The Culture Gully: Art, Culture, History India

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How does a modest pot of dal feed an entire family gathering? The answer lies in barkat, the Indian philosophy of abundance and sharing. From Langar and Atithi Devo Bhava to sharing the first roti with birds, discover how Indian traditions celebrate generosity, community, and the belief that true wealth lies not just in what we possess, but in what we share.

The Culture of Barkat: Why Sharing Is the Real Indian Wealth

How does a modest pot of dal feed an entire family gathering? The answer lies in barkat, the Indian philosophy of abundance and sharing. From Langar and Atithi Devo Bhava to sharing the first roti with birds, discover how Indian traditions celebrate generosity, community, and the belief that true wealth lies not just in what we possess, but in what we share.

ART+CULTURE

Nishtha Khanduja

7 minutes ago3 min read

What if traditional Indian homes were doing the math long before modern architecture? From the geometric principles of the Shulba Sutras to cooling courtyards, mud walls, intricate jaali screens, and symmetrical Kolam patterns, discover how rural Indian architecture combines mathematics, climate wisdom, and cultural traditions to create homes that remain relevant in today's search for sustainable living.

Homes That Do the Math: The Sacred Geometry of Rural Indian Architecture

What if traditional Indian homes were doing the math long before modern architecture? From the geometric principles of the Shulba Sutras to cooling courtyards, mud walls, intricate jaali screens, and symmetrical Kolam patterns, discover how rural Indian architecture combines mathematics, climate wisdom, and cultural traditions to create homes that remain relevant in today's search for sustainable living.

ART+CULTURE

Nishtha Khanduja

11 minutes ago3 min read

From Sunday morning coconut oil champis and childhood Mundan ceremonies to jasmine gajras and the Sikh tradition of Kesh, hair in India has always meant more than beauty. Discover how religion, Ayurveda, family traditions, and cultural identity have shaped Indian hair practices through generations—and how these traditions continue to evolve alongside modern hairstyles and changing beauty standards.

Hair Today, Heritage Forever: The Cultural History of Indian Hair

From Sunday morning coconut oil champis and childhood Mundan ceremonies to jasmine gajras and the Sikh tradition of Kesh, hair in India has always meant more than beauty. Discover how religion, Ayurveda, family traditions, and cultural identity have shaped Indian hair practices through generations—and how these traditions continue to evolve alongside modern hairstyles and changing beauty standards.

HISTORY

Garima Chhabra

15 minutes ago3 min read

From the unstitched dhotis of the Harappan Civilisation to today's tailored suits and stylish sherwanis, Indian menswear has come a long way! Discover how the Vedic period, Persian influences, Mughal fashion, British rule, the Swadeshi movement, and Bollywood shaped Indian men's clothing over thousands of years. More than just fashion, Indian menswear is a fascinating reflection of India's cultural heritage, history, and evolving identity.

From Dhoti to Sherwani: How Indian Menswear Went from Drapes to Dapper

From the unstitched dhotis of the Harappan Civilisation to today's tailored suits and stylish sherwanis, Indian menswear has come a long way! Discover how the Vedic period, Persian influences, Mughal fashion, British rule, the Swadeshi movement, and Bollywood shaped Indian men's clothing over thousands of years. More than just fashion, Indian menswear is a fascinating reflection of India's cultural heritage, history, and evolving identity.

HISTORY

Garima Chhabra

17 minutes ago3 min read

The humble steel dabba is more than a kitchen container; it’s a piece of India’s everyday cultural history. From carrying homemade laddoos and school lunches to becoming secret piggy banks and sewing kits, these trusty containers hold generations of memories. Durable, reusable and endlessly versatile, steel dabbas represent the resourcefulness of Indian households long before sustainability became a buzzword. Discover how this everyday kitchen essential became a symbol of nostalgia, family traditions and the changing identity of the Indian middle class.

The Steel Dabba: India’s OG Tupperware That Came with a Side of Nostalgia

The humble steel dabba is more than a kitchen container; it’s a piece of India’s everyday cultural history. From carrying homemade laddoos and school lunches to becoming secret piggy banks and sewing kits, these trusty containers hold generations of memories. Durable, reusable and endlessly versatile, steel dabbas represent the resourcefulness of Indian households long before sustainability became a buzzword. Discover how this everyday kitchen essential became a symbol of nos

ART+CULTURE

Garima Chhabra

2 days ago3 min read

Explore the unwritten rulebook of Indian households and the stories behind age-old Indian superstitions. From avoiding nail-cutting after sunset and believing a cat crossing your path brings bad luck to following nazar rituals, hanging nimbu-mirchi and using a black tika, these customs have been passed down through generations. Discover how Indian family traditions, folklore, religious beliefs and practical precautions shaped everyday habits, and why these fascinating cultural beliefs continue to influence modern Indian households today.

