Kalpana Sunder

Kalpana Sunder is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Chennai, India. She writes on gender, development, environment, culture, travel and food. She has been published in BBC Future, The Guardian, Al Jazeera and SCMP Hong Kong.

Articles from author

How heritage walks are reviving interest in Delhi’s Muslim history

Despite the rise of Hindu nationalism, a band of heritage enthusiasts, historians, and social media influencers are reviving interest in the city’s storied and colourful past.

11 MIN READ

How heritage walks are reviving interest in Delhi’s Muslim history

How one art historian is helping revive an African tradition in India

The Siddi community has lived in the Indian state of Karnataka for centuries. Now an art lover is trying to save its dying quilt tradition.

7 MIN READ

How one art historian is helping revive an African tradition in India

From Iran to India: How immigrants created Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafe

Once found all over the bustling metropolis, just a few remain today, serving patrons some of the most famous dishes and baked items imported by Zoroastrians and Muslims to India.

10 MIN READ

From Iran to India: How immigrants created Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafe

Body of Work: Documenting India’s indigenous tattoo traditions

Mumbai-based artist Shomil Shah's crowd-sourced collection of narratives and stories about tattoos is steadily growing and generating interest across India.

7 MIN READ

Body of Work: Documenting India’s indigenous tattoo traditions

Shaking off stereotypes: India's male belly dancers defy the odds

Meet the country's first-known professional male belly dancer who has danced his way to fame, battling various stereotypes.

7 MIN READ

Shaking off stereotypes: India's male belly dancers defy the odds

A woman leads campaign to make spitting in public illegal in India

From spitting betel juice to phlegm, spitting in public places is quite common in India, especially in the northern states. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke about it.

8 MIN READ

A woman leads campaign to make spitting in public illegal in India

Bhangra: A journey from India's wheat fields to the US White House

The Indian dance form is now taught in several studios in the West and it's become all the rage in colleges and universities, too.

9 MIN READ

Bhangra: A journey from India's wheat fields to the US White House

A new breed of Indian female artists challenge patriarchy and stereotypes

Many young Indian artists are seriously engaging with topics like gender, sexuality, consent and other social issues that have gripped India.

8 MIN READ

A new breed of Indian female artists challenge patriarchy and stereotypes

An all-girls ensemble hopes to revive Sufi music in Kashmir

A group of Kashmiri women contributes to saving a dying musical form while facing different kinds of challenges on the ground.

8 MIN READ

An all-girls ensemble hopes to revive Sufi music in Kashmir