The soundtracks of several contemporary Indian films and shows have become an unlikely source of poetry. Srikanth M.V. discovers the relief that this poetry can provide in turbulent times.

Over the decade, a number of literary giants have emerged from Bengaluru—including Vivek Shanbagh, Madhuri Vijay, and more—to garner worldwide critically acclaim. Kamalpreet Singh Gill argues that the trend is a sign of the country’s ‘Silicon Valley’ evolving into the new heartbeat of Indian literature.

In her captivating debut novel A Burning, Megha Majumdar reports on the searing flames that ignite the ambitions of aspiring Indians—or destroy them. Review by Karan Madhok.

Four poems by K.S. Subramanian: ‘Once the cacophony peters out / emerges the calm cadence of order. / Life is never a bouquet to the living / surprise always on the fringe’.

Gulabo Sitabo is the latest release from the oeuvre of writer-director duo Shoojit Sircar and Juhi Chaturvedi, featuring strong, everyday women who are often underrepresented in the vast Hindi cinema ecosystem - by Harshita Murarka.

Three poems by Santasree Chaudhuri: ‘a love story- a harmony / of, / shadow of light / playing /hide and seek’

Urdu singer-songwriter Sameer Rahat’s debut solo album AAMAD is quiet as the eye of a hurricane, rich in poetic depth and deeply-personal energy. A track-by-track review by The Blue Magpie

2020 has enforced upon us a crash course on the human and economic cost of disasters. The pandemic and the lockdown have exposed the horrors of the worst-case scenario for India’s internally-displaced migrants. We need to be better prepared for the disasters looming ahead. By Shefali Saldanha

There are few things that India loves more than cricket and cinema. And yet, the cultural connection between our favourite pastimes have rarely resulted in quality cricket films. Jamie Alter lists some of the best and worst of Bollywood on the willow.

The unlikely fandom of American rap legend Nas in India; and the surprising connection between Nas, Divine, and the rise of India’s real hip hop culture. - an essay by Karan Madhok.

While the discourse around the ‘item songs’ in Bollywood films usually revolves around the sexually explicit videos, Ankur Choudhary argues that the bigger issue to be tackled is the lyrical content that leans towards the objectification of women.

In a film industry filled with mainstream Indian stereotypes—Hindi speaking, upper-class, ‘mainland’ Indians, that eat Butter Chicken—the pungent-smelling entrance of Axone about a community of Northeasteners in New Delhi feels like a true act of resistance - Review by Shayoni Mehta.