Culture

Sepia Mutiny, South Asian America’s Front Page

From 2004 to 2012, one internet forum shaped the community’s conversations like never before. And this is its story.

Coke Studio is Pakistan’s Multicultural Reality

Many would have you believe the country is a monolith. But its most popular music says otherwise.

How a 2001 Bollywood Song Birthed a Viral TikTok Trend

The ‘Asoka makeup’ hashtag is now everywhere. Its origins might surprise you.

What Kerala’s Syrian Christians Tell Us About Caste

The community has toed the line between its minority status and privilege for millennia. But few have examined its contested past.

How the West Bastardized Baby Massages

As U.S. practitioners “discover” the millennia-old tradition from the Indian subcontinent, what gets lost in the process?

Boroline, the Bengali Miracle Cream

The Indian antiseptic ointment has outlasted the British, Partition, and copycats. Its formula for winning isn’t what you think.

Phoolan Devi: Bandit Queen, Activist, Goddess

The Dalit leader instilled fear in men and fought for her beliefs. So why do many depict her as a victim?

The Eclipse That Ended the Great Sikh Genocide

Ahmad Shah Durrani’s soldiers massacred 30,000 unarmed Sikhs. It took a celestial event on Diwali to halt the ensuing bloodshed.

Jasmine Flowers Are More Than an Accessory

The delicate white buds have stood the test of time, cementing themselves in pop culture, weddings, mythology, and everyday life.

How Kalamkari Became Chintz

The British took the ancient textile tradition global. Its artisans have yet to benefit.

Ravi Shankar, the Maestro Who Made the Sitar Cool

His unexpected friendship with Beatles guitarist George Harrison brought Indian classical music to the world and changed global music forever.

Who Should Teach South Asian Studies?

The department has proliferated at U.S. universities. But the discipline’s professors aren’t always who you think.

What the Anjali-Sufi Story Says About Us

For five years, fans fawned over the interfaith, queer influencers. But a sudden split ahead of their wedding led to a flurry of judgment.

Who Gets to Observe Ramadan?

The latest TikTok trend? Non-Muslims sharing their fasting journeys. For some, it’s about wellness. For others, it’s a welcome practice.

Why South Asians Can’t Stop Thinking About Kate Middleton

The Princess of Wales’s months-long absence from public life resurfaced familiar feelings for those from the subcontinent.

How Ramzan Became Ramadan in South Asia

The linguistic switch might seem innocuous, but its roots go back centuries.

Vikas Khanna Isn’t Done Flying

The Michelin-star chef’s latest — and likely last — restaurant, Bungalow, is a manifestation of his mantra: “I’m as good as my last dish.”

How A Bowl of Fruit Became a South Asian Love Language

Affection comes in a various forms, but for many, the purest gesture is freshly washed, cut, or prepared produce.

When ‘Queen’ Taught Us to Think for Ourselves

The 2014 film about a jilted fiancée’s solo honeymoon reminds us that change can begin with one simple decision.

Courtesans, the Unsung Stewards of Culture

The British Raj conflated tawaifs with prostitution and minimized their contribution to the arts and politics, but that was far from reality.

Reincarnation: Myth or Reality?

The Indian subcontinent has long been obsessed with rebirth, from the Bhagavad Gita to Bollywood. Scientists are finally taking note.

How Costco Won Over the South Asian Diaspora

Meet the “Costco-politans” who swear by the wholesale giant. For fans, it’s about more than snagging a deal.

Oscars 2024: All the South Asian Moments

‘Oppenheimer’ swept the awards in a show with multiple snubs. It also featured an iconic presenter, Cadbury, and Wes Anderson’s first win.

Tamil, the Indian Language that Spread Across the World

The vernacular is one of the oldest, reaching as far and wide as Thailand and Australia. Why doesn’t it get its due?

Gayatri Devi, the Maharani Who Did

From politician to preservationist, she was always more than a glamorous queen — reminding us to stand tall in a world that men often dominate.

Nazia Hassan, the South Asian Queen of Pop

The British Pakistani singer redefined global stardom in the 1980s. But her musical career was tragically cut short.

London’s Brick Lane: Banglatown No More?

British Bangladeshis have called the area home for decades. With new development, its future is far more uncertain.

The Toyota Camry, An Indian American Classic

Toyotas are efficient, reliable, and affordable. But for a generation of Indian immigrants, one of its models means so much more.

Timbaland and Indian Music: A Match Made in Heaven?

In the 2000s, the producer sampled Bollywood classics to create some of his biggest hits. Many of the original artists have yet to reap any rewards.

Catarina de San Juan: Mughal Princess or Mexican Saint?

Historians and Catholics alike have venerated the enslaved woman from India since the 1600s, yet few know her true story — until now.

‘Highway’ and the Making of a Star

How the 2014 Imtiaz Ali film set the stage for Alia Bhatt’s dominance.

The Disappearing Dak Nam

For many Bengalis, the naming tradition is a way to express cultural pride and intimacy. But for others, it might be on the way out.

The Cobra Effect and the Colonial Gaze

How the world’s foremost experts popularized the made-up story of a British incentive to curb Delhi’s snake population.

‘One Day’: Hollywood Romance with a South Asian Twist

The Netflix adaptation of the 2009 novel isn’t groundbreaking. But Ambika Mod as romantic lead Emma is.

Why South Asians Love Muhammad Ali

The boxing legend symbolizes more than just athletic prowess for those from the subcontinent.

How Parkchester Became “Little Bangladesh”

The once exclusively white neighborhood is a haven for immigrants. But does its success threaten its future?

“Mundian To Bach Ke,” The Bhangra Anthem That Lives On

The 2003 Panjabi MC and Jay-Z track became a global sensation. More than 20 years later, we’ve yet to experience anything like it. Why?

No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, Man of Mystery

The Indian American bassist had an outsized role in the band’s breakout success. Why don’t we know more about him?

Coupon Clipping to Clicking: The Brown Love of a Deal

Indian American immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s embraced discounts as a means of survival, raising a generation of bargain hunters.

Howard Hodgkin, the Unlikely Collector of Indian Art

The late British artist amassed one of the most notable subcontinental troves. To this day, we know little about their rightful owners.

Kajal: Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

In the West, black eyeliner can mean sultriness, “exotic”-ness, or danger. But for South Asians, the millennia-old ritual imbues confidence and power.

Eqbal Ahmad, the Anti-War Activist Ahead of His Time

The Pakistani academic went on trial for plotting to kidnap Kissinger. He ended up advising revolutionaries and presidents, and prophesying the future.

‘Public Obscenities’ is the Most Bengali Play

Choton and his partner Raheem visit Kolkata to document the lives of LGBTQ Indians. They discover far more.

Piercings: Tradition for South Asians, Rebellion in the West

For those from the subcontinent, the practice is a given, even for babies. In the West, it’s taboo and reviled. Why?

Karak Chai is Really the Story of South Asian Migrants

The accessible, diasporic brew is a byproduct of Gulf modernization — and its insidious underbelly.

The Big Didi Dilemma

Eldest daughters and sisters already have it tough. What does it mean when you’re also South Asian?

Avantika on ‘Mean Girls’: “Brown Girls Can Be Dumb, Too”

The hit 2004 film is back as an on-screen musical, giving us Hollywood’s first South Asian ditz: Karen Shetty.

The Jinns We Live With

For millennia, the lore of these mythical creatures has cultivated creativity, connection, and community.

Soccer Was Once India’s Great Love. What Happened?

The country had all the ingredients to be formidable on the sport’s global stage. But one ill-fated decision changed its trajectory forever.

2023’s Biggest Moments for South Asians Globally

The year, wrapped.

The South Asian History of Red

The color’s popularity has waxed and waned in the West. But, in the subcontinent, the hue has always been in.

How Ancient India Pioneered Sanitation

Millennia before the Roman Empire, the Indus Valley Civilization had private toilets and sophisticated drainage systems. But who gets to decide what is “clean” today?

Why India Loves Archie Comics

The World War II-era series didn’t arrive in the country until decades later, yet won over an unexpected fanbase.

Why India’s Visa Temples Are Still Thriving

Indians are now among the largest recipients of visas globally. That hasn’t stopped devotees from turning to Hindu sites to remove obstacles.

Jhumkas Are Now Everywhere

For South Asians, the ancient chandelier-shaped earrings have always been a classic. Now, others seem to be joining the party.

Is Nepal a Beacon of LGBTQ Rights?

The world celebrates the nation for South Asia’s “first same-sex marriage” and its progressive laws, but queer activists say the reality is far different.

