CATEGORIES
From Across The Seas
Eight years ago, London-based chef Andrew Wong, who runs two flourishing restaurants in the British capital including the Michelin-starred A. Wong, travelled to regions of mainland China and Hong Kong to learn local culinary traditions and gain experience from the masters of the kitchens there. And today, almost a decade later, Wong is treating patrons to masterpieces in New Delhi at Baoshuan, The Oberoi’s rooftop Chinese restaurant.
Ocean To Table
A fishmonger in Turin has a unique approach to customer service while being mindful of his produce and the environment. Giuseppe Beppe Gallina, better known as Beppe, speaks to Sheetal Mallar of his passions and hopes while sitting in his pescheria (fish stall) at the iconic Porta Palazzo.
Milestone Memories
Those were the days, claims Madhu Jain who, although having already come into her own by the time the ultimate decade of the last century began, still discovered a time of great social, cultural and personal change…
The Good Old Days?
Since the air is thick with sentimental reminiscence for the’90s thanks to the ubiquity of millennial content creators, we can’t help but yearn for the decade in all its kitschy, analog glory. As Verve pays homage to the era during which it was launched, Akhil Sood provides a reality check to remind us that while fondly looking back may be soothing, necessary even, it’s important to snap back to the present and keep our eyes trained on the future…
Baba Sehgal- A Pioneer Of Hindi Rap In The Country
For a lot of young Indians today, he might only be relevant as a postmodern, internet celebrity – the guy who writes meme-tastically absurd lyrics about rajma and flatulence. However, the origin story of Baba Sehgal’s fame actually began almost 30 years ago, during the Indipop boom. Akhil Sood maps out the irregular trajectory of the eccentric rapper’s success, from ‘Thanda Thanda Pani’ to ‘Chicken Fried Rice’.
In Search Of Happiness
A quest for emotional well-being drives the generation of impermanence, discovers Preksha Sharma
Just Passing Through Kolkata
As Shreya Ila Anasuya revisits the city that she once knew so well, she takes us on a tour that highlights the multicultural make-up of various quarters in Bengal’s capital…
A Matter Of Perspective
Madhu Jain reminisces about the books that she grew up with and discovers that the passage of time sometimes changes their understanding and impact….
My Friend, Neena
She has danced with her on stage, performed with her in plays and shared many of her life-changing moments, both professional and personal. And now, as her compatriot continues to earn accolades for a game-changing role in a record-smashing film, author and editor Sathya Saran rewinds to some of her friend’s most meaningful turning points
Divya Dureja
She ties together multiple bodies of work as a poet, curator, DJ and psychologist. Shreya Ila Anasuya meets one of the smart, savvy and sensitive new faces of mental health and LGBTQIA+ rights in India
In Search Of Self
Anjali Kumar, the author of Stalking God — My Unorthodox Search For Something To Believe In, talks to Karthik Shankar about faith, the importance of keeping an open mind and the commonality of our humanity.
Flight Of Fancy
Audrey Maben, India’s first female microlight flying instructor, and her daughter Amy Mehta share more than just a penchant for adventure. Sadaf Shaikh discovers a resplendent family heirloom that the pair hopes to pass down the generations.
Actor And Cancer Crusader Manisha Koirala On How Life Changed After Her diagnosis
She faces each day with her trademark wide smile, despite having ridden the rollercoaster that being diagnosed with ovarian cancer brought in its wake. Seen earlier this year in Sanju and Lust Stories, Manisha Koirala has come to terms with the changes that have occurred in her mind, body, lifestyle and social circle. Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena pens her story — in the actor’s own words.
Flying Solo
Awards, accolades and the trappings of fame aside, Tabu leads her life — both on and off the screen — on no one’s terms but her own. The critically-acclaimed actor and lone ranger continues to tread a unique path that leads the way for other independent women. Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena meets the insightful star on the eve of her latest cinematic offering, Andhadhun.
