EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 18

Beyonce accepts the award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for "Renaissance" during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Why Beyonce thanked the queer community for her record-breaking Grammys 2023 winSubscriber Only

February 7, 2023 10:40 IST

Beyonce’s album ‘Renaissance’ is full of samples (tunes or words of existing songs that are taken by another artist) from some iconic disco hits, and the genre began with queer, Black musicians. How did it become influential in music? We explain.

Graduating students throwing their caps in the air.

Delhi University to replace robes with angavastra for convocation: Why are robes and caps worn at graduation?Subscriber Only

February 7, 2023 07:30 IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and many others have criticised the attire worn at graduation in the past. What is their history? We explain.

Netflix to ‘end’ password sharing: The plan, and the problems in itSubscriber Only

February 4, 2023 10:47 IST

Netflix has already implemented curbs on password sharing in some countries in South America with the rest of the world to soon follow. So far, this move has not been received well.

The Rs 81-crore 'Pen Monument', standing in the Bay of Bengal 360 m from the coast, was proposed by the government last year, and is expected to become a Chennai landmark on completion. (Express Photo)

Tamil Nadu’s proposed Pen Monument to Karunanidhi’s memory — the plan and the criticismSubscriber Only

February 3, 2023 08:25 IST

An environmental impact assessment done by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has said there are no sensitive marine flora and fauna species such as coral reefs, sea grass, or Olive Ridley turtles near the proposed monument.

On International LEGO Day, the story of the iconic toySubscriber Only

January 29, 2023 12:36 IST

On January 28, 1958, the ubiquitous LEGO brick was patented. The basic design remains the same till date and has captured the imagination of both children and adults for 65 years.

A photograph of Ramses I's mummy at the Luxor Museum in Egypt. It is believed the earliest mummification was an accidental process, since Egypt had little rainfall and dry sand and air.(Source: Wikimedia Commons/File)

As museums in Europe oppose the use of word ‘mummy’, its origins and historySubscriber Only

January 29, 2023 12:27 IST

Museums across Europe are starting to adopt terms such as "mummified person" or the individual's name to assert that they were once living. Here's why

Given the global recognition that the Oscars or the Academy Awards enjoy, since their inception in 1929, winning an award is often seen as a matter of national pride. (Graphics: Abhishek Mitra)

Best costume designer to sound mixer: Indians who have won the Oscar so farSubscriber Only

January 25, 2023 10:43 IST

Though Indian films have not figured prominently in the Oscar ceremonies on the whole, some from the industry have made their mark and won the coveted prize. We take a look.

M&M's spokescandies have been criticised by figures on the political right. (Twitter/@mmschocolate)

How M&M’s found itself in the culture warsSubscriber Only

January 24, 2023 11:26 IST

Mars Wrigley, the company that owns candy brand M&M's, has said it is indefinitely pausing its spokescandies. A look at the events that led to the decision, and why it was taken.

Assam’s Charaideo Moidams: India’s latest nominee to UNESCO’s World Heritage SitesSubscriber Only

January 24, 2023 07:46 IST

On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Centre will send a proposal to UNESCO for nominating Charaideo moidams of the Ahom kingdom as a World Heritage Site. We explain their history.

Jagannath Temple, Sri Jagannath temple, Odisha, Odisha government, Explained Culture, Ganeshi Lal, Explained, Indian Express Explained, Opinion, Current Affairs

Puri’s Jagannath Temple: Why non-Hindus and foreigners can’t enter hereSubscriber Only

January 24, 2023 07:28 IST

Odisha's Governor Ganeshi Lal has said he believes foreigners should be allowed to enter the Temple. It's an old debate that has repeatedly triggered controversy — even Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was denied entry.

Ryan Murphy, left, winner of the Carol Burnett award, and Evan Peters, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television for "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," pose in the press room at the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 10.

Why Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer true crime series, now awarded a Golden Globe, has been criticisedSubscriber Only

January 16, 2023 13:53 IST

Jeffrey Dahmer, a real serial killer, murdered 17 men before he was caught by police. Some relatives of those victims have questioned the need for such crime-focused shows.

G.O.A.T, GOAT, Greatest of all time, GOAT origins, GOAT meaning, indian express

Greatest of All Time: What is the origin of GOAT, and why is it always trending?Subscriber Only

January 16, 2023 15:40 IST

How did the humble goat, arguably not the most inspiring animal, come to be associated with greatness and glory? We explain.