Why South Asians Still Aren’t Working Out Enough

Despite health risks and fit celebrities, the community gets significantly less exercise than the recommended amount. What gives?

What’s the Deal with Neils?

The name has never been particularly popular in the U.S. — unless, of course, you’re Indian American.

Rose Water: From Mughal Tradition to TikTok Trend

Your favorite skincare secret dates back centuries. So why is the West now obsessed with it?

The Last Nizam of Hyderabad Who Wasn’t

Mukarram Jah inherited the wealth of the world’s richest man, but swiftly squandered it. To this day, many consider him unworthy of the title.

Pakistan’s Expulsion of Afghans Threatens Centuries of Shared History

As the government accelerates deportations, Afghan refugees speak out on the loss of home, culture, and community.

Dates: The Sacred Superfood that Withstood Millennia

The ancient drupe has long been a staple for Muslims. Now, it’s the latest fad for health nuts in the West.

Brown Wealth is Shameless

A new generation of rich South Asians are showing off and living it up. Not everyone’s on board.

How South Indian Immigrants Shaped Malaysian Cuisine

Tamil, Malayali, and Kannadiga migrants are behind some of the archipelago’s biggest culinary hits, from roti canai to teh tarik.

Malala Yousafzai, Internet Queen

The Nobel laureate and education rights activist has long been online to fight for her cause. People are only now realizing she’s also funny, with many more stories to tell.

South Asian Pizza is (Finally) Having Its Moment

Hold the pineapples and pepperoni. Enter: shutki, aloo chicken, naga pepper, and green chili chutney.

The South Asians Reclaiming Their Names

After years of shortening or anglicizing names, many are now choosing a different path than assimilation.

What’s in an Accent?

The linguistics behind why we sometimes can’t hear what’s right in front of us.

How Kashmir Became Cashmere

Colonial greed turned the “soft-gold” fabric that once ruled the world into a commodity. How much of pashmina today is what it claims to be?

Wes Anderson and India: A Love Story?

In his new shorts ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ and ‘Poison,’ the director’s obsession with the subcontinent finally results in authenticity.

The South Asian Women Breaking the Divorce Taboo

As ending marriages becomes increasingly common, a new generation is speaking out to end the stigma.

Have South Asian Weddings Reached Peak Pastel?

As actor Parineeti Chopra’s wedding photos went viral, many wondered where all the color had gone in subcontinental nuptials.

How Humans of Bombay Lost at Its Own Game

The Mumbai-based company accused another account of plagiarism. When Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton called out the hypocrisy, all hell broke loose.

The Exciting Dating Lives of South Asian Seniors

The community often stigmatizes those who crave companionship after age 60. These lovebirds prove that the search for someone special never has to end.

King Khan: Tracing South Asia’s Most Iconic Surname

From Genghis to Shah Rukh, one of South Asia’s most prolific last names hints at our entwined history.

Black Pepper: From India’s “Black Gold” to Afterthought

Europeans colonized India in its quest for the once priceless spice. How did we start taking salt’s best friend for granted?

Hasan Minhaj, Friend or Foe?

The comedian recently admitted to fabricating major incidents in his comedy specials, leaving South Asians split over his “emotional truths.”

Agatha Christie, the Mystery Queen Who Won South Asian Hearts

How the British novelist borrowed from the subcontinent, became the literary grandmother of generations of fans, and changed Indian film forever.

The Rise and Fall of Monkeys

After a long history of coexistence and even reverence, the relationship between South Asians and monkeys seems to have soured in recent years. Why?

Why South Asians Prefer the Mother’s Side

Scores of South Asians swear the dad’s side of the family sucks. Is it just evolution or something else?

Why Seema in ‘And Just Like That’ Subverts Expectations

Sarita Choudhury’s Seema isn’t Samantha. Instead, she’s the best of the other characters, and a new model of a sexy, successful South Asian woman.

Shafilea Ahmed Didn’t Have to Die

Twenty years ago, parents murdered their British Pakistani daughter for daring to be herself. She would get justice only years later.

The Bollywood Bahu Effect

Does marrying into a dynastic Hindi film family mean less autonomy and a doomed acting career? Fans are convinced Alia Bhatt is the phenomenon’s latest victim.

Why South Asians Love Feet

The subcontinent’s reverence for the lowest appendage isn’t new. Is it a collective fetish or is something else afoot?

Glutathione: The Injectable, Modern-Day Fair & Lovely

Skin-lightening cream’s newer, more expensive cousin is taking over pop culture. But the latest “solution” to an age-old fixation presents new dangers.

Marigolds: How a Mexican Flower Bloomed in South Asia

The blossom ubiquitous in the subcontinent and pop culture — from ‘Monsoon Wedding’ to “Genda Phool” — isn’t native. But its mystique unites people oceans apart.

Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari, the TikTokers Who Killed

A forbidden affair led to what many are calling the honor killing of a British Pakistani man. Is it?

Bengal: The Other Side of Partition

The site of numerous famines and a partition before the partition, the region played a pivotal — but, at times, overlooked — part in South Asian history.

The Big Fat South Asian Wedding is Shrinking

You’re not imagining it: many are opting for smaller, shorter ceremonies that are just as memorable.

‘Made in Heaven’ Season 2 Was Well Worth the Wait

Back after four years, the cult hit that uses weddings to examine India’s societal baggage is still preachy. But we can’t stop watching.

10 Award-Winning Wildlife Photos from Bangalore’s Nature inFocus Competition

Here are some of the most stunning winning and special mention shots from the India-based nature organization.

How Zardozi Lost Its Gold

The world’s most expensive embroidery used to use real gold and silver. Until the British came along.

Mother Teresa, History’s Most Notorious White Savior?

The controversial figure fetishized the suffering of Indians — yet the Catholic Church made her a saint.

‘Bawaal’ Trivializes the Holocaust. No One Has Apologized.

Why did Amazon Prime Video green-light the insensitive Hindi film? And why does it continue to platform it?

Mixed South Asians are Tired of Hearing “What Are You?”

Mixed-race Asians are increasingly common, but will South Asians ever accept multiracial people as their own?

How Hindu-Arabic Numerals Conquered the World

Without Indian mathematicians and Arab scholars, math would be centuries behind. But many gloss over this history.

Welcome to the Only Child Generation

South Asian families are shrinking. Judgment from the community isn’t.

What’s with South Asia’s Kissing Cousins?

The subcontinent has some of the highest rates of cousin marriage in the world. Popular shows like ‘Humsafar’ only mirror this reality.

As Jewelry Thefts Rise, South Asians Lose More than Just Gold

A recent uptick in robberies has put the community on notice.

Oppenheimer’s Solace in “Becoming Death”? The Bhagavad Gita

The father of the atomic bomb turned to Hinduism not just to reckon with the consequences of what he created, but throughout his life.

Before Barbiecore Came Rani Pink

Why the punchy reddish-pink shade from South Asia has reigned supreme for centuries.

How Barbie Failed Black and Brown Girls

Life in plastic isn’t fantastic if you aren’t blonde and blue-eyed.

Vipassana: Ancient Cure-All or Current Fad?

Ten-day retreats of complete silence are no longer the pursuit of just the enlightened and famous. But does shutting up mean opening up?

Partition Ruined Modern Love. The Internet Revived It.

Borders, languages, and even shark-infested waters couldn’t stop these South Asian couples.

The Succulent World of South Asian Barbecue

The subcontinent’s reverence for grilled meats and treats transcends the tandoor.

Why So Many South Asian Men Are Mama’s Boys

The epidemic even has a name: Raja Beta Syndrome.

How the West Stole Meditation

A South Asian tradition rooted in spirituality is now a multibillion-dollar industry about productivity.

Sathya Sai Baba, the God-man Who Preyed on His Followers

Despite pedophilia allegations and efforts to expose him, the multibillion-dollar cult of the guru continues to live on.

When South Asian Women Choose to Go Child-Free

Deciding not to have kids is on the rise, but those from a collectivist culture still face rejection. This isn’t stopping them from celebrating their lives.

Why India is Home to the Last Remaining Pigeon Carrier Service

In Odisha, the practice is a testament to South Asia’s reverence for birdlife.

Firdaus Kanga’s Queer Resilience

The first Indian novelist to feature a gay protagonist proved that those with disabilities like to have fun and that being gay is no big deal.

Ashwagandha, the West’s Latest Poster Child

The herb, rooted in Ayurveda, can reportedly treat stress, hair loss, and much more. But why is science so divided on it?

