Mens-Interest
Verve
Ocean To Table
A fishmonger in Turin has a unique approach to customer service while being mindful of his produce and the environment. Giuseppe Beppe Gallina, better known as Beppe, speaks to Sheetal Mallar of his passions and hopes while sitting in his pescheria (fish stall) at the iconic Porta Palazzo.
3 min |
January-February 2019
Verve
Milestone Memories
Those were the days, claims Madhu Jain who, although having already come into her own by the time the ultimate decade of the last century began, still discovered a time of great social, cultural and personal change…
4 min |
January-February 2019
Verve
The Good Old Days?
Since the air is thick with sentimental reminiscence for the’90s thanks to the ubiquity of millennial content creators, we can’t help but yearn for the decade in all its kitschy, analog glory. As Verve pays homage to the era during which it was launched, Akhil Sood provides a reality check to remind us that while fondly looking back may be soothing, necessary even, it’s important to snap back to the present and keep our eyes trained on the future…
6 min |
January-February 2019
Verve
Baba Sehgal- A Pioneer Of Hindi Rap In The Country
For a lot of young Indians today, he might only be relevant as a postmodern, internet celebrity – the guy who writes meme-tastically absurd lyrics about rajma and flatulence. However, the origin story of Baba Sehgal’s fame actually began almost 30 years ago, during the Indipop boom. Akhil Sood maps out the irregular trajectory of the eccentric rapper’s success, from ‘Thanda Thanda Pani’ to ‘Chicken Fried Rice’.
10+ min |
January-February 2019
Verve
In Search Of Happiness
A quest for emotional well-being drives the generation of impermanence, discovers Preksha Sharma
5 min |
February 2018
Verve
Just Passing Through Kolkata
As Shreya Ila Anasuya revisits the city that she once knew so well, she takes us on a tour that highlights the multicultural make-up of various quarters in Bengal’s capital…
5 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
A Matter Of Perspective
Madhu Jain reminisces about the books that she grew up with and discovers that the passage of time sometimes changes their understanding and impact….
3 min |
November-December 2018
Verve
My Friend, Neena
She has danced with her on stage, performed with her in plays and shared many of her life-changing moments, both professional and personal. And now, as her compatriot continues to earn accolades for a game-changing role in a record-smashing film, author and editor Sathya Saran rewinds to some of her friend’s most meaningful turning points
5 min |
November-December 2018
Verve
Divya Dureja
She ties together multiple bodies of work as a poet, curator, DJ and psychologist. Shreya Ila Anasuya meets one of the smart, savvy and sensitive new faces of mental health and LGBTQIA+ rights in India
6 min |
November-December 2018
Verve
In Search Of Self
Anjali Kumar, the author of Stalking God — My Unorthodox Search For Something To Believe In, talks to Karthik Shankar about faith, the importance of keeping an open mind and the commonality of our humanity.
5 min |
September 2018
Verve
Flight Of Fancy
Audrey Maben, India’s first female microlight flying instructor, and her daughter Amy Mehta share more than just a penchant for adventure. Sadaf Shaikh discovers a resplendent family heirloom that the pair hopes to pass down the generations.
5 min |
September 2018
Verve
Actor And Cancer Crusader Manisha Koirala On How Life Changed After Her diagnosis
She faces each day with her trademark wide smile, despite having ridden the rollercoaster that being diagnosed with ovarian cancer brought in its wake. Seen earlier this year in Sanju and Lust Stories, Manisha Koirala has come to terms with the changes that have occurred in her mind, body, lifestyle and social circle. Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena pens her story — in the actor’s own words.
7 min |
September 2018
Verve
Flying Solo
Awards, accolades and the trappings of fame aside, Tabu leads her life — both on and off the screen — on no one’s terms but her own. The critically-acclaimed actor and lone ranger continues to tread a unique path that leads the way for other independent women. Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena meets the insightful star on the eve of her latest cinematic offering, Andhadhun.
10+ min |
September 2018
Verve
The South Asian Counterpoint
With a narrative driven by the various geopolitical and economic shifts witnessed by the region, South Asian art has carved a special place for itself in the global arena. Coming into its own, it has become a force to be reckoned with, even as the community continues to grapple with its identity, past and present, and evolve, says Bhavna Kakar.
