Celebrating Iconic Rain Songs in the Month of Shravan
Raining Romance As the month of Shravan (Sawan) ushers in the monsoon’s magic, India comes alive with the rhythmic patter of raindrops and the lush greenery that blankets the landscape. In Bollywood, the rainy season has long been a muse, inspiring some of the most unforgettable songs that capture love, longing, and the sheer joy […]
“…And Pran : A Legend Beyond Good and Evil”
Remembering the Gentleman Villain of Indian Cinema on His 13th Death Anniversary From Lahore to Bombay, from feared villain to beloved character actor, Pran’s cinematic journey mirrored the transformation of Indian cinema itself. A Legend Beyond Good and Evil On July 12, 2013, Indian cinema lost one of its most iconic performers — Pran Krishan […]
From Emergency to Kakistocracy: Why Shashi Tharoor’s Half-Truths Serve the BJP’s Agenda
By glossing over the present ‘undeclared’ Emergency and fixating on 1975, Shashi Tharoor risks legitimising the very authoritarianism he claims to warn against. The Timing and the Intent: Who Benefits from This “Reminder”? On July 10, 2025, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor published an article in Deepika recalling the 1975 Emergency. While his observations rightly […]
ECI’s Special Intensive Revision in Bihar: A Threat to Democratic Rights?
A Controversial Electoral Overhaul On June 24, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, a move aimed at updating voter lists ahead of the state’s assembly elections scheduled for November 2025. The ECI described the exercise as essential to ensure the “integrity of the […]
A Cinematic Poet’s Centenary : Celebrating Guru Dutt’s Enduring Legacy
July 9, 2025, marks the 100th birth anniversary of Guru Dutt, a visionary whose films continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. This tribute honors his contributions to Indian cinema, reflecting on his life, artistry, and timeless masterpieces. The Making of a Legend Born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone on July 9, 1925, in Padukone, Karnataka, Guru […]
The Importance of Being Zohran Mamdani: A Progressive Trailblazer
Reshaping New York and Beyond At just 33 years old, Zohran Kwame Mamdani has emerged as a political phenomenon, capturing the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in a stunning upset in June 2025. A democratic socialist with roots in Uganda and India, Mamdani’s rise from a New York State Assembly member to the […]
A Timeless Legacy: Honouring Dilip Kumar on His Fourth Death Anniversary
July 7, 2025, marks the fourth anniversary of the passing of Dilip Kumar, India’s Koh-i-Noor, whose contributions to Indian cinema remain unparalleled. This tribute celebrates the life, artistry, and enduring impact of the Shahenshah-e-Adakari (The emperor of acting) The Birth of a Legend Born Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), […]
Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb in Muharram: The Legacy of Channu Lal Dilgeer’s Marsiyas
As the Islamic world observes Ashura on July 6, 2025, the 10th day of Muharram, the solemn remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala resonates deeply in Lucknow, a city synonymous with the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb—a cultural synthesis of Hindu and Muslim traditions. At the heart of this syncretic heritage stands Munshi Channu Lal […]
Language, Politics, and Identity in a Multilingual World
How language shapes political inclusion, exclusion, governance, and resistance—from India’s federalism to global conflicts. Language as a Tool of Power and Identity Language is far more than a tool for communication; it is a mechanism of power, a carrier of identity, and a political battleground. In legislative halls, election rallies, protests, and digital campaigns, language […]
The Erasure of Medieval Indian History: A Dangerous Rewrite of the Past
In a shocking move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has virtually erased 600 years of Medieval Indian history (1200–1800 AD) from the syllabus of the UGC NET examinations. This follows a disturbing trend, with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) previously removing the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire from Class 7 textbooks, […]
