This piece explores the ancient festival of Chhath – a celebration of the Sun, simplicity, and spiritual endurance. From its Vedic roots to its modern-day observance across India and the diaspora, it highlights how faith, nature, and community intertwine in one of the subcontinent’s oldest and most eco-conscious traditions.
A hilarious ode to the delightful pandemonium of Indian breakfast buffets, this piece captures the chaos, charm, and unspoken social dynamics that unfold between the dosa counter and paratha queue. Equal parts relatable and witty, it celebrates the art of over-serving, over-negotiating, and thoroughly enjoying the most chaotic meal of the day.
Preethi Warrier’s review of War 2 calls it a tedious, predictable spectacle drowning in fake glamour, overblown VFX, and shallow patriotism disguised as jingoism. She critiques Bollywood’s obsession with hyper-stylized “patriotic action” films that objectify women, glorify excess, and ignore realism, urging filmmakers to portray genuine struggle and substance instead.
A tale set on Mahalaya night explores the tension between tradition and skepticism, loss and remembrance. Shadows blur the line between the living and the departed, testing faith, love, and protection. Rituals, fear, and unseen bonds converge in a haunting journey toward release, devotion, and spiritual peace.
As Bengal celebrated Mahalaya, Assam mourned the death of beloved singer Zubeen Garg. His tragic passing on September 19, 2025, created a stark contrast between festive joy and deep sorrow. For the author, his music, especially “Baro mashey tero phool phutey,” was a catalyst for personal liberation.
Set against political turmoil in Nepal, Remembering A Mahalaya of the Past reflects on a Bengali mother’s nostalgia for Mahalaya traditions and the fading legacy of Chandipath. Amid grief, loss, and generational gaps, she finds solace in autumn’s arrival and Durga’s symbolic return, embracing Mahalaya as both remembrance and renewal.
Despite progress, gender bias still haunts girls in sports, as seen in a young cricketer’s daily struggles. Idolizing Smriti Mandhana, she faces stereotyping and ignorance. A powerful ad and the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 highlight changing tides. It’s time we support women’s cricket as passionately as men’s.
In a Kolkata tea shop, Tea Leaves, Water, and Milk simmer in a love triangle of strength, clarity, and frothy indulgence. Their tensions, confrontations, and realizations reveal that true harmony lies not in perfection but in balance. This whimsical chai story celebrates love, acceptance, and the art of blending.
The Goalondo Steamer Fowl Curry, born in late 19th-century Bengal on steamers from Calcutta to Dhaka, reflects history, travel, and rustic ingenuity. Cooked by boatmen with simple ingredients like mustard oil, red chilies, and country chicken, it remains a fiery, soulful dish—preserved in memories, literature, and select kitchens even today.
Durga Pujo is more than a festival—it’s an emotion for Bengalis, symbolizing the Goddess’s homecoming. Marked by dhak beats, kash ful, dhunuchi nach, pandal hopping, bhog, cultural programs, and sindoor khela, it blends devotion, art, and community. A vibrant celebration of faith, femininity, creativity, and Bengali identity.
