This week, I visited a Durga Pujo pandal for the first time. Even though it was in Bangalore, far from the real action, there was something incredibly magical about a group of people coming together so far from their roots, creating a sense of home. Everyone was decked out in their finest silks, and the grounds looked like an explosion of technicolour. The sheer joy of being able to celebrate both where you come from and where you are right now was evident in the sea of faces across the field.
For me, the main highlight of any of these festivities is always the food —and this did not disappoint. From mutton kosha with luchi to chicken biryani (with the aloo, of course), my friends and I, as certified gluttons whose moods often revolve around food, had a field day trying everything we could get our hands on.
As we ride the wave of the festive season, this week in culture shares a single thread of commonality: a celebration of authenticity and the confluence of worlds. Whether it’s Omen IV: Ascension bringing analogue machines back into electronic dance music at antiSOCIAL Pune, or Shikriwal’s debut album 'Natya Alaapika', which brings Bhojpuri music to the forefront with his own unique artistry, there’s a sense of rootedness meeting innovation. Here’s what we have for you this week:
Set against the vibrant pulse of Pune’s underground, Omen IV: Ascension, set to take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, will bring together analog electronica, metal, and experimental sound in a single, unmissable night. Conceived by the BONK RESEARCH DEPT., the event celebrates the raw warmth of hardware-driven music while pushing sonic boundaries with live improvisation, hypnotic beats, and extreme performances.
Book tickets here.
Set against the backdrop of the capital city’s grandeur and history, the Delhi Art Weekend, taking place from October 3–12, 2025, is set to take visitors on a journey through the city’s most loved spots, but with a new lens. With the theme “In Contrast”, every day promises moments of discovery and exploration through music performances, art exhibitions, panel discussions, and culinary experiences.
Book tickets here.
Jodhpur Arts Week takes over the Blue City, celebrating artistic craftsmanship through ‘Hath Ro Hunar’ — the skill of the hand. Running from October 1–7, 2025, the week-long event aims to break down elitist frameworks and spotlight the artisans and karigars whose tireless handwork brings timeless creations to life.
You can find more information about the programmes and venues here.
Goa’s iconic neighbourhood haunt ‘Joseph Bar’ is set to take over Sorozaie in Versova for three nights from 3rd to 5th October to celebrate everything that embodies the Goan spirit. Guests can try the iconic Tambde Rosa, Joseph Bar’s signature cocktails as the event promises a junction of Joseph Bar’s old — school charm with its iconic cocktails and Sorozaie’s contemporary take on Goan food.
For more details, click here.
Shikriwal in his debut album ‘Natya Alaapika’ radically and sincerely honours Bhojpuri music. The album’s autobiographical tone helps in melds the line between intimate confessions and a wider understanding of the world, as he positions himself as a sonic shapeshifter. Where folk percussion coexists with hip-hop beats, Shikriwal has crafted an album that is so spectacularly novel. Read more about the album here.
In Spryk’s new single ‘Angrywalk’, he taps into nostalgic Bollywood notes from the sitar and harmonium, weaving them together with contemporary dance music beats. . With visuals that echo the golden era’s black-and-white aesthetic, the result is a sound that feels distinctly desi within the panorama of global electronic music.
Read more about the single here.
Gully Labs’ MANIK RED is a limited-edition sneaker celebrating Bengal’s Durga Pujo, blending traditional motifs like Kaash flowers and Shiuli-inspired accents with modern street-ready design. Handcrafted in India, it transforms cultural heritage into a wearable collectible, honoring festivity, ritual, and seasonal beauty.
You can grab your pair here.
If you enjoyed reading this, here’s more from Homegrown:
Delhi, Get Ready To Experience Music, Melody, & Community At The Jazz Weekender 2025
Homegrown Handpicked: A Playlist Of Our Favourite Tracks From September 2025