The South Asian Stories You Need To Know.

Remembering Partition and Independence, 75 Years On

Ten in-depth stories about the historical event that forever changed the subcontinent.

Why South Asian Americans Overwhelmingly Support Abortion

Despite not openly talking about it, many South Asians are pro-choice. We dig into why and their reactions to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Why South Asians Often Have Multiple Birthdays

Sure, two birthdays means double the cake, but for some, it’s also a reminder of a turbulent past.

‘Chutney Popcorn’ Reimagines Family and Motherhood

Nisha Ganatra’s 1999 film about a lesbian artist who becomes a surrogate for her sister remains ahead of its time.

The South Asians of OnlyFans

Thousands of South Asian creators have found sexual and economic empowerment on the X-rated platform — yet their work is shrouded in shame.

How Bhut Jolokia, the Ghost Pepper, Took Over the West

Dubbed the hottest pepper in the world in 2007, the unique northeastern Indian chili became a tempting challenge for Western palates. But what got lost in the process?

How Cartier Built an Empire by Claiming Indian and Islamic Art as its Own

From its Tutti Frutti collection to bejeweled cases, the French luxury jewelry house has long appropriated Eastern influences, calling it aesthetic exchange.

How ‘The Dropout’ Recasts Sunny Balwani as the Angry Brown Man

The new Hulu series generously gives founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes a back story while only villainizing her counterpart, who faces similar charges of fraud.

"Play by Play"

Our October 2021 crossword.

"Kitchen Talk"

Our September 2021 crossword.

"Across the Pond"

Our August 2021 crossword.

"Inner Child"

Our July 2021 crossword.

The Disappearing Sweets of Bengal

The region renowned for its sweet tooth endured multiple conflicts and divisions, losing many of its creative mishti-making traditions in the process.

The Fight to Teach Partition in the West

Despite significant South Asian populations, U.S., U.K., and Canadian schools rarely teach students about one of the largest and deadliest mass migrations in history.

How ‘Garm Hava’ Reframes the Partition Narrative

Instead of focusing on the traumatic events of Partition, the 1974 M.S. Sathyu film provides a searing look at what happened after.

How A.R. Rahman Makes Hit After Hit

The composer breaks down why chart-topping success doesn’t tell the full story of the magic behind his music.

How ‘Garm Hava’ Reframes the Partition Narrative

Instead of focusing on the traumatic events of Partition, the 1974 M.S. Sathyu film provides a searing look at what happened after.

How ‘Taal’ Took Aishwarya Rai to New Heights

The plot of Subhash Ghai’s 1999 film was nothing new. The killer soundtrack and a rising star made it a global sensation.

Stick With ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 3

While the new season initially feels formulaic, the show ultimately evolves into something more profound.

‘Indian Matchmaking’ Season 2 is Still a Hate Watch

Sima from Mumbai is back, and so is the reality show’s narrow depiction of India’s matchmaking industry.

The Disappearing Sweets of Bengal

The region renowned for its sweet tooth endured multiple conflicts and divisions, losing many of its creative mishti-making traditions in the process.

How Bhut Jolokia, the Ghost Pepper, Took Over the West

Dubbed the hottest pepper in the world in 2007, the unique northeastern Indian chili became a tempting challenge for Western palates. But what got lost in the process?

Sri Lanka: The Reality of Mealtime in the Midst of Economic Collapse

The island nation’s worst economic crisis since its 1948 independence has forced people to change how and what they eat.

Why “Best Of” Lists Often Overlook South Asian Cuisines

But as these restaurants and chefs rack up recognition and business from ardent fans, do mainstream accolades even matter?

Opinion: Eileen Gu and the Hyphenated American Dream

The Chinese American skier’s choice to represent China in the Olympics is thrillingly subversive. But is her story so different from that of our immigrant parents?

Opinion: R.K. Narayan’s Idyllic Malgudi Might Not Be Enough

The famed short story writer created a utopia that rarely mentions caste or politics. It is the place where we may want to escape, but not where we can live.

Opinion: How the U.S. Failed Evacuation Efforts in Afghanistan

The U.S. administration congratulated themselves on their evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. A volunteer on the ground in Kabul writes about how botched these efforts really were.

Opinion: Aryan Khan is Paying the Price for Being Muslim in India

Though they couldn’t find any drugs on him, officials arrested Shah Rukh Khan’s son during a drug raid and denied him bail — a reminder that being Muslim in India means living at the government’s mercy.

The Disappearing Sweets of Bengal

The region renowned for its sweet tooth endured multiple conflicts and divisions, losing many of its creative mishti-making traditions in the process.

The Fight to Teach Partition in the West

Despite significant South Asian populations, U.S., U.K., and Canadian schools rarely teach students about one of the largest and deadliest mass migrations in history.

How ‘Garm Hava’ Reframes the Partition Narrative

Instead of focusing on the traumatic events of Partition, the 1974 M.S. Sathyu film provides a searing look at what happened after.

How Much Did British Colonization Cost India?

One historian puts the figure at $45 trillion. Others say focusing on the size of the British Raj’s bill misses the bigger picture.

The Fierceness of Poorna Jagannathan

We talked to the star about starting her acting career in her 30s, playing fearless women, and why she almost said no to ‘Never Have I Ever.’

Alia Bhatt Refuses to Be Predictable

Critics dismissed her after her debut. Peers now call her the best actor in Bollywood. We chatted with the ‘Darlings’ star on how she pulls off powerful character-driven roles.

Nik Dodani is Making Hollywood His Own

Luck helped the actor and writer, known for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Atypical,’ break into Hollywood. But he’s not leaving the rest up to chance.

You Don’t Know Jay Sean

For two decades, the British artist had a carefully curated image. Then, he got on TikTok.

Why South Asians Struggle with IVF

South Asians are increasingly seeking fertility treatments, only to find that the process is costlier, more time-consuming, and less successful than it is for other groups.

The Unsolved Mystery of Heart Disease in South Asians

High rates of heart issues have plagued South Asians — and confounded researchers — for years. A new bill hopes to change that.

How Amar Bose Engineered Today’s Sound

A curious Bengali American kid with a love for tinkering built a multi-billion-dollar company and changed the way we listen to music.

“The Great Escape”: Sri Lanka and the Maldives Bear the Brunt of COVID Vacations

India’s elite continued to vacation in the island nations amid a raging pandemic.

How South Asians Fell in Love with Tennis

Though no Grand Slam singles champion has emerged from the subcontinent, the sport has created superfans in both the diaspora and the homeland.

Opinion: Eileen Gu and the Hyphenated American Dream

The Chinese American skier’s choice to represent China in the Olympics is thrillingly subversive. But is her story so different from that of our immigrant parents?

Could Carrom Make it to the Olympics?

The beloved board game in India has long faced challenges in becoming an international sporting sensation. Some players and associations are trying to change that.

India’s Siddis and the Olympic Dream

India has won only 33 Olympic medals since 1900 — none in track and field. Now, new local sports programs are working with Siddi athletes to produce Olympic glory.