The Culture Gully: Art, Culture, History India

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

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This photograph brings together two legendary singers whose music left an unforgettable mark on the Indian subcontinent. Noor Jehan, who moved to Pakistan after the 1947 Partition, became one of Pakistan’s most celebrated singers, especially known for her contribution to Punjabi music. Lata Mangeshkar became one of India’s most beloved playback singers. Despite the borders that separated their countries, both artists shared a deep connection through music that continues to transcend generations.

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

31 minutes ago3 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

8 hours 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

9 hours 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

23 hours 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

1 day ago3 min read

News articles clipping talking about the increasing theft in Bihar

Acha oh...you're from Bihar

From household jokes to Bollywood films and viral memes, Bihar has been reduced to a stereotype that overshadows its rich history and remarkable contributions to India. But when did an entire state's identity become synonymous with crime, poverty, and illiteracy? It's time to look beyond the punchlines and recognise the people behind them.

ART+CULTURE

Anika Dutt

2 days ago3 min read

A grand Indian wedding celebration. On the left, an older man and two women in rich traditional clothes and heavy jewellery laugh joyfully among guests. On the right, a young couple in embroidered wedding outfits walk hand in hand under glowing lights. The lavish setting shows the wedding extravaganza culture discussed in this article.

Gift, Blessing, Custom: The Hidden Dowry in Arranged Marriages

"Is baar kitney paise lagaoge shaadi mai?" In many arranged marriages, this question comes with a smile over a cup of chai, and no one calls it a demand. Yet dowry has been illegal in India since 1961, and it still exists in about 88% of marriages. It survives by changing its name: a demand becomes a gift, a price becomes a blessing, and a negotiation becomes a custom. The real test is simple: would the marriage go ahead with the same respect and dignity if the bride’s family

ART+CULTURE

Maanvi Bhatia

3 days ago4 min read

An unattended roadside stall in Mizoram displays fresh produce with handwritten prices and a payment box, illustrating how Nghah Loh Dawr reflects the values of honesty, mutual trust, and shared responsibility within a community.

The Shops That Run on Trust: Inside Mizoram's Shop Without Shopkeepers

In Mizoram, some of the most remarkable shops operate without shopkeepers, relying instead on something money cannot buy: trust. Known as Nghah Loh Dawr, these roadside stalls allow customers to take fresh produce and pay without anyone watching. What began as a practical solution for farmers has grown into a reflection of the state’s community values and shared responsibility. Although dishonesty sometimes occurs, these shops continue to show how trust can make everyday tran

ART+CULTURE

Lalthakimi Khupchawng

3 days ago3 min read

Indian map depicting South Indian states

Why Is South India Treated as One Identity?

South India is often seen as one culture, even though Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have different languages, traditions, and identities. British rule, language classifications, and Bollywood stereotypes helped create this common image. The term “Madrasi” is often used for all South Indians, ignoring their differences. However, these states have different political views, economic concerns, and cultural practices.

HISTORY

Maanvi Bhatia

Oct 104 min read

A handcrafted wooden nameplate bearing the word “Aham,” beautifully blending traditional Indian script with contemporary home décor.

Why Does Every Indian House Seem to Have a Name?

Across India, houses are often given names that reflect family, memories, values, beliefs, places, or simply a sense of belonging. From traditional names to modern, personalised nameplates, these names turn a house from just a physical space into something that feels uniquely its own.

ART+CULTURE

Swetha

Oct 103 min read

A close-up of a bride and groom joining hands during a traditional Indian wedding ceremony, capturing the intimacy, ritual, and symbolism of marriage.

Before Hinge and Shaadi.com, There was Sharma Ji: The Early Days of Indian Matchmaking

India’s matchmaking traditions have changed dramatically, from genealogists and community matchmakers to matrimonial websites and dating apps. Yet the central question remains the same: who is considered a suitable partner? Technology has transformed how families gather and compare information, but community, religion, family background, education, and social expectations continue to shape marriage decisions.

ART+CULTURE

Maanvi Bhatia

Oct 103 min read

The Mystery Behind Bollywood’s Most Debated Red Mark

The image shows Bollywood actress Rekha with sindoor in the parting of her hair (maang), a striking detail that has sparked curiosity and speculation for years. Her traditional appearance reflects her iconic style, while the sindoor carries cultural associations with marriage in Indian tradition.

ART+CULTURE

Swetha

Oct 103 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