Art & Culture News

India was once a hub of ancient silk route

Around 2,000 years ago, a loop of the ancient silk route, called the southern silk road, linked Yunnan province of China to the northeastern parts of India, says travel writer Sunita Dwivedi in her forthcoming book. Titled 'In Quest of Buddha: A Journey Along The Silk Road' and to be published by Rupa and amp; Co, it chronicles Dwivedi's journeys along the route in China, Central Asia and India.10:31 AM on October 01

Green art show cries out to protect earth

In artist Rachna Chhachhi's eyes, the earth is a 'despairing woman' weighed down by natural woes.10:30 AM on October 01

Jaswant joins Dan Brown in bestseller list - again

Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jaswant Singh's controversial 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence' continues as No.1 for the fifth consecutive week in the non-fiction section while Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' is the predictable topper in the fiction list this week.9:00 AM on October 01

Restore walled city heritage, get incentives

Residents of the walled city wanting to renovate their homes could be given permission to use their properties as hotels or for other commercial uses if they restore the building's lost heritage, a civic authority official said Wednesday.9:01 PM on September 30

For Indian classical dance lovers, here comes a feast

The rich legacy of classical Indian dances will be showcased at a five-day extravaganza in October at the capital's alluring Old Fort, better known as Purana Qila.4:31 PM on September 30

Argentina, here come Indian colours and flavours

Indian films, food, dances and handicrafts will deck up Argentina this November, with the Festival of India set to be held not only in Buenos Aires but also in other cities of the Latin American country.9:00 AM on September 30

Alternatives to idol immersion must to save rivers: experts

Immersing idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities in rivers might be an age-old tradition, but the toxic material they are made of pose a grave threat to water bodies, aquatic life and human health, say environmentalists here, urging people to come up with alternative ideas.5:33 PM on September 29

Repairing Brindavan: India's new anthology of erotica on stands

What happens when the 'plain Jane' Paolomi next door armed with a volume of 'Persepolis 2' meets Bollywood superstar Sartaj Khan, the man of her dreams, on the sets of a publicity still?2:30 PM on September 28

Nine-day navaratri festivities culminate in joyous Dussehra

Effigies of demon king Ravana were ready to be burnt and devotees offered farewell prayers to Goddess Durga Monday as Hindus across India prepared to celebrate Dussehra after nine days of prayers, fasting and feasting.11:00 AM on September 28

Hanuman as narrator in comic book, thanks to a Californian

Hanuman, the symbol of power, purity and faith in the Ramayana, has appeared in a new avatar - as the 'sutradhar' (narrator) of the epic mythological tale in an adventure activity and comic book for children 'Where's Hanuman'.11:30 AM on September 27

In god's name, kids start learning on Vijayadashami

Be it Hindus or Christians, thousands of children in Kerala will write their first letters on a plate of rice as they are initiated into the world of learning on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami Monday at temples, churches and schools.2:00 PM on September 26

Delhi International Arts Festival goes to malls, historic sites

The Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF), the capital's answer to the Edinburgh festival, will reach out to the common man this year with interactive music and folk dance performances at malls and historic sites.11:30 AM on September 26

African vistas on artist's canvas

Memories of the sweeping wilderness of Africa seep through the works of urban designer-cum-artist Antonio E'Costa, who spent a better part of his life in Kenya.7:31 PM on September 25

No drop in popularity of Jaswant's book on Jinnah

The controversial book 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence' by expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh continued to dominate the non-fiction section of the bestseller list this week. It has now topped the charts for over a month. Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' topped the fiction list.12:00 PM on September 25

Tripura's royal Durga Puja continues, courtesy government

For over 200 years, Tripura's best known Durga Puja festivities have been held at a temple here, with the Communist government holding good its promise to the state's erstwhile royal family by continuing to organise it year after year.10:01 AM on September 25