This Week In Culture: Umrao Jaan Returns, Tienas' New Album, & A Homegrown IF.BE Takeover

On Tuesday, June 24, Zohran Mamdani made history as the first South Asian-American to become the Democratic nominee for New York City's mayoral election. The son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Indian-Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran is now poised to become NYC's first South Asian mayor. At a time when immigrant and BIPOC communities in the U.S. are facing growing marginalisation, his campaign offered something radical: a platform rooted in people-first socialist policies and the simple promise of roti, kapda aur makan — food, clothing, and shelter — challenging a global capitalist system that promises abundance for the few, and scarcity for the rest.

Whether it's Mamdani's historic campaign, a homegrown rapper giving voice to millennial disillusionment, a restaurant reimagining Asian fine dining, or a pop-up nightclub transforming a 140-year-old ice factory into a stage for cultural spectacle, what connects them all is a shared ethos: honouring memory while forging something defiantly new.

This week, we are looking at the shifting landscapes of Indian creativity — where the past isn't a relic, but an active catalyst for reinvention. From vintage matchbox labels reimagined as art, to a Bollywood classic seen through a feminist, decolonial lens, this is contemporary India in motion: archival and avant-garde, introspective and outspoken, grounded and wildly experimental.

Here's what we have for you this week.

Maachis Is Turning Vintage Matchbox Labels Into A Living Archive

Once found in every household, matchbox labels were akin to miniature posters — bright, bold, and deeply cultural. Drawing from the visual legacy of homegrown matchbox art, Maachis is using the miniature matchbox format to explore modern themes like queer pride, labour rights, and resistance. Originating in Sivakasi's factories in the 1930s, matchbox labels reflected both artistry and coded protest in the 20th century. Maachis preserves this history while pushing it forward, proving that even these small ephemera can begin big conversations across generations, classes, and languages. Anahita writes about Maachis' latest matchbox-inspired collection here.

The Enduring Allure Of Muzaffar Ali's 'Umrao Jaan'

The tragedy of Umrao Jaan (1981) is, ultimately, the tragedy of a society that thrives on and exploits women's work but does not value women workers. In reclaiming tawaifs as proto-feminist icons and re-watching Umrao Jaan (1981) through this decolonial, feminist lens, we do not romanticize the precarity of their existence; we recognize the resilience of these women who, against all odds, wrote poetry, nurtured language, preserved performing arts, and refused to live as victims of their circumstances. Read what makes this film one of Indian cinema's finest masterpieces here.

Fake Friends & Drunk Texts: Tienas' Latest Album Captures His Generation's Disaffection

Where Tienas' 2019 debut album, 'O', was an underground marvel — lean, lo-fi, and brimming with creative verve, O Deluxe is the natural evolution: richer, heavier, stranger, and far more ambitious. The 'deluxe' here signals an upgrade in vision and scale. It's a maximalist sprawl that trades minimal hip-hop aesthetics for a dense, textural world built from samples, warped vocoders, lo-fi grit, and moments of sudden, crystalline beauty. "It's still unmistakably Tienas — just elevated and sharpened," Disha writes here.

Pratinav Pratap Singh's NIKO Is Resetting The Rules Of Elevated Asian Fine Dining In Gurugram

Somewhere between over-stylised theatrics and tired takes on pan-Asian cuisine, Gurugram-based NIKO makes an understated proposition: good food doesn't need a spectacle. That ethos defines everything at this modern Asian restaurant on MG Road. "We never set out to define NIKO by geography," Pratinav shares. "It's more about sensibility than strict categorisation. A sensibility rooted in discipline, but also openness and play." That means Japanese culinary craft anchors the menu, but it doesn't confine it. Dishes travel freely across Asian interpretations, resulting in a palate that's layered and surprising, yet grounded in clean, confident flavours, Disha writes here.

Obeetee's New Collection Pays Homage To The Textile Heritage Of Ladakh

105-year-old homegrown carpet-maker Obeetee's new 'Silk Route' collection draws on the cultural legacy of the Silk Road, an ancient trade network stretching from China to the Mediterranean. Drawing from Ladakh's rich visual lexicon with the storied motifs of Persian and Mughal carpets, the collection weaves together diverse design traditions into a unified hand-knotted tapestry. The carpets feature flowing Persian floral strokes, Tibetan sacred geometry, and the opulence of Mughal-inspired motifs remixed with Obeetee's signature contemporary bohemian edge that complements modern interiors.

Homegrown x Chivas Takes Over The 140-Year-Old IF.BE For A Night Of Regality

The Palace is a one-night-only pop-up nightclub in Mumbai's Ballard Pier, where art, music, and luxury collide. Held at the stunning IF.BE (Ice Factory Ballard Estate), this immersive evening features live music by Masha Vincent and Think Twice, signature Chivas XV cocktails, striking art installations, and a bottle showcase. Enjoy curated food and drinks by Native in a 10,000 sq. ft. venue that blends industrial heritage with contemporary design. Located in the heart of Ballard Estate, the 140-year-old IF.BE offers the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable night of creativity, culture, and celebration. Don't miss this exclusive experience.

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