EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 5

The temple is designed by architect Vishal Vijaykumar Patil. (Express Photo)

7 things you need to know about the new Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj temple in MaharashtraSubscriber Only

March 19, 2025 17:30 IST

Here’s all you need to know about the first temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra.

How to make the perfect Butter Chicken at homeSubscriber Only

March 16, 2025 15:39 IST

Butter chicken is seen as a restaurant dish, one that is difficult to reproduce at home. But follow these tricks, and your homemade butter chicken will be just as good as the one you buy from your favourite restaurant

How Holi brings colour to the lives of the widows of VrindavanSubscriber Only

March 14, 2025 18:53 IST

Shackled by custom and stuck in penury, thousands of Hindu widows live a life of austerity in the holy city of Vrindavan. The festival of Holi brings some colour, although fleeting, to their lives

Why Holika Dahan, Holi are celebrated: The reasons, beyond the legend of Prahlad and HolikaSubscriber Only

March 16, 2025 15:40 IST

Holi and Lord Krishna Connection Explained: How is Holi linked to Lord Krishna and Kamadeva? What does playing with colours tell us about ancient India? We explain.

When Mannat was Villa Vienna: The story of SRK’s home and other heritage bungalows of Bandra BandstandSubscriber Only

March 7, 2025 19:33 IST

While SRK's Mannat is a landmark, many other heritage mansions lining Bandra Bandstand have been replaced by modern buildings. We take a look at Bandra's grand past, and its ever-changing present.

An Oscar statue stands as Hollywood Boulevard continues to be transformed into the red carpet arrival area for the 97th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 28, 2025. (REUTERS)

Recalling stories behind the Academy Awards’ name, $1 resale value of Oscar statuette and moreSubscriber Only

March 2, 2025 20:39 IST

How did the nickname 'Oscars' come about for the Academy Awards? Why is there a 45-second limit for acceptance speeches? And why are the names of the Oscar winners sealed in envelopes?

The animated solarpunk film Dear Alice features sprawling green farms operated with high-tech devices like artificial precipitation, robotic fruit plucking devices, solar panels and flying buses, run by a closely-knit, diverse community of people and robots alike. (YouTube/The Line, "Dear Alice")

What to know about Solarpunk, the literary movement that seeks a sustainable way forwardSubscriber Only

March 1, 2025 15:59 IST

Solarpunk has emerged in some circles as a viable counterpart to the dystopian world of cyberpunk, presenting the idea that a peaceful, harmonious society may well be within reach.

Even before the third season of the show began filming, there was a marked surge in interest in Thailand’s second-largest island. The new season of The White Lotus also features Thai rapper Lisa, a member of the internationally successful K-pop group Blackpink.

‘The White Lotus’ effect reaches Thailand’s Koh Samui: What is ‘set-jetting’?Subscriber Only

February 28, 2025 08:28 IST

While the pull of iconic film locations has shaped travel itineraries for years, Expedia in 2022 officially termed the travel behaviour “set-jetting”. The term is a play on “jet-setting”, referring to the tendency of wealthy people to travel for leisure.

Maha Shivratri: A look at why it is celebrated, from the social to the spiritual, from Kashmir to Tamil NaduSubscriber Only

February 27, 2025 13:31 IST

While Maha Shivratri literally translates to 'the great night of Shiva', many beliefs are prevalent about why it is celebrated. Also, behind the literal stories lies deeper spiritual significance. We explain.

'Chhava', starring Vicky Kaushal, released on Feb

With the success of ‘Chhava’, a look at 5 notable Indian films inspired by historySubscriber Only

February 25, 2025 17:49 IST

In the last decade there has been a rise in films based on historical figures and incidents, often nationalistic in their tone. But Indian film industries have long made movies with a basis in history. Here is a look at prominent examples, and what they say about the genre’s evolution.

The faithful watch as Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with the Qaraqosh community inside the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Qaraqosh, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Pope Francis ailing: How will a new Pope be chosen?Subscriber Only

February 27, 2025 11:37 IST

Given Pope Francis' declining health, speculation is rife about electing his successor. We explain how a new pope would be elected.

Daniel Craig (centre) is the latest actor to have played the role of James Bond in film.

How James Bond films’ creative control went to Amazon, what this meansSubscriber Only

February 22, 2025 00:53 IST

For the first time since the release of the first James Bond film in 1962, the film series’ creative direction will change hands. What led up to it and how could it impact the iconic franchise?

Govt slashes tariff on bourbon: All you need to know about the American spiritSubscriber Only

February 15, 2025 20:34 IST

Bourbon’s origin can be traced to the American South. It is a barrel-aged whiskey made primarily of corn

Valentine’s Day: What’s behind the enduring cultural appeal of romance novels?Subscriber Only

February 16, 2025 13:12 IST

In popular culture, romance novels have been setting the standard for romantic relationships since their inception. What explains the appeal of the genre?

