From Kashmir to Telangana, environmental degradation is destroying Indian craft traditions

An exhibition at the Piramal Museum of Art in Mumbai examines the deep connection between the two.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Aug 18, 2017 · 03:30 pm

From Dnyaneshwari to Dalit rock: The evolution of Maharashtra’s revolutionary music

Maharashtra’s protest music may have taken a Western turn today, but its folk roots go as far back as the 13th century CE.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Aug 02, 2017 · 11:30 am

‘The mythology of one god is what we call religion’: Devdutt Pattanaik

The interpreter of mythology explains the importance of pluralism and diversity.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Jul 22, 2017 · 05:30 pm

Who’d have thought Satyavati of the ‘Mahabharata’ was as beguiling as this as a girl?

Fun and games coexist with identity and feminist rage in the first book of the ‘Girls of the Mahabharata’ series.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Jul 16, 2017 · 08:30 am

Indians are reviving an ancient version of Snakes and Ladders, in which winning isn’t the point

History, philosophy, mysticism and life lessons – all in a span of 72 squares.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Jun 29, 2017 · 11:30 am

What happens when age takes ability out of desire? Hanif Kureishi’s new novel tells us

Hanif Kureishi’s ‘The Nothing’ is a compelling riff on impotence, suspicion and defeat

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Jun 17, 2017 · 05:30 pm

Grindmill Songs: Listen to the world’s largest archive of folk songs

These simple songs sung by rural women are precious because they are songs about all of us.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Apr 21, 2017 · 03:30 pm

In a society eager to vilify Islam, this book is both timely and necessary

Rana Safvi’s ‘Tales from the Quran and Hadith’ couldn’t have been published at a better time.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Mar 25, 2017 · 05:30 pm

Why the Portuguese told the British that Brazil was just a hop, skip and jump away from Bombay

An exhibition of woodcuts and lithographs tells the city's history in 46 prints.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Mar 21, 2017 · 03:00 pm

What happened when a medieval Urdu text was performed in a craft beer pub in Mumbai

Actor-director Danish Husain wants to re-popularise India’s traditional storytelling. Will his Qissebaazi become the city’s post-work ritual?

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Mar 01, 2017 · 11:30 am

Indian mythology is a new medium of choice for feminist narratives (and it’s working)

Reimagining women from the myths as empowered figures with agency.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Feb 05, 2017 · 08:30 am

What Greek myths have in common with Indian mythology (and why it matters)

Devdutt Pattanaik’s new book unveils convergences and spots connections.

Urmi Chanda-Vaz

· Dec 11, 2016 · 08:30 am