Aarathi Arun Nandita Vijayaraghavan Divya K Purushotham
Denver Fernandes Vaishnavi M R
Aparna P Kochumon Anagha Natraj Pranav Radee
Sahana Subramanya
Abinaya Subramanian Aishwarya Kanchi
Aishwarya Kanchi Aarathi Arun Veejay Sai
Sameeksha Bahuguna
Aarti Aney Aasha Sriram Vilani Senthamil
06
Calligraphy and its relevance
20
Life through Philosophy
38
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance : A Fusion of Culture and Art
12 Is the Advent of AI a Boon or a Bane to Artists and their Authenticity?
30 Holi in Jaipur : The Colors, The Streets, and The 90s Way
44 Paper Weight : 10 Nobel Prizewinning books to explore our Relationship with History
A bond Unbroken between Mankind and Wildlife
When Chilli met Curd : An Unexpected Love story
Dear Brew Readers,
This summer, heat has taken over. We're here to cool you down with some refreshing articles curated only for you. Let's beat the heat with Brew.
Our theme being Art, Food and Travel, we have an opportunity to dive through the never ending sea of content. Some seen and some unseen. Some known and unknown. Some learnt and unlearnt. Come join our voyage filled with entertainment and fun. We promise to keep you engaged throughout and hope you enjoy your read as much as we enjoy creating them for you!
Happy reading and happy brewing!
Love, Brew
Dhruv Pandey
Today’s world is filled with keyboard typing and touchscreen. The plethora of mediums and fonts feels mesmerizing and beautiful. Isn’t it?
But….
Have you ever been mesmerized by the beauty of handwritten words?
There’s something magical about it. It’s called Calligraphy........those elegant curves, perfectly balanced letters, and the way the ink flows smoothly onto paper.
It’s almost hypnotic.
In today’s digital typing world, you might wonder: Does calligraphy matter anymore?
Well, to give a short answer, Calligraphy isn’t just about making words look pretty. It’s a form of art, selfexpression, and mindfulness that has stood the test of time. Even in our fast-paced, tech-driven world, the beauty of hand-lettered writing continues to captivate people.
The Origin of Calligraphy: It’s way more ancient than you think!
Calligraphy's origins are ancient, with evidence of its practice found in various cultures, including ancient China (Shang dynasty, 1600-1046 BCE), ancient Rome (around 600 BCE), and ancient Egypt. Every culture, and every history, has added its unique touch to this riveting art. It’s not mere writing but an expression of culture, history, religion and even spirituality in written form.
Now if we dive into Arabic Calligraphy, in particular, it has become one of the highly respected art forms, often used to decorate mosques and religious texts. Styles like Kufic and Naskh were developed centuries ago, and they still influence modern design today. So does East Asian Calligraphy. The rhythm, emotion, and expression; the art itself speaks of the true value of the artist. Western calligraphy has its own rich history. The Romans carved beautifully lettered inscriptions into stone, while medieval scribes spent hours handcopying books in stunning Gothic and Italic styles. Every letter was a work of art. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Calligraphy is a bridge that connects us to our ancestors, their artistry, and their way of life.
Why Calligraphy?
You might think, “Okay, calligraphy is cool and pretty, but why should I care?”....Well, let me tell you that it isn’t just about making it look nice. If you ever wanted to create something beautiful in written form, calligraphy is your way. It blends letters with art making each letter a masterpiece of its own. Unlike digital fonts, handwritten calligraphy carries personality. It is unique to the artist. No two strokes are ever exactly the same. Yet, you cannot find the individualistic authenticity in any digital font.
Think about the fonts you see every day on websites, books, and ads; or even the text you are reading right now. Many of them are inspired by classic calligraphy styles. So the next time you admire a sleek, stylish font, remember that it all started with a quill, ink, and steady hands of an artist releasing his art. You might have seen this form in sacred texts and historical documents, and even in old letters you see in movies or your grandma’s old writings and pondered about what on earth is this beautiful yet out of the world thing written? Well,
Calligraphy has been used to write these texts for centuries. Even today, many religious manuscripts, wedding invitations, and official certificates are still written in calligraphic styles.
Calligraphy is seriously just not for History books!
Calligraphy often creates an image of ancient manuscripts, old scrolls, or monks hand-lettering religious texts in candlelit rooms. While that’s a part of its rich history, calligraphy is far from being a forgotten relic. It’s thriving more than ever! Take a quick scroll through Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok, and you’ll see modern calligraphy everywhere. From aesthetic quote posts to mesmerizing time-lapse videos of lettering, calligraphy has found a new home online. Think about some of the most iconic logos - Coca-Cola, Disney, and even luxury brands like Cartier and Chanel. What do they have in common?...Elegant, custom lettering inspired by calligraphy. No matter how much time passes, calligraphy remains a bridge between the past and present, keeping traditions alive while adapting to modern needs
The Skills and Techniques of Calligraphy
So how do the calligraphers make their letters look so effortlessly elegant? The secret is control, rhythm, and consistency. Unlike regular handwriting, calligraphy is all about deliberate, slow movements with no rushing allowed! It might look easy but once you try you realise the amount of dedication put into each letter or word is immense. Good calligraphy has a natural flow, almost like a dance. Instead of thinking letter by letter, one should focus on the overall movement. Now, let’s talk about stroke techniques. Thick downstrokes, light upstrokes… That contrast is what makes calligraphy pop! And don’t forget spacing. Even the most beautiful letters lose their charm if they’re too cramped or uneven.
Different Styles of Calligraphy
Calligraphy isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of art. It comes in so many styles, each with its personality! Take Western calligraphy, for example. If you’ve ever seen those fancy medieval manuscripts, that’s Gothic (bold and dramatic). Italic is more elegant and flowing, while Roman is clean and structured. Then there’s Arabic calligraphy, where words turn into intricate art. Styles like Kufic and Diwani are full of beautiful curves and flourishes, often used in Islamic texts and architecture. East Asian calligraphy is a whole different mesmerizing art. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean calligraphy rely on brush strokes that feel more like painting than writing. Every stroke has a meaning! And of course, there’s modern calligraphy, a fun, freeflowing mix of everything. You’ve probably seen it on wedding invitations or Instagram posts.
The Artistic Essence of Calligraphy
If someone has to define Calligraphy, then it definitely should be called an art in motion. Every stroke, every curve, and every space between letters is intentional, creating something that feels alive on the page. It’s not just about words; it’s about emotion, rhythm, and personal expression. Now if you ask, what makes calligraphy so special?
It’s deeply personal.