5 min |
July-August 2018
Verve
Tracing The Source
Art movements, trends and fashions are iffy, whimsical things, states Madhu Jain, who takes a ramble through the decades to find what is motivating creators in the subcontinent today.
4 min |
July-August 2018
Verve
Home Sweet Hutong
Settling into her new life in Beijing, Mithila Phadke is constantly surprised by the hidden secrets of its lesser-known winding alleys and the many stories they hold. She writes about how a geographical shift led her to fuel her creative juices
5 min |
July-August 2018
Verve
Wearing His Art On His Sleeve
He provides a sardonic take on the intricacies of the social dynamics within India’s art community through his digital project #ArtWorldMemes, but his fashion choices are no joke. Abhinit Khanna, in a tête-à-tête with Shubham Ladha, talks about what has shaped his sense of style
6 min |
July-August 2018
Verve
Drawn To Doodling
Lines, scribbles and lots of humour are the tools of trade that fuel the creations of Sailesh Gopalan of Brown Paperbag Comics and Harshveer Jain of Storyseller Comics. The two Instagram artists talk to Tina Dastur about their love for their art, their favourite webcomics and making a meaningful impact through their stories.
7 min |
Verve Man 2019
Verve
A.R. Rahman - The Man Behind The Music
His creative genius has conjured up a host of rhythmic offerings — from soul-stirring notes and romantic ditties to pulsating rhythms and foot-stomping beats. Over the years, A. R. Rahman has captured the imagination of countless fans, not just in India but worldwide as well. Interacting with the Oscar award winner in his Chennai home, Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena delves into the mind of the maestro.
10+ min |
Verve Man 2019
Verve
Quality Controllers
Stepping into a demanding realm of work, they have harnessed technology to develop and reinvent urban topographies. Trupti Amritwar Vaitla, Dipika Prasad and Trupti Doshi tell Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena about their innovative planning methods for optimising the potential of Indian cities…
10+ min |
June - July 2019
Verve
Aromatic Landscapes
A heady dose of nostalgia permeates D. S. & Durga’s intricately layered universe. Kavi Ahuja Moltz and David Moltz, the couple behind the decade-old brand, give Rymn Massand a glimpse into how they have carved a unique niche in the perfume industry.
9 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
Out Of The Binary
An LGBTQIA+ collective from Ahmedabad brings unsung South-Asian narratives under the umbrella of its annual zine, Tilt. QueerAbad co-founder, Anahita Sarabhai, tells Ojas Kolvankar how up-and-coming queer artists are portraying their multi-hued perspectives.
4 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
Built To Impress
New Delhi’s buildings and thoroughfares are purposefully constructed symbols of wealth and power that dictate who’s in charge, maintains Madhu Jain, as she ruminates on the city’s hierarchy by design…
4 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
Sign Language
Roaming across Mumbai, Tanya George analyses the cosmopolitan capital’s multilingual typographic landscape.
4 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
Full Circle
The fashion industry is capricious; it looks towards the future but is grounded in nostalgia.
1 min |
June - July 2019
Verve
'Part Of My Heritage Is To Give Back….'
Documentary film-maker, adventurer, jewellery designer and public speaker Céline Cousteau speaks to Shirin Mehta of her recent India visit as an ambassador for The TreadRight Foundation. She tells us about exploring and filming the deep Amazon and its indigenous tribes and being on the research vessel Calypso with her legendary explorer-oceanographer grandfather, Jacques Cousteau...
10 min |
March 2019
Verve
Storytellers of the Year
From in-your-face productions to satirical graphic novels, social commentary appears to be the call of the hour. Simone Louis evaluates the masterworks of 2016
6 min |
January 2017
Verve
Digital Revolution
Through Instagram, Twitter and personal blogs, these outspoken women are laying the foundation for important and necessary conversations about gender equality, sexual harassment and other issues that remain largely unaddressed or stigmatised, finds Zaral Shah
7 min |
June 2018
Verve
Walking The Talk
Find your voice and speak up, advises Madhu Jain, who remembers her days as a young, timid novice relegated to flower and dog shows at a daily newspaper....
4 min |
June 2018
Verve
There's Something About Alia
She frowned upon Hindi film tropes and mainstream Bollywood movies, but in 2012, discovered a new actor who made her sit up and take notice despite the cliched debut. Sucharita Tyagi writes about the allure of Alia Bhatt, and how she grew into an ardent admirer of the young superstar’s evocative performances
3 min |