In the midst of the grand community celebrations of Durga Puja in Bengal, the Bonedi Barir Pujo of Kolkata has its own compelling story. It all commenced in 1757 with Nabakrishna Deb, the initiator of Sovabazar’s palatial Durga Puja, giving rise to a unique culture of inclusivity and generosity.

Exceptionally creative individuals often find their path to freedom and individuality despite facing significant obstacles. One prime example of such a creator is Benode Behari Mukherjee, a 20th-century visual artist who managed to create masterpieces despite being visually impaired.

About 10 kilometres from the district headquarters, the town of Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, lies one of the many forgotten villages of India, Iruvelpattu. Researched as one of the typical villages of South India out of sheer economic interest, British professor Gilbert Slater managed to do what no one else did, put a common village on the map and draw attention from academic and governmental quarters.

The popularity of women’s football worldwide soared to new heights during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team has been breaking barriers of their own. Their grit and perseverance brought women’s football in India to where it is now.

When the stage is set, skilled actors turn up to enact a lively version of a written text, enabling the audience to float to distant lands through the perception of the visuals and profound performances, nothing can come close to the joy of watching a play. Bengal has been the heart of this mesmerising theatre culture for centuries. This is a story of how it all began and how it evolved through generations.

About twelve miles north of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, lies Adalaj Ni Vav, a 16th-century stepwell. Aside from being a utilitarian building, the stepwell was, and still is, an architectural wonder built on the foundation of a queen’s undying love for her people and her martyred husband.

Nestled along the Malaprabha River in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka, lies an extensive assemblage of temples, shrines, and scattered megaliths. Aihole is a land that has borne witness to the evolution of stone sculpting over thousands of years. Structures here brim with historical and prehistoric significance.

The expressive movements, the mudras, the definitive rhythm and the grace of the dancers, have all led Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance, to international fame. Highly acclaimed as one of the oldest classical dances of the country, Bharatnatyam has had a turbulent past. This is the tale of the origin, downfall, and revival of the now-revered art form.

Many think of turtles as sweet creatures who take their own time reaching somewhere and look at you endearingly when you try to feed or pet them. But these are some of the many reasons certain turtle species are nearing extinction. One such species, the black softshell turtle, has been, thankfully, receiving special treatment at the temples of Assam and Bengal, which has successfully prevented them from going extinct.

Magnificently designed motifs of social, mythological, and natural scenes on the pallus of Baluchari silk sarees have been adorning women of all generations for centuries. Nonetheless, this intricate artwork has been through numerous ups and downs since its origin. This is the tale of the weavers, looms, the cycle of appreciation and downfall, and the revival of Baluchari.