Dvar Magazine

Dvar Magazine Your cultural gateway between South Asia and Europe.

The controversy surrounding the new BAPS temple in France — and the reported exclusion of women staff at the Eiffel Towe...
08/09/2026

The controversy surrounding the new BAPS temple in France — and the reported exclusion of women staff at the Eiffel Tower — should not be framed as an issue with Hinduism or the Indian community as a whole.

BAPS is a specific Hindu organisation and sect, not a representative of all Hindus. Its political associations and reported links to Hindu nationalist networks, alongside allegations concerning labour practices, deserve scrutiny.

Discriminatory practices cannot be justified as “Hindu tradition” which is extremely diverse. It is important not to let this controversy fuel racism, xenophobia or anti-Hindu prejudice. The actions of one organisation should not be used to stigmatise the millions of Hindus and Indians living in France at a time when the far-right is growing in popularity throughout Europe.

The South Asian stand-up comedy scene is growing in Europe, with more shows, more emerging local artists and more comics...
03/09/2026

The South Asian stand-up comedy scene is growing in Europe, with more shows, more emerging local artists and more comics from back home coming to perform here. It’s an exciting development, but not always easy to follow, with information scattered across venues and individual handles. Here’s our monthly round-up for what’s on in September in different countries.

Swipe to see detailed listings by region for the month, screenshot and save for reference!
If you’re a comic, a producer or a venue and would like to be included in our monthly listing, our DMs are open :)

Disclaimer: All information is collected from public sources. Not all listings are solo shows. Please check directly with venues or artists to confirm dates and locations as these may be subject to change.

South Asia has had a long history of protest, and each new uprising brings with it new material, songs, banners, slogans...
31/08/2026

South Asia has had a long history of protest, and each new uprising brings with it new material, songs, banners, slogans and as was the case with the recent CJP protest in India - a host of memes!
But this long, rich history of protest also carries with it some songs and poems that have stood the test of time, appearing in one land and one context, echoing in another time and place, connecting the threads of people’s resistance against the powers that be.
In our latest article traces the history of three such iconic songs which have become anthems - banned, fought over and contested - only to rise again and again.
Go to the link in bio to read the piece in full and share your thoughts!

After a short break, our next book club meet will be at the end of August, and this time we will be reading Shehan Karun...
10/08/2026

After a short break, our next book club meet will be at the end of August, and this time we will be reading Shehan Karunatilaka’s novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.

Colombo. 1990. Maali Almeida—war photographer, gambler, and closet queen—has woken up dead in what seems like a celestial visa office. His dismembered body is sinking in the serene Beira lake and he has no idea who has killed him. He has seven moons to contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to the photos that will rock Sri Lanka.

Winner of the 2022 Booker Prize, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is a searing satire set amid the mayhem of the Sri Lankan civil war.

You don’t have to be South Asian to join the discussion, the book club is open to all. To sign up, go to the Dvar Book Club link in our bio to leave us your email, and we will get back to you with the details. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and we have limited seats so hurry!

Popping in from our summer break to announce our latest article! This time, we are telling the inspiring story of Minod ...
06/08/2026

Popping in from our summer break to announce our latest article! This time, we are telling the inspiring story of Minod Dilakshan, head chef of Joie , a cosy little Sri Lankan eatery in the hip and bustling 11th arrondissement of Paris. After a couple of meals sampling both the lunch and dinner menus and the excellent natural wines list, we know we had to find out more about how this place came to life.

Behind the creative plates and grungy-chic aesthetic of this bistro lies an immigrant story of perseverance, setbacks, and a quiet determination to prove one’s belonging while never letting go of one’s roots. We talked to Minod to hear how he worked his way up from dishwasher to head chef, never taking no for an answer, and how he combines local ingredients and techniques with Sri Lankan flavours to bring the best of both worlds to every table.

La Joie is located at 117 Rue du Chemin Vert in Paris and is open throughout summer, including the month of August, so if you want to sample the food and see Minod’s smiling face, you won’t have to wait.

Go to the link in bio to read the piece in full and share your thoughts!

Watching events unfold from afar can leave many in the South Asian diaspora feeling powerless. But history reminds us th...
21/07/2026

Watching events unfold from afar can leave many in the South Asian diaspora feeling powerless. But history reminds us that distance has never meant disengagement. The diaspora has long helped amplify voices, preserve movements, and build solidarity across borders. As this moment continues to unfold, may we stay informed, support one another, and keep the people at the heart of these events in our thoughts.
Image credits: Outlook India, BBC India, India Today

On Bastille Day, France celebrates the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. These same ideals appear in the Pream...
14/07/2026

On Bastille Day, France celebrates the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. These same ideals appear in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution—but with one important addition: Justice comes first.
As Dr. B. R. Ambedkar argued, liberty, equality and fraternity cannot flourish without justice. And while many linked these values to the French Revolution, Ambedkar traced their roots to the teachings of the Buddha.
As Bastille Day is marked today, it is also a moment to reflect on how these constitutional ideals are being realised, and challenged, in our own time.

The South Asian stand-up comedy scene is growing in Europe, with more shows, more emerging artists and more comics from ...
09/07/2026

The South Asian stand-up comedy scene is growing in Europe, with more shows, more emerging artists and more comics from back home coming to perform here. It’s an exciting development, but not always easy to follow, with information scattered across venues and individual handles. We’ve done a round-up for what’s on in the month of July & August in different countries.
Swipe to see detailed listings by region for the month, screenshot and save for reference!
If you’re a comic, a producer or a venue and would like to be included in our monthly listing, our DMs are open :)
Disclaimer: All information is collected from public sources. Not all listings are solo shows. Please check directly with venues or artists to confirm dates and locations as these may be subject to change.
.munich .comedy.pub

What happens when a centuries-old spiritual tradition from the subcontinent is presented on a symphonic stage?In the lat...
30/06/2026

What happens when a centuries-old spiritual tradition from the subcontinent is presented on a symphonic stage?

In the latest article published on the magazine, Maroof Taj, a Pakistani anthropology student in Paris, offers a musically informed and deeply personal reflection on the recent rise of the Orchestral Qawwali trend. He takes us into the history of both these great traditions, tracing their unique social and musical journeys, and wonders aloud about the merits and limits of attempts at a merger.

What happens when a devotional form rooted in intimacy and repetition finds itself in the vastness of an orchestra hall? What is carried forward? What is left behind? And what new possibilities emerge in the space between fidelity and reinvention?

Go to the link in bio to read the piece in full and share your thoughts!

Adresse

Paris

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque Dvar Magazine publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.

Raccourcis

Partager

Type