We've got the Republic Day this weekend; the day we come together to celebrate the very principles that our Constitution stands for: democracy, secularism, and equality. I know, it sounds noble, but if you've stuck around in the country in the last few decades you believe less and less in its application. In Arundhati Roy's words, "Fascism comes riding on a social crisis that challenges existing hierarchies." Which, no surprise, feels way too close to home. On the other hand, you've got a tech mogul man-child who’s supposedly shaping the future with space rockets and electric cars, raising his arm in a fascist salute like he’s stuck in 1940s Europe — at the inauguration, no less, of the poster child for questionable leadership.
All of this feels like you're at a tense family dinner that is just about to implode while the mouthy uncle inches towards pushing it over the edge. The threat of fascism has constantly been looming over us; growing, like a slow walk to death. And watching powerful people mock it dismissively gives me no hope either. But until it erupts like Mikey in The Bear's famous dinner table scene, we just have to make conversation and compliment the chef I guess.
I might be getting lost in the metaphor here, but in the proverbial doomed family dinner of a world headed towards the end, Homegrown and its weekly offerings of art, music and culture are like your cousin with the goodies who you can go out on a walk with and come back under the influence enough to carry out the rest of the meal of insanity.
This is what we have for you this week:
The Homegrown Festival 2025
After a year-long hiatus, we're bringing back a festival that has consistently captured the heart, minds and soul of the zeitgeist through its many iterations. This February, the Homegrown Festival is officially back: bigger and better than ever before. At the intersection of music, art, design, fashion, film, street culture, food & beverages, exhibitions, conversations, workshops, and more, the festival will span over two days at Richardson and Cruddas in Byculla.
We just released the full music line-up for the festival. Find it here.
'Khush' By Pratibha Parmar
Back in 1991, when being queer and South Asian wasn’t just tough but downright dangerous to talk about, British filmmaker Pratibha Parmar dropped Khush — a documentary that captured the messy, joyful, and complicated realities of queer South Asians. It shared heartfelt queer stories from folks across India, the UK, and North America, full of moments of joy and connection, showing the magic of finding your community. With queerness still illegal in India back then, the film became a lifeline, passed around in secret and sparking conversations that helped people feel a little less alone.
Watch it here.
'My Therapist Says' By St. Cyril
"What's your sign?" Nah, what's your attachment style? St. Cyril’s latest music video for their new single takes aim at the trend of turning therapy-speak into a weapon. The pop-rock sibling duo, Sarthak and Shashwat Karkare, pack this track with witty storytelling and sharp humor. The satirical music video is an uncomfortable yet hilarious dive into how people twist their therapist’s advice into a misguided badge of victimhood — complete with a therapist literally on a leash.
Watch it here.
Artificial Paradise By Kitschy Couture
If Tamil traditions and bold Western aesthetics had a lovechild, it would be Kitschy Couture. Known for its unapologetically whimsical looks, the brand turns heads with collections like 'Buttercream Fantasy', inspired by decadent cakes and a bride marrying herself. Their latest drop, 'Artificial Paradise', debuted at Berlin Fashion Week and took things to a tropical honeymoon, blending immigrant nostalgia with swimwear-meets-lingerie looks. With models floating on inflatable swans and hair sculpted into waves, the brand's vision is a daring escape into its fantastical, kitschy world.
Browse through the collection here.
Kadali By Sona Reddy Studio
Inspired by the banana tree’s symbolism of abundance and fertility, this former mid-century home got a stunning makeover by Sona Reddy Studio, keeping its old-school charm intact. Think oxide walls, Athangudi tiles, and vintage cane chairs paired with earthy tones, lush greenery, and plenty of natural light. The food is just as thoughtful, celebrating Telugu flavours with highlights like the fiery Kadali Samohanam and the melt-in-your-mouth Nalli Ghost Biryani. The restaurant is a story of Telugu hospitslity told through design and food.
Go through it here.
The Moko x Naruto Transit Backpack By Mokobara
The limited edition Mokobara x Naruto Transit Backpack is every 2000s kid's dream. Inspired by the iconic Naruto series, this bag brings the manga’s essence to life with brushstrokes mimicking Masashi Kishimoto’s original hand-drawn panels. Its subtle details like clan emblems and hidden messages make it a treat for true fans. Designed to celebrate friendship and the journeys we take, this backpack is equal parts functional and a love letter to one of the most beloved anime of all time.get it here.
Get it here.
purgatory EDIT: Liberation Archives for the Cyborgs of Now
Ali Akbar Mehta's 'purgatory EDIT' is a cinematic VR experience inspired by the disturbing Ludovico Technique from A Clockwork Orange. This project uses a massive open-source archive of 30,000+ clips spanning war footage, films, newsreels, and personal videos to explore violence in all its forms. Drawing from powerful artistic influences like Eisenstein’s Montage Theory and Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty, it critiques how violence is normalized and glorified in media and society.
Learn more about it here.
If you enjoyed reading this here's more from Homegrown:
In The Village Of Kongthong, Meghalaya, Names Are Sung, Not Spoken
The Murshidabadi Project Is A Collective Taking Indian Folk Music To New Horizons
Nomad Bikers: Inside A Homegrown Motorcycle Club Empowering Indian Women