A Sunday at Chandni Chowk

A paradise for foodies, shoppers and heritage lovers – walking through the walled city’s redeveloped grand road is like opening a treasure box   The redevelopment of Chandni Chowk is the talk of the town. That is reason enough to visit this chaotic, mesmerizing bazaar in the walled city. But, the crowd, heat and dust […]

‘Accept us as we are’: Muslim girls from Delhi open up about the Hijab row

At Shaheen Bagh, a few women have come out in solidarity with those who prefer to drape themselves in hijab or burqa while stepping out of the house The hijab controversy in Udupi, Karnataka, is finding an echo at Shaheen Bagh – once notorious for the anti-CAA protests. Women are coming out at the protest […]

“You can’t differentiate art”: Shailesh BR

Juggling with the diversity of art and complexity of machines, Shailesh BR creates artworks appealing to all generations by connecting everyday activities with philosophical concepts in layman terms Creating art that portrays day-to-day life by connecting the inner and outer world, artist Shailesh BR captures the audience with his eccentric artworks. He connects his observations, […]

Revenge tourism at its best as heritage walks return

Delhi-ites are rediscovering their heritage and enjoying being outdoors, stomping out the tedium of lockdowns

Spring arrives at Nizamuddin

The Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Sharif in South Delhi has had a tradition of celebrating Basant Panchmi dating back to five centuries or more. This year, the festival was celebrated on 5 February with limited capacity following Covid protocols.  A view of the well-lit dargah The story around why this particular festival found its way in […]

Fixing a date not easy

What do young women think about the proposed increase in the legal age of marriage of women to 21 as per the Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2021? While it may allow them more time to find their feet in the world, it will cause certain anomalies. 

Our ‘Krishna’ among the gopis

Dancer, guru and multifaceted legend Pt Birju Maharaj (1937–2022) leaves an irreplaceable void in Delhi’s dance circles and the country rich tapestry.  Earlier this week, the Kathak world mourned the loss of one of its greatest icons – Pandit Birju Maharaj. He died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of 17 January, surrounded […]

What if Rahi Masoom Raza’s character Topi Shukla died by suicide in 2021

Rahi Masoom Raza’s novel Topi Shukla is a tragic story of a man, representing a secular Indian imagination, who doesn’t compromise on his ideals. His life was a dark comedy of our time “What is it, brother or sister?” an old lady servant asks. Six year old Topi Shukla curiously retorts, “why can’t it be […]