The 2025 Met Gala Failed South Asians

Words by Divya Goyal

Welcome to the Brown History Newsletter. If you’re enjoying this labor of love, please do consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your contribution would help pay the writers and illustrators and support this weekly publication. If you like to submit a writing piece, please send me a pitch by email at brownhistory1947@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to check out our SHOP and our Podcast.

This oil painting was done by Edwin Lord Weeks in the 1880s. He undertook his first voyage to India in 1885, where he proved to be a dedicated observer of Indian culture and architecture. The painting showcases a pair of nautch girls, who were traditional Indian dancers and entertainers. Its known for its use of warm golds, vibrant reds, and shimmering silvers. (Available now)

---

Recommended Reads:

How Indian Soaps Took Over Africa and the Caribbean

Gold Inheritance: the Quiet Feminism of South Asian Women

---

---

The 2025 Met Gala Failed South Asians

Shah Rukh Khan or Diljit Dosanjh – Whose Met Gala 2025 Snub Upset You More?

Global icons in their own right, Shah Rukh Khan and Diljit Dosanjh had fans holding their breath on Monday evening, anticipating their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. But what began as excitement quickly spiraled into disappointment. Two global icons. Two historic Met Gala debuts. And yet, both Shah Rukh Khan and Diljit Dosanjh were met with moments that felt less like celebration and more like oversight.