I watched a Kathputli performance in Udaipur almost by accident. I wandered past a small courtyard where a crowd had gathered, and I stayed far longer than I’d planned to. Wooden puppets on strings sound simple enough on paper. What […]
Theyyam: The Kerala Ritual Where a Man Becomes a God, Briefly
I’d heard the word Theyyam thrown around a few times before I actually understood what it meant. It’s not a dance, and it’s not quite a performance either. The people watching genuinely believe it’s a temporary transformation, a human performer […]
The History Behind Jagannath Yatra: How This Procession Became What It Is Today
Long before Jagannath Yatra became one of the most recognized religious processions in the world, it began as a temple ritual in Puri, tied to a deity whose origins are as layered as the festival itself. Understanding that history changes […]