Unlike printed fonts, handwritten calligraphy carries a unique touch. The way a calligrapher forms each letter reflects their style, mood, and even their personality. A bold, structured Gothic script gives a sense of power, while an airy, flowing modern script feels light and elegant. It’s also about patience and flow. You can’t just rush good calligraphy. It forces you to slow down, focus, and appreciate the movement of the pen on paper. The way ink glides, the way letters connect, it’s almost meditative. Many people find calligraphy to be a calming, almost therapeutic practice. But beyond its beauty, calligraphy is a blend of tradition and creativity. It’s been used for centuries in religious texts, royal decrees, and artistic masterpieces, yet it continues to evolve with modern styles and digital tools.
No two calligraphers write the same way, which makes every piece unique. At its core….. Calligraphy isn’t just about letters, it’s about storytelling, culture, and self-expression. It turns simple words into visual poetry, making them timeless.
IS THE ADVENT OF AI A BOON OR A BANE TO ARTISTS AND THEIR AUTHENTICITY?
Sahana Subramanya
There is no doubt that art holds a stronghold on human creativity, where artists pour their heart out onto their work, giving rise to the masterpieces, one envisions. However, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), artists are pondering whether machines truly have the ability to tap into the depths of human creativity.
Art in its Raw Essence
Art is the purest form of a human’s thoughts and expressions, captured in its raw and original form. With the perfect concoction of colors, texture, strokes, tools, and ideas, each art piece is a signature of an artist’s imaginative power, showcasing a language beyond words.
From the time art was discovered by early mankind, be it for rituals, cultural practices, storytelling, or to pass on knowledge to the future lots, to express pleasure
or creativity, art holds immense significance in the lives of every individual. It has become a ray of hope for some, a reason to smile, a means to connect with loved ones, a way to unwind, and the list goes on.
What Makes Art Sui Generis?
You have to have an eye for appreciating art; else, it is just a piece of paper held on a frame for some. You might have noticed; artists are gifted individuals with a unique talent for capturing a moment as it is, but have you ever wondered what makes art
truly special? The very ability to showcase that moment in a way that can reveal the hidden beauty is something that a layman often overlooks. Furthermore, the ability to master intricate strokes, shades, patterns, and moods and capture them on a frame is truly awe-inspiring. Is this what bringing life to a picture means? I wonder…
The Advent of AI Generative Art
Artists revere art through their work and sometimes pursue their passion for drawing and painting as a profession. The very
strokes and patterns they create earn them their bread for daily life. With utmost devotion and dedication, these artists ensure to preserve and help their art forms flourish to this day.
While this happens on one side, on another, the AI generative art forms are gaining popularity among many, both young and old.
The horizon for artistic exploration has opened doors for artists to traverse a plethora of genres without going through the challenges they often face with manual intervention with respect to having a frame that is picture perfect. With algorithms
that have risen that can create realistic, stunning visuals from complex patterns to breathtaking landscape drawings, the benefits of AI generative art methods are undeniable. But the main question is, to what extent? Let us explore together the pros and cons of AI in the field of art.
The Appeal of AI Generative Apps in Art
An inspiration to bring out new ideas
The algorithms are equipped to throw new ideas, styles, and simplified techniques at artists, igniting an inspiration to explore
the unexplored.
Experimenting and collaborating with fellow artists and designers
AI can help the community explore new mediums, styles, and techniques to make creative decisions and share their creations within the communities.
A window of opportunities for artists to take their passion into profession
The intervention of AI generative tools for artists can bring in new opportunities and revenue streams, licensing, or digitizing physical art pieces.
Adversities Faced by Artists From AI Generative Apps in Art
Makes artists handicapped
AI generative tools have become tempting enough to make artists rely heavily on them, potentially limiting their creativity, skill sets, growth, and collaborative opportunities. And overly relying on them will lead to saturation of creative ideas, driving homogenization of styles, and resulting in curbing the uniqueness of an artist.
Makes art more accessible
While this may be a debatable topic, art was made only for the elite, aristocrats, or those with special power or royalty. This was because of the skills required to master, the materials being expensive, and limited access to training for those eager to pursue it. However, this is not the case now, and thanks to the assistance of AI tools and applications that assist in creating realistic images, even for a novice.
Distancing from the humane touch
Artists are known for their ability to imbue an object or a landscape, previously captured, with their unique perspective, making each painting special. But with the introduction of AI features, the humane touch is lost, leading to saturation of new perspectives and ideas.
Concerns over authenticity
The most realistic of AI generative images are, unfortunately, never the original, significantly reducing the value of these images and, for that matter, human creativity. This poses a greater risk to the reputation of the artists in itself. The other potential risks also involve authorship and ownership of the image creations, leading to implicative losses in terms of social and financial aspects.
AI and the Ghibli Trend: When Homage Becomes a Rebuke
While the conundrum of your memories is being captured in a trendy art form by the Studio Ghibli style, it received heavy criticism among some in the art community. The art form of Ghibli style brought aesthetics and appeal as the images appear with visual depth and visually striking themes of families, friends, natural landscapes, etc., through this medium.
According to Hayao Miyazaki, a manga artist and the inspiration behind the Ghibli art style, he has highly condemned the ongoing trend of converting images and photographs into Studio Ghibli style through the help of apps like ChatGPT, Grok, Deep Dream Generator, Flux, and many others.
Miyazaki, Suzuki Toshio, and Isao Takahata founded Studio Ghibli in the year 1985 and were renowned for making high-quality films and hand-drawn figures for animation and enriched storytelling. The images then gained importance and were renowned internationally. Miyazaki and many other artists have dedicated their lives to creating masterpieces and noteworthy comic strips through the manga art form. According to Miyazaki, he calls AI-generated animations a disgrace to life in itself. Such was the displeasure he had shown when the Ghibli trend’s fame spread far and wide.
The Riddles of the Ghibli Trend Espied
Authenticity vs. Imitative
The trend follows the Ghibli art through filters as a perfect mimic, often raising questions about the authenticity of the experience of the style. This looks like a superficial adoption of the famous style, risking the intricate artistry and the handcrafted finesse that the Studio Ghibli group is widely known for.
Availability vs. Relevance
The popularity of the trend has given easy access to internet users around the world to express their creativity, and amateurs and non-artists give it a try. However, infiltration of inappropriate content is another risk when it comes to maintaining the culture of the art form.
Popularity vs. Transitory Nature
Like the many trends that have gained popularity and momentum in the social media world, however, there is a constant risk of the trends fading out of the social media realm as well in the minds of the users alike. This leaves a questionable impact on the trends that are inspired by some of the greatest artistic styles, like that of the Ghibli style.
