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EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 19

(L-R) Malayalam author N S Madhavan, former Colombian footballer René Higuita and a poster of Hemanth G Nair's upcoming film Higuita.

How Colombian footballer René Higuita’s name ignited a cultural debate in KeralaSubscriber Only

December 19, 2022 07:53 IST

Popular Malayalam author N S Madhavan has contested the title of debutant director Hemanth G Nair’s upcoming film Higuita. We explain what the controversy is all about.

A collage of Queen Elizabeth and modern day British people.

What having a ‘stiff upper lip’ means and how it became associated with BritainSubscriber Only

December 19, 2022 07:54 IST

A long-held attitude meant to display bravery and rationality, the stiff upper lip has come under a re-look in the modern day by the likes of Princess Diana, Princes William and Harry and Meghan Markle. What are its origins? We explain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Mahant Swami Maharaj of Swaminarayan Sanstha after inauguration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar as part of Pramukh Swami Centenary celebration in Ahmedabad. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary: Inside the ‘city’ built for the eventSubscriber Only

December 17, 2022 19:50 IST

The ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’ stands on 600 acres of land on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, and has been built over a period of six months.

ganashatru

Amitabh Bachchan invokes Ganashatru: What is the Satyajit Ray film all about?Subscriber Only

December 17, 2022 17:26 IST

At the Kolkata International Film Festival, Bachchan said that Ray’s reaction to contemporary India could be similar to the protagonist of Ganashatru. We explain what this means.

Rishi Rajpopat; and (right) a medieval textbook based on Panini's rules for Sanskrit. (Sources: Cambridge University, Wellcome Images)

‘Grammar’s greatest puzzle’: What was the Sanskrit problem in Panini’s ‘Ashtadhyayi’, now solved by an Indian student?Subscriber Only

December 30, 2022 16:39 IST

At 27, Rishi Rajpopat may have decoded a puzzle that has confused scholars for centuries.

kochi muziris biennale 2022 logo

Kochi-Muziris Biennale to begin on December 12: What are Art Biennales and why are they significant?Subscriber Only

December 12, 2022 07:46 IST

Biennales help showcase art, and often named after the host city, they become a reason for local pride, promoting cultural tourism and generating revenue through visitors.

Jenna Ortega doing the Wednesday dance.

How Jenna Ortega’s ‘Wednesday Dance’ from a new Netflix series became a viral sensationSubscriber Only

December 12, 2022 07:48 IST

Since its release on YouTube around two weeks ago, the dance video has garnered 15 million views. Here’s a look at the moves and how they have come to grab millions' attention.

ajinomoto logo

Japanese manufacturer files trademark case on ‘Ajinomoto’: How did the seasoning become popular?Subscriber Only

December 9, 2022 20:26 IST

The seasoning, primarily used in Asian cooking, continues to have detractors. However, food safety agencies, such as the US FDA, have pronounced MSG safe. How did it travel the world? We explain its history.

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The unique appeal of James Cameron’s AvatarSubscriber Only

December 9, 2022 18:38 IST

Avatar did not give memorable punchlines or inspire a craze of collectables and theme parks, but it remains one of the highest-grossing Hollywood films. With Avatar: Way of Water set for release, here's a look at the beauty of Cameron's world.

Goblin Mode, What is Goblin Mode, Goblin Mode meaning, Oxford Word of the Year, metaverse, express explained, current affairs

‘Goblin Mode’ is Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2022. What does it mean?Subscriber Only

December 6, 2022 17:55 IST

Chosen by public vote, the “slang term” means “a type of behaviour which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations”.

BR Ambedkar, Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Mahaparinirwan Diwas, Ambedkar on religion, ambedkar on marxism, express explained, indian express

Mahaparinirvan Diwas: What Ambedkar said about Buddhism ‘being better than Marxism’Subscriber Only

December 6, 2024 21:00 IST

In an essay, written in his lucid and methodical style, Ambedkar has compared Buddhism with Marxism, listing out their similarities and differences. Here is a summary of his arguments.

Dominique Lapierre at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive his Padma Bhshuan in 2008 (File).

Dominique Lapierre and his deep bond with IndiaSubscriber Only

December 6, 2022 01:49 IST

The acclaimed French writer and Padma Bhushan awardee passed away on December 4. He was the author of the bestselling Freedom at Midnight and City of Joy, as well as an investigative account of the Bhopal gas tragedy

Baguettes in a basket are pictured.

Baguette makes it to UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list: What is it, why it’s significant in France?Subscriber Only

December 2, 2022 09:47 IST

What is intangible cultural heritage? What are some Indian items and practices on the UNESCO list? We explain.

