This Week In Culture: David Lynch's Journey Across India, Tender Coconut Wine, & More

The internet is one weird place. And the deeper you go into the niches of the algorithms the weirder it gets. After a day of adulting, and being a comme il faut individual, it is this refreshing absurdity that fills you with dopamine. It may not seem like it but this freedom and joy we've found in the 'cringe', was years in the making and was helmed by artists like David Lynch who found beauty in the bizarre. His life and legacy was the splendid torch George Bernard Shaw spoke of. And even in his death today, there is a celebration of the magic he left behind among artists, dreamers, and his adoring fans.

Our strange, dorky, oddball of a surrealist was the author of the new gothic Americana. He took offense at the dullness of reality and retaliated against it with debauchery and abstractions that he held close as a way of seeing the world, and ourselves. He was one of the architects of that space; a place that the silly part of the internet was built upon. And thank god for that; for him and that door of perception he opened. If our emotional experience was limited to stoicism and cheap sentimentality, I'd shoot myself in a frenzy like Diane Selwyn in 'Mulholland Drive'. 

David Lynch's death has stirred up a lot of emotions in me today, like millions of others, but sadness isn't one of them. Perhaps he's to blame for it; grief would be too obvious; too plain. He trained our sensibilities to be better than that. So I'm going to stream 'Lost Highway' and sit in awe of his imagination instead. Based on the twisted nature of reality he constructed with his work, it's hard to think of him dying a common man's death. He spoke of a place where ideas come from. I picture him in that realm now, behind crimson curtains, drinking copious amounts of coffee that's as "black as midnight on a moonless night".

Here's what we have for you this week:

David Lynch's Journey Across India

While much has been written about Eraserhead, Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, and Blue Velvet, perhaps no project reveals the man behind the myth more than 'It’s a Beautiful World'. With Richard Beymer behind the camera, Lynch in 2009 retraces the Maharishi’s spiritual journey across India in a ten-day whirlwind of temples, rivers, and ancient caves. The result was a film that, while not widely known, was quintessentially Lynchian — not because it was strange, but because it was sincere.

Read more here.

Films To Look Forward To In 2025

With the new year rolling in, Indian cinema is all set to deliver some exciting releases! Regional industries like Kollywood and Tollywood are stepping out of their local zones, bringing stories that speak to audiences across the country. It’s not just about Bollywood anymore — these films are redefining Indian storytelling with fresh perspectives and bold themes. Homegrown has curated its own favourite picks that you should check out this year.

Find them here.

In Conversation With Mary Ann Alexander

Meet Mary Ann Alexander, a Bengaluru-based R&B, jazz, and soul artist who’s bringing a fresh, homegrown twist to these genres. Since 2020, she’s been making waves with her unique blend of influences, from Disney tunes to R&B icons like Brent Faiyaz, all while staying true to her Malayali roots. We caught up with her to chat about her musical journey, what inspires her, and what she’s got planned for 2025.

Read it here.

'Rain Dogs' By Rohit Chawla

During the lockdown, photographer Rohit Chawla found himself adrift, grappling with grief and the sudden halt of his fast-paced life. Seeking solace in Goa, he discovered an unexpected companionship — of the stray dogs at Ashwem beach. The photographer began capturing their moments together creating a hauntingly beautiful collection now featured in his book Rain Dogs. Against the dramatic Goan monsoon, these images reflect survival, loss, and the unspoken bond between man and animal.

Read more here.

Oracle By Olio Jewellery x Coco Ballucci

The Oracle photo series by Coco Ballucci for Olio is a tribute to power and transformation, drenched in scarlet hues and adorned with contemporary South Asian jewellery. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s revolutionary play Tasher Desh, it channels the energy of breaking free from societal rigidity and celebrates individuality and the liberating force of creative expression.

Read more here.

Tender Coconut Wine By Sebastian P. Augustine

Grapes just got some new competition — Sebastian P. Augustine, a Kerala-based coconut farmer, has turned tender coconuts into wine, and no, it’s not a joke. After a two-decade-long patent battle, this octogenarian’s one-of-a-kind coconut wine is finally here. Made from the water, milk, and kernel of tender coconuts, plus a dash of tropical fruits and spices, this wine promises fruity flavours with a coconut twist.

Read more here.

River Landscapes: A New Glossary By Science Gallery Bengaluru

They say time is a river, and just like time, rivers have shaped the course of human history, culture, and imagination. Our connection to rivers runs deep, and Science Gallery Bengaluru’s workshope explores that bond in new ways. From February 10-14, 2025, this five-day event will spotlight the Kaveri river, delving into its impact on South Indian culture, ecology, and politics through art, writing, photography, and more.

Apply for the workshop here.

The Letter Writing Carnival By Daak Room

Do not be a 'sup' or 'wyd' kind of person. Learn how to express and communicate better with Daak Room's Letter Writing Carnival this weekend at Mumbai’s World Trade Centre. From penning letters to your idols and learning calligraphy to crafting DIY goodies and reliving memories in the Nostalgia Room, the event is all about celebrating the lost art of handwritten notes with workshops and a stationery marketplace.

Get your passes here.

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