Jay Shetty: Modern Monk or Wellness Moneymaker?

The guru is passionate about spreading love and making you happy — but only if you pay up.

Hijras in South Asia: The Divine, The Disenfranchised

British rule recast the third gender community as pariahs. Modern South Asian laws have yet to undo the damage.

Love and Belonging in ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’

The 1985 queer romance between a British Pakistani man and a skinhead turned immigrant tropes on their head and remains prescient to this day.

DJ Rekha Wants to Make You Dance

The Basement Bhangra founder created a sanctuary for generations of South Asian Americans. The artist isn’t done anytime soon.

How Whiskey Won India

In 2022, the country overtook France to become the world’s largest consumer of the spirit by volume. Now, Indian single-malts are shaking things up.

The Hooded Gown, Suddenly, is Everywhere

As the fashion moment takes over red carpets without crediting Eastern influences, who is the look serving?

Salman Rushdie, the Maverick Who Lived

On the award-winning novelist’s birthday, we revisit how his writing molded the literary imagination of hundreds of millions.

“Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja,” the Bollywood Disco Track That Never Dies

Bappi Lahiri’s 1982 hit song has reemerged in different avatars for decades, from Soviet film festivals to Chinese protests to K-Pop.

Goan Food is Much More than Vindaloo

Restaurants have long reduced Goan cuisine, shaped by over 450 years of Portuguese rule, to one dish. That’s now changing — but is it enough?

‘Never Have I Ever’ Stars Reflect on What’s Next: “There’s More to Come”

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, and Richa Moorjani sat down to chat about the last season of the beloved teen comedy.

In ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 4, Devi Finally Grows Up

In her senior year and the last season, the messy but charming teen proves how far she’s come in her journey to self-love.

Did Romantic Kissing Originate in India?

For years, researchers traced the practice to ancient Sanskrit texts. Recent evidence suggests that theory might not be the whole story. Or is it?

Rekha, Mother of Bollywood Queer Icons

The Hindi film industry painted the actor as a vamp and the other woman. Yet she emerged as a flag-bearer for self-love and queer self-expression.

The Tesla Cliff Crash is Yet Another Cry for Help

In January, Dharmesh Patel tried to kill himself and his family. The tragedy unveils glaring gaps in mental health resources for South Asian men.

Dev Shah is the 2023 National Spelling Bee Champion

The 14-year-old won $50,000 and the coveted trophy. His winning word was “psammophile.”

Does Yale Discriminate Against Asian Americans?

Eleven Asian American students looked at their admissions files. They were surprised by what they found.

How Diipa Büller-Khosla Got to Cannes — And Brought Her Brand

She was the first Indian-born influencer invited to the exclusive event. The indē wild founder is now bringing more Indian women with her.

The Motel Patels Built Empires. For Younger Generations, It’s Complicated.

Gujarati Americans own over 60% of America’s motels. But, for some, joining the family business is too close to home.

The Celebrity Airport Photo: Candid or Contrived?

For Bollywood paparazzi, capturing stars come and go is less about good timing than you think.

With No Towers of Silence in the West, Zoroastrian Last Rites are a Fraught Affair

The West has no structures or legal precedent for corpses to decay in the open air. For those wishing to follow traditions, funerals are a compromise.

How Cruises Became South Asian Getaways

Bollywood and value for money ignited our wanderlust. Now, those approaching retirement and seeking comfort are some of the industry’s newest patrons.

Is the Bollywood Song Dead?

Indian music is seeing a significant shift from film songs to those of independent artists. For some, it’s about time. For others, it’s an existential threat.

How Shan Masala Spiced Up Diaspora Tables

Despite competition and import bans, the Pakistani venture built a global, $250 million business whose fans swear by its innovative spice blends.

Zarna Garg, the Indian Mom Making the World Laugh

The comedian known for her viral mom jokes is now out with her first hour-long special — and she isn’t afraid to offend you.

How Singer Set South Asian Women Up For Success

The American sewing machine had a slow start in the Indian subcontinent. Today, it has changed women’s finances, and futures, forever.

How Kumon Bred Persistence and Panic Among South Asians

The after-school program was a fixture for the South Asian diaspora. But, after peaking in the 2000s, does it now hold the same draw?

Hanif Kureishi is Inspiring Optimism — From a Hospital Bed

The British Pakistani writer of ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’ fame became paralyzed in 2022. His Twitter dispatches are now a symbol of hope.

Haleem, Now Available Near You

For many, the meat-and-pulse stew is a rare, Ramadan tradition. Now, chefs are bringing it, along with inventive modifications, to the masses.

Reetika Vazirani, the Forgotten Poet We Should All Know

The Indian American was a pioneer of diasporic poetry. Twenty years after she took her son’s life and her own, few remember her brilliance.

Bikram Choudhury, the Sexual Predator Who Built a Yoga Empire

How a boy from Bengal founded Bikram Yoga and minted millions, only to abuse his students and escape justice.

Met Gala 2023: A Controversial Theme, with Few South Asians

Fashion’s most famous night featured a divisive, black-and-white theme. Its guest list of South Asians was even more limited.

‘Ponniyin Selvan: II’ Review: Come for the Epic, Stay for the Twisted Love Story

Aishwarya Rai and Vikram take center stage in the second part of the Mani Ratnam magnum opus about the Chola dynasty.

‘Polite Society’ Celebrates Brown Female Rage

Director Nida Manzoor and actors Ritu Arya and Priya Kansara share how they pulled off the hilarious ‘Get Out’-esque action comedy that dismantles South Asian tropes.

Badminton’s Grand Comeback

In India, a country where cricket is a religion, the racquet sport is becoming a booming business.

How Ferrero Rocher Melted South Asian Hearts

And why the significance of the once gold standard of gifting is no longer the same.

‘Indian Matchmaking’ Season 3 Tries But Fails to Modernize

It’s time to swipe left on the reality series that has yet to result in a single marriage and few successful matches.

Sima Aunty from ‘Indian Matchmaking’ Has Had Enough

For the Mumbai matchmaker and reality television star, today’s youth are too picky, too impatient, and too confused.

Salim-Javed: Strugglers, Screenwriters, Superstars

The story of Bollywood’s most successful writing duo is as masala-filled as the groundbreaking cinema they created.

How Gaurav Gupta Won the Red Carpet

It took years for the world to notice the Indian fashion designer. Now, stars from Cardi B to Aishwarya Rai turn to him when they want to make a statement.

Yale Was Built on Stolen Riches from India. Why Don’t We Talk About It More?

Elihu Yale became the reluctant namesake of the prestigious university by exploiting Indian diamonds, textiles, and even mango chutney.

The Mangalsutra, a Mark of Marital Bliss?

How a necklace that emerged around a century ago became a big business and the epitome of marital sanctity — and how its meaning is now changing.

‘Life of Pi’ Roars on Broadway (Review)

The stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s 2001 novel has impeccable acting and magical puppetry, but will leave some craving more.

The Death of Paan

How the tricornered treat, once a cornerstone of South Asian life and art, has slipped to the periphery.

How Bollywood Failed Parveen Babi

One of the highest-paid actors of her time is largely remembered through her lovers and by her illness. While others profited from her tale, she died alone at 51.

Dior and India: Couture Diplomacy or Culture Vulturism?

Dior’s Fall 2023 show in Mumbai seems like a win, but raises questions about the brand’s decades-long, extractive relationship with Indian artisans.

How Cha Became Chai

British trade manipulation, espionage, and aggressive marketing changed the trajectory of the once-unpopular beverage in the Indian subcontinent.

Raquel Evita Saraswati, the Race-Baiting, Hijabi Hoaxer

How a “white as snow” activist spread Islamophobia while pretending to be South Asian, Muslim, Hispanic, and Arab.

How Amrita Sher-Gil Found Home, One Painting at a Time

The queer, Indian Hungarian painter revolutionized art by blending the East and the West, championing the female gaze, and celebrating herself.

Kali, the Avenging Goddess Within Every Woman

The Hindu god known for her fury and vengeance is a man’s worst nightmare — a testament to female power in all its forms.

Why India is Half an Hour Off Global Time Zones

Colonial control, nation-building, and political rivalry dictated elements of subcontinental life — including time itself.

Catherine Duleep Singh, the Queer, Sikh, Nazi-Defiant Princess

The lesser-known story of a Punjabi heiress who fought for women’s rights and was an extraordinary Jewish ally.

Zeenat Aman Was Never Just a Glamour Girl

The Bollywood actor, with her radical honesty and insight, is the zenith of celebrity Instagram. Those who are surprised are simply late to the party.

