Latest stories

The Hooded Gown, Suddenly, is Everywhere

As the fashion moment takes over red carpets without crediting Eastern influences, who is the look serving?

Salman Rushdie, the Maverick Who Lived

On the award-winning novelist’s birthday, we revisit how his writing molded the literary imagination of hundreds of millions.

“Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja,” the Bollywood Disco Track That Never Dies

Bappi Lahiri’s 1982 hit song has reemerged in different avatars for decades, from Soviet film festivals to Chinese protests to K-Pop.

South Asia’s Stinkiest Beloved Treat? A Laxative.

How Big Ayurveda turned Hajmola, the lip-smacking digestive aid, into candies.

Goan Food is Much More than Vindaloo

Restaurants have long reduced Goan cuisine, shaped by over 450 years of Portuguese rule, to one dish. That’s now changing — but is it enough?

‘Never Have I Ever’ Stars Reflect on What’s Next: “There’s More to Come”

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, and Richa Moorjani sat down to chat about the last season of the beloved teen comedy.

In ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 4, Devi Finally Grows Up

In her senior year and the last season, the messy but charming teen proves how far she’s come in her journey to self-love.

Did Romantic Kissing Originate in India?

For years, researchers traced the practice to ancient Sanskrit texts. Recent evidence suggests that theory might not be the whole story. Or is it?

Rekha, Mother of Bollywood Queer Icons

The Hindi film industry painted the actor as a vamp and the other woman. Yet she emerged as a flag-bearer for self-love and queer self-expression.

The Tesla Cliff Crash is Yet Another Cry for Help

In January, Dharmesh Patel tried to kill himself and his family. The tragedy unveils glaring gaps in mental health resources for South Asian men.

Dev Shah is the 2023 National Spelling Bee Champion

The 14-year-old won $50,000 and the coveted trophy. His winning word was “psammophile.”

Celebrating Pride Month: 2023

This June, dive into 15 stories about queer South Asian history, icons, and culture.

Does Yale Discriminate Against Asian Americans?

Eleven Asian American students looked at their admissions files. They were surprised by what they found.

7-Eleven and South Asians, An American Success Story

The franchise became both the lifeline of new immigrants — who own as many as 70% of 7-Elevens in the U.S. — and the punchline of racist jokes.

How Diipa Büller-Khosla Got to Cannes — And Brought Her Brand

She was the first Indian-born influencer invited to the exclusive event. The indē wild founder is now bringing more Indian women with her.

The Motel Patels Built Empires. For Younger Generations, It’s Complicated.

Gujarati Americans own over 60% of America’s motels. But, for some, joining the family business is too close to home.

The Celebrity Airport Photo: Candid or Contrived?

For Bollywood paparazzi, capturing stars come and go is less about good timing than you think.

With No Towers of Silence in the West, Zoroastrian Last Rites are a Fraught Affair

The West has no structures or legal precedent for corpses to decay in the open air. For those wishing to follow traditions, funerals are a compromise.

How Cruises Became South Asian Getaways

Bollywood and value for money ignited our wanderlust. Now, those approaching retirement and seeking comfort are some of the industry’s newest patrons.

Is the Bollywood Song Dead?

Indian music is seeing a significant shift from film songs to those of independent artists. For some, it’s about time. For others, it’s an existential threat.