Sustaining Art Amidst the Rising Fame and Usage of AI in Art
In a world increasingly shaped by AI-generated apps and their continuous evolution, the only way genuine art can survive is through value and its unexampled methods. The modern technology may have provided room for exploration to the artists; however, it may be accepted to an extent to that of acquiring ideas, styles, and information on how to enhance the experience of the audience. Beyond that, it may turn catastrophic for the artists, policymakers, and the art world who have dedicated their lives to mastering the art of conveying their perception to the world in a unique manner. For those with a keen eye towards ancient, contemporary, or modern art forms, the current advances in technology through AI-driven applications and tools can never satisfy the creative intellect rooted deep within.
Aishwarya Abhishek Singh
Philosophy often enters our lives without us noticing. It doesn't always announce itself with heavy books or the presence of ancient thinkers. Sometimes, it appears in a quiet moment of self-doubt. Sometimes, in grief. And sometimes, in those rare moments of stillness where we find ourselves asking: What is the meaning of all this? I didn’t begin with Plato or Kant.
I began with questions. Simple, aching, human questions. Why do we suffer? Why are people unjust? What does it mean to live well? As I grew older, I realized that to ask these questions - and to live into them - is to live philosophically. And that journey has quietly shaped the way I think, act, create, and connect.
Where It All Began: A Brief Origin of Philosophy
Before it became something we study, philosophy was something people lived. It started, simply, as a wonder. In ancient Greece, around the 6th century BCE, thinkers began to look beyond mythology for answers to life’s mysteries. Instead of gods controlling fate, people like Thales of Miletus, Heraclitus, and later, Socrates, asked questions based on logic, ethics, and observation.
Thales believed everything came from water, while Heraclitus observed that “everything flows” - meaning change is the only constant. But it was Socrates who changed philosophy forever by teaching through questions. His approach - asking “What is justice?” or “What is virtue?” - formed the basis of critical thinking. He didn’t offer answers; he taught how to seek them.
Socrates passed on his method to Plato, who documented it in dialogues. Plato’s student, Aristotle, created systems - ethics, politics, biology - that shaped Western thought for centuries. From them, Western philosophy spread across Rome,
then into medieval Europe, and eventually merged with modern science, politics, and psychology.
Early thinkers sought to understand nature and human existence through reason and observation. This shift gave birth to the Pre-Socratic philosophers - thinkers like Thales, who proposed that everything arose from water; Anaximander, who spoke of the ‘boundless’ (Apeiron) as the origin of all things; and Heraclitus, who believed in constant change - famously declaring, “You cannot step into the same river twice.”
Then came Socrates, who shifted the focus inward - from nature to ethics, from cosmos to conscience. Socrates didn’t write books; instead, he questioned people in the streets of Athens, challenging them to define justice, virtue, love, and truth. His method, now called the Socratic method, taught people to think deeply, to examine their beliefs. His student Plato documented these conversations, and his own philosophy introduced the idea of ideal forms - the belief that beyond the physical world lies a realm of perfect, unchanging truths.
Aristotle, Plato’s student, grounded philosophy in observation and logic. He systematized ethics, politics, biology, rhetoric, and more. His belief that knowledge comes from empirical experience shaped Western thought for centuries. Greek philosophy didn't stop there. The Stoics taught the value of inner resilience; the Epicureans encouraged modest pleasures and the pursuit of tranquility; the Skeptics questioned the possibility of certain knowledge. Greek philosophy was not just theory - it was a way to live. But the story of philosophy is far richer than one tradition.
In India, philosophy emerged even earlier, embedded in spiritual practices and everyday living. The Upanishads, written between 800–200 BCE, asked profound questions about consciousness (Atman), reality (Brahman), and the illusion of the material world (Maya). These ideas laid the groundwork for schools like Vedanta, Samkhya, and Nyaya - each with a unique approach to truth and liberation.
The Buddha, a contemporary of early Greek philosophers, turned the spotlight inward. He sought not just knowledge, but freedom from suffering. His teachings - the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path - offered a guide to ethical, mindful, and compassionate living, which deeply influenced Asia’s intellectual and cultural life.
In China, around the same time, Confucius and Lao Tzu shaped thought through human values and natural harmony. Confucianism focused on duty, relationships, and governance, while Taoism embraced balance, intuition, and surrender to
nature’s flow. Across the world, people were asking the same questions in different ways.
Where did we come from?
Why do we suffer?
What is a good life?
Philosophy began as a human impulse - to understand. And that impulse continues.
Discovering Philosophy Outside the Classroom
Most of us meet philosophy through textbooks, often burdened with jargon and historical timelines. But philosophy truly comes alive in lived experience. I remember as a teenager, I was once told, “You think too much.” Back then, it felt like a criticism. Now, I consider it a strength.
I found myself returning often to literature for comfort and direction. Books like The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran or Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse carried within them quiet truths. These weren’t philosophical texts in the traditional sense, but they were full of life’s big questions. Through poetic prose and mystical stories, they taught me that wisdom doesn’t always arrive with answers - it often arrives with clarity about what to ask.
I remember reading Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and coming across Ivan’s bitter questioning of God in the face of innocent suffering. It was uncomfortable, and yet, profoundly human. That was the moment I understood: philosophy isn’t about being certain. It’s about having the courage to sit with uncertainty.
MARCUS AURELIUS
The Philosophy of the Everyday
Philosophy isn’t some distant pursuit reserved for scholars. It's present in how we make choices, how we treat people, how we process failure. It’s embedded in the fabric of our daily lives - whether we recognize it or not. Take mornings, for example.
When I rise and decide how I want to spend my day - whether I’ll react to chaos or choose to respond with calm - I’m already practicing a kind of philosophy. When I struggle with forgiveness, with anger, with expectations - I lean on philosophical reflection, often unknowingly, to guide me.
This became especially clear to me during the pandemic. Like many others, I was confined, overwhelmed, and anxious. That’s when I stumbled deeper into Stoicism, a school of
ancient Greek philosophy rooted in practical wisdom. Thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca taught that we cannot control the world around us, but we can control how we respond to it.
Marcus Aurelius, in Meditations, wrote as if he were writing for our times:
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” That one line changed how I viewed my circumstances. Instead of feeling like a victim of uncertainty, I began to feel empowered to choose my response.
Embracing the Absurd with Camus
As I explored more philosophical writing, I came across the work of Albert Camus and Existentialism. His idea of the “absurd” struck me
like lightning. Camus believed that we live in a universe without inherent meaning, but rather than fall into despair, we should rise in rebellionnot with violence, but with purpose.
His metaphor of Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder uphill forever, was haunting. But Camus flips the narrative - what if Sisyphus was not defeated? What if, in his awareness of the absurd, he found freedom?
“One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”
That line has stayed with me. Because even when life feels repetitive, or meaningless, we still have the power to choose our stance. We can still smile. We can still love. We can still create. This is not passive acceptance, but a kind of courageous defiance.
ALBERT CAMUS
Indian Philosophy: Coming Home
While Western philosophy helped me articulate my doubts, it was Indian philosophy that gave me grounding.
