Category Culture

With the heart of a nomad journeying across the length and breadth of India, ace lensman SANJAY DAS for years has brought to life the authentic socio-cultural character of our country’s festive and folk traditions that have upheld centuries of culture and community against the vagaries of time. While these beautiful vignettes reveal how he was drawn to capture the richness and mystery of a fleeting moment through his viewfinder, this MOSAIC photo essay pays a tribute to the vast canvas of beautiful festivals synonymous with our spiritual tapestry

As told to SHARMI ADHIKARY

Five celebrations, countless traditions. From age-old rituals and local crafts to food, music, faith and community, MOSAIC explores festivals that keep culture alive while celebrating the joy of coming together

WORDS by PUNGOLU RUHO

Gorakhpur’s terracotta heritage stands as a symbol of India’s age-old craftsmanship and cultural identity. Artisans like Munshi have dedicated generations to shaping clay into diyas, pots, and figurines, yet their livelihood faces a serious threat from plastic products and commercialization. Despite earning recognition with a GI Tag in 2020 and growing global demand for sustainable, handmade goods, artisans still struggle for access to quality clay, better workspaces, and fair markets. With only a few craftsmen remaining in many villages, this eco-friendly art is at risk of fading. Government support, increased fairs, and digital marketplaces are essential to preserve this clay tradition for future generations.

Hoihnu Hauzel is a seasoned journalist and author with decades of experience in promoting the cultural and culinary heritage of Northeast India. She has had a career spanning top media like The Asian Age, Indian Express, and The Telegraph, she has developed expertise in art, culture, travel, education, and human rights. Her book, "The Essential Northeast Cookbook," showcases the region's rich flavours and traditions, introducing Northeast cuisine to a global audience. Through her work, Hoihnu continues to shed light on the complexities and nuances of the Northeast, emphasizing the importance of oral traditions, storytelling, and cultural preservation. MOSAIC had the pleasure to interview Hoihnu and learn about her inspiring work in promoting Northeast culture, and the inside story that needs to be honoured more as an integral part of our heritage and our diverse identity.

Watch, learn, and make a conscious choice!

Are Indian brides forgetting the rich history of Indian weaves and crafts and falling for synthetic, unsustainable wedding wear? How are Bollywood celebrities and mainstream fashion designers responsible for this shift, which adversely affects the sector of heritage art?

Indian designer Rahul Mishra captivated audiences at Paris Fashion Week with his latest Spring 2025 collection, The Pale Blue Dot, inspired by astronomer Carl Sagan’s iconic reflection on humanity’s place in the cosmos. Through intricate craftsmanship and a dramatic lens on sustainability, the collection serves as a powerful reminder that while we may seem significant, we are merely a speck in the vast universe. The real impact of our actions isn’t on the cosmos—it’s on ourselves. Mishra’s designs challenge us to rethink our delusions of grandeur and recognize that protecting and sustaining nature is not just a choice but a necessity. The piece celebrates our cities, their iconic character, spirit synced in heritage, the monuments, the buildings and other structures - a reminder that the way we are consuming, life will not be sustainable. The cities of the future will have structures that redefine us - a moment to rethink how we want to move and how we want to be. The collection juxtaposes stark contrasts of human impact through a palette of black, symbolizing despair and the scars inflicted upon the Earth. And gold represents mother nature’s taking control and resetting the balance of our fragile ecosystem.

Tribal art is filled with history, culture, mythology, it is mostly story-telling that people have been doing through ages.

Co-authored by Genevieve Hilton and Steve Willis

“I have seen a lot of people around me use the big terms such as carbon emissions, zero waste, circular economy, but do we really understand them? Also, there is good progress happening around too, but are we mentioning that, when we talk about success stories, people are more likely to join in feeling encouraged than losing hope on the issue.”