The Preamble (middle) features intricate patterns sketched by Beohar Rammanohar Sinha. Part III of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights (left) has an illustration from the Ramayana, while the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV (right), the artists turned to the Mahabharata.

Row over 22 illustrations in Constitution: A look at the art, the artists, and the messageSubscriber Only

February 11, 2025 17:29 IST

These 22 hand-painted images in the Constitution include scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, pictures of Ram, Mahatma Gandhi, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Nehru was also supposed to be included, but was eventually omitted. All you need to know

Beyonce’s 'Cowboy Carter' was recognised as Album of the Year last week at the Grammy, but her tryst with the award category began when she was nominated for her 2008 album, 'I Am… Sasha Fierce'.

Explained: How Beyonce’s Grammy win follows years of Black artists criticising the awardsSubscriber Only

February 10, 2025 08:24 IST

Despite having the most Grammy wins in history, Beyonce has long been considered “snubbed” by the awards. But the larger issue is not limited to her.

Who was the Aga Khan IV? And who are the Nizari Ismailis, the community he led?Subscriber Only

February 6, 2025 11:56 IST

The Aga Khan IV passed away in Lisbon on Tuesday. He will be remembered by many as the ‘Imam of the Atomic Age’. Indians are most familiar with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which has restored Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb and the surrounding area.

The design of the white unglazed porcelain ashtray was based on a 1937 Dali canvas titled Swans Reflecting Elephants, featuring a “double image” meant to create visual illusions.

Why did Air India gift the surrealist painter Salvador Dali a baby elephant?Subscriber Only

February 5, 2025 17:14 IST

It all began with a chance 1967 meeting between Air India’s then public relations officer Jot Singh and Dali in a New York hotel. Singh requested the surrealist create limited-edition souvenirs. Here is what happened next

Workers prepare ladi pav at the New Edward Bakery, Fort in Mumbai.

Story of Mumbai’s humble ‘ladi pav’, and why its price may soon go upSubscriber Only

February 5, 2025 05:26 IST

The ladi pav came to India with the Portuguese in the 16th century, when they established a colony in Goa. “Pão” in Portuguese means “bread”.

Grammy, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter

Grammy win for Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan: How the Gen Z stars brought zing back to popSubscriber Only

February 3, 2025 17:37 IST

Both Roan and Carpenter have managed to deliver solidly drafted songs with great hooks at a time when getting the right mix has become increasingly hard. Here are their stories.

Chinese New Year celebrations in Kolkata

How does the Chinese calendar work? What are some traditions associated with Chinese New Year?Subscriber Only

January 30, 2025 16:49 IST

The Chinese use a lunisolar calendar that combines lunar and solar calendars to indicate both the phase of the Moon and the position of the Sun in the sky

Muhammad Iqbal or Allama Iqbal seen resting on a chair in a photograph by Lady Ottoline Morrell, 1935

‘Saare Jahan se Achha’ plays at Beating Retreat: The story of Allama Iqbal who wrote the songSubscriber Only

January 31, 2025 09:39 IST

Allama Iqbal who wrote the Tarana-e-Hindi, better known as ‘Saare Jahan se Achha’, is regarded today as the ideological father of Pakistan. In recent years, the recitation of some of his poems has attracted controversy.

‘Chhava’ controversy: Why some have objected to film on Chhatrapati Sambhaji MaharajSubscriber Only

January 28, 2025 12:50 IST

Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, a descendant of the Maratha king, questioned the cinematic liberty taken by the filmmakers in one scene of the upcoming film.

Padma Bhushan awardees Anant Nag, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Ajith and Shobana.

Ajith, Balakrishna, Shobana and Anant Nag: The 4 South filmstars awarded Padma Bhushan this yearSubscriber Only

January 27, 2025 13:45 IST

The Padma Bhushan is awarded for “distinguished service of high order”. The four awardees from the film world this year are regarded as icons in their field. We take a look at their careers and achievements.

The Kaaba located at the Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia). This photo was taken during the 2018 Hajj Season. (Wikimedia Commons)

Explained: The story of the Kiswah, sacred cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba in MeccaSubscriber Only

January 25, 2025 11:55 IST

For the first time, the full Kiswah will be displayed outside Mecca. It will be the central element of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 that begins in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 25

Afghanistans Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attends a press conference in New Delhi, India October 12, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

‘Technical issue’: Afghanistan Minister plays down ‘no-women’ press meet

India33 min ago

Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has described the exclusion of women journalists from his Friday press conference in New Delhi as “more a technical issue and no other problems,” amid ongoing criticism over the incident. The Taliban leader, who is on a week-long visit to India, faced backlash after his initial press meet reportedly barred women journalists.

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