Last weekend, I attended a typical big fat Indian wedding, and it was one of the most joyful and fun times of my life with my favourite people. But it did leave me thinking that if I ever end up doing the whole marriage thing, I wouldn’t want the whole shebang. I mean, I would want to celebrate, but I don’t think I’d want a big fat Indian wedding. Especially because my family is structured in an unconventional way. And yes, my wedding day would make for a great movie setting, with three families coming together who don’t necessarily get along, the drama that would possibly ensue would be absolute cinema.
But keeping that aside, I also don’t think the shoo-shaa of an Indian wedding really sits right with me. The patriarchy, casteism, and classism subtly seep into the day, even when you try your best to avoid them. And then there’s the exorbitant amount of money spent to make everyone but you happy.
The wedding day often feels like a lose-lose situation for the people getting married, and I definitely don’t want that. I want, what is supposed to be the best day of my life, to feel like mine.
Anyway, all my scepticism aside, this week’s curation runs the gamut but one common vein can be seen in how all of these artists made art just for themselves, and that’s when it resonated the best with people. Be it Amina Beg’s special that oscillates between being a stand-up and a DJ night or a supper club in South Delhi that is finally achieving a father’s lifelong dream, the people we're featuring this week are choosing to unflinchingly be themselves, kind of like what I want my wedding day to look like.
(If my mother is reading this: No Amma, I am not seeing anyone and yes, I am still a child, the wedding bells will probably ring in Salman Khan’s home sooner.)
Here’s what we have for you this week:
The Down Troddence’s latest album, 'As You All Know This Is How It Is' (AYAKTIHIS), calls out the caste domination and oppression faced by communities in Kerala, making it, as Rubin says, “...the most direct anti-caste song to emerge out of India.” The band’s sound on this album is cutting and direct, while still remaining grounded in its folk roots. Having shared the stage with acts like Tom Morello and Marty Friedman, the band continues to stand apart in the homegrown metal scene by positioning itself as a socio-political act that refuses to stray from what it wants to say. Rubin writes more about The Down Troddence here.
Amina Aaliya Beg, a UK-based DJ and founder of Ajeeb Studios, presents her latest performance, which tells the story of the relationship between a grandmother, who is both a radio presenter and a DJ, and her granddaughter, Kamal. Rooted in a document Beg and her husband created, mapping out all the possible ways their families might meet, the piece is titled The Rehearsal. The show was recently performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is interdisciplinary in nature, moving between stand-up and a DJ set. Read more about the performance here.
Despite India's status as a global film leader, a massive shortage of theaters has historically left millions in isolated regions without access to the big screen. To bridge this gap, PictureTime has pioneered a modern mobile cinema model that uses portable, air-conditioned inflatable theaters to reach rural audiences. These mobile units are equipped with high-quality Dolby sound and seating, effectively reviving the tradition of traveling projectionists for the digital age. This effort transforms empty local grounds into high-tech entertainment hubs, ensuring that remote communities can enjoy new releases in a communal setting. Read more here.
With the release of Antoine Fuqua's 'Michael', we’re all thinking about the King of Pop again, not that we ever really stopped. But Michael Jackson’s music has manifested in Indian entertainment culture in fascinating ways. From Ganesh Hegde’s Mai Deewanato Hrithik Roshan’s many tributes to Michael through his music videos, his influence continues to ripple through our subculture even today. Discover some other beloved Indian acts inspired by MJ here.
Kira Issar, a photographer based between the UK and New Delhi who focuses on ecofeminism, personal memory, and the politics of the body. Issar's work often prioritises replicating a feeling rather than a subject, utilising experimental and physical processes like the chlorophyll technique to engage deeply with her imagery. 'Medusa’s Prologue', a photobook she worked on as her final project, examines the shared commodity status and oppression of women, animals, and the environment under patriarchal and capitalist ideologies. Read more about Issar's practice here.
‘Dakhin | Dilli – A Sacred Dialogue’, presented by Raseel Gujral Art Legacy at Arzaani Atelier Privé in New Delhi brings together the divine artistic worlds of North and South India. On view until May 10th, the exhibition houses paintings from Mysore and Tanjore along with paintings done in the Pichwai art-form, highlighting how the gods were depicted in different parts of the country. Read more about the exhibition here.
Experience the heart and soul of Vietnam without leaving India at Vietnam-ease Càphê in Gurgaon. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Dhruv Kalra and Trang Nguyen, this intimate restaurant evolved from a 2019 home kitchen into a brick-and-mortar space dedicated to sharing authentic family recipes and street food favorites like pho and banh mi. Beyond the plate, the restaurant features a unique cocktail program titled Ký Ức Trong Ly (Memories in a Glass), where each drink is anchored in a sensory memory or specific location from the founders' travels across Vietnam. Read more about the space here.
The heart of Delhi's Jimmno Supper Club is a deeply personal dining experience where a father’s 60-year-old dream of becoming a chef finally comes to life. Managed by his daughters, this intimate, family-run affair centers on the concept of the aangan, a warm, communal space where home-cooked Rajasthani and Gujarati recipes are shared alongside music and storytelling. Read more about the supper club here.
If you enjoyed this, here's more from Homegrown:
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The Rise Of Homegrown Art Mail: A Tactile, Necessary Revolution In A Digital World
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