Soma is an Assistant Editor for the weekend supplement HT 48 Hours. She writes on lifestyle, art and culture.
Articles by Soma Das
East Indians are considered to be Mumbai’s original inhabitants. This website profiles their unique culture
East Indian Memory Co is a website and social media platform to showcase the historic significance and culture of the East Indian community, whose members are considered the original inhabitants of Mumbai.
A Gopi, goddess or Krishna’s divine consort: This book decodes Radha’s many shades
Holi is just around the corner (March 2), and it may be the perfect time to read Radhayan, a new book that explores the evolution of Radha, from gopi to goddess, and how she is represented in mythology, music, art and literature.
Brewed with nostalgia: Photo exhibition celebrates the appeal of the Indian Coffee House
Artistic salons, places of political discourse, or a safe spot to observe the city — British photographer Stuart Freedman’s images reflect the many functions performed by the Indian Coffee House.
Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2018: 5 exhibitions that art lovers can’t afford to miss
The 6th edition of the annual Mumbai Gallery Weekend will feature events and exhibitions across 30 art galleries, and display art by renowned as well as upcoming artists. We shortlist five must-attend events for you.
Horn OK Please: This digital platform helps truck artists gain global recognition
An Amsterdam-based designer has launched a website to draw attention to the creativity of artists who paint commercial trucks.
This American author is on the haunting trail of India’s stepwells. See pics
American journalist and author Victoria Lautman’s 2017 book, The Vanishing Stepwells of India, explores the ancient and mysterious water-harvesting systems scattered across the country. We catch up with Lautman ahead of her India tour.
This virtual museum narrates history through objects dating back to the Partition era
Discover fascinating aspects of the history and culture of the subcontinent through a virtual museum showcasing objects from the Partition years to the 1970s.
This doodler’s comic sketches of day-to-day life will make you laugh out loud
Illustrator and cartoonist Neha Sharma’s hilarious doodles about mundane incidents will strike a chord with you.
These supermoms’ pregnancy workouts went viral. Should you follow their extreme fitness routine?
American lingerie model Sarah Stage and Australian fitness trainers Emily Skye and Chontel Duncan are among several Instagram sensations whose intense pregnancy workouts have gone viral. We get experts to tell us whether this is actually healthy and worth doing.
Not all biscuits are healthy for your child. Here are tips to read between the labels
A recent report states that the sugar and fat content on biscuit packets is often erroneous. We get experts to reveal the secret to knowing whether your biscuit is actually healthy or not.
Organic pads and tampons: An expensive fad or a healthier, greener option?
Everything you need to know about organic pads and tampons that are becoming common at supermarkets and available for delivery. Are these hygiene products really beneficial for you, and worth their price?
This Instagrammer’s pictures of Mumbai will stun you. It’s a city you didn’t know
Divyesh Vadgama’s Instagram page highlights the beauty of modern-day Mumbai, a fast-changing city whose pockets retain an old-world charm.
This Parisian is going on a peace walk from Mumbai to Kathmandu with a rescued sheep
On September 21, the International Day of Peace, Mumbai-based French expat Mathieu Francois will kickstart his 2,500 km peace walk to Kathmandu. His travel companions are an ewe that he rescued from a slaughterhouse and a toy sheep named Beluga.
Body of art: This 17-year-old paints her vitiligo patches to battle stigma
Delhi-based student Kartiki Bhatnagar took on bullies who taunted her white skin patches by painting unique designs on them. She also runs a campaign encouraging people to show their midriff.
Marine Drive to Dadar to Matunga: Take a virtual tour of Mumbai’s Art Deco treasures
Art Deco Mumbai started as a social media platform in 2016 to showcase the unique architectural style. Recently, founder Atul Kumar launched a website to offer comprehensive information about this aspect of the city’s heritage.
A yo-yo diet or weight cycling can harm your heart, metabolism and cause depression. Here’s how
Yo-yo dieting has become increasingly common today as people seek a quick fix without making lifestyle changes. But health experts warn against it.
All in a day’s work: This artist is doodling the drama of daily life
Through her doodles, illustrator and cartoonist Mounica Tata is talking about body shaming, feminism and colour politics.
Why are women wearing cow masks in public spaces? It’s part of an Instagram project
As part of an ongoing series, photographer Sujatro Ghosh is shooting women wearing cow masks near city landmarks and public places to highlight the lack of importance given to their safety
For lazy cooks who need inspiration: Follow these 5 Facebook pages for quick videos
Is your Facebook feed flooded with quick food videos? A shorter, fast forward version of the entire cooking process, they make for perfect binge-watching. Here are 5 of the best channels to follow
Can you translate Xiaohuangdi or Shlimazel? You can seek help from #The100DayProject
As part of the #The100DayProject, Mumbai-based artist Rituparna Sarkar is uploading watercolour sketches on Instagram to illustrate unique terms that don’t have an equivalent in other languages.
This zine gives a contemporary spin to the women of Mahabharata
Oh Nari, So Sanskari! is a satirical zine by visual artist Annushka Hardikar where she portrays the female characters of the Mahabharata as modern women who speak their mind.
You’ve got mail! 5 postcard and letter-writing services to check out
Face it, an email does not have the charm of a handwritten letter or a handmade postcard. But if you are too lazy to put pen to paper, here are 5 services to help you along the way.
Animal lovers, check out these 5 pet cafes across India
Can’t bear to be parted with your dog or cat? Head to these quirky cafes which offer toys and snacks for your pets and let you relax with them
Dear would-be moms, here are five common pregnancy myths you should know about
Can papayas cause a miscarriage? Should you avoid exercise during your pregnancy? Experts decode some common misconceptions about pregnancy.
A new Facebook page chronicles short stories from the workplace
Long working hours, office politics, and appraisals… a new Facebook page features short stories about modern-day work life
How real-life escape rooms became a breakout form of entertainment
From evading mummies to defusing bombs, escape rooms allow you to live your video game fantasies. For millennials and corporates, they make for an unusual form of entertainment
A late start in art: Artist Lalu Prasad Shaw turns to sculpture at age 80
Renowned tempera artist Lalu Prasad Shaw is set for his first solo show of bronze sculptures depicting the Bengali community
Charted territory: 11 artists explore the art of mapping
At a time when physical maps are becoming obsolete, 11 artists turn cartographers and chart landscapes, histories, and memories for an exhibition
This YouTube artist from Nagaland is using humour to fight racial stereotypes
Meet the 29-year-old fashion designer from Nagaland whose videos make fun of North Indian mannerisms, to highlight the prejudice faced by those from North East India
An exhibition highlights the tradition of Odisha Pattachitra
Pattachitra artist Bijay Parida’s paintings highlight the uniqueness of the Odisha branch of the art form, which is done on textiles
