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I am an avowed nerd. Growing up, one of my favourite pastimes was watching Bruce Timm's art deco pulp noir classic 'Batman: The Animated Series' and reading 'The Phantom' and 'Batman' graphic novels years earlier than I should have. I was so fascinated by the narrative potential of superhero comics and graphic novels that I even attempted to write a vigilante graphic novel set in 1960s Kolkata, during the Naxalite era, while still in my teens. Unfortunately, the project didn't materialise due to the lack of a penciller who would work with a teenager without payment. But the time I spent on the project convinced me that there was room for serious, homegrown superheroes in Indian pop culture, who were unlike the usual campy comic heroes like Shaktimaan, Mr. India, and Krrish that I grew up with.
I have had to wait a long time for that kind of homegrown superheroes. Still, with the appearance of 'Bhavesh Joshi Superhero', 'Minnal Murali', and now Chandra, the titular superhero of Dominic Arun's 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra', my wait seems to be over. Indian superheroes have come of age, and they are here to stay. Lokah is proof that Indian superhero films need not mimic Western models or repackage violent, hypermasculine fantasies in capes and cowls — that they can grow from the seeds of India's rich regional folklores, mythologies, and oral traditions and histories.
From 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra', Malayalam cinema's first female superhero to a decades-long survey of Indian modern and contemporary art, this week's culture bulletin is a celebration of the homegrown ethos of indigeneity — culture rooted in ancestral knowledge, traditions, and ways of relating to land and communities that shape collective identity and resilience. Here's what we have for you this week:
Attend A Delhi Exhibition Intersecting The Legacy Of Indian Modernist & Contemporary Art
New Delhi-based Gallerie Nvya is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a major exhibition, 21: Memories & Milestones from then till now [2004–2025], featuring over 35 names from the pantheon of Indian modern and contemporary art, including modernist masters like Akbar Padamsee, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, Jamini Roy, and Tyeb Mehta; and contemporary legends such as Anjolie Ela Menon, Krishen Khanna, Sakti Burman, Jogen Chowdhury, Paresh Maity, and Seema Kohli. To see these artists in dialogue under one roof is to witness a conversation where the questions of tradition, modernity, and renewal echo across ages.
Learn more about the exhibition here.
‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ Is The Superhero Film India Has Been Waiting For
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra feels like a breath of fresh air because it is. Dominic Arun and Santhy Balachandran have drawn from the Aithihyamala, a centuries-old collection of Malayalam folklore, to create something entirely new: Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero film. From the dystopian opening scene that seamlessly transitions into a motion-graphic-novel-esque sequence to the sleek, neon-lit underbelly of a hyperreal Bangalore where the film takes place, Lokah Chapter 1 looks and feels like it could go toe to toe with the best of Marvel or DC.
Learn more about the film here.
In Waagh, the wild animal displaced by city sprawl becomes a symbol for the wildness we cannot domesticate, both around us and within us. Mukti draws from her own experience of a similar incident, when a leopard wandered into her apartment complex in Mumbai, recalling how WhatsApp groups buzzed with speculation, fear spread faster than facts, and civility gave way to something sharper and more instinctual. In choosing to filter this through the eyes of a child, she distills that sensation into its most raw form: the sudden recognition that the world is not as safe as you thought.
Disha writes about the film here.
Heart Decay: CVRSES’ Explosive Shoegaze & Emo Debut EP Traces The Contours Of Loss
At its core, shoegaze is less about virtuosity than atmosphere — songs about heartbreak and disconnection submerged in a wall of sound that feels both immersive and isolating. That balance between euphoria and exhaustion defines the emotional vocabulary of shoegaze, and it is the same terrain that CVRSES map on their debut EP, 'Heart Decay'. Oh, and did I tell you HG Associate Editor, Mikhail Khan is the guitarist of CVRSES? He is!
Disha has all the details about the EP here.
Gully Labs Unveils Its First Flagship Store in Panchsheel Enclave, Delhi
Gully Labs has officially opened the doors to its first-ever flagship store in Delhi’s Panchsheel Enclave today, marking a new milestone for India’s streetwear movement. Spanning three levels, the space seamlessly blends fashion, culture, and community into a single, immersive experience.
With its heady mix of retail, craft, and community, the flagship store is positioned as a cultural landmark that celebrates the spirit of India’s gullies while shaping the future of India’s streetwear culture.
Learn more about the space here.
This September, Bengaluru's Metro Will Help Host A One-Of-A-Kind Festival
Anyone who has lived in Bengaluru knows that traffic often dictates the rhythm of the city. Getting across town for an evening performance can feel like an ordeal in itself. The founders of Linear Festivals saw this constraint not as a limitation, but as the spark for an idea: what if the city’s Green Metro Line became the spine of a festival, turning the act of travel itself into part of a cultural experience? ಬೆಂಗಳೂರುlinear (Bangalore Linear) was born from that thought.
Disha has all the details here.
Otsü’s Commitment To Naga Textiles Reinforces Fashion As A Form Of Cultural Continuity
Amidst the growing landscape of conscious fashion, Otsü has carved a place for itself with a voice that is both grounded in Nagaland’s heritage and responsive to contemporary ways of living. Founded by designer Asenla Jamir, the brand emerged from a desire to make clothes that are personal, enduring, and deeply connected to the communities that produce them.
This week, the brand launches an experimental pop-up in Mumbai, bringing together artisans, musicians, and partners to blend craft, sound, food, and community. Backed by Jameson and Azadi Records, Otsüverse celebrates identity and collaboration, honoring craft traditions while appealing to new audiences. The event takes place on September 7 at Pioneer Hall, Bandra.
Learn more about Otsü here.
