gifts, luxury vacations, and more. Every year, gifts worth thousands of dollars are bestowed upon those who make it to the Oscars nominee list in the prime categories.
Guardian of Meaning: The architecture of David Chipperfield, Pritzker Laureate 2023Subscriber Only
March 10, 2023 07:35 IST
The Pritzker Architecture Prize is the highest international honour for architects. With over 100 works ranging from museums and civic buildings to offices and residences, the 2023 Laureate, David Chipperfield, has been re-imagining buildings.
Holi: Bringing fleeting colour to the lives of Vrindavan’s widowsSubscriber Only
March 9, 2023 07:22 IST
For centuries, many Hindu widows have sought refuge in the holy city of Vrindavan. They are shackled by custom and material circumstances to live a life of austerity. But Holi brings welcome, if only temporary, colour to their lives.
On Holi, a look at the tradition of consuming bhang in IndiaSubscriber Only
March 8, 2023 18:44 IST
Bhang is a green-coloured paste made from seeds and leaves of the female cannabis plants — they have higher potency and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content than their male counterparts. It is said to have been in use for thousands of years, and finds mention in ancient Hindu texts.
With Vivek Ramaswamy ‘anti-woke’ US Presidential campaign, a look at ‘woke’ and its originsSubscriber Only
March 7, 2023 08:09 IST
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has made targeting the ‘woke’ a central plank of his public persona. Here's a history of how the word gained traction and now receives criticism from people across political ideologies.
Hundreds of US newspapers drop Dilbert: Cartoonist Scott Adams’ racist comments, and his past controversiesSubscriber Only
February 28, 2023 07:16 IST
Why did Scott Adams go on the racist rant and what has the fallout been so far? What is the history of the phrase 'It’s OK to be White'?
150th anniversary of Calcutta trams: A brief history of trams in IndiaSubscriber Only
February 28, 2023 07:29 IST
The first horse-drawn trams entered service in erstwhile Calcutta on February 24, 1873. While today, Kolkata remains the only city in India with an operational tram system, there was a time when tramcars could be found across the country, from Bombay to Bhavnagar.
Sursingar, Karakattam, and others: Arts and artists Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in Mann ki BaatSubscriber Only
February 26, 2023 18:08 IST
Modi said that artists like Joydeep Mukherjee and Uppalapu Srinivas have “breathed new life” into those instruments, “whose popularity was decreasing with time”.
The true story behind Rani Mukherjee’s latest film ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’Subscriber Only
March 18, 2023 13:57 IST
The movie is based on the story of Sagarika Chatterjee, an Indian mother of two, whose children were taken away from her by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services citing habits that are commonplace in Indian society.
Japan’s restaurants fight back against ‘sushi terrorism’: What does the term mean?Subscriber Only
February 25, 2023 10:55 IST
Restaurants serving Japan's most famous dish are pushing ahead with prosecutions against people seen interfering with meals for social media likes.
R Kelly convicted in child pornography case: Who is R Kelly and what are his crimesSubscriber Only
February 24, 2023 19:31 IST
Since the 1990s, Kelly has been accused and convicted of several crimes, including prostitution, child abuse, sex trafficking and child pornography. He is currently serving a 30 year prison term in New York
Roald Dahl’s books rewritten to remove ‘offensive’ bits: The edits, the outrage, and other similar attemptsSubscriber Only
February 21, 2023 07:54 IST
As Salman Rushdie said, Roald Dahl 'was no angel'. But the recent changes have attracted criticism on primarily two counts: the extent to which an author's work can be rewritten, and the questionable nature of the changes made.
Was Pablo Neruda poisoned? Why there’s mystery around his death, what latest findings saySubscriber Only
February 17, 2023 07:39 IST
To appreciate the enduring interest in Neruda’s death, it is necessary to understand the influence the Latin American poet had over people far beyond his own country. However, in recent years, there has been a reassessment of Neruda’s legacy.
Advertisement
BEST OF EXPRESS
EntertainmentJaved Akhtar says 'no communal element' in AR Rahman not getting work; Shaan says '3 superstars belong to minority communities'
EntertainmentDilip Kumar tried to broker peace between India-Pakistan during Kargil war; Bal Thackeray told him to leave the country
Trending‘2026 is the new 2016’: From Snapchat filters to glossy makeup, why everyone is suddenly posting decade-old pictures
Advertisement
Must Read
Advertisement
