Kolkata’s Durga Pujo is an emotion woven with nostalgia, culture, art and devotion. From Kumartuli’s artisans and heritage Bonedi Bari rituals to spectacular contemporary pandals, the festival celebrates creativity, community and womanhood. Beyond the festivities lies a deeper love for Uma, who embodies both the tenderness and indomitable strength of every woman.
This article examines how Disney princess stories shaped our understanding of romance, often teaching women to associate love with suffering, rescue and external validation. Through modern princesses like Mulan, Merida and Moana, it explores the shift towards self-worth, emotional independence and healthier relationships built on mutual respect rather than the desperate need to be chosen.
This article challenges myths around exercising during menstruation, offering a gynaecologist’s perspective on balancing fitness with self-care. Through practical workout examples, it explains how women can adapt exercise to their energy levels and symptoms, emphasising that menstruation need not mean rest or intense training, but listening to the body.
At Kerala’s Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, the fierce Kaavu Teendal ritual challenges conventional ideas of devotion through blood, blades and profane songs. Rooted in legends of Bhadrakali and Kannaki, the festival transforms anger into divine power, challenges caste boundaries, and reveals a Mother Goddess who embraces humanity in its rawest form.
