https://www.scmp.com/rss/327279/feed Kalpana Sunder is an independent journalist based in Chennai, India. She writes on travel, environment, gender, architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and fashion. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, the Christian Science Monitor, Al Jazeera and the National Geographic Traveler. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Kalpana Sunder Kalpana Sunder With the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats mountain range on the other, Kerala has long cast its spell on travellers, with meandering back­waters, temple rituals and spice ports. Criss-crossed by 44 rivers, this Indian state offers endless possibilities for exploration, perhaps on a houseboat, but scratch the glossy picture-postcard surface and you’ll find a wilder, deeper side, where tribal traditions, sustainable travel and biodiversity take centre stage. A different kind of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3324495/insiders-guide-kerala-ancient-rituals-forest-walks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3324495/insiders-guide-kerala-ancient-rituals-forest-walks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:15:07 +0000 Kalpana Sunder Kalpana Sunder Hyderabad, the capital of India’s Telangana state, is known as the “City of Nizams” – a reference to the title used by its rulers for centuries, and that hints at the city’s grace and its status as a centre of Islamic culture and Deccan arts, as well as its immense wealth derived from local diamond mines. It’s also one of India’s most significant culinary heartlands and in 2019, Unesco recognised the city as a Creative City of Gastronomy. Rooted in traditional Telugu cooking, the local... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3319578/hyderabad-unesco-creative-city-gastronomy-so-what-makes-its-food-special?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3319578/hyderabad-unesco-creative-city-gastronomy-so-what-makes-its-food-special?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2025 22:16:08 +0000 Sinewy young men clad in dhotis and wielding shields and swords stomp their feet as they move to the beat of drums around the gardens of the Belgadia Palace. The Mayurbhanj Chhau, a dance that dates back to the 18th century and is influenced by martial arts and folk customs, is one of several traditions belonging to this part of eastern India that are showcased to guests staying at the royal palace-turned-boutique hotel. Situated in Baripada, a small town in Odisha state, the palace was built in... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3302214/royal-indian-hosts-offer-luxurious-introduction-heritage-rich-former-kingdoms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3302214/royal-indian-hosts-offer-luxurious-introduction-heritage-rich-former-kingdoms?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:57:23 +0000 Castor oil, derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), has a rich history as a health and wellness aid – and is now attracting widespread interest online. In traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda, castor oil has been used for thousands of years to treat ailments from arthritis to skin problems. Ancient Egyptians also used it for medicinal purposes. Cleopatra is said to have employed castor oil to brighten the whites of her eyes. During the Middle Ages it was used in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3294838/does-castor-oil-improve-health-its-social-media-hit-and-was-used-cleopatra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3294838/does-castor-oil-improve-health-its-social-media-hit-and-was-used-cleopatra?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:15:07 +0000 Dalgona coffee. Banana bread. Fake meat. Liquid nitrogen to create smoke. Microgreens to make food prettier. The last few years have seen many new food trends sprout, but not all deserve to survive much longer. As the end of 2024 nears, we speak to chefs, food writers and general food lovers to find out which trends they think should be consigned to the dustbin of history before the new year. 1. Serving food on cutting boards, paper, shells, etc “I don’t like food served on anything but a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3289990/9-food-trends-need-end-2025-digital-menus-calorie-labelling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3289990/9-food-trends-need-end-2025-digital-menus-calorie-labelling?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:45:07 +0000 In yoga, a deep squat – known as the malasana, or garland, pose – is often used for meditation, relaxation and preparation for more advanced poses (asanas). Mala in Sanskrit means “a garland of beads”. The pose is so named because – in one form of it – you wrap your arms forward and around your shins to the lower back, like a necklace. There are many benefits to this simple pose. It can improve overall well-being and mental focus. It strengthens the legs – from the glutes and thighs to the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3278190/how-deep-squats-benefit-body-and-mind-plus-how-do-them-and-tips-beginners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3278190/how-deep-squats-benefit-body-and-mind-plus-how-do-them-and-tips-beginners?