Journalism of Courage
EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 20
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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 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.
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.
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.
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’ 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”.
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 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
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.
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?
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
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.
Something wasn’t right with Dylan’s signature on a new $600 limited-edition book. The publisher has said sorry
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.
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.
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?
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’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.
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