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EXPLAINED CULTURE NEWS - Page 5

Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’ comes to India: Behind the enduring legacy of Caravaggio, a painter & an outlawSubscriber Only

April 13, 2025 12:25 IST

The arrival of the painting in India comes after a centuries-long journey. Caravaggio is thought to have painted Magdalene in 1606, which only surfaced to the public in 2014 after lifetimes of being known through copies

'Tree Roots' by Vincent Van Gogh and the real location in France.

Van Gogh’s last work, and the legal battle over the spot in France that he paintedSubscriber Only

April 23, 2025 13:08 IST

There is a story behind how the Dutch master’s last work was identified, and another behind the place it showed. It’s been 135 years since the genius killed himself, and the battle for this piece of his memory could continue for longer.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

PM Modi at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: All about the ‘oldest living tree’, linked to an Indian princessSubscriber Only

April 7, 2025 12:26 IST

PM Modi Anuradhapura Visit: The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura is believed to have grown from a branch that an Indian princess carried to Sri Lanka. Here's the story of the tree, and why it is so significant for Buddhists.

The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana award honours Heads of State and government heads with whom Sri Lanka has cordial relations.

PM Modi awarded Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana: All about top Sri Lankan civilian honourSubscriber Only

April 6, 2025 12:31 IST

The award is Sri Lanka's highest honour to a foreigner. Only three heads of state have been awarded in the past. Here is what to know.

Sarhul, tribal festival Sarhul, tribal festivals, Jharkhand tribal festivals, Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, siram toli, Indian express explained, explained news, current affairs

In celebration of tribal festival Sarhul, link to communities’ history, politicsSubscriber Only

April 2, 2025 19:07 IST

Sarhul, literally “worship of the Sal tree”, is among the most revered Adivasi festivals. It is rooted in nature worship and celebrates the symbolic union of the Sun and the Earth.

Mutton korma is an extremely rich, yet refined, dish made of goat meat, onions, dahi and lots and lots of oil.

This Eid, make true Old Delhi style korma at homeSubscriber Only

March 31, 2025 15:49 IST

You’ll need loads of coriander seeds and slightly sour curd. There can be no ‘authentic’ recipe for korma, but chances are you won’t get this taste in any of the famous ‘Mughlai’ restaurants in Old Delhi, Jamia, or Nizamuddin.

As AI-generated art goes viral, the story of Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli

As AI-generated art goes viral, the story of Miyazaki and his Studio GhibliSubscriber Only

March 28, 2025 21:53 IST

Much like their visual aesthetic, Studio Ghibli’s stories blend the mundane with the fantastical. They are also deeply political, and contain complex characters who blur the binary between good and evil.

R.K._Shriramkumar,_Violinist

Who is R K Shriramkumar, violin maestro chosen for this year’s prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award?Subscriber Only

March 28, 2025 13:14 IST

Shriramkumar belongs to the Rudrapatnam family of illustrious musicians. He has accompanied musicians across generations on stage, from older legends such as M S Subbulakshmi and D K Pattammal to the virtuosos of today, T M Krishna and Bombay Jayashri

Paintings by J Sultan Ali (left) and Prosanto Roy, part of the DAG exhibition.

How Cubism, the art movement led by the likes of Picasso, evolved in IndiaSubscriber Only

March 28, 2025 13:14 IST

Cubism marked a break from traditionalist perspectives. Renowned Indian artists MF Husain and FN Souza, among others, are counted among its proponents.

MF Husain

From Delhi to Oslo, story of M F Husain’s painting that has been sold for a record Rs 118 croreSubscriber Only

March 24, 2025 18:38 IST

The monumental artwork was bought in 1954 by a Ukrainian-Norwegian doctor, and was displayed for decades in a private corridor in a hospital in Oslo. What is this painting, and what does it show?

PIZZA

How to make the perfect pizza at homeSubscriber Only

March 22, 2025 07:23 IST

What you want is a pie that has a thick outer lip, consisting almost entirely of trapped air, and a thin inner disc that is soft and foldable. Here’s how to get it

The temple is designed by architect Vishal Vijaykumar Patil. (Express Photo)

7 things you need to know about the new Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj temple in MaharashtraSubscriber Only

March 19, 2025 17:30 IST

Here’s all you need to know about the first temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra.