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:15:08 +0000 During the searing summer months in India’s desert state of Rajasthan, a young Shobha Rajkumar drank glasses of lime juice spiked with a “miracle” ingredient: gond katira. Her mother and grandmother valued its cooling, hydrating qualities. For centuries, this edible gum, also known as almond gum or tragacanth gum, has been used in the traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda. Now a homemaker in the south Indian city of Bengaluru, Rajkumar says edible gums have always been part of their traditional... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3272293/how-indians-use-edible-gum-keep-cool-searing-heat-and-its-other-health-benefits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3272293/how-indians-use-edible-gum-keep-cool-searing-heat-and-its-other-health-benefits?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:17:08 +0000 In India, where weddings are often resplendent multi-day affairs, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha bucked tradition last month by forgoing the elaborate ceremonies to tie the knot with her long-time boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal in a simple civil ceremony. They were wed under India’s Special Marriage Act, which allows couples of different faiths and castes to marry without the need for traditional rituals. As an observant Hindu, Sinha’s marriage to the Muslim Iqbal was made possible by this alternative... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3272033/indias-big-fat-wedding-norms-disrupted-rise-no-frills-marriages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3272033/indias-big-fat-wedding-norms-disrupted-rise-no-frills-marriages?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Jul 2024 10:00:13 +0000 “Whatever you see in Bhopal is all done by women. From postal networks to railways and stately buildings, men have nothing to do with it,” says Sikandar Malik, my guide to the Indian city, who is exaggerating, but not by much. “From 1819 to 1926, four women Muslim nawabs (viceroys) ruled over the city with élan and style – promoting art and literature, building schools, colleges and hospitals, and even an exclusive bazaar for women, and promoting a cosmopolitan culture,” says Malik. They also... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3263319/what-see-bhopal-indian-city-lakes-legacy-left-muslim-women-rulers-including-its-own-taj-mahal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3263319/what-see-bhopal-indian-city-lakes-legacy-left-muslim-women-rulers-including-its-own-taj-mahal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 May 2024 08:15:10 +0000 Kalpana Sunder Kalpana Sunder Ice cream is the perfect treat for scorching Indian summers but these days, they do not come in just any old flavours. From chilli basil and betel leaf to sesame candy and even masala chai, these so-called artisanal ice creams are taking the traditional frozen dessert to another level. Burma Burma, a Burmese restaurant and tea room chain in India, offers varieties made in-house including dark chocolate and olive oil, avocado and honey, caramelised chocolate and cheese, honeycomb and sweetcorn,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3262902/how-indian-ice-creams-offer-unique-and-creative-flavours-gen-z-and-millennials-drive-gourmet-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3262902/how-indian-ice-creams-offer-unique-and-creative-flavours-gen-z-and-millennials-drive-gourmet-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 May 2024 03:15:20 +0000 The ghats, or steps leading into a body of water, at Varanasi, India’s holiest city in Uttar Pradesh, are crowded with people, some bathing in the Ganges River, others performing ceremonies on its banks. Most Indians believe the Ganges, originating from the ice cave of Gaumukh near the temple town of Gangotri, has a self-purifying quality and is seen as a living goddess, supplying water for some 40 per cent of the country’s population. India’s holiest waterway, celebrated with birth and death... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3262259/indias-sacred-ganges-river-also-one-worlds-most-polluted-will-it-ever-be-clean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3262259/indias-sacred-ganges-river-also-one-worlds-most-polluted-will-it-ever-be-clean?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 May 2024 10:00:30 +0000 Sad at missing an evening out with friends? Wish you were travelling to an exotic location like your colleague on their latest holiday? Regret turning down tickets to the opening show of a musical? FOMO – the fear of missing out – is not new, but social media’s ability to let us see instantly the fun and interesting things that others are doing has increased the pressure on us to do the same. A research paper published in the journal Psychological Reports defines it as “a pervasive apprehension... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3261849/got-fomo-try-jomo-joy-missing-out-instead-experts-explain-how-switch-and-why-it-can-help-make-you?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3261849/got-fomo-try-jomo-joy-missing-out-instead-experts-explain-how-switch-and-why-it-can-help-make-you?