This Week In Culture: Hanumankind At Coachella, A Homegrown Hip-Hop 'Bloodbath', & More

South Asian creators are so done playing it nice and safe. Whether it’s Poorna Jagannathan flipping the script for Desi representation on its head in Hulu's subversive crime comedy 'Deli Boys', Hanumankind rocking the stage at Coachella to the beats of Kerala's iconic chenda drums, a London exhibition spotlighting the complexities of subcontinental futures, or ceramic miniatures by Nimmy Joshi that root us in nature, the present moment is all about Homegrown artists, chefs, designers, actors, and storytellers challenging norms while also celebrating heritage. This is so much more than representation. It’s a reckoning.

This week we are following the threads — tangled, tender, and electric — across the ever-evolving fabric of South Asian culture. From an innovative Himalayan culinary journey in the heart of Mumbai to a fierce new Indian hip-hop video, here's what we have for you this week:

The Un-Model Minority: Poorna Jagannathan On Deli Boy’ Subversive South Asian Vision

In Hulu’s dark, satirical crime comedy series, 'Deli Boys', Poorna Jagannathan ('Delhi Belly', 'Never Have I Ever') delivers a standout performance as Lucky Auntie — a sharp-tongued, glamorous, and formidable figure who serves as the only maternal presence for the Dar brothers after their father's unexpected death. Lucky is a significant departure from Jagannathan's previous roles, such as the nurturing single mother Dr Nalini Vishwakumar in Netflix's 'Never Have I Ever'. In Lucky, Jagannathan embodies a darker, more villainous character that defies earlier depictions of 'Desi' women in mainstream Western media. Last week, I spoke to her about the Deli Boys' subversive vision of the South Asian diaspora. Read the article here.

Azadi Records Brings Together Indian Hip-Hop’s Most Uncompromising Voices For A “Bloodbath” Of A Music Video

Bloodbath is a distillation of everything Azadi Records stands for. Five distinct voices — Dizlaw, Tienas, Kim The Beloved, RANJ, and JELO — come together for a two-and-a-half-minute showcase. The track features an iconic hook that we're not going to spoil for you, and unrelenting bars stacked one after another. Disha has all the details here.

Hanumankind & The Chenda At Coachella Marks An Important Milestone For Indian Music

On April 12, Indian rapper Hanumankind made history with his electrifying performance at Coachella 2025. His set at the Mojave tent stood out for its fusion of high-energy hip-hop with traditional Indian elements. A highlight of his set was the collaboration with chenda ensemble 'Kochuveettil Beats' for a raw, unplugged version of his phenomenal single, 'Run It Up', infusing the show with the powerful beats of the traditional Indian percussion instruments. Click here to find out why this was an important milestone for Indian music, and grab your tickets to Coachella Weekend 2 and the link below.

Across Bombay Brings The Spirit Of Himalayan Cuisine To The Heart Of Mumbai

Across — the latest venture by Chef Viraf Patel and his Nepal-born wife, Prakriti Lama Patel — is the newest addition to Kala Ghoda's thriving culinary scene. The experiential food and drinks menu at Across draws inspiration from and pays homage to the culinary traditions of the eastern Himalayas, blending time-honoured traditional ingredients and indigenous recipes with contemporary culinary techniques. Learn more about the restaurant here.

MOTHERLAND Makes Global Fashion Rooted In Pakistani Background, Heritage & Culture

Created by husband and wife couple, Sarah and Nabil, MOTHERLAND (not to be confused with Motherland) is rooted in the common story of immigrant Pakistani parents who birthed and raised their children in America. Sarah and Nabil's goal is to share this passion and mission to preserve their Pakistani-American heritage with their personal touch on products that are designed or curated in representation of Pakistan.

Follow the brand here.

A London Exhibit Featuring 26 South Asian Artists Spotlights The Complexities Of Subcontinental Futures

'(Un)Layering the Future Past of South Asia: Young Artists’ Voices' — organised by the Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation and supported by New Delhi-based Dhoomimal Gallery — is a landmark exhibition that brings together, for the first time, 26 emerging South Asian artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to interrogate the history, memory, and identity of South Asia through a decolonial lens. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Nimmy Joshi's Ceramic Miniatures Are Totems Of Our Connection To The Natural World

There’s something healing about observing the minutiae of the natural world: from trees and plants that enrich the planet to all kinds of wonderful creatures that we co-inhabit it with. In Goa-based artist Nimmy Joshi’s ceramic practice, those moments are not only noticed, but immortalized in clay. Read Disha's story about the artist's ceramic miniatures here.

Step Into A Twilight Bazaar Where Threads Of Tradition Meet The Haze Of The Unexpected

The 420 Pop-Up at Hylo, Kala Ghoda, promises a late-night market experience pulsing with music, craft, and a touch of cosmic mischief. Celebrate 10 years of ikat storytelling as the space transforms into a multi-sensory playground, with vinyl grooves spinning into the night and stories stitched into every thread and corner.

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