Cool Reads - Page 2

Amrita Sher-Gil: Rebel with a canvas

Often hailed as India’s Frida Kahlo, Amrita Sher-Gil was revolutionary in modern Indian art. Born in Budapest in 1913 to a Sikh father and a Hungarian mother, she existed at the cusp of two worlds. It was this confluence that shaped her
April 14, 2025

Lassi, the timeless cooler for Indian summers

This ubiquitous drink is served in terracotta Kulhads or tall steel tumblers nationwide. Lassi is India’s most beloved summer elixir…frothy, creamy, and deeply comforting. A blend of curd, water, and a swirl of tradition heralds a moment of pause in a searing
April 14, 2025

The many names of the new year in India

In India, the New Year isn’t a single midnight countdown. It doesn’t arrive with party hats and champagne flutes. It comes gently, like a hush before dawn, like a breeze rustling through temple bells. It arrives in different seasons, under different skies,
April 14, 2025

Momos: Himalayan staple to India-wide obsession

Few street foods have won over India quite like momos. These little pockets of joy, stuffed with minced meat or fresh vegetables, are incredibly satisfying. Whether steamed for a delicate bite, fried for a crispy edge, or pan-seared to perfection, they are
March 11, 2025

Brij Lakshman Sagar, Pali: Ethos of slow living

A meticulously restored 19th-century hunting lodge of the royal family of Raipur, Brij Lakshman Sagar unfolds across 32 acres of untouched countryside. Here, Rajputana grandeur meets sustainable design, creating an immersive retreat beside a tranquil private lake. Twelve independent cottages, crafted from
March 11, 2025

Jewellery and the Indian bride

Have you ever looked closely at an Indian bride walking into the Mandap, sparkling from head to toe in her wedding jewellery? In India, bridal jewellery isn’t just about looking beautiful…it’s a symbol of heritage, blessings, and new beginnings. When she steps
March 11, 2025

Kulfi: Ice Cream of Kings

Kulfi is no ordinary dessert. It is India’s original ice cream, rich, velvety, and steeped in history. Born in the royal kitchens of the Mughal era, its name comes from the Persian word Qulfi, meaning “covered cup,” a nod to its traditional
February 14, 2025

Sweet song of spring

Spring in India does not arrive quietly; it sweeps in like a melody full of colour, scent, and rhythm. The first signs appear in the air, warmer and sweeter, thick with the fragrance of mango and apricot blossoms. Mustard fields ripple like
February 14, 2025

New beginnings: India’s festivals of hope

January dawns across India, ushering in a season filled with hope and renewal. From the frost-kissed north to the sun-drenched south, the country’s harvest festivals mirror its agricultural roots. Celebrating the harvest The onset of the new year is woven deeply into
December 24, 2024