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 May 2024 20:15:16 +0000 As one of the world’s oldest civilisations, India boasts a wealth of historical structures ranging from palaces to temples but a rise in the number of disappeared monuments has triggered concerns about the country’s ability to protect its heritage. While globally renowned attractions such as the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar are well preserved, many heritage structures are in decrepit condition or unaccounted for amid extensive urban development. Last year, the Ministry of Culture reported that... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3256448/why-are-indias-monuments-disappearing-bit-epidemic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3256448/why-are-indias-monuments-disappearing-bit-epidemic?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Mar 2024 08:00:24 +0000 Sruti Das and her husband were part of the estimated one in six Indian couples who struggle with infertility. While they enjoyed an affluent lifestyle, she made the difficult choice to quit her high-paying but stressful job after she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, to focus on one of the condition’s known treatments – getting fit and eating healthy. It took her six years, but Das, 34, was eventually able to conceive and give birth to a healthy girl. India, the world’s most populous... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3256105/indian-couples-are-struggling-conceive-why-worlds-most-populous-nation-facing-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3256105/indian-couples-are-struggling-conceive-why-worlds-most-populous-nation-facing-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Mar 2024 11:00:29 +0000 India’s Chinese community was established during British colonial rule in the 1800s when Chinese people were invited to set up sugar plantations in the country. The community grew, with many of its members later finding employment in the leather business in Kolkata, and, by the late 19th century, in dentistry and at Chinese restaurants. Katherine Lim, a third-generation member of India’s Hakka Chinese community, was born and raised in Amritsar, in the state of Punjab, but is now based in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3255743/chinese-indian-chef-katherine-lim-why-spreading-hakka-cuisine-her-childhood-india-and-beyond-very?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3255743/chinese-indian-chef-katherine-lim-why-spreading-hakka-cuisine-her-childhood-india-and-beyond-very?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Mar 2024 23:15:15 +0000 As Japan’s economy grapples with recession, its retailers are finding a silver lining in India’s vibrant market, where they have made significant inroads thanks to a burgeoning middle class and a growing consumer penchant for minimalistic, high-quality goods. While Japanese cars, watches and gadgets have long been popular among well-to-do Indians due to the high levels of craftsmanship, a new wave of mid-range retailers selling everything from fast fashion outfits to household goods is... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3255025/japans-uniqlo-muji-among-minimalist-brands-taking-young-indian-consumers-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3255025/japans-uniqlo-muji-among-minimalist-brands-taking-young-indian-consumers-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Mar 2024 05:30:10 +0000 People are constantly looking for immune system boosts, and to keep infections at bay – especially in winter or during the flu season – and social media promises a wealth of ways to do so. One currently trending is the immunity cube – a frozen cube of ingredients known for their super-ability to safeguard our health. On TikTok, posts with the hashtag #ImmunityCubes have had more than 4.6 billion views. Cookbook author Nicole Keshishian Modic, also known as Kale Junkie, has one of the most... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3254330/how-tiktok-viral-immunity-cubes-can-protect-us-infections-especially-during-flu-season-try-popular?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3254330/how-tiktok-viral-immunity-cubes-can-protect-us-infections-especially-during-flu-season-try-popular?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Mar 2024 10:15:14 +0000 Bent over their sketchbooks, a group of art lovers in a public park in the heart of Chennai, India, are busy rendering their surroundings. Their subjects are varied, and they work with any number of mediums, but what unites them is a passion for depicting cities in situ and paying homage to a time-honoured tradition. They are part of the global Urban Sketchers network, started in 2007 by Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario through the creation of an online forum. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3254703/urban-sketchers-showcase-beauty-and-stories-indias-cities-one-drawing-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3254703/urban-sketchers-showcase-beauty-and-stories-indias-cities-one-drawing-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Mar 2024 10:00:13 +0000 Atreya and Madhu are among couples in India’s Uttarakhand who have been alarmed by a law that will regulate the personal lives of not just those who are married but people who cohabit. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) of Uttarakhand 2024, passed on February 7, will replace religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce and succession with a common set of laws applicable to all. The couple, who used pseudonyms for fear of being identified, said the legislation felt like an attack on the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3252063/indian-cohabiting-couples-slam-new-state-law-requiring-inquiry-fear-abuse-nosy-neighbours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3252063/indian-cohabiting-couples-slam-new-state-law-requiring-inquiry-fear-abuse-nosy-neighbours?