The Kaurs of 1984: The Unsung Heroes of India’s Anti-Sikh Genocide

When the government and police watched Delhi burn, Sikh women stepped in and saved hundreds of lives.

Oscars 2023: All the South Asian Moments

This was a historic year with several wins, iconic presenters, and a musical performance many can’t forget.

‘The Namesake’: What’s in a Name? Everything.

The Mira Nair film based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel, a rare love letter to Bengali Americans, explores how our most important parts are parts we didn’t choose.

Wazwan and the Fight to Keep the 36-Course Kashmiri Feast Alive

How Kashmiris around the world are championing the ancient meal once fit for kings as its chefs slowly dwindle.

How South Asians Reclaimed Tiffin

The colonial term — which refers to everything from a lunch box to a teatime meal — stuck around to become a cultural touchstone.

Shakira Baksh is Much More Than “Michael Caine’s Wife”

The Indo-Guyanese model broke barriers in British film and fashion, yet the media too often reduces her to a particular actor’s spouse.

Doja Cat is Not Indian. Here’s Why We Love Her Anyway.

Amala Ratna grew up in an ashram learning Bharatanatyam and bhajans, but has no Indian roots. This hasn’t deterred South Asian fans from claiming her.

Caring for South Asian Elders in the U.S., Miles from Home

While enrolling aging parents in nursing homes is common practice in the West, for South Asian American families, it’s more complicated.

Saffron, the Hue of the Gods Enmeshed in Scandal

How the color that once conveyed divinity, piety, and national pride became weaponized.

Merle Oberon, the Actor Who Passed for White

The first Asian to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar maintained a lie she would take to her grave. Who was she really?

Trinidadian Doubles, the Unlikely Street Food Hit

How the national dish lifted families out of poverty, led to a family feud, and changed Caribbean cuisine forever.

‘Seinfeld’ Failed South Asians. We Watched Anyway.

The popular sitcom’s depictions of “poor immigrants,” India, and Pakistan were grossly racist. So why can’t we quit the show?

The Lost Ritual of Soi Patano

How the close friendships between Bengali women inspired literature and poetry, expanded women’s rights, and made men jealous.

How Indo-Fijians Found a Home in California

Centuries of colonial abuse and decades of discrimination fueled an exodus to a state where about 75% of Fijian Americans live today.

Ethiopian and Indian Food: An Interconnected History

Sambusa and samosa. Injera and appam. Misir wot and dal. How over 2,000 years of trade shaped the cuisines of the two ancient cultures.

How the World Lost Dhaka Muslin

Once Bengal’s pride, the translucent fabric vanished under the British. Centuries later, can Bangladesh now resurrect it?

Why South Asians Love Jane Austen

Family, marriage, and class collisions. The British writer’s novels seem like the perfect subcontinental literary canon. But not for the reasons you might think.

How India Became a Nation of Eggetarians

The egg’s prominence in the Indian vegetarian diet is a point of contention. The perennial question is: are eggs meat?

The Mindy Kaling Effect

The release of ‘Velma’ has reignited discussions about how the actor, writer, and producer portrays South Asian characters on screen. But what does the backlash say about us?

Not All South Asians Like it Hot

How eating spicy food became so intertwined with South Asian identity, and why it’s time to retire the stereotype.

In Tadka We Trust

Each drop is a sensory universe. Here’s how the technique as old as time came to define South Asian cuisines.

The Bidet is Back. But for Many South Asians, It’s Been a Fixture.

Rooted in Hindu and Islamic traditions, using water to clean oneself after going to the bathroom has been a common practice in the East, but has only recently caught on in the West.

Subhash Kapoor: Art Dealer by Day, Idol Thief By Night

How the prolific antiquities trafficker hatched a scheme to smuggle hundreds of millions of dollars of Asian artifacts — and succeeded.

Paisley: The World’s Oldest Form of Cultural Appropriation?

How Europe stole one of the oldest block prints from Indian, Iranian, and Kashmiri weavers — and why everyone from The Beatles to Bollywood donned it.

‘In Search of Bengali Harlem’ is a Pursuit of Belonging

The documentary follows Alauddin Ullah as he traces his family’s past to 1930s New York, where Black, Puerto Rican, and Bengali marriages created a culture of their own.

Noor Inayat Khan, Unlikely War Hero

Officers believed she was physically and temperamentally unsuited to be a spy. Instead, the British Indian princess outlasted her peers and was a groundbreaking agent of resistance.

Why Many South Asian Muslims Celebrate Christmas

What some call “haram” is a way for others to incorporate traditions that center family and giving.

2022’s Biggest Moments for South Asians Globally

The year, wrapped.

How the West Reduced ‘The Kama Sutra’ to Sex

The ancient Indian manuscript has long been a guide to love — and life.

South Asians are Reclaiming their Curly Hair

For years, South Asians were called “churails” or told that their curly hair was not beautiful. That is now changing — with the help of Black women.

Naeem Khan is Never Satisfied

The famed fashion designer opens up about his roots, his rise, the buzzy A-lister who could take his brand to the next level, and what an Indian-wear line could look like.

Revisiting ‘Born Confused,’ 20 Years Later

A surprise pitch meeting with Scholastic landed Tanuja Desai Hidier her first book deal. Her 2002 young adult novel became a sensation.

How Anti-Asian Bias Came to U.S. Colleges

Asian Americans overwhelmingly support affirmative action. Yet, the anti-Asian college admissions playbook is reminiscent of 1920s anti-Semitic policies.

‘Bombay Dreams’ Was Supposed to Open Doors for South Asian Musicals

But it will be nearly 20 years before audiences will see others, such as ‘Life of Pi’ and ‘Come Fall in Love,’ grace Broadway — the biggest theater industry in the English-speaking world.

The Tragic Love of Princess Diana and Hasnat Khan

How the people’s princess and a British Pakistani doctor met, fell in love, and fell apart just weeks before her final days.

How the West Deemed Eating With Your Hands “Uncivilized”

And why the practice persisted in South Asia anyway.

How ‘DDLJ’ Went From Screen to Stage

The cast and crew break down what it means to change beloved elements of Aditya Chopra’s 1995 Bollywood blockbuster — but still keep its spirit alive.

Reminder: The British Still Have Our Art

The Royal Collection remains one of the largest troves of South Asian art, much of it stolen.

Nose Rings are Not Just Ornaments for the Diaspora

As nose piercings become popular in the West, South Asians in the diaspora grapple with preserving their cultural symbolism.

Why the West is Afraid of Color

The colorful (and enraging) history of how neutrals and monochrome became the preferred Western aesthetic.

‘House of the Dragon’ Director Geeta Vasant Patel Breaks Down Episode 8

The “Lord of Tides” director discusses her favorite scenes, how she got the gig, and what’s next for the epic fantasy series.

Haters Tried to Silence Maulik Pancholy. He Got Louder.

With his latest novel, ‘Nikhil Out Loud,’ the actor and author gives young readers the stories he wished he had growing up.

The Battle for the Bill

“I’ve seen people pull credit cards out of each other’s hands, yell at each other while our server is standing there, and then go home quietly. There’s no shame.”

What Happened to Zayn?

Despite being the first One Direction member to go solo and release a popular debut album, the pop star has fallen off the charts and out of the spotlight.

The Call of Niagara Falls

How did the roaring waterfalls become an essential stop in the South Asian immigrant experience?

What the Koh-i-noor Really Represents

As South Asians worldwide clamor for the diamond’s return, they risk losing something far more critical.

‘Come Fall in Love’ Review: Fun, But No ‘DDLJ’

The upbeat musical is entertaining but will leave fans of the 1995 Bollywood classic sorely disappointed.

Why More South Asians Are Rejecting Marriage

Though South Asians are among the most likely to be married, singles are increasingly ditching age-old expectations and rewriting what relationships and commitment can look like.

The Rise of South Asian Studies in U.S. Colleges

College students are increasingly tapping into their heritage not just at home but also at school. But access and resources aren’t always equal.

Does the Diaspora Novel Need an Update?

Despite diverse South Asian stories and authors, publishers keep seeking out the same narratives.

The Endless Frustration of South Asian Hair Loss

For a culture that has long revered long, thick hair, community members are finding that traditional hair care rituals and advice are falling short.

The Disappearing Sweets of Bengal

The region renowned for its sweet tooth endured multiple conflicts and divisions, losing many of its creative mishti-making traditions in the process.

