Dispatches from Kolkata

Model No More Feb 26, 2025

A lot of people think of Indians as the “model minority.” Hard working, paying taxes and fitting in. But Trump’s focus on Indian immigrants has added another layer to their ‘American’ story.

Uncles Just Want to Have Fun Feb 19, 2025

The Cadbury company wants to kill Valentine’s Day, and they have released a powerful foe to do it. The Indian Uncle. Of which group Sandip Roy belongs to.

The 48th Kolkata Book Fair Feb 12, 2025

This year marks the 48th Kolkata Book Fair, a fair Sandip Roy has been going to his whole life. This year he ruminates on what makes this particular festival so special.

Saraswati Puja Feb 05, 2025

This week Sandip celebrates a deity that has always been a bit more personal, but also worries about how the modern world is remaking her influence.

Never on Sunday Jan 21, 2025

An Indian CEO has caused a furor over dismissive statements concerning work hours. Sandip Roy considers the implications of a seven day work week.

Keep Running Durga Jan 15, 2025

The character of “Durga” has haunted film audiences the world over. The actress who portrayed her had something of a tragic life herself. Sandip remembers Uma, as she now, like her character Durga, has died.

Flower Power Jan 08, 2025

At the beginning of what will inevitably be a year filled with conflict and stiff, it’s a memorial service from the close of last year that reminds us how alike we all are.

Dreaming of a Brown Christmas Dec 25, 2024

Sandip Roy contrasts the Christmases of his childhood with the current revelry taking place in Kolkata.

Ustad Zakir Hussain Dec 18, 2024

“Music can’t work miracles” Zakir Hussain once said, but he certainly was a miraculous musician and collaborator. Zakir Hussain passed away in San Francisco on Dec. 15th, 2024.

I Am Ol Chiki Dec 11, 2024

‘Ol Chiki’ is a thousands year old language in Bengal, but has only been written down since 1925. Sandip Roy travels to an art biennial to find out more.

Satanic Verses, Now Available in India Dec 04, 2024

Salman Rushdie’s book Satanic Verses could, perhaps, FiNALLY be available in India. But with so many verses under the bridge will it matter?

A Moment Savored Nov 13, 2024

Due to illness Sandip is forced to consider the world in his own backyard.

Weaving a Future Nov 06, 2024

When we go on vacation we visit the sights, try the local cuisine, and buy a few souvenirs. But on a trip to Dhenkanal in the eastern Indian state of Odisha recently Sandip Roy saw the hands that make the craft. His friend Milena led them into the home of a weaver.

Stamp of Approval Oct 30, 2024

The 2024 Presidential Election has marked an irreversible cultural change in the U.S. Sandip Roy sees the connection in an unlikely symbol, the Postage Stamp.

Preserving the Past for the Present Oct 23, 2024

Royal past meets the tourist future at India’s Palace Hotels. Sandip had a nostalgic visit to Dhenkanal in the Eastern state of Odisha.

Durga's Protest Oct 16, 2024

Durga Puja, Kolkata's biggest festival comes face to face with the biggest protests the city has seen in recent years.

Durga is Calling Oct 09, 2024

In a city chaotic with light and noise, the Goddess has come home and is calling out to us. Now if we could just cut through the static and be on the same wavelength.

Happy Birthday Mahatma! Oct 02, 2024

Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the Father of the Nation in India. But how was he as Father of his own family? His grandson Gopal talks about the legacy of the Mahatma with Sandip.

Looking for Hüzün Sep 25, 2024

This summer I went to Istanbul looking for melancholy. Or as they call it there hüzün.

Cooking Up Stories Sep 18, 2024

Food is the way we often break down barriers between people AND food is also the way we “other” the other, as the recent presidential debate shows.

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