Growing up in a Hindu household, I often heard verses from the Bhagavad Gita recited during rituals. But only later did I begin to truly engage with the text. The Gita is a conversation between the warrior Arjuna and Lord Krishna, taking place on a battlefield - both literal and metaphorical.
Arjuna is paralyzed by moral confusion, unsure of what is right. Krishna doesn’t give him a rulebook. He guides him inward. What touched me deeply was Krishna’s teaching on karma yoga - acting without attachment to outcomes.
“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”
In a society obsessed with results, the Gita gently reminded me that effort matters more than outcome. That integrity in action, even without recognition, holds meaning.
Similarly, Buddhist philosophy, with its focus on impermanence, mindfulness, and detachment, offered immense peace. The Four Noble Truths and the concept of dukkha (suffering) helped me understand that pain is not a failure - it’s part of existence. Suffering comes when we cling, when we resist, when we expect permanence in a world that is constantly changing. Learning to observe my thoughts without judgment, to let
go with kindness, became not just a practice - but a philosophy.
Art, Creation, and the Philosophical Gaze
As a photographer and writer, philosophy has become the lens through which I view the world. I don’t just click images - I try to see. And seeing, truly seeing, requires stillness. It requires inquiry. It requires care.
I’ve documented widows in Vrindavan, children discovering their small yet infinite worlds, and fishing communities in Puducherry threatened by climate change.
In all these stories, I’ve looked for something beyond the visual. I’ve looked for the unspoken. The metaphysical. The quiet dignity of lives is often overlooked.
Reflections on Love, Loss, and Selfhood
Philosophy has also accompanied me in personal matters. In relationships, it taught me that love isn’t possession. That to love truly is to accept, not to expect. That freedom and intimacy are not opposites, but partners. In grief, it reminded me that everything I love will change, fade, or be taken away - and that this impermanence doesn’t diminish beauty. It enhances it. To love despite knowing its fragility - that is courage. In moments of loneliness, I found comfort in reading Simone de Beauvoir, who wrote about the tension between dependence and independence.
About the desire to be seen, and the necessity of being alone. Even the question “Who am I?” - one of the most ancient philosophical inquiries - has no final answer. And perhaps, that’s the point. We are becoming. Always. There is no fixed essence. And in that unfolding lies our potential.
Philosophy in a Distracted World
Today, we are bombarded by noise. Opinions scream across social media. Speed is glorified. Productivity
is fetishized. In such a world, philosophy acts as resistance. It asks us to pause. To wonder. To question the default. To not just consume life, but contemplate it. To ask not, “What can I get?” but “What truly matters?”. In many ways, philosophy is a form of radical attention. It’s about choosing depth over speed. Meaning over motion. Being over doing. And it’s available to all of us.
Conclusion: Living the Questions There’s a famous quote by Rainer Maria Rilke that I return to often: “Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” I don’t have all the answers. I don’t seek to. But what philosophy has given me is the courage to stay with the questions. To soften into the unknown; to remain curious, compassionate, and conscious.
Whether it’s in the way I shoot a portrait, write an essay, comfort a friend, or sit with myself in silencephilosophy is there, like a quiet companion. Not telling me what to think, but teaching me how to think. How to be. How to see. And if in this life, I can live with greater awareness, kindness, and depth - then perhaps, I have lived philosophically.
HOLI IN JAIPUR
The Colors, The Streets, and The 90s Way
Vaishnavi M R
If you happen to be in Jaipur during Holi, don’t bother making plans. The city will decide for you. One moment, you’re walking past Hawa Mahal, admiring its carved windows; the next, you’re smeared with pink, handed a gujiya, and pulled into a dance circle. That’s just how Jaipur does Holi. In some corners, it’s all about tradition. The City Palace hosts a grand gathering where folk dancers twirl, the air smells of saffron-infused thandai, and colors are thrown, but only gracefully. A few lanes away, things get wilder. Here, Holi is a no-rules, all-in explosion of color. Strangers become friends in a matter of minutes, dhol beats pulse through the crowd, and you realize Jaipur isn’t just celebrating Holi. It’s living it.
There’s no one way to do Holi in Jaipur. Some prefer the temple gatherings, where bhajans mix with the scent of marigolds. Others take to the streets, where every turn leads to a new burst of color and an unexpected memory. No matter where you end up, one thing is certain. Jaipur won’t let you leave untouched. Jaipur celebrates Holi in different ways, depending on where you find yourself. Some prefer to keep it traditional, some go straight into the chaos, and some claim they’ll “just watch” before getting pulled in anyway.
At the City Palace, Holi is celebrated with organized festivities that highlight Jaipur’s cultural heritage. The event includes folk dance performances, traditional Rajasthani music, and bursts of colors. Visitors, including locals and tourists, experience Holi in a structured setting, with lively performances by artists and a festive mood that carries the city’s royal history. Sweets and drinks like thandai are served, while the celebrations remain more organized compared to the street festivities happening just outside the palace gates.
If you want to be part of this celebration, you’ll need to plan ahead. Entry isn’t open to everyone, so booking through the Rajasthan Tourism Department or staying at a heritage hotel that includes Holi festivities is the way in.
The morning here feels different from the wild street celebrations. Devotees gather early for aarti, bhajans, and prayers, starting the day with devotion before the colors take over. It’s a quieter, more traditional way to step into Holi before Jaipur’s energy shifts into full celebration mode. If you want to catch this side of Holi, be there early before the rituals wrap up. And if you really want to blend in, wear a white kurta-pajama. It’s part of the tradition, and honestly, it makes the colors look even better.
When you step outside, you’ll be surprised to see how everything changes. The streets have their own energy. As the morning rituals wind down, the energy shifts, and the whole city gets involved. Markets, courtyards, and busy lanes turn into spots where colors fly freely, music never stops, and even shopkeepers pause their work to join in. Inside the city, the celebration takes over completely. Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar are filled with laughter, people greeting each other with gulal, and kids running around with water balloons, ready to strike at any moment. Jaipur makes sure no one stays a spectator for long.
The Streets During Holi
Holi in Jaipur doesn’t happen in one place, it happens everywhere. The city’s streets become part of the festival, each area offering a different experience.
Badi Chaupar and Hawa Mahal Road are where the energy peaks. A sea of people move together, throwing colors, dancing to dhol beats, and pulling strangers into the fun. If you’re here, expect to be covered in color within minutes.
Up at Nahargarh Fort Road, the vibe is different. Young crowds gather here, blasting music, tossing gulal into the air, and making sure no one leaves untouched. The view of the city below, drenched in every possible shade, makes the climb worth it.
For a more traditional Holi, Chandpole Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar are the places to be. Shopkeepers step out of their stores, greeting visitors with gulal, while locals gather in courtyards to celebrate in a way that feels timeless. Here, Holi is less about loud music and more about community.