The Fight to Teach Partition in the West

Despite significant South Asian populations, U.S., U.K., and Canadian schools rarely teach students about one of the largest and deadliest mass migrations in history.

How ‘Garm Hava’ Reframes the Partition Narrative

Instead of focusing on the traumatic events of Partition, the 1974 M.S. Sathyu film provides a searing look at what happened after.

How A.R. Rahman Makes Hit After Hit

The composer breaks down why chart-topping success doesn’t tell the full story of the magic behind his music.

The South Asians of OnlyFans

Thousands of South Asian creators have found sexual and economic empowerment on the X-rated platform — yet their work is shrouded in shame.

Hrithik Roshan and His Lucky Thumb

How one of the biggest Bollywood stars in the new millennium almost didn’t happen.

The Evolution of South Asian Tattoos

How henna and Sanskrit tattoos became “trendy,” and the South Asian artists reclaiming them.

Why the South Asian Diaspora Loves the Evening Walk

The sacred after-dinner tradition persists even as many South Asians rarely participate in other forms of exercise.

How ‘Ms. Marvel’ Put Partition on Screen

We spoke to the team behind the show’s episode on Partition — a historical event seminal to South Asians, yet rarely depicted in Hollywood.

How Hare Krishnas Took Over the World

The unlikely story of an Indian missionary who landed in 1960s New York City and sparked a contentious global movement.

How Puberty Ceremonies Went the Way of Indian Weddings

South Asian coming-of-age events are becoming extravagant, multi-day affairs, complete with a major — and some argue, unnecessary — price tag.

Is South Asian Bridal Makeup Too Expensive?

TikTok has been aflutter with brides sharing what they believe to be “the biggest scam” in the wedding industry.

How Bhut Jolokia, the Ghost Pepper, Took Over the West

Dubbed the hottest pepper in the world in 2007, the unique northeastern Indian chili became a tempting challenge for Western palates. But what got lost in the process?

The Unibrow is Back

Young South Asians are rebelling against Western beauty standards by growing out their eyebrows.

How Bollywood Fashion Went From DIY to Designer

Hindi films have long been a source of fashion inspo, but stylists — from Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi to Arjun Bhasin and Anaita Shroff Adajania — have changed the game both on- and off-screen.

Why South Asians Often Have Multiple Birthdays

Sure, two birthdays means double the cake, but for some, it’s also a reminder of a turbulent past.

The Evolution of Karan Johar’s Queer Eye

What has driven the filmmaker’s increasingly nuanced portrayals of LGBTQ characters?

‘Chutney Popcorn’ Reimagines Family and Motherhood

Nisha Ganatra’s 1999 film about a lesbian artist who becomes a surrogate for her sister remains ahead of its time.

Why “Best Of” Lists Often Overlook South Asian Cuisines

But as these restaurants and chefs rack up recognition and business from ardent fans, do mainstream accolades even matter?

KK Gave Us the Soundtrack to Our Own Movies

The Indian singer gave us the ability to revisit our first heartbreaks, our first joys, our first goodbyes, just by hitting play.

You Don’t Know Jay Sean

For two decades, the British artist had a carefully curated image. Then, he got on TikTok.

How an Unusual Calendar Became a Symbol of Indian Culture

Fifty years since its inception, Kalnirnay has become an essential household tool and a point of connection for the diaspora.

Northeastern Actors are Finally Getting Their Shot at Bollywood Stardom

Streaming platforms have led to more regional cinema, diverse storytelling, and long-awaited opportunities for northeastern actors. Will mainstream Hindi cinema follow?

Dismantling the Brown “Glow-Up”

The concept of getting hotter with age — also known as “glowing up” — isn’t new, but South Asian TikTok influencers question what this trend really celebrates.

Revisiting ‘Fauji,’ the Genesis of King Khan

Thirty years since Shah Rukh Khan’s silver screen debut, we reexamine the dreadful show with a star-making performance.

Met Gala 2022: New South Asian Looks, Familiar Problems

Celebrities including Simone Ashley, Riz Ahmed, Mindy Kaling, and Prabal Gurung walked the red carpet. But industry insiders say that the annual fundraiser isn’t as glamorous as it might seem.

Kevin G. Was Ahead of His Time

‘Mean Girls’ used the mathlete and badass M.C. for comedic relief, but ultimately he gets the last laugh.

Meera Syal Refuses to Be Disappointed

The star of 'Goodness Gracious Me' and 'The Kumars at No. 42' brought audiences unapologetic portrayals of South Asian womanhood — and she's just getting started.

Irani Bakes Spread Through India. Now, They’re Disappearing.

As Parsi cafés shutter, Irani bakes that have become teatime staples — from mawa cake to nankhatai — are at risk of vanishing, too.

‘Beast’ Proves the Theatrical Timepass is Alive and Well

The hit Tamil-language film with superstar Vijay shows that Indian movies don’t need to be good to be a great time and succeed at the box office.

The “Tacky NRI Fashion” Debate is About More Than Style

Allegations that diaspora Indians wear “tacky” Indian fashion sparked internet fury on Instagram account Diet Sabya. But the root of the debate isn’t about fashion at all.

Parminder Nagra Should Have Been a Superstar

'Bend It Like Beckham' turned Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers into overnight celebrities. Why didn’t it do the same for its British Indian stars?

‘Roar’ Uses Outrageous Plots to Highlight Outrageous Truths

In Apple TV+’s new series, Meera Syal of ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ brings laugh-out-loud comedy to thought-provoking satire as the “woman who returned her husband.”

How 'RRR' and 'Baahubali' Raised the Bar for the Indian Blockbuster

Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has achieved the Hollywood blockbuster effect — using large budgets for even larger box office payoffs — by turning Indian folklore and the freedom struggle into must-see epics.

The Queer Legacy of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’

The film bent the rules so that others could break them. We examine its impact 20 years later.

Simone Ashley on Who Gets to Be Seen as Sexy and Desirable

The Bridgerton star chats about shifting narratives, *that* haldi scene, and why she keeps her Kate Sharma-inspired playlist close to her chest.

Arooj Aftab Creates Music As if it Were a Living Thing

The Grammy-nominated artist leans into intuition, experimentation, and improvisation to make music that isn’t meant to be a quick hit, but something deeper.

How Cartier Built an Empire by Claiming Indian and Islamic Art as its Own

From its Tutti Frutti collection to bejeweled cases, the French luxury jewelry house has long appropriated Eastern influences, calling it aesthetic exchange.

Bridgerton Season 2 Will Leave You Breathless and Screaming for More

Netflix’s highly anticipated Regency-era romance is back with new South Asian characters, but a familiar problem.

Meet the Indian Family Behind Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Since 2019, an emerald dye from Chemworld International has been a key part of one of the country’s most unique Irish traditions.

What Sarita Choudhury Wants You to Know About ‘And Just Like That’

The actor sat down to chat about her favorite scenes from the show, the Diwali episode, and how she never had a ‘Mississippi Masala’ for herself.

How Maggi Created a Generation of Experimental Cooks

The iconic instant noodles packet turns 40 in India, its biggest market, this year. Here’s how Maggi, despite a 2015 ban in the country, reshaped snacks and meals forever.

Are Love is Blind’s Deepti and Shake a Classic Case of Internalized Racism?

The reality show’s Indian couple has lit up the internet after professing to previously dating only blond(e)s, their attraction fizzling days after their engagement.

Why South Asians Love Tennis

Though there has yet to be a South Asian-origin Grand Slam singles champion, the sport has superfans in both the diaspora and homeland.

Lata Mangeshkar: The Voice of the Nation, In Good Times and Bad

Arguably the most decorated Indian singer of all time was also a witness to, and sometimes a participant in, the country's murky history.

Could Carrom Make it to the Olympics?

The beloved board game in India has long faced challenges in becoming an international sporting sensation. Some players and associations are trying to change that.

For Stars of Aladdin’s Historic Broadway Run, “It Doesn’t End with Us”

Shoba Narayan and Michael Maliakel shared why the musical has Disney’s highest bar sales, how they influenced the choreography, and what’s next.

Hereditary Nazar and Why Pakistan Can’t Kill Me

My homeland and I have a twisted but endearing love affair.

How India Made Ice Cream a Dessert of its Own

Once the mainstay of the colonial elite, ice cream — thanks to American GIs and Indian entrepreneurs — soon became the ubiquitous and flavorful treat that it is today.

The Doyen of Kathak, Pandit Birju Maharaj

The choreographer and teacher left a mark on everything from Bollywood to classical dancing, but his legacy also faces controversy after his death.