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Feb 2024 04:00:17 +0000 Bangladesh’s intricately decorated rickshaws, featuring elaborate motifs painstakingly rendered in enamel paints, navigate the country’s urban landscapes as embodiments of a living art form but now face the threat of dying out as its popularity declines. Many third or fourth generation rickshaw artists are losing interest in the craft that provides little recognition or income. Abdul Hamid, 46, a rickshaw artist in Dhaka, says people prefer modern transport like cars and the metro, though many... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3251591/can-bangladesh-preserve-its-unesco-listed-colourful-painted-rickshaws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3251591/can-bangladesh-preserve-its-unesco-listed-colourful-painted-rickshaws?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Feb 2024 06:00:15 +0000 When American podcast host, author and motivational speaker Mel Robbins posted an Instagram reel about the “let them” theory in May 2023, it attracted more than 14 million views in a week, and thousands of comments. “If your friends are not inviting you out to brunch this weekend, let them. If the person that you’re attracted to is not interested in a commitment, let them. If your kids do not want to get up and go to that thing with you this week, let them,” says Robbins at the start of the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3249324/how-let-them-theory-touched-millions-social-media-icon-mel-robbins-followers-what-it-and-how?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3249324/how-let-them-theory-touched-millions-social-media-icon-mel-robbins-followers-what-it-and-how?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:15:12 +0000 Civil engineer and entrepreneur Harish Closepet is not only the co-founder of Itsy Bitsy, India’s largest chain of arts and craft stores. He was also a top- five finalist on TV cookery show MasterChef India and he is the face behind hugely popular Instagram account @harrys_lunchbox. As a boy, Closepet – the youngest of five siblings in Bangalore, South India – would often help his mother in the kitchen, while his father cooked during festivals and family gatherings. It was while at college that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3248438/engineer-influencer-masterchef-finalist-dad-subverting-indian-stereotypes-spending-time-kitchen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3248438/engineer-influencer-masterchef-finalist-dad-subverting-indian-stereotypes-spending-time-kitchen?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:15:12 +0000 The speed of modern life, with its constant barrage of information, smartphone notifications and interruptions, can make it difficult to stop and simply think. That is why we could all do with a “Shultz hour” – a time to ponder and process in what can be termed “focused daydreaming”. Shultz hour gets its name from the late United States secretary of state George Shultz, who served under US President Ronald Reagan. The grand diplomat credited much of his success to his habit of holing up in his... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3245728/how-spending-shultz-hour-pen-and-paper-and-no-distractions-allows-time-ponder-process-events-dream?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3245728/how-spending-shultz-hour-pen-and-paper-and-no-distractions-allows-time-ponder-process-events-dream?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Dec 2023 23:45:07 +0000 “Food that is cooked by our mothers and grandmothers is not just nourishment, it’s a repository of family food culture and nostalgia and a legacy that we need to hold on to,” says Shruti Taneja, the 35-year-old founder of Nivaala, a platform dedicated to celebrating culinary legacies. Taneja, who is based in Delhi, India, started Nivaala (which means “morsel” in Hindi) to preserve and archive family recipes – some oral and others recorded in smudged notebooks stained with spices and relegated to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/3244594/indian-start-helping-preserve-family-heirloom-recipes-its-too-late-enabling-people-publish-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/3244594/indian-start-helping-preserve-family-heirloom-recipes-its-too-late-enabling-people-publish-them?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:20:14 +0000 House of Málà, established by sisters Prachi and Saloni Gupta, is one of Mumbai’s hottest supper clubs – figuratively as well as literally. “Step into our vibrant world of laughter, fun, and delightful conversations. Our supper club is a place where memories are made, taste buds are ignited, and friendships flourish. Join us for an evening filled with joy, as we create an unforgettable dining experience together,” reads a post on its Instagram page. The sisters’ servings of Sichuan cuisine are... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3243198/indias-hot-dining-trend-spicy-numbing-sichuan-cuisine-and-stories-menu-mumbai-supper-club-house-mala?