And then there’s the food. Street stalls fill up with daal kachori and mirchi bada, both perfect for refueling between celebrations. Sweet shops overflow with gujiya, stuffed with khoya and dry fruits, freshly fried and impossible to resist. And of course, we can’t forget thandai.
A chilled glass of this saffron-infused drink, packed with nuts and spices, is the perfect refresher in the middle of all the chaos. For some, it’s just a cooling treat and for others, a little bhang takes it up a notch.
Beyond the colors and flavors, Holi in Jaipur is also about music and movement. In different pockets of the city, Ghoomar and Kalbelia performances take place, celebrating Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. The deep beats of dhols set the pace, and whether you're in a palace courtyard or a busy street, the rhythm keeps pulling people in.
A 90s Kid’s Holi
Holi in the 90s was a whole different experience. No one worried about organic colors, there were no special events, and definitely no one stopped to take the perfect picture. It was all about excitement, and once it started, there was no stopping it.
The buildup began days before. Kids collected water balloons like treasures, stuffing them into buckets and bags, getting ready for the big day. Mornings kicked off early, usually with the sound of buckets being filled. Parents tried their best to oil their kids’ hair so the colour wouldn’t stick, but by the time they finished, at least one water balloon would have already landed. By 10 AM, the streets were unrecognizable. No one waited around for an invitation. Friends showed up at your doorstep, pulled you outside, and just like that, you were in.
And it wasn’t just about the colors. The smell of frying kachoris and gujiyas and malpuas filled the air, and somehow, every kid, no matter how uninterested in cooking, knew exactly which tin held the best snacks. Eventually, the water guns emptied, the colors blurred into a single shade of brown, and the only thing left to do was sit on a terrace, drenched, exhausted, and grinning ear to ear.
By evening, parents finally herded their kids inside for the longest bath of their lives. But the real competition wasn’t over yet. Whoever still had the most color left on their face won.
The City that Paints Itself
Holi in Jaipur has changed, but only in the way things naturally do over time. The colors are a little more refined, the celebrations a bit more organized, and people now think twice before dumping a bucket of
water on a stranger (well, most people). But deep down, Holi in this city is still the same.
Some traditions have held their ground. The City Palace still hosts its royal-style Holi with folk dancers and music, much like it did decades ago. Govind Dev Ji Temple continues to be a place where Holi starts with devotion before turning into a riot of yellow and pink. The markets, once filled with shopkeepers hurriedly closing their stores before the colors arrived, now embrace the festival, selling everything from herbal gulal to the same old water guns kids used in the 90s.
And then there’s the spirit of Holi, the part that never changes. Friends meet early, colours in hand, ready to turn every familiar face unrecognizable. Music flows, food tempts, and laughter never stops. By sunset, no one remembers who started it, only that it was a day worth remembering. That’s Holi in Jaipur!
Sameeksha Bahuguna
We are often asked this question - Do you dance? And despite all the solo dancing sessions, those automatic body movements, our secret shower performances, we still wonder if we could call ourselves dancers. Let me tell you, dancing is for everybody, there are no rules, unless you try to learn a particular kind. But what really matters is whether we enjoy ourselves in the process. Let’s be real - dance in a way or another plays a vital role in our lives.
Whether it's grooving to the beats or sinking in the lyrics at a personal level, it always gives a sense of relief, detox, happiness or whatever you’d like to call it. But have you ever wondered where this art form actually began? Akin to several other art forms, dance
too holds a fascinating history. Several Archaeological discoveries suggest that the roots of this art form goes back to ancient India or Egypt, where dance was more than just a form of entertainment - It was a powerful way to narrate stories of myths, Gods, and Legends.
Among various famous historical dances, Belly Dance is considered the oldest - dating back to ancient civilization, where it was used as a medium to worship and connect with the higher being. Often called the ‘dance of isolation,’ Belly Dance is all about movement of various body parts independently, blending sensuality and strength whilst adding grace and balance to the body. It's not just mere movement - it’s a statement of power, beauty, and deep-rooted tradition.
History
In ancient times, people performed Belly Dancing to celebrate the harvest season and religion. Anthropologists also suggest that the dance was a ritual celebration of fertility from 30,000 BC and was not performed in front of men. It was confined to be performed in front of pregnant women since it encompassed various joint and pelvic movements to aid in comfortable and safe child delivery, preoccupying the mother's mind with the dance and not with the problem.
But with time, as the Matriarchal society transformed into a Patriarchal society with the status of women changing drastically, the status of this dance form also changed from being the dance of fertility and womanhood to a dance of pleasure, hence losing its true meaning. With evolving cultures, the status of belly dance also gained recognition and was soon shaped into Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, a dance form that soon gained momentum in different parts of the world.
So, what is Tribal Fusion Belly Dance?
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance came to life by the idea initiated by Jalima Salimpour, who started teaching a composite form of belly dance inspired by Middle Eastern Dance. For the same, Jamila founded her dance troupe - Bal Anat, a dance form translated to the dance of Mother
Goddess and is considered the first representation of fusion in the history of Tribal style in belly dance. Owing to this, Jamila got the title of - Grandmother of Tribal Dance. Jalima also started a circus-like show at the local Renaissance Pleasure Fair, which evolved over the next few years and started featuring various folkloric acts from different parts of the world, including Algeria and Turkey.
How are Tribal Fusion Belly Dance and traditional Belly Dance different?
Characterized by its unique blend of Middle Eastern and North African dance techniques, Belly Dancing presents a mesmerizing display of fluid movements. The dance form often represents natural phenomena like waves or the life cycle and presents a unique way to connect with traditions. Over time, the dance form has evolved, intertwining various elements from different cultures, hence evolving into Tribal Fusion Belly dance.
This dance form is an advanced version of traditional belly dancing with some influences from other cultures. In Middle Eastern culture, the dance form has incorporated graceful movements of different body parts, similar to Raqs Sharqi, a classical Egyptian belly dance. Similarly, the dance form has picked up some bits and pieces from traditional dances from North Africa - Ghawazee or Flamenco from Spain.
Types
Like any other dance form, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance canopies have various types. American Tribal Style (ATS) is one such sub-branch of Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, which was founded by Carolena Nericcio in the 1980s. Carolena mixed the dance styles of Jamila and Masha and came up with her unique style, which was later coined as American Tribal Style, bringing influence from Egyptian, Turkish or Ghawazi styles. ATS emphasizes group dynamics and nonverbal communication between the dancers.
Another sub-branch is Improvisational Team
Synchronization (ITS) - a dance form associated with tribal fusion incorporating more than one leader or follower. This dance style relies on a shared
vocabulary of movements. Coined by Amy Sigil in 2006, ITS has its roots in the United States. The dance form is an evolved form of American Tribal Style, including street dance and hip-hop dance.