How Falu Created Two Grammy-Nominated Children’s Albums

Answers to her son’s questions about immigrant life led to ‘Falu’s Bazaar’ and ‘A Colorful World,’ which pay homage to the singer’s Indian and American roots.

Opinion: R.K. Narayan’s Idyllic Malgudi Might Not Be Enough

The famed short story writer created a utopia that rarely mentions caste or politics. It is the place where we may want to escape, but not where we can live.

Artist, Feminist, Detective: How Shahzia Sikander Disrupts Art History

The Pakistani American artist and manuscript painting historian asks us: who gets to determine what is “tradition”?

The Urban Resurgence of Offal

Once a staple of Parsi home kitchens, animal organ dishes are showing up on urban restaurant menus — from those of Dhamaka to Bombay Canteen.

How Ghee Took Over U.S. Grocery Shelves

The recent global rise of the clarified butter — as common as salt in many South Asian and Middle Eastern kitchens — is striking for an ingredient steeped in centuries of culinary history.

The Mystique of Jai Paul

Ten years after the release of “BTSTU,” the enigmatic genre-bending British Indian artist from north London finds himself a pop star without the desire for it.

The Business of Brown Beauty

Indian-inspired and South Asian-targeted beauty and skincare brands could be the next big trend. But to go the Korean beauty route, these products still have a long road ahead.

Amrit Kaur of ‘Sex Lives’ Has Arrived, and She’s Not “Playing Around”

“I don't take it for granted that I'm lucky. But I have also worked a s*** ton.”

How India Fell In — and Out — of Love with Beauty Pageants

A 1992 Miss Universe loss would lead to over a decade of Indian domination at global beauty contests.

The Diluted Revolutionary: Bhagat Singh in Hindi Cinema

Shoojit Sircar’s “Sardar Udham” is the latest in a long line of Bollywood portrayals of the Indian freedom fighter, but the first to delve into his humanity and nuanced politics.

“The Cheetah Girls: One World,” 13 Years Later

The movie is a classic problematic fave: it used India as a mere exotic backdrop, but still gave us some of our first Indian crushes in U.S. television.

Bilal Baig's ‘Sort Of’ is a Love Letter to Brown, Queer, and Trans People

The queer, transfeminine playwright and performer is challenging the status quo with their latest CBC and HBO Max series — and not without a little bit of fear.

‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ is Horny, Hilarious, and Heartwarming

A solid cast and smart writing drives HBO Max’s sharp-witted comedy, the latest project from Mindy Kaling.

Fabindia: How an American Founder Defined the Indian Aesthetic

John Bissell’s cult lifestyle brand has supported rural artisans for over 60 years. But will the company’s looming IPO put this very mission at risk?

How India Invented Zero

Ancient India’s preoccupation with the concept of nothingness — shunyata — would change mathematics, trade, and technology as we know it.

The Trendsetting Legacy of India’s VJs

Their 1990s shows on music channels like MTV and Channel V were neither Doordarshan nor Bollywood, giving rise to indipop and lending “cool” to Indian youth culture.

Why We Rarely See Bengali Restaurants Outside Bengal

Is London’s Chourangi a sign that global appetites are changing, or will Bengali food take longer to make its well overdue mark?

Danish Baig, 27, Among Ten Dead at Astroworld

The Pakistani American from Euless, Texas died while saving his fiancée, who had to be hospitalized. The two were among dozens injured or killed at the event.

‘Eternals’ Review: Come for the Action, Stay for the Humor

Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo is easily one of the highlights of the latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

How Diwali Marketing Went Mainstream in the U.S.

More brands than ever before are promoting their products to Hindu Americans with targeted Diwali ads.

The Rise of Sexy South Asians on Screen

Brown actors like Simone Ashley in "Sex Education," Raymond Ablack in "Maid," and Punam Patel in "Special" are finally getting the sexy storylines they deserve.

Why the Role of Ali Abdul in “Squid Game” Matters

Anupam Tripathi’s character in the massively popular Netflix series may foreshadow an exciting future for global talent in K-dramas.

A Border Apart: Stories of Families Divided by Partition

The effects of Partition in 1947 still linger today. Families separated by the borders between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh tell their stories of love, heartbreak, and finding connection.

Why There Are 25 Clock Emojis but No Dosas or Samosas

A decade since the launch of the first set of 722 standardized emojis, people are still petitioning for better representation of the very cultural objects that they hold dear.

India’s Burning Hot Love for the Sizzler

The scorch-your-tongue dish grew popular in the 1960s, but few know how it came to India. Some say California, others Japan, but the real story is not so straightforward.

How Himalayan Salt Sold a Rosy Dream

This pretty pink rock has been touted as a cure for COVID and a healthy staple of wellness culture. But behind that salt lamp glow hides many falsehoods — it’s not even from the Himalayas.

How Mughals Turned Into Hindi Cinema’s Newest Villains

From “Mughal-e-Azam” to “Jodhaa Akbar,” Bollywood has long been fascinated with the stories and extravagance of the Mughal empire. But in recent years, films have reduced the Muslim rulers to caricatured villains.

The (South Asian) History of Curry Powder

People mistakenly call many foods “curry” or use the word as an insult. But let’s not forget curry powder’s subcontinental roots.

Excerpt: "We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris"

The forthcoming book chronicles the U.S. vice president’s ascent, with lessons about work, family, and overcoming adversity.

How Hollywood Found Hinduism

Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Madonna, and Miley Cyrus have been criticized for co-opting Hindu traditions. But it was often Indian gurus who sold them a new form of spirituality.

How “Big Brother”’s Hannah Chaddha Helped Make Show History

This season of "Big Brother" was the show's most racially diverse. But for the show to crown its first Black winner, contestants of color had to form a secret alliance.

East Indian Sugar: The Sweeter of Two Evils

The search for sugar that wasn’t produced by slave labor led the British to another faraway colony: India. But was Indian sugar ever free?

“Enjoy Enjaami”: How a Tamil Song Led to a Public Outcry About Caste

A magazine cover by Rolling Stone India and a Times Square billboard sparked public outrage over Dalit erasure.

How Food Has Sparked Protests Throughout History

Indian farmers today, who are fighting against new corporate-friendly farm bills, follow a long line of revolutionaries who used food as a means of protest.

Where are the Women in India's Labor Force?

Female workforce participation in the country has been declining since the 1990s, and fell to a record low of 15.5% last year. So, as the Indian economy has grown, why has it shut out its women?

Why Kamal Haasan's “Hey Ram” Tries — and Fails — to Rewrite History

In the daring historical drama, the actor and filmmaker poses the question, “What if a man could be dissuaded from assassinating Gandhi?”

How Ice Heated Up Trade Between India and America

This quirky blip in the history of global trade — when merchants would ship ice from Boston to Bombay — teaches us what happens when globalization and unfettered demand mix.

In Poet Natasha Rao’s "Latitude," Nature is Sublime

The debut collection — winner of the First Book Prize — is a meditation of the natural world, full of “Krishna-skin skies” and “snow that melts to milk.”

Opinion: Why I Hate Seeing Diversity on Dating Shows

Reality dating shows still feature a largely white cast who sideline contestants of color — emphasizing the racism we face while dating.

South Asians in Therapy: Challenging Norms and Taboos

As therapy becomes more mainstream and accessible, a new generation is reclaiming their mental health.

Prateek Kuhad Isn’t Obsessed With Being “Different”

We spoke to the singer-songwriter, whose fans include Barack Obama, about what hasn’t changed with fame.

How 'Made in India' Made us Thirsty Forever

We talked to Milind Soman and Ken Ghosh about how their now-iconic music video ushered in a sexual awakening for an entire generation in mid-1990s India.

The Cultural Appropriation of Dalit Music

For Dalit artists, performances are tools of cultural resistance. But many have glamorized and sanitized this history.

How a New Generation in India is Reclaiming Gin

Once a remnant of colonial times and consumed primarily by an older generation, gin is now enjoying a revival as cool, young, and uniquely Indian.

The Rise of Anti-Pakistan Bollywood

Patriotic movies used to evoke national unity. Today, films such as “BellBottom,” “Bhuj,” and “Shershaah” focus on settling scores with Pakistan.

The Rise and Fall (and Rebirth) of the U.K.'s Daytime Dance Parties

In the 1980s and 1990s, South Asians created a community around daytime raves in the U.K. Now, a new generation is trying to reignite that same magic.

In “Mogul Mowgli,” the Beat Breaks Down

In director Bassam Tariq’s first narrative film, Riz Ahmed’s Zed struggles with his immigrant identity and rap career while an autoimmune disease attacks his body.

