Arts & Culture Archives

Core Values of Democracy Under Threat: Analysis of the Sanction of Prosecution Against Author Arundhati Roy Under UAPA in 2010 Case

Srishti Sarraf08/12/2024037 views

Arundhati Roy, a renowned author, awardee of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction (1998) for her outstanding debut novel The God of Small Things and the one who was awarded the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award in 2002, the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004, and the Sahitya Akademi Award from the Indian Academy of Letters in 2006 in recognition of her outspoken advocacy of human rights is in news these days as she is to face the prosecution under Section 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) for allegedly delivering ‘provocative speeches in public’ in connection with a 2010 case. Here is a brief account of the controversy and its overall effect on the democratic values of the nation.

Bharat Mata : Not An Idea Supported By The Constitution

Avani Bansal08/12/2024033 views

The Constitution of India doesn’t provide for a gender for ‘Bharat’. The very first Article of the Indian Constitution states that ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States’ (Article 1). So why not let ‘Bharat’, just be ‘Bharat’, one which as per the Preamble – we, the people of India (‘all’ the people of India), have given to ‘ourselves’? Why add the suffix ‘Mata’, and does this add any value to our understanding or how we relate to our Nation?

Kaali Kaali Aankhein

Guest Author08/12/2024038 views

Cinema has been one of the primary factors of what constitutes Indian culture for time immemorial. It’s one of the most beautiful forms of artistic expression and has remained consistent defining how to lead the ideal life, no short of the Indian dream. Whether it is the Karan Johar cinematic universe with designer clothing or the Sanjay Leela Bhansali architecture, separating fictitious beauty and fantasy from reality is often an alienated concept to the dreamy glints of the audience’s eyes but the magic starts to fade when we realize that cinema has been a breeding ground for plagues such as sexual objectification and harassment

The Big Fat Indian Wedding

Guest Author08/12/2024046 views

From a young age, women all over the world are embedded with the idea that true happiness for them, and the highest form of pride for their families, can only be achieved in one way- by getting married. With the cultural change, even in more educationally developed households, marriage is usually seen as an indisposable concept regardless of the individual’s wishes.

Looking at Item Songs Through a Feminist Lens

Guest Author08/12/2024025 views

The item song Oo antava Mawa is trending and has become a chartbuster. The song is a part of the Telugu movie Pushpa: The rise, based on the smuggling of red sander trees in Seshachalam Forest, Andhra Pradesh. The song’s lyrics are written by Chandra Bose, featuring the renowned south Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It has led everyone to groove to its tune.

Indian Documentary Feature on Minority Women in the running for Oscars

Guest Author08/12/2024025 views

The rousing documentary ‘Writing with Fire’ has made its way to the 94th edition of Academy Awards and deservedly so.

Village Women’s Patch Work In Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Avani Bansal08/12/2024031 views

Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan is one of the few ‘living forts’ in India, where several people who once worked for the king who ruled the palace, have built their own restaurants and hotels inside the fort, making it a tourist’s delight.

She Took Our Breath Away…..

Elsa Joel08/12/2024024 views

Born as Hema to Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, (a theatre actor and classical singer) and Shevanti in 1929, this icon we call Lata Mangeshkar started singing at the age of 5 and honed her skills under the able guidance of Aman Ali Khan Sahib and Amanat Khan, established and famous singers of that time. There’s something about a voice that’s personal, and the nightingale that just flew away had a voice that touches us in a place that’s as personal as the place from which that voice has issued. The ecstasy of surrender that she inspired even as a five year old influenced and mentored a wide generation of younger female singers.

The Iconic Contemporary Female Artist Of The Age: Bharti Kher

Guest Author08/12/2024027 views

Bharti Kher is the most recognizable name in the contemporary art world who is continuously redefining the meaning of life through her masterpieces. Her work primarily encompasses a wide array of art forms including painting, sculpture, collage, photography, and installation, often incorporating found materials, using them to transform objects and dissolve the distinction between two and three dimensions. Her use of found objects is informed by her position as an artist located between geographic and social milieus.

The Beauty, The Beast & The Unforgivable

Guest Author08/12/2024023 views

Superfluously this might look like an ‘I love Sandra Bullock’ post (which I do, she is such an incredible actor) but truly this post is about appreciating all women who are comfortable in their (flawed) skin. The recent Netflix release starring Bullock has received mixed reviews but for me what gets 5 stars is her sheer guts in shedding every inch of make-up to bare her raw self. Way to go girl!!