Butter Chicken

How to make the perfect Butter Chicken at homeSubscriber Only

March 16, 2025 15:39 IST

Butter chicken is seen as a restaurant dish, one that is difficult to reproduce at home. But follow these tricks, and your homemade butter chicken will be just as good as the one you buy from your favourite restaurant

Holi celebrations in Vrindavan

How Holi brings colour to the lives of the widows of VrindavanSubscriber Only

March 14, 2025 18:53 IST

Shackled by custom and stuck in penury, thousands of Hindu widows live a life of austerity in the holy city of Vrindavan. The festival of Holi brings some colour, although fleeting, to their lives

Holi, Holika Dahan

Why Holika Dahan, Holi are celebrated: The reasons, beyond the legend of Prahlad and HolikaSubscriber Only

March 16, 2025 15:40 IST

Holi and Lord Krishna Connection Explained: How is Holi linked to Lord Krishna and Kamadeva? What does playing with colours tell us about ancient India? We explain.

Mannat

When Mannat was Villa Vienna: The story of SRK’s home and other heritage bungalows of Bandra BandstandSubscriber Only

March 7, 2025 19:33 IST

While SRK's Mannat is a landmark, many other heritage mansions lining Bandra Bandstand have been replaced by modern buildings. We take a look at Bandra's grand past, and its ever-changing present.

An Oscar statue stands as Hollywood Boulevard continues to be transformed into the red carpet arrival area for the 97th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 28, 2025. (REUTERS)

Recalling stories behind the Academy Awards’ name, $1 resale value of Oscar statuette and moreSubscriber Only

March 2, 2025 20:39 IST

How did the nickname 'Oscars' come about for the Academy Awards? Why is there a 45-second limit for acceptance speeches? And why are the names of the Oscar winners sealed in envelopes?

The animated solarpunk film Dear Alice features sprawling green farms operated with high-tech devices like artificial precipitation, robotic fruit plucking devices, solar panels and flying buses, run by a closely-knit, diverse community of people and robots alike. (YouTube/The Line, "Dear Alice")

What to know about Solarpunk, the literary movement that seeks a sustainable way forwardSubscriber Only

March 1, 2025 15:59 IST

Solarpunk has emerged in some circles as a viable counterpart to the dystopian world of cyberpunk, presenting the idea that a peaceful, harmonious society may well be within reach.

Even before the third season of the show began filming, there was a marked surge in interest in Thailand’s second-largest island. The new season of The White Lotus also features Thai rapper Lisa, a member of the internationally successful K-pop group Blackpink.

‘The White Lotus’ effect reaches Thailand’s Koh Samui: What is ‘set-jetting’?Subscriber Only

February 28, 2025 08:28 IST

While the pull of iconic film locations has shaped travel itineraries for years, Expedia in 2022 officially termed the travel behaviour “set-jetting”. The term is a play on “jet-setting”, referring to the tendency of wealthy people to travel for leisure.

shivratri, kumbh mela

Maha Shivratri: A look at why it is celebrated, from the social to the spiritual, from Kashmir to Tamil NaduSubscriber Only

February 27, 2025 13:31 IST

While Maha Shivratri literally translates to 'the great night of Shiva', many beliefs are prevalent about why it is celebrated. Also, behind the literal stories lies deeper spiritual significance. We explain.

'Chhava', starring Vicky Kaushal, released on Feb

With the success of ‘Chhava’, a look at 5 notable Indian films inspired by historySubscriber Only

February 25, 2025 17:49 IST

In the last decade there has been a rise in films based on historical figures and incidents, often nationalistic in their tone. But Indian film industries have long made movies with a basis in history. Here is a look at prominent examples, and what they say about the genre’s evolution.

The faithful watch as Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with the Qaraqosh community inside the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Qaraqosh, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Pope Francis ailing: How will a new Pope be chosen?Subscriber Only

February 27, 2025 11:37 IST

Given Pope Francis' declining health, speculation is rife about electing his successor. We explain how a new pope would be elected.

Daniel Craig (centre) is the latest actor to have played the role of James Bond in film.

How James Bond films’ creative control went to Amazon, what this meansSubscriber Only

February 22, 2025 00:53 IST

For the first time since the release of the first James Bond film in 1962, the film series’ creative direction will change hands. What led up to it and how could it impact the iconic franchise?

Bourbon Whiskey Sour

Govt slashes tariff on bourbon: All you need to know about the American spiritSubscriber Only

February 15, 2025 20:34 IST

Bourbon’s origin can be traced to the American South. It is a barrel-aged whiskey made primarily of corn

romance novels

Valentine’s Day: What’s behind the enduring cultural appeal of romance novels?Subscriber Only

February 16, 2025 13:12 IST

In popular culture, romance novels have been setting the standard for romantic relationships since their inception. What explains the appeal of the genre?

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