Don’t Cut Your Nails at Night: The Unwritten Rulebook of Indian Households

Explore the unwritten rulebook of Indian households and the stories behind age-old Indian superstitions. From avoiding nail-cutting after sunset and believing a cat crossing your path brings bad luck to following nazar rituals, hanging nimbu-mirchi and using a black tika, these customs have been passed down through generations. Discover how Indian family traditions, folklore, religious beliefs and practical precautions shaped everyday habits, and why these fascinating cultura

ART+CULTURE

Garima Chhabra

2 days ago2 min read

From Papad to Puja: Why Traditional Indian Homes Had Courtyards

From drying papad in the summer sun to celebrating festivals and gathering for family gossip, the traditional Indian courtyard was much more than an empty space. Known as the aangan, it brought together climate-smart architecture, privacy, cultural rituals and community living. From Rajasthan’s havelis to Maharashtra’s wadas and Kerala’s nalukettus, discover why courtyards were the heart of Indian homes—and why we miss them today.

GULLY SCOOP

Garima Chhabra

2 days ago5 min read

Indian and Pakistani fashion share deep cultural roots, reflecting centuries of tradition, craftsmanship, and artistic expression. Despite political boundaries, their fashion continues to celebrate a shared heritage, connecting people through style, identity, and timeless elegance.

Two Nations, One Wardrobe?

Long before Partition, communities across the subcontinent shared fabrics, techniques and styles, from Ajrakh block-printing to Phulkari embroidery. This article explores how kurtas, dupattas and wedding outfits in India and Pakistan carry stories of migration, craftsmanship and identity. It also asks whether the artisans behind these traditions receive the recognition they deserve. Even as borders divide, clothing shows how a shared heritage lives on in every thread.

ART+CULTURE

Swetha

6 days ago4 min read

A grayscale digital painting of Ravana as a powerful warrior king in dark, ornate armour, standing against a smoky gray background, representing the pride and power that Noida’s modern “chariots” and boardrooms still echo.

Noida Through Ravana's Ten Heads

In Bisrakh, believed to be Ravana’s birthplace, the ten-headed king is revered as a scholar and Shiva devotee rather than burnt on Dussehra. This article uses his ten heads, from lust and anger to pride and ego, as a lens for modern Noida. It looks at how ambition and dominance show up in SUVs, road rage, labour protests and bulldozer drives. Beneath the glitz, it asks whether Ravana’s ten heads still live on in the twenty-first century.

ART+CULTURE

Maanvi Bhatia

6 days ago3 min read

A close-up view of a dense bamboo forest featuring weathered orange-brown stalks and green foliage- a vital natural resource, known as "Green Gold," essential to India's rural economy, ecology, and sustainable construction.

India's Green Gold: Why Bamboo from the Northeast Matters

Bamboo is more than a plant in Northeast India; it is a source of food, craftsmanship, cultural identity, and livelihood. With India’s bamboo industry growing, the region has an opportunity to turn its traditional knowledge into economic progress. However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that the communities who have depended on bamboo for generations benefit from its growing commercial value. Can India build a thriving bamboo industry without leaving its traditional arti

ART+CULTURE

Lalthakimi Khupchawng

6 days ago3 min read

A popular Indian television meme template from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. On the left, Krishnan Iyer wears glasses and a blue polo, looking on with a stern, deadpan expression. On the right, Jethalal wears a green patterned shirt, resting his face in his hand with a dramatically stressed and worried look

Kyunki It Was Never Just a Serial

From Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Ekta Kapoor’s serials did more than dominate Indian television screens. While some reinforced traditional expectations of women, others introduced female characters who dared to choose themselves. Looking back, her television universe reveals a complicated relationship between entertainment, family values, and changing ideas of womanhood.

ART+CULTURE

Anika Dutt

7 days ago2 min read

> Two vintage black-and-white portraits of legendary singer Madam Noor Jehan - young Noor Jehan wearing a bindi and veil on the left, and older Noor Jehan wearing a bun and necklace on the right

The Voice That Crossed Borders: The Musical Journey of Madam Noor Jehan

Known as the Queen of Melody, Madam Noor Jehan’s voice shaped the musical histories of both India and Pakistan. From Punjabi folk melodies to Urdu ghazals and patriotic songs, her music transcended borders and generations. Her journey reflects the lasting connection between music, culture and identity, reminding us that political boundaries cannot silence a shared artistic heritage.

ART+CULTURE

Swetha

7 days ago3 min read

TRAVEL

Discover India like never before with out travel section showcasing guides, homestays, hotels, dining experiences and more

HISTORY

Every place has a history attached to it. Through this section, dive-deep into uncovering the truth behind India's wonders

ART+CULTURE

Explore emerging artists and fresh talent. The section challenges stereotypes, offering nuanced views of contemporary Indian society. .

GULLY SCOOPS

Scoops bring you the freshest stories that capture the essence of India's diverse tapestry; a daily round-up of the cultural landscape

Discover Samantha Prabhu's ring and its stunning history. Explore her bridal look that revives a 400-year-old tradition with the Samantha Prabhu ring.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Bridal Look: Diamond Ring, 400-Year-Old Tradition

Discover Samantha Prabhu's ring and its stunning history. Explore her bridal look that revives a 400-year-old tradition with the Samantha Prabhu ring.

theculturegully

Dec 2, 2025