CULTURE CURRY

The Lakshman Rekha we quote every day isn't in Valmiki's text. So how faithful is Ramayana: Part 1? A scene-by-scene comparison with the original epic.

We clean every corner of the house before Diwali. Nobody cleans the phone. A numbers-first look at the infinite scroll and how to step out of it.

The story goes that the KGB caught Western spies by singing 'Jimmy Jimmy' at them. The legend is almost certainly untrue. What it reveals about Disco Dancer is not.

Raw fashion, soft technology, live drums in echoing rooms. A case for primitive futurism, the idea that the way forward starts at our roots.

Maharashtra's Marathi film festival will hand its entire proceeds to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for drought-affected farmers, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has announced.

As Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana prepare to bring two ancient epics to cinema, their competing visions of heroism reveal an enduring philosophical question: What separates the man who wishes to become a god from the man who becomes worthy of worship? There is something rather extraordinary about the fact that, in 2026, two of the world’s oldest surviving epic traditions are preparing to occupy the most technologically sophisticated screens huma

The second edition of Chitrapataka brings Marathi cinema, conversations, seminars and masterclasses to Prabhadevi from 15 to 18 November.

About 7 in 10 voters under 30 backed Democratic House candidates, per the AP Voter Poll. But was it really Gen Z? The data is more interesting than the headline.

Bharat Art Conclave invites classical dancers, musicians and theatre groups to perform at Russian House, New Delhi, from 13 to 22 November.

A cult movie isn't a hit. It's a film a small group of people refused to let die. What makes a cult classic, with Indian and global examples.

The creator economy has mastered the art of looking expensive. Somewhere along the way, it may have forgotten how to be interesting.

'Lavkarach', coming soon. Dadar's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park Art Festival has teased its return. Here is what to expect from one of Mumbai's biggest public art events.

A book celebrating 100 years of Marathi cartoonists brought Maharashtra's Chief Minister and the Thackeray brothers to one stage in Dadar.

Permission denied, then granted. 2,000 guards. A six-hour show. Diljit Dosanjh's Delhi concert is finally happening tonight. Here's everything you need to know.

Shared rents, heartbreaks and big Bollywood dreams. Ekjute Theatre Group brings Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan to Rangshila Theatre this Saturday.

Kurtas, sarees, jhumkas and nine hours of desi beats. HyLo's Raya's Roof Diwali Party takes over Mumbai on 7 November. The line-up drops soon.

Ghar-wali warmth meets party-wali scenes. Maushi's Dilwali Diwali takes over The Daily All Day in Pune on 6 November. Here's how to get in.

New venue, same jazz soul. The Bombay Jazz Club takes over The Hedonist at Fairmont Mumbai this Friday with Sonia Saigal and Chris Fonceca.

Nostalgic Marathi melodies, Hindi favourites and a room full of strangers singing along. Hyderabad's Marathi jamming night lands at PUP on 1 November.

"Mysuru, once felt nice, let's do it twice." Danish Sait is taking Bengaluru Boy back to Mysuru. Here's what to know about the show and the tour.

Poets, rappers, dancers, folk performers and visual artists in Jaipur: The Rebel Crowd wants you in its travelling cultural network. Here's what it's about.

From Patna to a joint family in Worli to founding Meghashrey, philanthropist Seema Singh opens up on Akanksha Aggarwal's podcast Unfolding Humans.

Brain rot. Guilty pleasure. 3am rabbit hole. Why does fan-fiction get talked about like a vice when it has produced bestsellers and an entire generation of writers?

Kuch toh gadbad hai. BP Singh, the producer-director who created CID and Aahat, has died at 77. A tribute to the man who taught India to love a mystery.

Everyone's maxxing something. Here's the definitive guide to maxxing your way to rock bottom, with a small escape hatch at the end of each step.

Marks, ranks, degrees. None of them measured the five things that have actually helped me most. Here's my list.

Every brand was told to tell its story. Everyone did. Now the ones that stick are building worlds and filling them with lore.

Adult-only households bought 55% of US toys in the first half of 2026. Blind boxes, Lego, trading cards. Here's why grown-ups are playing again.

An afternoon among Mumbai's literati offered stimulating conversations, an unexpectedly delightful encounter with an Irish author, and some uncomfortable questions about artificial intelligence, inherited privilege, and the cultural establishment's commitment to inclusivity. There is something reassuring about seeing Mumbai turn out for literature. On Sunday, October 25th, I attended the final day of Godrej Literature Live, The Mumbai LitFest 2026, held at the National Centre

Before Marvel put Small Wonder back on our screens, India had its own robot girl. Here's what happened to the cast of Karishma Kaa Karishma.