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3243198/indias-hot-dining-trend-spicy-numbing-sichuan-cuisine-and-stories-menu-mumbai-supper-club-house-mala?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:15:12 +0000 Cheerleading squads, trips to Pop Tates’ soda shop, feasting on burgers and hot dogs, love triangles, as well as academic challenges – the Archie comics, first produced in the 1940s, were iconic in the sense that they defined an entire American generation. Comics have always been an escape, and Archie was no exception. Now, the beloved Archie characters, also popular in India since the 1980s, will be adapted into a musical film by Indian director Zoya Akhtar. Called The Archies, the story of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3242730/archie-bollywood-how-american-comic-became-subject-indian-netflix-film?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3242730/archie-bollywood-how-american-comic-became-subject-indian-netflix-film?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:00:14 +0000 In India, any discussion of sexuality is taboo, something which film-maker Paromita Vohra has been trying to challenge with her sex-positive website, where people can access a range of material from erotic poetry to myths about masturbation. Sex and desire are often looked at through the lens of shame, and moral policing is rife – a phenomenon further exacerbated by poor sex education in the country. Apart from biology textbooks, there is no sex education in India’s education system. “I wanted... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3241118/india-sex-positive-website-offers-honest-open-space-society-discuss-taboo-topics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3241118/india-sex-positive-website-offers-honest-open-space-society-discuss-taboo-topics?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Nov 2023 05:00:13 +0000 “Long ago patients used to come for doctor’s advice. Nowadays, doctors wait patiently for patients’ advice,” says Dr Pal, speaking humorously about patients googling their complaints and finding solutions for themselves before they see a doctor. Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in South India, Dr Pal, or Dr Palaniappan Manickam to give him his full name, is a gastroenterologist with a master’s degree in public health who works in a hospital in Sacramento, California. It was by chance that he became... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3240189/losing-belly-fat-intermittent-fasting-mindful-eating-weight-loss-doctor-and-youtube-star-dr-pal-uses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3240189/losing-belly-fat-intermittent-fasting-mindful-eating-weight-loss-doctor-and-youtube-star-dr-pal-uses?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Nov 2023 10:15:17 +0000 Akash Raman, a 35-year-old advertising professional in Bangalore, India remembers his late teens and 20s as a time spent drinking in bars and of holidays taken in an alcoholic daze. Two years ago, feeling low, he decided to stop drinking. He then took his first trek, in the Himalayas, with some like-minded friends. He had never enjoyed a better holiday, he says. He was mindful and felt in the moment, without anything clouding his brain. “Alcohol and drinking are highly overrated and a social... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239649/how-sober-travellers-and-alcohol-free-travel-companies-are-driving-new-tourism-trend-people-look?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239649/how-sober-travellers-and-alcohol-free-travel-companies-are-driving-new-tourism-trend-people-look?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Oct 2023 10:15:14 +0000 It’s a misty Rwandan morning and the atmosphere is festive. In a field with the silhouettes of the Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains as a backdrop, a crowd of young students in olive green T-shirts and baseball caps wave flags, dance and sing along to live music. Elsewhere, thousands of parents with children perched on their shoulders are cheering and moving to the music. White tents have been pitched in the middle of the field, which is dominated by a gargantuan woven bamboo... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3236492/idris-elba-kevin-hart-gorilla-naming-ceremony-rwanda-brings-celebrities-and-stars-rangers-and-local?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3236492/idris-elba-kevin-hart-gorilla-naming-ceremony-rwanda-brings-celebrities-and-stars-rangers-and-local?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:15:10 +0000 According to a 2022 United Nations report, an estimated 931 million tonnes of food is wasted each year globally – and 68.7 million tonnes of it comes from India’s households. Such wastage has terrible consequences, from the loss of biodiversity to pollution and carbon emissions. As a result, chefs around the world are coming up with creative ways to turn their waste into nutritious dishes. Sustainable cooking practices have long been a part of traditional Indian culture – examples include... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3226861/meet-chefs-promoting-zero-waste-cooking-india-where-people-have-been-eating-root-shoot-centuries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3226861/meet-chefs-promoting-zero-waste-cooking-india-where-people-have-been-eating-root-shoot-centuries?