The Culture Gully: Art, Culture, History India

Prime Time to YouTube: Ravish Kumar's Revolution in Indian Media

What's New

Traditional Indian breads lined up inside an old clay oven, capturing the charm of regional baking traditions.

The Forgotten Breads of India and the Histories They Carry

The article explores the history of regional Indian breads, such as Kashmiri girda, Bengali bakarkhani, Rajasthani khoba roti, and Kerala pathiri. It highlights how migration, cultural exchange, geography, and local ingredients have shaped these breads and their significance in regional identities.

HISTORY

Lalthakimi Khupchawng

22 hours ago4 min read

A women threading the yarns to make cloth

The Women Keeping Northeast India’s Weaving Traditions Alive

The article explores how women in Northeast India preserve traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations while adapting them to modern fashion. It highlights weaving as a reflection of cultural identity and an important source of livelihood. It also discusses challenges such as low wages and limited market access, emphasising the need for fair recognition, cultural preservation, and sustainable opportunities for women artisans.

HISTORY

Lalthakimi Khupchawng

22 hours ago4 min read

A little girl peeping inside the Narnia closet which throws shining light

The Museum Inside Every Indian Kitchen - Crockery

A nostalgic look at India’s obsession with preserving its finest crockery for guests who may never arrive. From golden-rimmed teacups to untouched dinner sets, this piece explores how ordinary utensils became family heirlooms, status symbols and generations of “mehmaanon ke liye hai.”

ART+CULTURE

Anika Dutt

23 hours ago3 min read

The Not So Bad Paan

Beyond Bollywood’s cheeky paan sellers and the familiar red stains on Indian walls lies a forgotten tradition. This piece revisits paan’s place in Indian homes, hospitality and culture, separating its rich heritage from the harmful associations of tobacco and supari.

ART+CULTURE

Anika Dutt

23 hours ago3 min read

The images portray the complexities of love, family relationships, and societal expectations in Indian society. They highlight how personal choices, cultural traditions, and emotional bonds shape human relationships.

When did Bollywood stop telling Middle Class Stories?

Bollywood's fading connection with middle-class realities highlights a growing gap between cinema and everyday life. This article explores how commercial priorities have sidelined relatable stories, examines the decline of authentic representation, and considers why audiences continue to seek meaningful characters and narratives rooted in ordinary experiences.

ART+CULTURE

Maanvi Bhatia

3 days ago5 min read

A group of women and children travel across a barren landscape, carrying their personal belongings and essential possessions as they journey towards an uncertain future. The scene highlights the hardships of displacement, the struggle for survival, and the resilience of individuals facing challenging circumstances.

How did Partition create Modern Indian Street Food?

The Partition of 1947 reshaped more than borders; it transformed India's culinary landscape. From butter chicken and chole bhature to roadside dhabas and regional delicacies, refugee communities turned displacement, scarcity and memory into enduring food traditions. Discover how one of history's greatest upheavals helped create India's modern street food culture.

HISTORY

Maanvi Bhatia

3 days ago5 min read

Traditional Kerala percussion artists perform together on chenda drums during a temple celebration, creating the powerful rhythms that define the state’s festive soundscape. Surrounded by glowing oil lamps and traditional architecture, the performance reflects the deep connection between music, ritual and community.

When Kerala falls Silent, its Ancient Rhythms still Speak

Kerala’s traditional music is more than festival rhythms; it is a living expression of history, faith, labour and community. From the powerful beats of Chenda to the soulful melodies of Mappila Pattu and Vanchipattu, discover the sounds that continue to preserve Kerala’s cultural identity across generations.

ART+CULTURE

SWETHA RAPHAEL

3 days ago4 min read

A vibrant display of spices, including red chillies, black peppercorns, turmeric and cinnamon, captures the richness of India’s spice trade.

Kerala’s Spice that conquered the World

Long before spices became everyday kitchen essentials, Kerala’s tiny peppercorns were shaping the course of world history. From ancient maritime trade routes to distant royal kitchens, these aromatic treasures connected civilizations, attracted empires and transformed global food cultures. Discover how Kerala’s spices conquered the world, one peppercorn at a time.

HISTORY

SWETHA RAPHAEL

3 days ago3 min read

Detailed artistry of traditional handloom weaving, showcasing an artisan's hands carefully manipulating threads.

The Women keeping Northeast India’s Weaving Traditions alive

Northeast India’s women weavers are transforming ancestral skills into modern livelihoods. Balancing heritage with contemporary fashion, they weave cultural stories into everything from traditional attire to modern accessories. However, sustaining this vital 72% female-led workforce requires fair wages, market access, and protecting community motifs from exploitation as the craft evolves.

ART+CULTURE

Lalthakimi Khupchawng

4 days ago3 min read

A group of passengers sharing a laugh inside an Indian train compartment, capturing how a journey with complete strangers can turn into hours of conversation, shared stories, and unexpected familiarity.

Strangers who become Family for Twelve Hours

Indian trains turn strangers into a temporary family. Bound by shared space, homemade parathas, and the question "Aap kahaan tak jaa rahe hain?", passengers trade deeply personal life stories. These fleeting, intimate connections require no future upkeep- just an ordinary, generous care that dissolves beautifully the moment the train hits the platform.

ART+CULTURE

Anshika Gupta

4 days ago3 min read

Shravan Kumar carries his elderly parents in baskets suspended from a pole across his shoulders, depicting the devotion and filial duty for which he is remembered in Indian tradition.

Shravan Kumar was not an Ideal Son: Why You shouldn't have to live with your Children

Indian tradition highly values filial duty, often measuring a child's love by co-residence. However, forcing shared housing as the sole proof of devotion creates undue guilt and restricts independence. As senior-living communities grow, true care should prioritize mutual respect and freedom over a shared postal address.

ART+CULTURE

Anshika Gupta

4 days ago3 min read

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

Oct 233 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