Stories written by
Malini Nair
Malini Nair is a regular Scroll.in contributor
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By mixing Carnatic and Hindustani, Mysore’s kings helped create a unique body of music
The Mysore court was once a melting pot of forms and genres, from which emerged a niche repertory for the veena that is scarcely known and rarely performed.
Malini Nair
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Hindustani stalwart Amarnath’s path to musical glory ran through the carnage of the Partition
A new biography shines some light on the unusual life and art of one of the most admirable musicians of the 20th century.
Malini Nair
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A British woman fused Hindustani and Western music in the 18th century – with the help of courtesans
Sophia Plowden reworked short musical compositions, such as Punjabi tappas, ghazals and raginis, in the western idiom as instrumental or sung pieces in English.
Malini Nair
Trending
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The real reason why Modi says what he does – Hindu India accepts it
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The Assam voter who no longer supports the BJP because of the CAA
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‘My son lost his job during demonetisation but at least it removed black money’
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For better or for worse? Shifts in gender norms in India – in 12 charts
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Lok Sabha polls: Ladakh MP rallies supporters after BJP drops him from candidate list
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The story of how Chhau escaped from royal palaces and became the entertainment of the common man
Emerging from mid-19th century martial training of elite fighters, Chhau had to go through a tortuous journey to become a celebratory form of entertainment.
Malini Nair
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Over 60 years, a photographer in Delhi has single-handedly archived India’s cultural history
Avinash Pasricha has patiently and diligently documented Indian dance and music from the second row of Delhi’s auditoria, come rain or shine.
Malini Nair
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In the strains of dhrupad music, Raja Rammohun Roy found a catalyst for social change
The reformer recognised that in order to build Brahmo Samaj he needed not just intellectual engagement but also music.
Malini Nair
Video
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Watch: K-Pop singer Aoora sings in Assamese as he collaborates with Nilotpal Bora in a new folk song
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Watch Anu Malik and Sonu Nigam’s impromptu performance of ‘Main Hoon Na’ at Farah Khan’s home
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Watch: Doordarshan newsreader faints on live TV in Kolkata owing to severe heat
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Watch: Spice Girls sing ‘Stop’ as bandmates reunite to celebrate Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday
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Watch: Over 350 ballerinas come together to break the world record for standing on tip toes
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The incredible rise of Ramana Balachandhran from veena prodigy to Carnatic star
Adept at wresting a refined quality of music, Ramana drew packed houses at the Chennai music season in December.
Malini Nair
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India’s first and biggest dance conclave has shed its rarified air to walk into the real world
In late December, the annual Natya Kala Conference, the most exalted platform for classical dancers, set aside tradition to engage with contemporary subjects.
Malini Nair
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In Habib Tanvir’s plays, folk music always had the starring role
Music was an inseparable part of Tanvir’s theatre and his plays are remembered as much for their songs and as for their dialogues.
Malini Nair
The Reel
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Watch: In ‘The Big Cigar’, the Black Panther founder flees America through a fake movie
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‘Dil Dosti Dilemma’ review: A feelgood entertainer about young love and old ties
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In ‘Tahader Katha’, the many partitions endured by a freedom fighter
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Watch: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ trailer
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Start the week with a film: A legend returns in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’
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To understand Indian art, BN Goswamy often turned to Indian music
While studying miniatures, the great historian always managed to find fascinating links with a hundred things that seemed to belong to disparate worlds.
Malini Nair
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A daughter is reviving the memory of an Andhra music trailblazer who was overlooked by history
Anasuya Devi made a huge contribution towards archiving Telugu folk music, but never got the recognition she deserved. Now her daughter is righting the wrong.
Malini Nair
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In Diwan Singh, an unsung instrument of Indian classical music found an unsung champion
Singh went to Delhi to become a domestic worker but somehow became a sought-after tanpuriya. He is among the last few who haven’t abandoned the manual tanpura.
Malini Nair
The Field
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Archery, World Cup Stage I: Men’s recurve team reach final; Priyansh, Vennam in compound semis
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Watch, highlights ISL 2023-24: Mumbai City win dramatic semi-final first leg against FC Goa
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Athletics, Asian U20 C’ships: India clinch medals in men’s javelin, discus and 1500m on opening day
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Boundaries and impact: The imbalance in IPL 2024 shows it is not a good time to be a bowler
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IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals hold their nerve to beat Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring thriller