Maroof Culmen

Maroof Culmen In an obsession to find art at the root
of life, in experiences and people.

27/05/2026

Festivals mere liye tab start hote hain jab friends, cousins aur family ghar aana shuru kar dete hain… aur ghar loud, chaotic aur full of life lagne lagta hai.

Aur honestly, hamari har mehfil ki jaan hoti hai biryani. Uske saath ek Toofani Thums Up ho toh bas perfect combo.

Phir kya…
plates refill hoti rehti hain, conversations chalti rehti hain, aur waqt ka pata hi nahi chalta.

I think this is our therapy.

What’s yours?

23/05/2026

Most of the time when we talk about food stories, we go straight towards the stars of the dastarkhwan, kebabs, biryani, pulao and all the rich dishes that cities become famous for.

But I feel seasons and weather also decide a lot about what we eat, especially in North India. Summers naturally push us towards lighter food, simpler vegetables, and dishes that quietly become a part of everyday life.

And I think karela is one such thing. You may hate it, but you can never ignore it.

What I found even more interesting was how karela became connected to travel. Back when long train journeys were common, this dish was cooked specially because it stayed good for a longer time and could survive the journey without getting spoiled. Somewhere, it also carried the taste of home along with the people travelling.

So presenting once again, Safar Ke Karele, along with our favourite . A combination that instantly takes you back to old train journeys, steel tiffins, and food packed with love from home.

So tell me honestly, are you team karela or anti-karela?
All karela haters can mark their attendance in the comments.
And if you love it, share this story with someone from your family who would instantly relate to it.

20/05/2026

Hey guys, this is Episode 2 of the micro documentaries we have been working on. And honestly, this story stayed with me for a long time.

It is the story of a man whose entire livelihood changed after the Wildlife Protection Act came into place. His family belonged to the Madari community, people who for generations performed with monkeys and langoors. But when the law changed, they had to let go of that life, including his beloved langoor, Pawan.

What stayed with him though, was the voice.

Over the years, he learnt how to imitate the sound of a langoor so accurately that today, he uses only his voice to guide monkeys away from crowded spaces like railway stations, bus stands, and residential areas, helping reduce the conflict between humans and wildlife.

And somewhere during the conversation, he said something very important. Wildlife is not the problem. We are. We cut forests, build plots, and slowly take away their natural habitat. So where will these animals go except closer to humans?

What moved me the most was that his method comes from care, not violence. No stones. No electrocution. No harm. Just a voice guiding them back towards safety.

I think these are the kind of stories that deserve to be documented. Stories that carry empathy, change perspective, and remind us that coexistence is still possible.

If this story resonated with you, do share it on your story.
See you in the next episode.

19/05/2026

110001 is one pin code in Delhi that never fails to mesmerise me.

As many of you know, I have always loved landmarks, old buildings, and places that carry history within them. And this part of Delhi feels like exactly that. From The Imperial and Connaught Place to Raisina Hill, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Parliament House . every few steps feel like another chapter of the city’s story opening up.

And within this very pin code, Godrej Connaught One by Godrej properties finds its place naturally . becoming part of a neighbourhood already shaped by heritage and timeless value.

If you love Delhi and its landmarks as much as I do, do share this on your story.




#110001

16/05/2026

I truly believe that stories can be found in every nook and corner of a place. Sometimes, all it takes is curiosity to stop and listen.

A few months ago, I came across a very interesting story of Mr. Arjun Singh, documented by my friend What instantly caught my attention was his passion for creativity. The unique glasses he makes, the cycle he designed, even his footwear, everything about him felt fascinating and deeply personal.

At that moment, I knew I wanted to meet him and understand what really pushed him towards creating all of this.

Because I believe stories are always layered. What we see on the surface is rarely the full picture.

And when we finally sat down with him, we realised that this story was much bigger than creativity alone. The biggest takeaway for me was one simple line he said:

“Duniya paise se nahi, umeed aur creativity se chalti hai.”

