Dispatches from Kolkata

Sandip reflects on the 'audacity of hope' that arts organizations exhibit as he tours various cities in the Bay Area during his recent book tour.

the French came back to India last week. The French Ambassador was in Chandannagar to work with the city on restoring its French Colonial buildings and heritage.

Sandip attends a festival honoring a long dead Bollywood star and discovers why Uttam Kumar still commands attention.

Sandip recently had a birthday and that got him reminicing about rituals...

In the Pallani Hills at Isla's Ridge, the Grand Damme of 'swimming against the tide' sat down with Sandip for a cup of tea.

Queer histories often seem to exist in a vacuum. As if it all started with Stonewall in New York or Harvey Milk in San Francisco. But queer people existed long before then, trying to carve out their space in the world.

There's a current trend in Bengal called "Deem therapy," but while it's a great pleasure for the public at the moment, Sandip wonders when the yolk will run out.

Last week was Rath Yatra, the chariot festival in India. Sandip hops aboard and takes us on a trip to revive a once thriving system of tansit in Kolkata.

On the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, Sandip Roy reflects on what then "American Dream" means to him.

A controversy over a 4,500 year old "Dancing Girl" once again raises the question over what constitutes obscenity and vulgarity. Sandip Roy covers his eyes and looks into the situation.