EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 19

Owen M. Lynch, at his home near Columbia University in New York, after one of his dinner parties, for which he was well-known. (Photo courtesy of Doranne Jacobson/as.nyu.edu)

Owen M Lynch: On his birth anniversary, a look at his seminal work on caste in IndiaSubscriber Only

January 7, 2023 16:47 IST

How did the American anthropologist Lynch conduct his research on the oppressed castes in India? What were some of his findings, and why are they important? We explain.

Saffron & Hinduism: How the colour of purity and renunciation has come to be associated with the politics of HindutvaSubscriber Only

January 8, 2023 10:56 IST

As the 'Besharam Rang' controversy continues and a Congress leader comments on Yogi Adityanath’s saffron robes, a look at the enduring significance of Bhagwa in the Hindu religion and culture.

The statue of a polo player astride a Manipur Pony in Imphal. (Twitter/@AmitShah)

Sagol Kangjei: The ancient polo of Manipur, played on the celebrated Manipur PonySubscriber Only

January 6, 2023 19:12 IST

Amit Shah inaugurated a giant equestrian statue of a player, but experts and conservationists believe concerted efforts to save the habitat of the Manipur Pony are required much more.

Who was Fay Weldon: Prolific writer, a feminist of conviction and nuanceSubscriber Only

January 6, 2023 12:38 IST

Her most celebrated novel, ‘The Life and Loves of a She-Devil’, dealt with an unattractive woman who tried to take revenge on her adulterous husband and his lover. The novel was adapted into a Hollywood film and a Tamil film, titled ‘Sathi Leelavathi’, starring Kamal Haasan.

Poster of My neighbour Totoro, a photo of Miyazaki, and poster of Spirited Away.

The legacy of Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest animation filmmakers of all timeSubscriber Only

January 6, 2023 07:34 IST

On his birthday, we recall the veteran animator and director who co-founded Studio Ghibli, an animation studio that has become synonymous with gentle, aesthetically-pleasing visuals, many of which are meticulously hand-drawn by Miyazaki himself.

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, who are playing the title roles in Franco Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet," place flowers on the "Tomba di Giulietta", or the Tomb of Juliet, in Verona, northern Italy, on Oct. 22, 1968. (AP Photo/File)

Why ‘Romeo and Juliet’ actors have sued Paramount over a nude scene, 55 years after movie’s releaseSubscriber Only

January 5, 2023 07:20 IST

Why have the actors, Olivia Hussey (71) and Leonard Whiting (72), alleged fraud and sexual abuse? Why have they filed the case more than five decades after the Oscar-winning film's release? We explain.

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act regulates the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites of national importance. ASI functions under this Act. (File)

50 ASI-protected monuments disappear: How did they go ‘missing’, what happens nextSubscriber Only

January 5, 2023 07:03 IST

The Ministry of Culture recently told Parliament that 50 of India’s 3,693 centrally protected monuments were missing. Have they disappeared? What issues is the ASI facing? We explain.

On her 192nd birth anniversary, a look at the life of Savitribai Phule, India’s first woman teacherSubscriber Only

January 3, 2023 21:45 IST

We recall the legacy of Savitribai Phule, who along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, helped pioneer the education of women and backward caste communities in India.

With Andrew Tate’s arrest, a look at the ‘manosphere’ he inhabitedSubscriber Only

January 3, 2023 07:28 IST

Manosphere is an online network of blogs, websites, forums and content creators, where men not only talk about fitness, health and dating but also propagate anti-feminist and anti-women ideologies.

Why do we make New Year resolutions, and fail to keep them?Subscriber Only

January 3, 2023 14:44 IST

While the concept may seem like a new-age fad, many sources point to the Babylonian people, who belonged to present-day Iraq, for getting on the trend quite early on. From then to the present day, why do we fail at new year's resolutions?

