The Gems of Luck and Fortune
byMerchants who sell lucky gemstones don’t necessarily buy into astrology. Is the gems market driven by profit and cynicism alone?
Insight
A Hairstyle Unlike Any Other
byMithun Chakravarthy proves that confidence is all you need to be able to pull off a one-of-a-kind hairdo.
The Economics of Vending Chai
byWhat does it take to set up a chai stall in an Indian city? For migrants to the city, it is an age-no-bar, education-no-bar opportunity.
Hope Across Generations for Tibetan Refugees
byGenerations since their exile from Tibet, the Tibetan community in India preserves a sense of heritage, defiance and hope.
Celebrating Sikhism
byGurpurab marks the birth of Sikhism’s founder – Guru Nanak. We collect some colourful photos of the ensuing ceremonies.
India’s Irani Chai
byA century ago, Iranians migrated to India and set up cafes serving an Indo-Iranian blend of chai. But a sweet tradition is now fading away.
Stories From the Dental Street
byStreet dentists can be found across India providing cheap dental care. Here’s a photo story that documents their practice.
The American Election and the Visa God
byA temple in Telangana is known for helping visitors gain U.S. visas. Does immigration policy concern the deities?
The Fisherman Surfer and the Olympic Dream
bySurfing isn’t a popular Indian sport. Murthy Meghavana, a fisherman-turned-surfer, dreams of making it to the olympics.
The Elephant in the Room
byIndia’s slums coexist with her cities, in an uneasy relationship. The stories of slum dwellers reflect the casualties of urban growth
India’s Spice Trade In Photos
byFor millennia, India has been the world’s favourite spice market. For many merchants, it’s an intergenerational business.
Thus Spake The Ragpicker
byFor some, the economy of waste is an opportunity. For others, a nightmare. What’s broken about the waste economy?
Animal Sacrifice: Sanctioned by Society?
byIn Telangana, the festival of Bonalu features a man decapitating a live sheep with his mouth. Is animal sacrifice legal in India?
Aghori Rituals: Cannibalistic Irreverence
byAghoris eat faeces and rotting flesh; live in graveyards and worship the dead. What’s the ideology behind such extreme practices?
Rituals Of Self Harm: Decoding Muharram
byDuring Muharram, Shias – including children, perform acts of self-harm. Why do they hurt themselves in this holy month of mourning?