Attires and accessories
Costumes in any dance form carry a cultural significance, embodying religious values and traditions. In the case of this art form, since historic times, the costumes are made of Chiffon and velvet, imparting breathability and flexibility for the dancers to move freely. The costumes were inspired by Middle Eastern Culture, which comprises three pieces - a Bedlah, a hip belt and a veil. The same costume can be seen in the Tribal fusion belly dance, excluding the veil.
Let us look at some of the important accessories worn by the belly dancers. The very first and most important item is the Hip Scarf. Adorned with different coins, beads or fringes, Hip scarves are essential to keep in check the hip movements. Apart from these skirts and tops, the dancers sometimes also wear headbands or turbans, usually used while performing with a sword.
Instruments that create belly dancing music
We can not deny that dance and music go hand in hand. Belly Dance Music is majorly divided into two main categories - Baldi, accompanied by slower rhythms, and Sharqi, being more contemporary. Every dance form is associated with its traditional music, accompanied by various instruments. In earlier times, belly dance used to be accompanied by live music performed by musicians using instruments to symphonize the beats with the
dancer’s movements. Among the instruments were, Dumbek, a goblet-shaped drum, which gives a distinctive rhythm matching the belly dancer’s intricate movements. Another traditional instrument used in Arabic and Turkish music is Riqq - a stringed instrument with five double jingles producing one of the most popular sounds of varying depths. Similarly, Safat - also known as Zil or finger cymbals, a tiny metallic instrument commonly used in Egyptian music and belly dancing.
Emphasizing inclusivity and sisterhood are some of the main characteristics of Tribal Belly Dancing, which further fosters an environment encouraging mutual support and collaboration. Besides this, this dance also promotes an environment for selfacceptance and appreciation for one’s own body. Hence, with these rich ideals, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance continues to inspire and connect people with a timeless tradition.
10 NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING BOOKS TO EXPLORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HISTORY
History weighs down on all. The stories of our past shape who we are, even when we try to forget them. It lives inside us, haunts our dreams. It possesses the power to build and break communities. The greatest writers understood this about history's power to guide and dictate every choice we make. Join us as we explore 10 Nobel Prize-winning authors, who, through their writing, show us how history can trap us in cycles of pain and how facing the past in its honesty might set us free.
Denver Fernandes
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (Written: 1967, Nobel Prize: 1982)
García Márquez's masterpiece uses the fictional town of Macondo to mirror Colombia's turbulent history. His use of a cyclic structure where names and events repeat across generations shows how communities trapped in historical patterns seem destined to relive their tragedies.
The family's destiny in the prophetic manuscripts represents how history simultaneously shapes and is shaped by those living through it.
The novel's famous final line about "races condemned to one hundred years of solitude" speaks to how unresolved historical trauma creates isolation across generations.
2.
Based on the true story of Margaret Garner, an escaped slave who killed her daughter rather than let her be returned to slavery, the novel explores how America's slave past continues to dig its nails into the present. It is a masterpiece that takes historical trauma and gives it a physical form. The ghost character, Beloved, represents not only an individual child but also the collective weight of slavery's atrocities. She, in the narrative, becomes the embodiment of historic pain that cannot be ignored. Morrison suggests that healing comes not from forgetting, but by acknowledging past sufferings as a community and refusing to be solely defined by it.
3. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (Written: 1989, Nobel Prize: 2017)
The novel's title refers not just to Stevens’s waning career but to the twilight of the British empire. Through Stevens's delayed realization that he has wasted his life in service to morally questionable causes, Ishiguro explores how nations and individuals often recognize historical mistakes only after irreversible damage has been done. He excellently hides a rather profound meditation on personal and national complicity with historical atrocities under the guise of an exterior about an English butler's road trip.
Beloved by Toni Morrison (Written: 1987, Nobel Prize: 1993)
4. Independent People by Halldór Laxness (Written: 1934-35, Nobel Prize: 1955)
The narrative follows Bjartur of Summerhouse on his quest for autonomy. It is a quest that directly parallels Iceland's own struggle to establish national identity after 600 years of foreign rule. Laxness in his brilliance illustrates how historical memory operates differently in cultures with strong oral traditions. This highlights that the past and the present exist in continual dialogue. Tragically yet ironically, Bjartur, just like his young nation, learns that true freedom requires reconciliation with history, rather than a rejection of it.
Though the narrative presents itself about the bubonic plague outbreak, Camus’ novel functions as an allegory for the Nazi occupation of France and the broader questions of how societies respond to historical catastrophes. Camus implies that confronting history requires constant vigilance rather than the comforting belief that past horrors are safely behind us. He does this excellently in the novel's conclusion, that the plague, like a bacillus, "never dies or disappears" but merely "waits patiently," suggesting that historical forces like fascism remain dormant in society, ready to re-emerge when conditions allow.
6.
This modernist masterpiece uses 4 distinct narrators to show how a single family history fragments through different perspectives. The Compson family's decline serves as a microcosm for the American South's inability to reconcile its idealized self-image with its brutal history of slavery, Civil War defeat, and Reconstruction. The various characters throughout the work deal with struggles where their fixation on historical ideals becomes destructive, and their pragmatism represents cynical adaptation to historical change. The central insights of the book revolve around the forces of history that continue to shape present reality, especially when societies refuse to honestly confront their origins.
5. The Plague by Albert Camus (Written: 1947, Nobel Prize: 1957)
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner (Written: 1929, Nobel Prize: 1949)
7. The Tin Drum by Günter Grass (Written: 1959, Nobel Prize: 1999)
Writing when most Germans preferred silence about the Hitler years, Grass uses Oskar's deliberately stunted growth and piercing scream as metaphors for his nation's arrested development and destructive potential. This can be viewed as a radical way of confronting Germany's Nazi Past. Grass suggests that confronting historical truth requires a kind of madness in a society committed to forgetting, a persistent rhythm that refuses to let comfortable silences settle over uncomfortable truths.
8. Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee (Written: 1980, Nobel Prize: 2003)
Coetzee's parable explores how historical narratives about "civilization versus barbarism" justify colonial violence. The novel's brilliance lies in how it moves beyond simple colonial critique to examine historical consciousness itself. The magistrate's realization, "I wanted to live outside history. I wanted to live outside the history that the Empire imposes on its subjects, even its lost subjects. I never wished it for the barbarians that they should have the history of the Empire laid upon them" reveals the impossible desire to escape history's weight even as we recognize its constructed nature.
