The traditional Gomira Mask Dance concluded World Heritage Week 2025 at Victoria Memorial Hall on November 25. Performed by Sri Sri Gohili Mukhos Nritya Dol, the event showcased North Bengal's living folk heritage through powerful rhythms, vibrant masks, and rich storytelling. The ancient dance form, deeply rooted in North Bengal's cultural traditions, captivated audiences with its authentic presentation of regional folklore. Victoria Memorial Hall provided the historic backdrop for this celebration of India's intangible cultural heritage. The performance highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting traditional art forms that have been passed down through generations. World Heritage Week serves to raise awareness about India's diverse cultural legacy and the need for heritage conservation.

Kolkata has been named PETA India’s Most Vegan-Friendly City for 2025. The award was given to Mayor Firhad Hakim during World Vegan Month. PETA India said the city has many naturally vegan Bengali dishes, such as aloo posto, cholar dal, tomato khejur chutney and puchka. Vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants in the city are also growing. Many now serve plant-based milk, tofu dishes and dairy-free desserts. Kolkata also saw more vegan events this year, including a Durga Puja installation promoting animal-friendly choices. PETA India said Kolkata is setting a strong example by supporting sustainable and cruelty-free living.

Frida Kahlo’s 1940 self-portrait El sueño (La cama) has sold for $54.7m at Sotheby’s, setting a new auction record for a female artist and surpassing Kahlo’s previous record of $34.9m in 2021. The surrealist painting depicts Kahlo asleep beneath a skeleton entwined with dynamite, created during a turbulent period marked by personal upheaval. Originally auctioned for $51,000 in 1980, the work’s meteoric rise reflects growing recognition of women artists. The sale eclipsed Georgia O’Keeffe’s $44m record set in 2014. Kahlo, celebrated for her psychologically charged portraits, often explored themes of pain and resilience shaped by illness and injury. Mexican authorities classify her works as national artistic monuments, limiting exports. (PC: BBC)

The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival is celebrating the birth centenary of filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak with a special exhibition and screenings of his films. The exhibition, titled “Centenary Tribute Ritwik Ghatak: The Subaltern Voice”, opened at Nandan Foyer on November 7. It was inaugurated by actress Madhabi Mukherjee, Ghatak’s son Ritoban, and artist Subhaprasanna Bhattacharya. The display includes rare photographs, letters, books, and film memorabilia. Three of Ghatak’s classic films—Meghe Dhaka Tara, Komal Gandhar, and Subarnarekha—are being screened. A discussion featuring Adoor Gopalakrishnan will also be held on November 12 as part of the tribute. (PC: HT)

Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature. The Swedish Academy praised his “compelling and visionary works” that “reaffirm the power of art.” The 71-year-old author is best known for Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, both adapted into films by Béla Tarr. Krasznahorkai earlier received the 2015 Man Booker International and 2019 National Book Award for Translated Literature. Known for his long sentences and dark, intense stories, he has been compared to Kafka and Gogol. He will receive the Nobel medal and diploma in Stockholm this December. (PC: The Guardian)

A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in 1931 during his visit to London, has been sold at Bonhams auction house for £152,800 ($204,648). Created by British artist Clare Leighton, it is believed to be the only oil painting for which Gandhi sat. The portrait was completed during the second Round Table Conference when Gandhi visited London to discuss India's constitutional future. The painting remained with Leighton’s family after her death in 1989. Bonhams did not disclose the buyer’s identity or whether the artwork will be publicly displayed. Gandhi is revered in India as the "father of the nation." (PC: BBC)

A recent trend of AI-generated images mimicking the signature style of Studio Ghibli has reignited legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki’s past criticism of artificial intelligence in creative fields. Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has previously condemned AI-generated art, calling it an “insult to life itself.” The viral trend has sparked renewed debate over the ethical and artistic implications of AI tools in animation and illustration, raising concerns about copyright infringement and the diminishing role of human artists. As AI technology advances, the controversy surrounding its use in artistic expression continues to grow. (PC: Wikipedia)

Salvador Dalí’s surrealist masterpieces are being exhibited in India for the first time. The showcase, curated by Christine Argillet, features over 200 original sketches, etchings, and watercolors at Delhi’s India Habitat Centre (Feb 7-13) and Masarrat Gallery (Feb 15-Mar 16). Dalí, fascinated by Indian mysticism, incorporated elements of India into his works, including elephants and temples. Notably, in 1967, he designed ashtrays for Air India in exchange for a baby elephant. “Dalí’s art reveals new meanings with every look,” Argillet said. The exhibition highlights his surrealist vision and artistic legacy.

A petition to illuminate Marble Arch and Oxford Street in observance of Diwali is getting momentum on change.org. The petition started by Dipika Khaitan urges the Mayor of London to illuminate the iconic streets of London on Diwali, with a Sunday firework spectacle at Marble Arch. We at shorts91.com urge all our readers to be a part of this historic movement and sign the petition. The celebration of light symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and promotes cultural understanding in this diverse city. By honoring Diwali, we acknowledge the Hindu community's contributions and strengthen London's multicultural spirit. Join this cause and sign the petition by clicking on the change.org link below.

A petition to illuminate Marble Arch and Oxford Street in observance of Diwali is getting momentum on change.org. The petition started by Dipika Khaitan urges the Mayor of London to illuminate the iconic streets of London on Diwali, with a Sunday firework spectacle at Marble Arch. We at shorts91.com urge all our readers to be a part of this historic movement and sign the petition. The celebration of light symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and promotes cultural understanding in this diverse city. By honoring Diwali, we acknowledge the Hindu community's contributions and strengthen London's multicultural spirit. Join this cause and sign the petition by clicking on the change.org link below.