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Jul 2023 04:45:07 +0000 Kalpana Sunder Kalpana Sunder Neeti Mehra, 40, a Mumbai-based slow living coach and sustainability strategist, took her first praycation – or spiritual holiday – in 2020. Along with her parents and a sibling, she visited Varanasi in northern India to scatter the ashes of her grandmother in the River Ganges, as is Hindu custom. “We decided to make it a multigenerational holiday with my sister and her kids, staying at a luxury hotel with a swimming pool,” says Mehra. “We did food tours and took in cultural sights like the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3225141/pilgrimages-millennials-less-solemn-more-luxe-yoga-meditation-fine-dining-and-other-wellness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3225141/pilgrimages-millennials-less-solemn-more-luxe-yoga-meditation-fine-dining-and-other-wellness?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:15:10 +0000 The deaths of nearly 300 people in one of India’s worst train accidents highlights the urgent need for modernisation, with millions of people a day burdening a colonial-era network suffering from lack of investment in improving rail safety, experts have said. At least 275 people died and some 900 were wounded on Friday following a massive three-train collision in Odisha. The Coromandel Shalimar Express, a passenger train, derailed near Balasore, hitting a goods train. Another train, the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3223023/indias-train-crash-shows-chronic-lack-investment-improving-safety-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3223023/indias-train-crash-shows-chronic-lack-investment-improving-safety-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jun 2023 12:30:10 +0000 Nestled in a mango grove on a 37-acre farm, Farmlore is the latest addition to the thriving food scene of Bangalore, India’s tech hub in the south of the country. The 18-seat restaurant opened in 2021 and offers a 10-course seasonal farm-to-table menu curated by three chefs who have worked at Michelin-recommended restaurants: Johnson Ebenezer, the former executive chef of Nadodi, in Kuala Lumpur; Mythrayie Iyer, who worked at Noma, in Copenhagen; and Avinnash Vishaal, formerly of Frantzen, in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3221764/how-indian-chefs-are-riffing-traditional-flavours-serve-sustainable-healthy-dishes-new-generation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3221764/how-indian-chefs-are-riffing-traditional-flavours-serve-sustainable-healthy-dishes-new-generation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 May 2023 23:15:09 +0000 There is something about the smell of vegetables and herbs simmering in water that is therapeutic. Broth, derived from the old English word “brew”, is the water in which meat, fish or vegetables have been boiled. Social media has been awash with recipes for bone broth, made by gently heating animal bones in water. But, thanks to the rise of veganism, hearty and comforting vegetable broth that extracts the goodness of plants has become just as popular. The clear liquid, strained before use, adds... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3220670/7-health-benefits-vegetable-broth-according-nutritionists-helping-weight-loss-boosting-skin-and-eye?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3220670/7-health-benefits-vegetable-broth-according-nutritionists-helping-weight-loss-boosting-skin-and-eye?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 May 2023 20:15:10 +0000 Succulent pieces of chicken are coated in a soy sauce mixture, pan-fried until crisp, and finished with a thick sauce of ginger, garlic, coriander and green chillies. The dish, known as chicken Manchurian, is omnipresent on the menus of Indian Chinese restaurants around India, and is an integral part of what is called “Chindian” cuisine, which is hugely popular across the country. Typically, Chindian cuisine features spicy gravies, noodles and fried rice, as well as deep-fried spring rolls –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3216668/chicken-manchurian-story-indias-chinese-inspired-iconic-fusion-dish-and-rise-chindian-cuisine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3216668/chicken-manchurian-story-indias-chinese-inspired-iconic-fusion-dish-and-rise-chindian-cuisine?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:45:17 +0000 Manas Singh whizzes through the busy streets of Bhubaneswar, India, with a food bag strapped on his back and a mobile phone with a delivery app on his bike handlebar. Having lost his factory manager job to the coronavirus pandemic, Manas now struggles to make ends meet as a food delivery rider. “It was easier handling 200 men at the factory and here I am struggling to make even eight deliveries,” he laments. Manas is the protagonist of a new film Zwigato, which examines India’s growing gig... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3215667/new-film-zwigato-spotlights-perils-indias-gig-economy-class-divide-between-haves-and-have-nots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3215667/new-film-zwigato-spotlights-perils-indias-gig-economy-class-divide-between-haves-and-have-nots?