Ishiguro's late masterpiece uses fantasy elements to explore how societies collectively choose to forget traumatic histories. In various parts of this novel, Ishiguro explores the tension between historical truth and happiness. The novel's conclusion suggests that while remembering historical trauma may unleash renewed violence, forgetting creates a superficial peace built on hidden graves. Either way, Ishiguro implies, we cannot escape making difficult choices about how we relate to our collective past.
Together, these ten Nobel-winning works create a profound conversation about humanity's complex relationship with history. What emerges is not a single answer but a rich tapestry of insights: that historical trauma repeats when unacknowledged, that memory can be both healing and destructive, that power determines which histories are recorded, and that true reconciliation with the past may require imaginative acts beyond simple remembering or forgetting. These books remind us that we are all, individually and collectively, engaged in an ongoing negotiation with history's weight, one that defines not just who we have been, but who we might yet become.
9.
Set in post-apartheid South Africa, Coetzee's novel explores historical transition through the parallel "disgraces" of literature professor David Lurie and the nation itself. The novel's ambiguous ending offers no easy resolution, mirroring South Africa's ongoing struggle to create a future not determined solely by its past. Coetzee suggests that genuine historical reckoning may require forms of atonement we cannot initially recognize.
Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee (Written: 1999, Nobel Prize: 2003)
10. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro (Written: 2015, Nobel Prize: 2017)
A BOND UNBROKEN BETWEEN MANKIND AND WILDLIFE
FROM THE LANDS OF THE RISING SUN!
Sahana Subramanya
Tranquil Escape for Nature Enthusiasts
While researching places to explore that are less travelled, I came upon a hidden gem nestled in the bosom of the Eastern Himalayas: the Ziro Valley. Being an avid nature lover, it amazes me how well the Apatani tribes of this valley have blended beautifully with the flora and fauna. Let’s delve into the lives of these naturalists, the Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
While the modern world is slowly distancing itself from nature and its conservation, a considerable number of nature enthusiasts, environmentalists, scientists, and other groups, along with organizations, drive the preservation of nature and natural resources. Among them, tribal groups around the world play a vital role in these activities, and one such tribe is the Apatani from the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh in India.
Ziro Valley, from India’s Land of the Rising Sun
They are a small group of people who sustain themselves mainly through wet rice cultivation and pisciculture, also known as fish farming. As the Ziro Valley is located in the lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, it brims with essential nutrient run-offs that seep down from the rich mountains into the valley.
The abundance of minerals and nutrients makes their lands fertile and ideal for rice-cum-fish cultivation without any need for chemical fertilizers for paddy cultivation. Several small ponds and lakes, like Sii Lake, support fishery in the valley. The unique blend of these two occupations, hand-in-hand, and their attitude towards simple living has helped the Apatani tribes survive through modernization.
Intricate Relationship with Plantlife
With lush green forests, tall trees, and open grasslands in cultivation areas, the Apatani tribes are truly blessed to live close to nature. They coexist and take support of the plant life to survive. Among other plants and trees, cane and bamboo and their by-products are an important part of their lifestyle and culture. It reflects a deep connection with nature, with skilled craftsmen among the tribe working on handicraft products, medicine, house construction, fodder, and cultural rituals. Cotton is another staple for weaving clothes and other handicrafts.
Bucket List Destination for Xenophiles
The Apatani tribe are ethnic groups of about 60,000 people that have their roots from the Tani group, originally from the Mudo-Suppong region, now
modern Tibet. Their traditions were passed on orally and through stories from their mythical ancestors, the Abotani people. Due to their ecological knowledge and sustainable practices, UNESCO has proposed the valley as a Heritage Site.
Abundance in Cultural Landscape
The Apatani tribe follows a primary religion known as Danyi-Pilo, translating to the “Sun and Moon,” revering celestial bodies as their guiding force of existence. This belief system interestingly involves celebrating two major festivals as opposed to idol worship. The two main festivals are Dree, an agricultural festival, and Myoko, involving the celebration of relationships and prospering friendships. They follow a patriarchal system of lifestyle where men are the heads of families and share household chores with their female members.
Dree Festival - A Celebratory Spirit
The Dree festival is celebrated annually on July 5th, for a successful harvest through music and dance, traditional attire, and delectable food. It involves offering prayers to the Gods Tamu, Metii, Harniang, and Danyi over three days in the valley. Interestingly, each God has powers to ward off specific threats to the community. For instance, while Tamu is believed to ward off pests and insects from infesting their paddy and fishery fields, Medvr is the worship of Gods to ward off unfavorable elements from their agricultural fields. Similarly, Metii is believed to ward off epidemics and other major ailments that may pose a risk to their small population.
Myoko Festival - Where Relationships are Revered
What more could one ask for than experiencing the Myoko festival, great food, and the breathtaking landscape, all coming together to give you an experience of a lifetime! This five-day festival comes annually and is the biggest Apatani festival, showcasing the lifestyle of the tribals in the most colorful way. The festival includes purification rituals, communal feasts, animal sacrifices, song, and dance.
Weaving Through the Stories of the Wild
Though the Apatani tribes’ costumes are on the brink of extinction, they make it a point to adorn them during prominent events such as festivals and ritualistic events within the community. For women, weaving was their passion and profession, keeping the essence of traditional attire alive to this day. Earlier, the attires were woven only in white and beige colors. They are made of coarse cotton shawls, blouses, and skirts.
Jikatari is their traditional dress, a sleeveless jacket that is cut open all the way to the bottom. The designs are evidently nature-based, with zig-zags, diamonds, and angular patterns, and stand out boldly with straight lines woven horizontally and vertically without any curvy designs. The weaving apparatus with broad bands makes textiles with alternating horizontal lined designs, distinct to the Apatani tribe. The female attire, known as Kente Abbi, uses bright red, blue, and white stripes in the fabric, making them look bright and vibrant, along with their unique piercings and tattoos.
Bold and Beautiful Tattoos and Piercings
Call it a boon or a bane, but women had to carry the burden of modifying their facial structures for protection, making them look provoking, bold, and fierce. The explanation for this traditional practice comes from masking the beauty of Apatani women. They are the most beautiful women in the region, making their features appear elegant and angelic.
The Apatani men used tattoos and piercings to conceal their women from dangers. Usually, the elder women of the tribe mastered the art of tattooing and piercing young girls as soon as they reached the age of ten or puberty. The tattoos are locally known as “Tippei” in the Apatani language, meaning to uglify themselves, intended mainly to ward off kidnappers and thieves from targeting the women of the Apatani tribe. They draw vertically from the forehead, running through the nose, and onto the tip of the nose. The ink was interestingly made from pig’s fat and soot from their fireplace, called “Chinyu.”