The Sri Lankan Hopper is Going Global

The quintessential island snack is making its way around the world, appearing on menus from the U.K. to Australia and beyond.

The Evolution of Eyebrow Threading Salons

For years, threading salons served as an economic lifeline for immigrant women. Today, a new wave of first- and second-generation women are still looking to make it in the industry, on their terms.

“A Pained Spectator of the War”: Anuk Arudpragasam on “A Passage North”

The Sri Lankan Tamil novelist talks to us about his Booker Prize-longlisted novel, his aversion to writing dialogue, and what’s next.

Why India isn't Known For its Alcohol

France has champagne, Japan has sake, Scotland has whiskey. So, why isn't India famous for an alcohol of its own?

Art Deco: Mumbai's Architectural Tie to Miami

Despite nearly 9,000 miles separating the two cities, they are home to the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world.

How Mani Ratnam’s Terrorism Trilogy Stoked 1990s Nationalism

Though critically acclaimed, the director’s “Roja,” “Bombay,” and “Dil Se...” pushed jingoistic narratives that persist in Bollywood today.

How the Brown Mom Became a Diaspora Comedy Favorite

As South Asian entertainers — from Lilly Singh to Poorna Jagannathan and Pinky Patel — pay homage to Brown moms, can they overhaul cultural stereotypes without reinforcing them?

Opinion: The Audacity of Culinary Caucacity

Gene Weingarten’s Washington Post article isn’t the first time mainstream media has tried to pass off racist commentary as satire, humor, or harmless.

How Nighties Became a Wardrobe Staple for South Asian Women

In a culture that heavily polices women’s bodies, the shapeless garment has become a symbol of freedom.

Thuggee: “The Cunningest Robbers in the World”

In the 1800s, the British claimed to have vanquished a secret cult of Kali-worshipping murderers in India. But did they ever exist?

Opinion: As Afghanistan Falls, What Happens to its Artists?

A musician remembers an Afghanistan brimming with creativity and energy. Now, he fears what might be extinguished.

Memories of Partition, from Our Readers

We asked The Juggernaut readers to share their family’s memories of Partition. These are their stories, in their words.

Controversial Sabyasachi H&M Collection Sells Out — What Gives?

The luxury Indian designer garnered criticism for partnering with the Swedish fast fashion label. His ready-to-wear collection sold out anyway.

Our Stories on Afghanistan

As we work to center Afghan voices and commission pieces with their words, revisit our stories from our archives.

How “Harold & Kumar” Sold a Way Chiller American Dream

The stoner buddy comedy starring John Cho and Kal Penn changed the way Hollywood looked at “model minorities.”

‘Spin’ Makes Culture Clash a Thing of the Past

The Disney Channel’s first TV movie to feature an Indian American lead says that it’s okay to be unapologetically cool.

India’s Siddis and the Olympic Dream

India has won only 33 Olympic medals since 1900 — none in track and field. Now, new local sports programs are working with Siddi athletes to produce Olympic glory.

The Enduring Love of Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

The Bollywood superstars remained devoted to each other over five decades despite personal tragedy, jealousy, and a secret second marriage.

In ‘The Green Knight,’ a Star is Reborn

The sweeping Arthurian epic sees Dev Patel going on his own coming-of-age quest to become a new kind of leading man.

The Ordinary Charm of the Extraordinary Hrishikesh Mukherjee

The pioneer of playful films that spotlighted India’s emerging middle-class passed away before he could see a resurgence of the very genre he had mastered.

How the Amul Girl Became India’s Conscience

The iconic butter brand’s take defined how Indians consumed news. But with less room for political dissent, the Amul girl has been holding her tongue.

How Bollywood Failed Kashmir

Hindi cinema has long viewed Kashmir through a glossy lens, erasing its people, their agency, and their political histories.

Why Sri Lanka Loves Russian Literature

The Soviet Union translated Russian books in local languages as a propaganda tool. Decades later, those books still hold influence in Sri Lanka.

Why “Delhi Belly” Remains Bollywood’s Best Slacker Comedy

Ten years ago, Bollywood made a runaway hit about that period in your 20s when life goes to shit. No film has since come close to replicating it.

“Welcome to India”: The Internet’s Earliest Diaspora Inside Joke

The 2002 parody song by Ludakrishna and MC Vikram spoke to many of the anxieties of the Indian diaspora and created a mutual shorthand for millions.

The Powerful Lens of Danish Siddiqui

The Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, who died amid Taliban crossfire, vividly humanized his subjects — a gaze that didn’t look down on people, but right at them.

How Assamese Pithas are Going Mainstream

A new crop of entrepreneurs are serving up these traditional rice flour-based delicacies at scale — and, in turn, bringing them from the kitchen to homes outside Assam.

The Case of Serial Killer Javed Iqbal

In 1999, a Pakistani man confessed to killing 100 children. But it would take over 20 years and hundreds more deaths for Pakistan to pass its first child abuse law.

Opinion: Kumail Nanjiani and the Hollywood Gaze

Nanjiani is the latest to go through a physical transformation that seems like a requirement for Brown men in Hollywood to get mainstream roles.

Never Have I Ever Season 2 Lets Itself Down

The show’s second season struggles to shine as bright as its first. The writing does a disservice to the actors’ hard work.

The Rise of South Asian Rental Startups

Several startups are competing to be the Rent the Runway of South Asian fashion. But does the market exist for them?

“An Icon, A Star, A Diva”: How Priyanka Made Drag History

We talked to the reigning queen of “Canada's Drag Race” about her drag, coming out to her dad via the show, sharing gowns with Priyanka Chopra, chicken nuggets, and changing the world.

How India Loved, Lost, and Returned to Coca-Cola

In India, a bottle of Coca-Cola is synonymous with celebration. But the country's love affair with the soda wasn't always smooth sailing — Coke was banned in India for nearly 20 years.

Tamarind: India’s Quintessential Candy Flavor

Although tamarind has always been a large part of savory South Asian cooking, its sourness also has a sweet side.

Why India Loves ‘Friends’

How a 1994 show set in New York became — and remains — a beloved comfort watch on the other side of the world.

How a Portuguese Technique Led to a Bengali Sondesh Explosion

Nearly 500 years ago, the Portuguese popularized milk curdling in Bengal. Bengalis would add sweetness and create a rich delicacy.

‘Lagaan’: The Blockbuster That Almost Didn’t Happen

This year marks 20 years since Ashutosh Gowariker and Aamir Khan’s iconic film took the world by storm, and changed Bollywood forever.

‘Fire’: An Inextinguishable Part of Queer Brown Cinema

The 1996 film was the first in India to portray two women in love. Some called it revolutionary. Others called it a war against Indian culture.

Edwina and Nehru: Love in the Shadow of Empire

The British Raj’s last vicereine and India’s first prime minister shared a profound connection that still captures imaginations today.

The Love and Life of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory

With “Maurice,” the duo changed how films depicted gay romance. Their production company won six Oscars, but their own love story remained a secret for 45 years.

Opinion: Your Nostalgia Doesn’t Cancel Out Enid Blyton’s Racism

The late author’s books contain incredibly anti-Black content and imagery. Why, then, do Indians give Blyton a pass?

The Second Globalization of Turmeric

For centuries, turmeric has categorically been the South Asian spice. But, in recent years, it has exploded throughout the West, from face masks to lattes and beyond.

Neena Gupta’s Time in the Sun

For decades, Bollywood relegated Neena Gupta’s talent to only supporting roles. Now, at 62, she’s finally getting her shot at stardom.

Ma Anand Sheela: Mother of all Problematic Faves

You did not — and do not — want to mess with her. But part of you is oddly obsessed with her.

How America’s Patel Brothers Won the Indian Grocery Game

For many new immigrants, the store was a saving grace in a world full of Wonder Bread and Ruffles. But for their children, is the supermarket still a necessity or simply nostalgic?

Why India Still Loves Its Multi-Cuisine Restaurants

The Indian “multi-cuisine” — which emerged over 50 years ago — is what happens when your dad wants masala dosa, your grandparents want Hyderabadi biryani, and your sibling wants fettuccine Alfredo.

Captured in Cape Town: The Murder of Anni Dewani

Her husband was a key suspect. But the investigation’s focus on his bisexuality may have hindered justice.

Vir Das Blazed the Trail for Indian Stand-up Comedy — Now, He’s Going Global

The comedian — who stars in Judd Apatow's "The Bubble," out later this year — forged an industry for Indian comics.

