Art & Culture

A landmark cultural event is underway in New Delhi as India showcases the sacred Piprahwa relics tied to Lord Buddha, brought back home after more than a century. The exhibition at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness ancient artefacts and gemstones once lost to history.

Industrialist Anand Mahindra’s recent social media tribute to Tamil Nadu’s iconic Brihadeeswara Temple has reignited global interest in this 11th-century marvel. Celebrated as a masterpiece of ancient engineering, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is now trending for its enduring structural brilliance and spiritual legacy.

In a vibrant celebration of India’s living heritage, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Shilp Guru and National Awards for 2023 and 2024 in New Delhi. The ceremony honoured 48 master craftspersons and designers, spotlighting the handicrafts sector as a powerhouse of cultural preservation, sustainable livelihoods, and women’s empowerment.

New Delhi gears up for Master Creation-II, the government’s prestigious annual handicrafts exhibition at Dilli Haat. Featuring 120 master artisans, including Padma Shri and Shilp Guru awardees, the event promises a dazzling array of heritage crafts. Yet, behind the vibrant displays, questions about equitable representation and outdated participation rules loom large.

New Delhi plays host to a unique cultural dialogue as the ‘Barnali’ exhibition opens, showcasing the stunning parallels between Indian and Hungarian textile traditions. The display, a vibrant exploration of natural dyes like indigo, reveals a shared history of craft that connects two distant nations through the timeless language of colour and pattern.

In a firm diplomatic response, India has categorically dismissed Pakistan’s comments on the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, labeling the neighboring nation’s criticism as hypocritical and lacking “moral standing.” The exchange marks a new chapter in the complex dialogue between the two nations.

In a discovery that blurs the lines between ancient scripture and historical reality, a prominent indologist has reportedly pinpointed the location of Ayodhya’s legendary flag, a sacred relic said to have been lost following the great war of the Mahabharata. This breakthrough offers a tantalizing new chapter in India’s archaeological narrative.

In the heart of Kashmir, a centuries-old dance between artisan and wood continues. AlwaysFirst delves into the world of Walnut Wood Carving, a GI-protected craft where traditional tools like the ‘Sanglipen’ and ‘Choraswoul’ shape intricate masterpieces. We explore whether this heritage art can preserve its soul while embracing modern tools for survival.

In a pivotal move for India’s cultural economy, the Ministry of Textiles is convening a high-level national conference to redesign the support framework for the handicrafts and handloom sectors. The agenda? To boost market access, streamline governance, and ensure the benefits of central schemes truly reach millions of artisans and weavers on the ground.