According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is “a form of manipulation where targets are urged to doubt their memories, beliefs, feelings, or sanity.” (Representational/Thinkstock)

Gaslighting: All you need to know about Merriam-Webster’s word of the yearSubscriber Only

December 1, 2022 21:23 IST

Merriam-Webster dictionary said gaslighting saw a '1740% increase in lookups, with high interest throughout the year'. What is the origin of the word and in what contexts is it used?

Lapid at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, on Monday evening called Vivek Agnihotri-directed The Kashmir Files (2022) a “propaganda, vulgar movie”. (File)

Nadav Lapid’s work always raised questions, but who are the other international panelists on IFFI Jury 2022?Subscriber Only

November 30, 2022 08:48 IST

Though Israeli filmmaker Lapid's criticism of The Kashmir Files at the IFFI’s closing ceremony opened the proverbial Pandora’s Box, the 47-year-old is known as one of the outspoken contemporary artistes of international cinema. Here’s a look at him and the others

Earlier this month, pictures of a bus stop in Mysuru went viral on account of its distinctive domed look. (Pratap Simha/ Twitter screen grab)

Three domes and the controversy around the ‘mosque-like’ bus stop in MysuruSubscriber Only

November 28, 2022 16:50 IST

After BJP MP Simha said the three domes atop the bus stop were making it look “mosque-like”, two of them have been removed. Do domes feature only in mosques, and do all mosques have them? Take a look.

The new book contains Dylan’s commentary on 66 songs.

Something wasn’t right with Dylan’s signature on a new $600 limited-edition book. The publisher has said sorrySubscriber Only

November 26, 2022 07:22 IST

The Philosophy of Modern Song is Dylan’s first book after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. Published on November 1, 2022, this book contains Dylan’s commentary on 66 songs by a wide range of artists.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is seen wearing the OneLove armband during the Germany Japan match. (Photo: Reuters)

OneLove protests at FIFA World Cup: How the armband was born, its Nelson Mandela linkSubscriber Only

November 25, 2022 11:01 IST

As the FIFA World Cup fever takes over, the OneLove armband has come under the spotlight, igniting debate around LGBTQ+ rights.

A statue of Lachit Borphukan and his army. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The heroism of Lachit Borphukan, legendary Ahom general and proud symbol of Assamese self-identitySubscriber Only

November 24, 2022 10:53 IST

Who was Lachit Borphukon, and why is he significant in the narrative of Assamese nationalism?

The red cap is associated in France with liberty. It is also an international symbol of liberty present in many emblems in North and South America. (Photo via Twitter.com/Paris2024)

History of the red cap of liberty, which inspired the 2024 Paris Olympics mascots, Les PhrygesSubscriber Only

November 23, 2022 11:19 IST

The limp, brimless red cap, known as the Phrygian cap, was worn by the common people of France. In the country, headdress became a matter of importance in asserting political identity and loyalty during the French Revolution.

netflix murder in a courtroom

Netflix’s ‘Murder in a Courtroom’: The story of criminal Akku Yadav and the women of Kasturba NagarSubscriber Only

November 20, 2022 19:20 IST

In the real-life 2004 incident that inspired the series, people in a Nagpur slum – mostly Dalit women – killed a criminal in the courtroom.

Baliyatra in Odisha

Baliyatra: Celebrating Odisha’s ancient links with Indonesia and Southeast AsiaSubscriber Only

November 18, 2022 21:44 IST

During the G20 Summit, PM Modi mentioned Baliyatra, literally ‘voyage to Bali’, one of the country’s largest open-air fairs that commemorates the 2,000-year-old maritime and cultural links between ancient Kalinga and Southeast Asia.

MrBeast, run by Jimmy Donaldson, has 112 million subscribers on YouTube.

MrBeast is now the most followed on YouTube. What’s the secret to his success?Subscriber Only

November 17, 2022 15:29 IST

MrBeast has beaten PewDiePie to become the most followed individual on YouTube. Who's behind this immensely popular YouTube channel? How did MrBeast rise to fame?

Kasi Viswanathar Temple.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam begins Thursday: What is the ancient connect between Kashi and the Tamil land?Subscriber Only

November 21, 2022 14:39 IST

Besides the Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi, there are hundreds of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu that bear the name of Kashi. We explain the link.

President Droupadi Murmu with the statue of the bust of tribal leader Birsa Munda.

Birth anniversary of Birsa Munda: The leader, his contributionsSubscriber Only

November 15, 2022 18:17 IST

What was the role Birsa Munda played in fighting for tribal rights, and why is he remembered as an iconic tribal leader? We explain.

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