scorecardresearch
Saturday, September 13, 2025
TopicMAP Academy

Topic: MAP Academy

Punkahs, punkahwallahs, and White sahibs in Colonial India

Punkah' is a colonial-era anglicisation of the Hindustani term pankha, which referred to handheld fans. Punkah-pullers were made to work in deliberately uncomfortable conditions.

How feminism shaped Indian art

Mid-1900s' women artists were often exceptional presences in artist collectives with mostly male members - providing counterpoints to prevalent narratives.

The business of dreams — photographs from the studio of Suresh Punjabi

The story of Suresh Punjabi — his upbringing, influences and the portraits he produced at Suhag Studio in Nagda, Madhya Pradesh, in the 1970s and 80s.

The protector Goddess of Buddhism—Marichi and her many symbols of strength, knowledge

Marichi is a symbol of rapid enlightenment, and continues to be deified in Tibet, China and Japan. But her importance has declined in India and Nepal.

Langda, Kesar to Alphonso—how mangoes shaped art, politics & culture in India

Babur, who pined for the melons, peaches, apricots and walnuts of Central Asia, came to admire the flavours of mango quite immediately. Akbar, Shah Jahan and Jahangir, too, remained steadfast in their commitment to maintaining orchards.

Carved stone dishes from Gandhara – make-up trays or ritual objects?

Their distinctive style, antiquity and presence in museum collections make them valuable objects of art in the contemporary world, but there has been speculation and debate regarding the original function of these stone dishes.

Yali—mythical sculptures guarding Hindu, Buddhist temples in India

Yalis were considered divine vehicles for deities, and were used to signify heroism and the elemental forces of nature, tamed in stone.

What traditional ‘Theyyam’ ritual means to Dalit community in Kerala

There are over 600 theyyam rituals today, performed primarily by Dalit communities by incorporating transgression from the established caste and social order.

Mughal and Rajput art, Western-style—Company paintings, the lovechild of India & British Raj

Company painting emerged out of a sustained interaction between Indian and European culture after the East India Company gained control over Bengal in 1757.

For Tulu community in India, ‘Bhuta’ masks are charged with magic, meaning and myth

Scholars have identified a complex interplay between indigenous traditions and castes— elements of which can be seen in bhuta masks.

On Camera

Charlie Kirk’s killing has America at war with itself. Foreigners & visa-seekers ‘warned’

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, gunned down this week, was no ordinary influencer. He helped bring the Trump administration to power. His death has deepened America’s Left-Right divide.

What’s behind bond yields’ logic-defying spike? The market’s concern over the future

While bond yields tend to fall amid low inflation & interest rate cuts, market experts say they’ve been rising due to concerns over tax collections, fiscal deficit & potential impact of US tariffs.

Navy gets first Tata-made Spanish 3D surveillance radar for its warships, 19 more to come

It is one of the most advanced long-range air defence and anti-missile radars. It has been acquired under an about USD 145-million deal signed in 2020.

Gen Zs have taken down the Nepal regime. Here’s why this will never happen in India

To be truly functional and durable, even eternal, a state doesn’t just need a leader, a party or an ideology. It needs functional and robust institutions.