How Princess Diana’s 1995 Interview Could Royally Damage the BBC

Twenty-six years after journalist Martin Bashir’s controversial interview with Lady Di, both the Crown and the BBC are once again under scrutiny.

Know Your Muses: The Queer Camp of Sridevi

The Brown queer community found camaraderie in Sridevi’s fun-loving but rebellious characters.

“Femininity with a Bite”: Why Prabal Gurung Gets Political

The Nepali American fashion designer sat down to chat about dressing everyone from Kamala Harris to Deepika Padukone, why strong women inspire him, and the enduring fashion of 'Rangeela.'

Horror in Hounslow: The Chohan Family Case

In 2003, a family of five vanished from their London home; what followed was a shoddy police investigation.

How BAPS Built a Global Brand of Hinduism — and Brought Its Practices Stateside

The group, over a 100 years old, has recently come under scrutiny for casteist labor practices in New Jersey, but has long been known for temple building around the world.

The Devolution of Journalism in Hindi Film

Bollywood’s ethical journalists are increasingly disappearing from the screen.

“One Day There Will Be Hundreds of Us”: How Dalit Literature Breaks Barriers

A new wave of Dalit writers and publishers are shaping the literary landscape of India and beyond.

The New Wave of Kabul Entrepreneurs

From steakhouses to bowling alleys, founders are building ambitious, homegrown businesses — by Afghans, for Afghans.

Screen Time with Aneesh Chaganty

The director of “Searching” and “Run” talks about diversity in Hollywood, producing “Searching 2,” and his love for Christopher Nolan and Hrithik Roshan.

How Matchboxes Became a Stand-in for Indian Visual Culture

The aesthetics of Indian matchbox covers have seen a resurgence as contemporary artists celebrate the work of designers who still remain largely unknown.

Americans Shouldn’t Need Yoga or Chai to Care about India Right Now

What’s the most effective way to convince people to give when a country is in crisis?

The Visual Language of Satyajit Ray

On his 100th birth anniversary, a look back on how the filmmaker redefined Indian graphic design long before he changed how the world looked at cinema.

Reenvisioning How U.S. Textbooks Tell South Asian Stories

A new ethnic studies curriculum for California’s public schools was poised to become a national blueprint; instead, it is now a mere recommendation.

Good Ma, Bad Ma

Can Bollywood’s mothers exist between virtue or vice?

“Be Careful”: WhatsApp Forwards Spread Fear and Misinformation

Messages intended to increase awareness of potential COVID transmission among South Asian Americans, but the impact has been more alarming.

“Your Silence Will Be Remembered”

Why Indian celebrities are mum about the politics of India’s COVID-19 crisis.

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

This May, a roundup of 15 stories from our archives that celebrate Asian American life, love, culture, and history.

The Rooh Afza Renaissance

The ubiquitous, cooling drink known for its permanent spot on the iftar spread is also indelibly linked with the history of Partition.

Zohra Segal: Begum Ballerina

A dancer, actor, and revolution all packed into one, Segal embodied carefree womanhood on and off screen.

‘Swades’ and the NRI Burden

The 2004 Shah Rukh Khan-starrer doesn’t show a glamorous diaspora, but rather, the political responsibility of returning home.

The Shifting Tides of India’s Seafood Traditions

Though plentiful and sustainable, shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters, and snails barely make an appearance in popular accounts of Indian seafood.

How Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan Weaves Nuance into Marginalized Identities

Whether it’s caste, gender, class, or sexual orientation, the director behind "Masaan" and "Geeli Pucchi" dissects every theme with refreshing sensitivity.

How Trader Joe’s Became Known for Its Indian Food

The American grocery chain inadvertently built a line of products — from lamb vindaloo to spicy chakri mix — that appeal to South Asians and non-South Asians alike.

Valarie Kaur: “Grieve with Us, Stand with Us, Reach Out to Us”

The civil rights lawyer, filmmaker, and Sikh American activist speaks out about the recent Indianapolis shooting, which killed four Sikh Americans.

Beyond Indianapolis: The Enduring Trauma of Anti-Sikh Violence in America

“I have been spat at and asked to go back, just because of our clothing, just because of our skin color, just because of our articles of faith.”

How the Mrs. Sri Lanka Incident Stirred the Pageant Pot

The uncrowning and recrowning of Pushpika De Silva is causing many to question why one’s marital status — and beauty pageants — matter in the first place.

Why You Can’t Help But Love Strings

What set the Pakistani pop rock group — which disbanded after 33 years — apart was a fortuitous blend of timing and talent.

The Weight of Parsi Toddy

How an ancient tradition cemented itself in Parsi kitchens, and why it is now fading away.

How India Made Chess and its Champions

The country that invented the ancient game is now producing some of the world’s biggest chess champions.

Why Memories of Burma Live On in Chennai

Wealth faded, political rifts widened, but the Indian-Burmese connection lives on.

How a Nepali Drama Deconstructs Male Ego

Filmmaker Khyentse Norbu’s latest, “Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache,” captures a man’s journey through the chaotic rift between the spiritual and the modern.

How Posto Became Bengal’s Comfort Food

The rise of poppy in Bengali cuisine went hand in hand with the British love for tea.

Charles Sobhraj: The Serpent Who Charmed India

The BBC-Netflix co-production shows the serial killer for what he is: a cold-blooded escape artist and convicted international criminal.

A Year into Lockdown, South Asian New Yorkers Share their Stories

Six South Asians — the Asian subgroup with the highest number of positive cases and hospitalizations — lay bare their pandemic experiences.

How Sanjena Sathian of “Gold Diggers” Creates Magic

The writer reveals how her debut novel uses the unreal and ineffable to answer questions about identity, ambition, and our place in history.

Jhumpa Lahiri and the Rite of Diasporic Fiction

In her latest novel, "Whereabouts," Lahiri writes her first fiction in Italian — about themes beyond the Indian immigrant experience.

The Accidental Feminist Side-Effects of 2000s Hindi Remixes

The naughty genre served as an unintentional glimpse into a world where young women could just have fun.

How a 1990 Satyajit Ray Film Predicted the Future

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and increasing politicization of society, "Ganashatru" is loudly prescient.

Haseena Moin’s Wonderful World of Women

The screenwriter elevated the ordinary to capture the dream of millions of Pakistani women: freedom to be themselves.

Opinion: It’s Too Easy to Criticize Rupi Kaur

Many have ridiculed the Instagram poet, but her politics deserve a chance.

Community Cookbooks, A Window Into a Bygone Era

A generation of Marathi cookbooks highlight unusual ingredients, old cooking techniques, and absurdly high expectations of women.

Why Bollywood Loved — and Lost — Fawad Khan

It’s been years since fans have seen the iconic Pakistani actor in Hindi cinema. But they can’t seem to forget him.

Noor Jehan: The Light of the Closet

How the singer born in pre-Independence Punjab became a contemporary icon for sex workers, dissenters, and queer people.

Opinion: How the BJP Took Away My Childhood Idols

What do you do when celebrities who once inspired you trade grace and morality for relevance?

Why Everyone’s Talking About the Oxford Student Union Case

Rashmi Samant made history as the first Indian woman to be elected student body president, when controversial social media posts emerged.

A History of Bhang, India’s Most Accessible Cannabis

From Holi celebrations to paan shops, bhang has been consumed for thousands of years in India.

What Recipes Leave Off the Page

Recipes, family legacies, and lore are passed down in the kitchen, not the written word.

Helen, the Glittering Mehbooba of Bollywood

Draped in lace, rhinestones, and fur, Helen claimed and rebranded the archetype of a vamp.

People Have a Lot to Say About the Meghan-Harry Interview

From racism to female-upheld misogyny, Oprah’s interview brought up familiar themes for Brown viewers everywhere.

How Pakistani Mangoes Became Maoist Propaganda

The regifting of a fruit sparked a political frenzy in a country where they were little-known.

Why Bollywood Queens Start in the South

For decades, Hindi cinema has been sourcing its leading ladies from the Southern film industries of India.

Nearly 50 Years After their Expulsion, Asian Ugandans Still Remember Home

Younger generations are grappling with not only the trauma of leaving their homes, but also their community’s colonial complicity.

“Bhaji on the Beach” and the Magic of Communal Unlearning

Against the symbolic backdrop of the beach, Gurinder Chadha and Meera Syal’s film captures what a single fleeting day of freedom can do for Brown women.

How Soya Nuggets Became a Household Ingredient in India

A strange twist of history made this plant-based protein a feature of Indian cuisine.