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I’ve had a low-grade case of restlessness this week. I’m craving plans, a soul stirring reason to wake up, a destination to head to, and a convincing enough reason to wear something other than clothes I wear around the house. Which is probably why I’ve the better part of this week going back and forth between Delhi and Gurgaon, hoping for an excuse to leave house, find a new eatery for my future guides or just to take the longer, more scenic route back home (because we’re a month-ish away from the best time of the year and I can almost feel a nip in the air).
It’s been a pretty ordinary week otherwise, all things considered, which has made me comparatively more receptive to anything that gives me something to think about — musicians questioning what success means to them, artists figuring out where joy fits into uncertain times, a community building a library, a filmmaker bringing a forgotten story back into focus — there’s plenty to get into this week.
Mumbai-based musician Rae Mulla delivers a critical look at modern fame in her latest single, Girls. The track blends pop hooks with satirical commentary on social media validation and the relentless pursuit of internet clout. Accompanied by a visual treatment featuring animated anime characters, the song dismantles the illusion of glamour manufactured by digital culture. Mulla writes from the perspective of an insider navigating industry expectations, turning her observations into a catchy critique of public perception. Read more here.
Poet, musician, and performer Aamir Aziz reflects on his creative practice and the role of performance in public dialogue. Known for his spoken word pieces that captured widespread attention during civil rights movements, Aziz continues to write songs that sit at the intersection of social reality and personal expression. In a candid conversation, he discusses avoiding easy labels, resisting industry pressure to commercialize political art, and focusing on long-term storytelling through acoustic folk and blues arrangements. Read more here.
A performance piece titled Keelaka brings together classical Tamil movement, physical theatre, and live jazz composition to reframe traditional folklore. Conceptualized as an interactive stage work, the show examines historical narratives around female agency and power that were excluded from conventional retellings. By pairing traditional percussive footwork with modern brass arrangements, the creators build a dialogue between ancestral movement forms and contemporary stage design, offering audiences a fresh perspective on mythological figures. Read more here.
Visual artist and illustrator Gautami Reddy shares insights into her creative process and how daily drawing routines offer structure during unpredictable moments. Her digital and hand-drawn works feature soft color palettes, observational sketches of domestic spaces, and portraits that capture quiet moments of pause. Reddy discusses the balance between commercial client assignments and personal art projects, showing how staying consistent with small sketchbooks helps build long-term creative confidence. Read more here.
A new literary anthology titled The City gathers stories from writers across the country to examine urban life in modern India. The collection addresses housing shortages, tenancy struggles, caste bias, gender dynamics, and environmental shifts shaping major metros. Moving beyond polished city skylines, the contributors focus on back alleys, suburban train lines, and informal settlements. The book offers a multi-layered view of how ordinary citizens navigate space, security, and survival in rapidly expanding towns. Read more here.
What began as informal book swaps and open-mic poetry sessions in Delhi has grown into a permanent community initiative. Kitaab Club is constructing a free neighborhood library in Dallupura, aiming to make reading material accessible to young students and local residents. Founded by local youth volunteers, the project relies on public book donations and community participation to build a shared space for reading, study circles, and literary discussions without financial barriers. Read more here.
An upcoming original feature film from Apple Original Films focuses on the life and legacy of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa mountaineer who reached the summit of Mount Everest alongside Edmund Hillary in 1953. Directed by Jennifer Peedom, the biopic examines Norgay’s early life, his technical skill, and his perseverance through decades of exclusion before making history. The narrative centres his perspective, giving long-overdue focus to the indigenous expertise that made Himalayan expedition history possible. Read more here.
Filmmaker Theja Rio’s short film Angh has been selected for screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Set in 1963 in rural Nagaland, the story follows a village chief and his young son fighting to preserve Konyak traditions during a period of rapid cultural conversion. Shot on 16mm film stock, the narrative provides an authentic look at Naga heritage, tribal history, and the emotional toll of changing social customs, marking a historic moment for North-Eastern regional cinema on the global stage. Read more here.
Indian textile innovators are exploring new manufacturing techniques to address the massive water consumption traditionally linked to denim production. Local brands are adopting closed-loop washing systems, ozone treatments, and natural indigo dyes derived from plant waste to reduce chemical runoff. By replacing high-pressure washing with dry-laser distressing, these manufacturers are proving that durable, stylish denim can be produced while preserving regional water tables and natural ecosystems. Read more here.
In response to the growing problem of garment waste, the Circular Textile Lab in Bengaluru has launched a public initiative encouraging citizens to donate old clothes for recycling. The facility processes post-consumer fabrics, breaking down worn materials into recycled yarn that local weavers turn into new garments and home accessories. The project aims to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable fashion habits across South India by showing consumers the long-term potential of upcycled textiles. Read more here.
A new dining experience named Kolam has opened in Paris, bringing Southern Sri Lankan culinary traditions and folklore to a European audience. Named after the traditional masked dance-theatre rituals of Sri Lanka’s coastal villages, the venue pairs regional seafood dishes, coconut sambols, and hoppers with interior design featuring hand-carved wooden masks. The space acts as a cultural bridge, offering diners an authentic taste of Sri Lankan heritage and performance art under one roof. Read more here.
An upcoming community event in Delhi is gathering local pet owners for a lighthearted competition celebrating chubby canine residents. The gathering features health check-up stations run by local veterinarians, nutrition workshops for pet parents, and friendly agility showcases. Beyond the playful titles, the event serves as a fundraiser for stray animal rescue shelters across the city, bringing dog lovers together for a day of animal welfare education and fun. Read more here.
If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:
Lovebirds' London Debut Sparks A Question: Can India Ever Be Represented Through One Lens?
Nischay Parekh On TV Dinner, Life After Parekh & Singh, & His Upcoming 'Tiny Tour'
Bengaluru’s First World Cyanotype Day Exhibition Is Bringing 50 Homegrown Artists Together