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Apr 2023 07:00:14 +0000 As India celebrates its two historic Academy Awards wins, best original song Naatu Naatu is having its moment in the sun with millions of social media users posting videos of themselves mimicking the song’s dance moves in the Telugu-language epic action blockbuster RRR. The song plays in the film when Indian movie stars Junior NTR and Ram Charan’s characters are humiliated by an Englishman for being the only Indians at a colonial party, and culminates in a dance-off that the Indians win. “What... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3214046/how-indias-oscar-winning-naatu-naatu-song-and-iconic-hook-step-took-world-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3214046/how-indias-oscar-winning-naatu-naatu-song-and-iconic-hook-step-took-world-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Mar 2023 08:00:11 +0000 Indian-Americans in Seattle say the city’s historic decision to ban caste discrimination is a significant win in their fight against a centuries-old system that shapes the behaviour of members of the community, many of whom have carried the biases from their homeland to the United States. The law, passed on February 21, bans caste discrimination in workplaces, housing and public spaces such as transport, hotels, public restrooms, and retail establishments. It came about after a years-long... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3212234/indian-americans-seattle-cheer-ban-caste-discrimination-virus-oppresses-dalits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3212234/indian-americans-seattle-cheer-ban-caste-discrimination-virus-oppresses-dalits?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:00:14 +0000 Black, or with milk and sugar, coffee and its rich aroma are omnipresent in southern India. The drink is especially popular in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where, at small shacks, frothy coffee is poured into tumblers standing on dabaras (saucers) and Western-style cafes sell exotic brews. Serving thick coffee, made in a stainless steel filter and mixed with frothy hot milk, is a tradition in many South Indian households. The drink was initially reserved for the British colonial elite... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3210574/indias-coffee-country-temples-waterfalls-and-dosas-washed-down-cup-or-two-guided-tour-our-colonial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3210574/indias-coffee-country-temples-waterfalls-and-dosas-washed-down-cup-or-two-guided-tour-our-colonial?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Feb 2023 03:15:10 +0000 As Indian-Americans anticipate the day a much-loved Bollywood musical romance will reach Broadway, the US staging of DDLJ continues to be mired in controversy over its producers’ decision to cast a white actor in the lead male role. DDLJ was first released in 1995 in India and is so iconic, it continues to be screened today at a cinema in Mumbai, where tickets are sold for around 40 rupees (US$0.50). One projectionist is said to have watched the film more than 9,000 times. DDLJ tells the story... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3209083/ddljs-us-musical-tale-love-and-diversity-or-whitewashing-indian-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3209083/ddljs-us-musical-tale-love-and-diversity-or-whitewashing-indian-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Feb 2023 06:00:18 +0000 Cardamom, consisting of the seeds of a plant in the ginger family, is one of the oldest known spices. Ancient Egyptians used it in medicine and as a breath freshener, and employed cardamom oil to mummify their dead. It has a rich aroma and flavour, and is the third most expensive spice in the world after saffron and vanilla. Sometimes called ela, cardamom is known as the “queen of spices” because it – along with black pepper, the “king of spices” – was a vital part of the early spice... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3207772/9-ways-cardamom-queen-spices-can-boost-your-health-better-sex-fresher-breath-weight-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3207772/9-ways-cardamom-queen-spices-can-boost-your-health-better-sex-fresher-breath-weight-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jan 2023 03:15:10 +0000 India is often known for Ayurvedic treatment, yoga and other alternative medicine but Chennai, the gateway to south India, has been gaining popularity as a global medical tourism hub with its cluster of world-class hospitals and medical expertise. The state of Tamil Nadu, where Chennai is located, attracts about 40 per cent of the country’s medical tourists, according to the state’s former minister for tourism, Vellamandi N Natarajan, in 2019. Foreign patients from neighbouring countries,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3207660/south-indias-chennai-asias-next-big-medical-tourism-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3207660/south-indias-chennai-asias-next-big-medical-tourism-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jan 2023 07:00:18 +0000 River cruises are becoming a popular option for those who want to see India. Roads criss-cross the country but travelling on its waterways affords visitors an entirely new perspective. Like most great civilisations, India’s began on the banks of its rivers. The Ganges is a spiritual and cultural motif for the country, and features in most cruises. Others navigate the turbulent Brahmaputra in the east, and the backwaters of Kerala state in southern India. “River cruising as a concept is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3206537/new-way-see-india-river-cruises-including-us66000-51-day-trip-touted-worlds-longest-and-taking-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3206537/new-way-see-india-river-cruises-including-us66000-51-day-trip-touted-worlds-longest-and-taking-27?