Nose
The nose plugs, called “Yaping Hurlo,” are made of a particular type of wood available in the Ziro Valley and were used to pierce the women’s nostrils, in addition to the tattoos. As years passed, the threats reduced, and these means of protection remained as a symbol of culture, an emblem. The women proudly adorned the tattoos and piercings, showing off their culture to the world. At present, an Apatani woman is considered ‘ugly’ without these emblems, for they are a symbol of fertility and prosperity and have become part of their lifestyle.
Delicacies of the Apatani Tribes
As their primary occupation suggests, fish and rice are plentiful, and hence the tribe’s staple food is fish, rice, vegetables, and meat. For light and healthy meals, a balanced meal includes millets and pork regularly. Their delicacies include a traditional food made of fermented bamboo shoots, pork, vegetables, and local herbs and spices, giving it a distinct taste and flavor. Next time you are in the valley, make sure to try them!
Advent of Modernization, A Threat for Survival
With the advent of modernization, like other tribes, the Apatani people are facing challenges to preserve their culture and tradition authentically. A few challenges are:
Globalization Impact: Consumption patterns are rapidly changing, with many youngsters and elders blending with modern facilities that make their lifestyle easier, for instance, commercialization of land prices and infiltration by the wealthy, hampering the purity of the tribe.
Progressive Economic Shifts: The shift from traditional farming and fishery, along with handloom art, is dwindling, with youngsters opting for usual non-risky career options, altering their everyday tribal lifestyle.
Decline of Traditional Knowledge: Though elders show great enthusiasm and take initiatives to pass on their cultural knowledge and tradition, youngsters are not as keen to safeguard the traditions. This becomes a threat to ancestral knowledge being lost forever.
Cultural Pollution: With increased exposure to Western and modern lifestyles, youngsters are losing mainstream traditional practices. Younger generations are exposed to modern entertainment and technological advancements and risk losing traditional language, songs, folklore, and recipes.
However, there is hope for the tribe to survive these adversities, believing there is light at the end of the tunnel and rise to its glory. With the intervention of NGOs and other supporting organizations like UNESCO, the Apatani tribal practices and culture are being recognized with great interest. Ecologists and conservationists are ensuring the preservation of endemic species of both flora and fauna, providing protections with various laws. Agricultural families are benefited with various subsidies, seed banks, and support from local governing bodies to help the Apatani tribe thrive in the Ziro Valley!
WHEN CHILLI MET CURD
AN UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY
Anmol Mishra
It was a lazy summer afternoon, the kind where the air hung thick with heat, and time seemed to stretch like melted cheese. The kitchen was quiet, except for a ceiling fan's occasional hum. And then, she arrived.
‘Chilli’ was bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore. She entered with a slow drizzle, a deep crimson swirl gliding down in golden oil, her aroma sending a tingle through the air. Heads turned. Even the wooden spoon in the mixing bowl seemed to pause in anticipation. And then, there was me, Curd. Cool, calm, and always the reliable one. I had been here forever, a staple at every meal, always the sidekick but never the showstopper. But the moment she touched me, everything changed.
Worlds Apart, Destined to Meet
Chilli oil wasn’t from around here. It had roots in Chinese cuisine, specifically in regions like Sichuan. She carried the fiery whispers of Sichuan streets, where spice wasn’t just a taste but a way of life, where it was used to add heat and depth to various dishes. She had danced through woks, sizzled over dumplings, and lent her bold heat to broths and stir-fries for centuries.
I, on the other hand, had deep roots in homes across India, Greece, and the Middle East. I had been a quiet companion to heavy feasts, a cooling presence against the fire of spices. I had soothed tongues, balanced flavours, and lived a life of quiet consistency.
We couldn’t have been more different. And yet, here we were, brought together by a chef’s curious hand, two worlds colliding in a single bowl.
The First Touch: A Dance of Flavours
She landed on me in slow, swirling ribbons. The first drop sent a shiver through my creamy body. With the second, a spark ran through me. The burn of her spice met the cool of my texture, and something electric happened. We weren’t fighting for space; we were making space for each other.
Her heat spread through me—not overpowering but weaving in, threading warmth through my mild tang. My smoothness tamed her fire, letting it linger just enough to tease the senses. Together, we became something new, something richer, deeper, and impossibly addictive.
And just like that, the ‘Chilli Oil Curd Dip’ was born.
A Sensation Across Borders
Word spread fast. It started as an experiment in one kitchen, but soon, the world caught on. Food lovers drizzled her over me, dunked dumplings into our mix, smeared us on sandwiches, and scooped us up with crunchy nachos. Restaurants put us on their menus. Social media fell in love with the way our colours swirled together like a fiery sunset in a bowl. We were no longer just an odd pairing, we became a revolution on a plate.
The Perfect Chilli Oil Curd Dip Recipe
Now, it’s your turn to bring this love story to life.
Ingredients for Chilli Oil Curd Dip
1. 1 cup hung curd
2. Salt to taste
Ingredients for the Chilli Oil Dressing:
1. 2 tbsp olive oil
2. 2 tsp finely chopped garlic
3. ½ tsp dried red chilli flakes
4. 1 tsp chilli powder
5. 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander or parsley
6. 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns (or crushed black pepper)
7. ½ tsp salt
8. ½ tsp sugar (optional)
9. 1 tbsp finely chopped spring onion
10. ½ tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional, for extra crunch)
Method
1. Take hung curd in a bowl, add salt, whisk well, and keep aside.
2. In another bowl, add all the ingredients for the chilli oil dressing.
3. Heat oil in a pan until hot.
4. Pour the hot oil over the dressing mixture.
5. Once it sizzles, mix well and let it cool down for a few minutes.
6. Spread the hung curd on a serving plate in your preferred style.
7. Pour the chilli oil dressing over it.
8. Chilli oil curd dip is ready to serve with your favourite snacks or appetisers, or keep it in an airtight jar and drizzle it over dishes as needed.
Maximising Flavor Extraction
If you are using mustard oil, heat it first until it reaches its smoking point. Once heated, lower the flame and add aromatics like garlic, chilli flakes, and sesame directly into the oil. This allows the spices to infuse deeply, enhancing their flavours before mixing them with curd.
If you are using milder oils like olive oil, sesame oil, or vegetable oil, heat the oil separately and pour it over the ingredients in a bowl instead of adding the aromatics directly to the pan. This method helps release the flavours gently without overheating the oil, which can alter its taste. After mixing, let the infused oil cool slightly before combining it with curd. This ensures that the oil enhances the dip without overpowering the balance of flavours.
Happily Ever After in Every Bite
What started as an unexpected meeting on a summer afternoon turned into a global love affair. We weren’t just ingredients anymore. We were a story, a fusion, a love affair between fire and cream. Chilli and Curd may have been from different worlds, but together, they’ve created a flavour that’s impossible to forget. So, the next time you want to add a little magic to your meal, let this love story unfold in your kitchen. One dip, and you’ll understand, it was always meant to be.
