Category History

Why is it called motichoor laddu?

Yesterday, a visit to a sweet shop during Deepavali set me thinking about one particular sweet. Among the many varieties on display, motichoor laddu seemed to attract an unusual number of customers. Curious about its popularity, I decided to explore…

Why is social discrimination called stigma?

The word stigma refers to a mark of shame, disgrace or social disapproval associated with a person, group or condition. Interestingly, its original meaning was quite literal: a physical mark made on a person’s body. The word originates from the…

The man who owned little, but stood tall

October 2 is remembered for Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. It is also the birth anniversary of another remarkable Indian whose life reflected many of Gandhi’s ideals: Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai (now Deen Dayal Upadhyaya…

The pigeons that became an obsession

Walk through the older parts of Hyderabad, and you may hear the flutter of wings before you notice the pigeons. They gather around mosques, dargahs, parks, bridges and old neighborhoods, sometimes in astonishing numbers. Dedicated kabutar khanas, or pigeon houses,…

M S Blue saree

MS Blue: the saree that became an icon

September 16 marks the birth anniversary of M.S. Subbulakshmi (1916), one of India’s most celebrated Carnatic vocalists. Her music carried Carnatic tradition to audiences across India and the world, while her distinctive stage presence became equally memorable. The sari, flowers,…

idol of clay Ganesha

In search of Ganesha beyond the celebration

There was a time when Ganesh Chaturthi carried a bigger purpose that went well beyond the rituals of the day. In the late 19th century, India was under oppressive British rule. Political meetings were watched, public gatherings faced restrictions and…