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Jan 2023 04:45:08 +0000 India’s appetite for gold is legendary and goes back centuries, but that craving for the precious metal, along with high import duties has turned the country into a prime destination for smugglers, with one jewellery executive calling for more regulation to prevent the illegal trade from flourishing. Indian investigators have also found links between local politicians, officials, gold traders, and the international gold mafia. In February last year, 43-year old Bangalore resident Raees Ahmed... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3205659/smuggling-cases-rising-can-india-set-gold-standard-prevent-illegal-trade-precious-metal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3205659/smuggling-cases-rising-can-india-set-gold-standard-prevent-illegal-trade-precious-metal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jan 2023 11:30:10 +0000 Minal Singhvi was, naturally, devastated when she went blind at 28, but she soon decided she wouldn’t let it unravel her life. She knew that many with disabilities feel depressed, lonely and emotionally disconnected from family and friends. Singhvi, from Hyderabad, India, also knew there was very little information to help disabled people navigate their lives. So in 2014, seven years after she lost her sight, Singhvi co-founded Radio Udaan, an online community radio station for people with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3205036/how-one-indian-radio-station-giving-lifeline-people-disabilities-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3205036/how-one-indian-radio-station-giving-lifeline-people-disabilities-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Dec 2022 11:30:13 +0000 India’s largest slum, home to about half a million people living in squalor and without access to private bathrooms, is set to be transformed after Adani Group’s bid of 50.7 billion rupees (US$613 million) won the right to redevelop Dharavi, but the excitement of residents has also been tempered with anxiety over the proposed gentrification. The settlement, with its narrow lanes and dilapidated buildings, has long been considered an eyesore in central Mumbai. But the area sits on prime real... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3204612/indian-slum-dwellers-express-dreams-fears-adani-group-plans-facelift?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3204612/indian-slum-dwellers-express-dreams-fears-adani-group-plans-facelift?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:17 +0000 You might have played with Lego – its plastic bricks, people, windows, doors, bushes and myriad other shapes in a kaleidoscope of colours – as a child. Now it has found new fans among frazzled adults – as a mindfulness tool. Despite the rise of video games and the internet, Lego continues to captivate, 90 years after the Lego Group began its life in Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen’s workshop. The name came from an abbreviation of the Danish phrase leg godt, meaning “play well”. Vlada... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3204113/lego-adults-how-toy-building-sets-have-become-mindfulness-tools-adults-offering-stress-relief-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3204113/lego-adults-how-toy-building-sets-have-become-mindfulness-tools-adults-offering-stress-relief-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Dec 2022 08:15:11 +0000 In a stress-filled world, the ancient Indian practice of yoga provides many solutions and answers, and is popular around the globe. Viparita karani, or the “Legs Up the Wall” pose, has been trending on social media, with TikTok influencers including Lex Nicoleta and Christina Najjar (“Tinx”) having embraced the pose. This is a variation of a restorative yoga pose in which the body, hips and head lie flat while the legs are inverted at almost 90 degrees. It relaxes the abdomen, legs and lower... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3203374/legs-wall-how-do-trendy-yoga-pose-melts-stress-and-anxiety-15-minutes-and-its-other-health-benefits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3203374/legs-wall-how-do-trendy-yoga-pose-melts-stress-and-anxiety-15-minutes-and-its-other-health-benefits?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Dec 2022 23:15:10 +0000 When 68-year-old Indian politician V. Sivankutty posted a selfie he recently took with some students on social media, a remark about his size left him fuming. “You should reduce your stomach a bit,” one commenter said. The Minister for General Education and Labour in Kerala immediately spoke out against the possible harm such comments could bring. “Body-shaming is the worst, no matter what the explanation. There are many among us who have been victims of body-shaming and even suffered mentally,”... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3202354/bollywood-politics-more-indians-are-fighting-back-against-fat-shaming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3202354/bollywood-politics-more-indians-are-fighting-back-against-fat-shaming?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:30:11 +0000