“This world is not running on money. It is running on hope and creativity.”

Honestly, that line alone was enough for me to bring this story to all of you.

By the way, I’m thinking of calling this series “Micro Documentaries.”

If this story resonates with you, do share it on your story.

See you in the next one.

12/05/2026

Guys, when I started this series called “Lost Recipes,” I think I only had elaborate dishes in mind, things like Pulao, Biryani, or recipes that take hours of preparation. But slowly I realised that lost recipes are not always the grand ones. Sometimes, even the simplest comfort foods, cooked during harsh summers and difficult weather, carry stories, memories, and a sense of belonging.

And one such recipe is . Dhungare Baigan.

We were truly fortunate to shoot this episode at Mr. Amir Naqi’s home. Even at more than 85 years of age, he welcomed us so warmly and generously shared his memories, experiences, and stories connected to this dish. Honestly, that itself became a beautiful part of the experience.

If you know this dish, or if you have ever tried it, do share your memories in the comments. And if you haven’t, share this on your story.

Also, if you know of a rare or forgotten recipe from your home or city that deserves to be documented, send us a DM. We would love to come and tell its story.

See you in the next episode.

10/05/2026

Maa banne se pehle bhi,
uski hatheliyon mein kuch sapne palte the…
kuch titliyaan udti thi,
kuch kisse muskurate the.

Iss Mother’s Day,
chalo maa se pehle ki usi ladki se phir milte hain…
uski kahaani, ek baar sunte hain.

Poem credits -

08/05/2026

Some feelings were once so ordinary, so simple, that we never realised how special they truly were.
And one such feeling for me is champi. Someone gently applying oil to your hair, slowly massaging your head, while simply talking to you about life.

I think this is one emotion I miss the most.

For me and my sister, it used to be our little “me time.” Whether it was Nani, Dadi, or Amma, those moments were never just about oiling hair. They were about conversations, comfort, care, and feeling heard without even asking for it.

Somewhere with time moving so fast, with everyone constantly busy, we have slowly lost these small pauses. Not just for ourselves, but even with our parents.

So I thought of revisiting this emotion. And I had the privilege of documenting it from a mother’s perspective.

Do you still miss this feeling?
And when was the last time you got a champi?

Let’s make this comment section a beautiful space to talk about these small things we grew up with.

05/05/2026

Every city has its own way of celebrating, but some memories stay with you not because of what they were, but because of what they made you feel.

For me, this time of the year always takes me back to my childhood. The beginning of summer vacations. Schools would shut down, but life did not really slow down. Coaching classes became a routine, almost unavoidable. And it was on those quiet, slightly sleepy afternoons, while going to or returning from coaching, that I would witness something beautiful unfolding on the streets.

Rows of bhandara stalls. People serving food with warmth. The air filled with the sound of Hanuman Chalisa and bhajans playing in the background.

Back then, I did not fully understand it. But slowly, I came to know that this was Bada Mangal. A tradition so deeply rooted in Lucknow that it becomes a part of your growing up years without you even realising it.

I think, in many ways, this is where we first learned things. Not from books, but from the streets. From those loudspeakers playing chants every Tuesday. From the sense of togetherness. From watching people serve, without asking who you are or where you come from.

And perhaps that is the true beauty of Lucknow. It has always gone beyond the boundaries of religion. It speaks of humanity, of culture, of a shared rhythm of life.

As once beautifully said, this is something that happens only in Lucknow. And perhaps, can only happen here. Because of its spirit. Because of its Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.

For me, Bada Mangal is not just a tradition. It is a memory. A feeling. A reminder of what a city can be when it chooses togetherness over division.

If you have memories of this time, I would really like to hear them. And if you know about it, share your thoughts. If not, perhaps share this forward. Sometimes, stories like these deserve to travel a little further.

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La Martiniere College, Lucknow - 226001 Uttar Pradesh, India.
Lucknow
226001

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