From pan-Indian films to OTT darlings: What was happening in Indian cinema in 2022Subscriber Only

January 2, 2023 07:23 IST

2022 saw a lot of change in Indian cinema: audiences returned to theatres, Bollywood seemed stuck with bad writing, and the Kannada film industry gave everyone else a run for their money. Might these spill over into 2023? We take a look.

Greta Thunberg-Andrew Tate row: What is ‘small dick energy’Subscriber Only

January 3, 2023 13:56 IST

What is the concept of 'small dick energy'? How did the term gain popularity, and how does it question toxic masculinity? What are some of its criticisms? We explain.

Proposal to rename Ahmednagar to Ahilyadevi Nagar: A look at Malik Ahmed and Ahilyabai HolkarSubscriber Only

December 30, 2022 15:44 IST

Queen Ahilyabai Holkar was described as "a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime" by Jawaharlal Nehru in 'A Discovery of India'.

Stan Lee standing next to a Spiderman poster

Stan Lee’s 100th birth anniversary: The Marvel of his impact on popular cultureSubscriber Only

December 29, 2022 15:45 IST

As we celebrate Stan Lee’s birth centenary, a look at his pervasive influence on the entertainment we enjoy and consume today.

Ratnagiri’s pre-historic rock art: Why a proposed oil refinery has experts worriedSubscriber Only

December 27, 2022 19:53 IST

Clusters of geoglyphs are spread across the Konkan coastline in Maharashtra and Goa, spanning around 900 km. Here is why they are important.

Devotees at the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib. (Express)

Veer Bal Diwas: A look at the bravery and sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, aged 7 and 9Subscriber Only

December 27, 2022 19:50 IST

Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7) were killed in 1704, in events sparked by the attack on Anandpur Sahib by the armies of the Mughals and the hill kings of present-day Himachal Pradesh

South African players sing their national anthem ahead of play in the Boxing Day test match between South Africa and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (AP Photo)

What is Boxing Day, and why is it marked on the day after Christmas?Subscriber Only

December 27, 2022 07:51 IST

We explain how ‘boxing day’ is believed to have come into being, what its importance is, and why sporting events are scheduled on this day.

Posters of films Home Alone starring McCaulay McCulkin (L) and Love Actually (R). (Source: family.20thcenturystudios.com/Wikipedia)

How hope, redemption and a bit of magic remain ‘Christmas film’ staplesSubscriber Only

December 25, 2022 21:30 IST

A Christmas film is an umbrella term that can include the tough action thriller Die Hard, slapstick comedies like Home Alone, and the feel-good Love Actually. So what makes for quintessential Christmas watching?

A card illustration showing people celebrating, and a banner reading 'A merry christmas and a happy new year to you'.

How a UK official with too many letters to write came up with the first Christmas cardSubscriber Only

December 28, 2022 10:53 IST

Here's the story of how the first Christmas card was sent in the UK, and how the industry grew and evolved.

Plum cake, history of Plum cakes, christmas Plum cake, christmas traditions, express explained, indian express

How a cake without plums came to be called ‘plum cake’, and how it became the ultimate Christmas treat in IndiaSubscriber Only

December 26, 2022 13:15 IST

We take a quick look at the history of the plum cake in India, and its different avatars.

merry christmas, why do we say merry christmas, history of christmas greetings, war on christmas, express explained, indian express

This Quote Means: ‘Merry Christmas’Subscriber Only

December 26, 2022 09:11 IST

Why is 'Merry Christmas' such a common Christmas greeting? Why does the UK wish a 'Happy Christmas'? Here is a short history of the greeting.

One of the two Kirti Torans, or the identical gates , with intricate carvings.

The history of Gujarat’s Vadnagar, included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sitesSubscriber Only

December 22, 2022 11:40 IST

Vadnagar can be compared to the historic living cities of Mathura, Ujjain and Varanasi as cities inhabited since the early historic period and in the modern day. What is the process for inclusion in the UNESCO list and what is Vadnagar's status? We explain.

(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.

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