Josef Thorak was commissioned to sculpt a bust of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. (Deutsche Welle)

Why are Nazi sculptures still exhibited in Germany today?Subscriber Only

January 16, 2023 07:33 IST

While he was in power, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler commissioned and bought multiple artworks. Some still stand in German public spaces and museums today. That includes two new acquistions in Berlin.

Maghi Mela is held in the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib every year in January, or on the month of Magh according to the Nanakshahi calendar.

What is Maghi Mela and why is it politically important in Punjab?Subscriber Only

January 14, 2023 14:10 IST

Punjab Maghi Mela: What is the history of this festival, and what are its attractions? Why did it become politically important in the state?

Friday the 13th: Why is the date associated with horror and bad luck?Subscriber Only

January 13, 2023 17:42 IST

The day is often mentioned to create a sense of spookiness or fear or to maintain caution, because something bad can happen. Where does the idea come from?

Lisa Marie Presley performs during a rehearsal at the M Bar in London, Britain. May 12, 2003. (Reuters Photo: Peter Macdiarmid)

Lisa Marie Presley: Daughter of a ‘King’, married to anotherSubscriber Only

January 13, 2023 11:11 IST

Lisa Marie Presley, who died on January 12, was the only daughter and heir to the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, and was married for a couple of years in the early 1990s to the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

On Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, a look at his teachings, messageSubscriber Only

January 16, 2023 11:36 IST

National Youth Day: Vivekananda urged people, especially the youth, to never let go of reason. Instead, he based his philosophy, ideas and life work on the premise of reason.

Mohan bhagwat, RSS chief mohan bhagwat, mohan bhagwat LGBTQ rights, hamsa, hansa, dimbhaka, mahabharata

Mohan Bhagwat on LGBTQ rights: Who are Hamsa and Dimbhaka, the generals of Jarasandha he mentionedSubscriber Only

January 16, 2023 19:54 IST

What is the story of Hamsa and Dimbhaka? What did RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat say about transgender rights? We explain.

This image released by NBC shows M.M. Keeravani accepting the Best Original Song award for "Naatu Naatu" from "RRR" during the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

RRR song ‘Naatu Naatu’ wins at Golden Globes: All about the song and those behind itSubscriber Only

January 13, 2023 07:20 IST

The Golden Globes also boost the chances of a film potentially receiving an Oscar award later on. With its Globes win, we take a look at RRR and a few important steps in its journey as a global superhit.

Le Corbusier, who planned Chandigarh, and his collaborator Pierre Jeanneret, standing.

Corbusier’s vision for Chandigarh: The genius & the flawsSubscriber Only

January 13, 2023 07:26 IST

Conceived at the time of Partition, the need for Chandigarh came from a need to create a new city for Punjab that would hold the promise of creativity and potential. Its scale and site were decided at the national level.

RRR’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ wins at Golden Globes: A brief history of the suspenders the actors are wearingSubscriber Only

March 13, 2023 19:34 IST

Golden Globes: In the song from SS Rajamouli's RRR, Jr NTR and Ram Charan perform some mesmerising steps using their suspenders or braces as the prop. Here is the story of how the garment went in and out of fashion, with roles played by Mark Twain and World War I.

The Golden Globe back on air after more than 20 months: What changes has it gone through?Subscriber Only

January 11, 2023 16:58 IST

After being accused of lack of diversity and ethical lapses, the HPFA, which gives out the Golden Globes every year, has ushered in sweeping changes.

Kashmir Files is on the Oscars Reminder List (not ‘shortlist’). What is this List, and what happens now?Subscriber Only

January 11, 2023 14:45 IST

Four Indian titles have been shortlisted for the 95th Academy Awards: All That Breathes, The Elephant Whisperers, Chhello Show, and Naatu Naatu from RRR. Several others are on the Reminder List

Prince Harry’s memoir Spare: Who is JR Moehringer, its ghost writerSubscriber Only

January 10, 2023 08:48 IST

JR Moehringer has also written Andre Agassi’s Open, and the autobiography of Nike founder Phil Knight. Here's the story of Moehringer, an expert in telling other people's stories.

Why ‘Perfect Strangers’, a movie made in 24 languages, continues to be popularSubscriber Only

January 9, 2023 07:12 IST

The film already exists in Chinese, Korean, Greek, Spanish, Turkish, Mexican, French, Armenian, Russian, and Hungarian, among 24 languages, making the 2016 blockbuster one of the most remade films in recent times.

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