The South Asian Counterpoint
With a narrative driven by the various geopolitical and economic shifts witnessed by the region, South Asian art has carved a special place for itself in the global arena. Coming into its own, it has become a force to be reckoned with, even as the community continues to grapple with its identity, past and present, and evolve, says Bhavna Kakar.
Tracing The Source
Art movements, trends and fashions are iffy, whimsical things, states Madhu Jain, who takes a ramble through the decades to find what is motivating creators in the subcontinent today.
Home Sweet Hutong
Settling into her new life in Beijing, Mithila Phadke is constantly surprised by the hidden secrets of its lesser-known winding alleys and the many stories they hold. She writes about how a geographical shift led her to fuel her creative juices
Wearing His Art On His Sleeve
He provides a sardonic take on the intricacies of the social dynamics within India’s art community through his digital project #ArtWorldMemes, but his fashion choices are no joke. Abhinit Khanna, in a tête-à-tête with Shubham Ladha, talks about what has shaped his sense of style
Drawn To Doodling
Lines, scribbles and lots of humour are the tools of trade that fuel the creations of Sailesh Gopalan of Brown Paperbag Comics and Harshveer Jain of Storyseller Comics. The two Instagram artists talk to Tina Dastur about their love for their art, their favourite webcomics and making a meaningful impact through their stories.
A.R. Rahman - The Man Behind The Music
His creative genius has conjured up a host of rhythmic offerings — from soul-stirring notes and romantic ditties to pulsating rhythms and foot-stomping beats. Over the years, A. R. Rahman has captured the imagination of countless fans, not just in India but worldwide as well. Interacting with the Oscar award winner in his Chennai home, Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena delves into the mind of the maestro.
Quality Controllers
Stepping into a demanding realm of work, they have harnessed technology to develop and reinvent urban topographies. Trupti Amritwar Vaitla, Dipika Prasad and Trupti Doshi tell Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena about their innovative planning methods for optimising the potential of Indian cities…
Aromatic Landscapes
A heady dose of nostalgia permeates D. S. & Durga’s intricately layered universe. Kavi Ahuja Moltz and David Moltz, the couple behind the decade-old brand, give Rymn Massand a glimpse into how they have carved a unique niche in the perfume industry.
Out Of The Binary
An LGBTQIA+ collective from Ahmedabad brings unsung South-Asian narratives under the umbrella of its annual zine, Tilt. QueerAbad co-founder, Anahita Sarabhai, tells Ojas Kolvankar how up-and-coming queer artists are portraying their multi-hued perspectives.
Built To Impress
New Delhi’s buildings and thoroughfares are purposefully constructed symbols of wealth and power that dictate who’s in charge, maintains Madhu Jain, as she ruminates on the city’s hierarchy by design…
Sign Language
Roaming across Mumbai, Tanya George analyses the cosmopolitan capital’s multilingual typographic landscape.
Full Circle
The fashion industry is capricious; it looks towards the future but is grounded in nostalgia.
'Part Of My Heritage Is To Give Back….'
Documentary film-maker, adventurer, jewellery designer and public speaker Céline Cousteau speaks to Shirin Mehta of her recent India visit as an ambassador for The TreadRight Foundation. She tells us about exploring and filming the deep Amazon and its indigenous tribes and being on the research vessel Calypso with her legendary explorer-oceanographer grandfather, Jacques Cousteau...
Storytellers of the Year
From in-your-face productions to satirical graphic novels, social commentary appears to be the call of the hour. Simone Louis evaluates the masterworks of 2016
Digital Revolution
Through Instagram, Twitter and personal blogs, these outspoken women are laying the foundation for important and necessary conversations about gender equality, sexual harassment and other issues that remain largely unaddressed or stigmatised, finds Zaral Shah
Walking The Talk
Find your voice and speak up, advises Madhu Jain, who remembers her days as a young, timid novice relegated to flower and dog shows at a daily newspaper....