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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life & Arts Reporter

Dasgupta is a journalism freshman from Frisco, Texas. She currently works as a senior reporter for the Life and Arts department and has previously covered news for The Texan. When she’s not writing articles you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, or Billy Joel.
All content by Trisha Dasgupta
Senior Katherine Ospina-Prieto stands for a portrait inside the UT Tower on Monday. She is majoring in race, indigeneity and migration, sociology and international relations.

Semester of SB 17: Students continue decades-long cultural graduation tradition

Trisha Dasgupta, General Projects Reporter April 23, 2024

Editor’s Note: The implementation of Senate Bill 17 meant the loss of diversity, equity and inclusion offices, positions and resources throughout campus. The Texan’s projects department reached out...

‘Vale la pena defenderse’: Una mirada a dos protestas estudiantiles que influyeron la historia de UT

‘Vale la pena defenderse’: Una mirada a dos protestas estudiantiles que influyeron la historia de UT

Trisha Dasgupta and Valeria Mota April 14, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 12 de abril del 2024 por Trisha Dasgupta y fue traducido al español por Valeria Mota. Cuando pensamos en protestas estudiantiles,...

‘It's worth taking a stand’: A look at two student protests that influenced UT’s history

‘It’s worth taking a stand’: A look at two student protests that influenced UT’s history

Trisha Dasgupta, General Projects Reporter April 12, 2024

When thinking about student protests, images of students conducting sit-ins for civil rights, marching against the Vietnam War or walking for Roe v. Wade might come to mind. However, tucked between...

New Ottessa Moshfegh film adaptation, ‘Eileen,’ serves Hitchockian thriller, beautiful cinematography

New Ottessa Moshfegh film adaptation, ‘Eileen,’ serves Hitchockian thriller, beautiful cinematography

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor November 29, 2023

In a bare 1960s Boston suburb, not much grows but obsession for Eileen Dunlop, the main character of “Eileen,” the new thriller based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s award-winning book of the same name. Starring...

'1989 (Taylor's Version)' ofrece brillantes temas de pop atemporal

‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ ofrece brillantes temas de pop atemporal

Trisha Dasgupta and Amy DonJuan November 3, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 30 de octubre por Trisha Dasgupta,  y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan. Con tres No. 1 singles y el Grammy por Álbum del Año...

‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ serves up brilliant vault tracks, timeless pop

‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ serves up brilliant vault tracks, timeless pop

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts editor October 30, 2023

With three No. 1 singles and the Grammy for 2016’s Album of the Year, Taylor Swift’s 1989 came as a monumental moment both in popular culture and Swift’s career. On Oct. 27, nine years to the day...

First-time voter Abby Uribe completes voting registration at the Headcount booth at ACL Fest on Oct. 15, 2023.

Headcount instalan registración de votantes en ACL

Logan Dubel and Trisha Dasgupta October 17, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 15 de octubre del 2023 por Logan Dubel y Trisha Dasgupta y fue traducido al español por Valeria Mota. Registrarse para votar a lo mejor...

Hozier performs at Austin City Limits 2023 at Zilker Park on Oct. 8, 2023.

The best of Austin City Limits 2023

Mimi Calzada, Trisha Dasgupta, Katie Chang, and Logan Dubel October 16, 2023

Mother Nature took solace on Austinites and travelers from all around the past two weekends by providing festival goers with the first chill of Texas autumn for this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival....

Matty Healy, lead singer of The 1975, bows to the crowd after performing the band's opening song during weekend two of ACL on Oct. 14, 2023.

Liveshot: The 1975 bring well-crafted alt-pop to ACL weekend 2 in nostalgic and antic-free headlining set

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor October 16, 2023

Black and white screens. Constant swigs from a silver flask. Clouds of cigarette smoke in between lyrics.  The 1975 brought their “Still… At Their Very Best” tour and 2014 Tumblr aesthetics to...

Noah Kahan performs during weekend two of ACL on October 14, 2023.

Liveshot: Noah Kahan brings out special guests, celebrates one year of Stick Season at ACL Weekend 2

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor October 16, 2023

The sun starts to set over Zilker Park, painting an anxious crowd of fans golden. As the clock nears 7 p.m., chants start from the thousands gathered at the T-Mobile stage to see singer-songwriter Noah...

Suki Waterhouse performs during weekend one of Austin City Limits on Oct. 8, 2023.

Instagram account TouringSuki covers Suki Waterhouse’s ACL set, brings together fans from over the country

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor October 16, 2023

Hundreds gathered at ACL to watch alt-pop princess Suki Waterhouse take the Miller Lite stage on Sunday, enjoying a set filled with dreamy tracks from the charismatic singer. However, even more watched...

First-time voter Abby Uribe completes voting registration at the Headcount booth at ACL Fest on Oct. 15, 2023.

Headcount sets up voter registration operation at ACL

Logan Dubel and Trisha Dasgupta October 15, 2023

Registering to vote might not be top of mind for the half million festival goers rocking out with their favorite artists at Austin City Limits. But beyond the electric stages and endless instagram-friendly...

Ethel Cain performs at ACL on Oct. 13, 2023.

Liveshot: Ethel Cain takes ACL crowd to church with IHG set

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor October 15, 2023

Deep sounds of an organ reverberate through the crowd at the InterContinental Hotel Group stage at Austin City Limits. The screen flickers with footage of classic Americana: a long-haired, vibrant teenager...

‘It's very discouraging’: Faith-based leaders raise concerns around city’s resources for unhoused population during extreme weather conditions

‘It’s very discouraging’: Faith-based leaders raise concerns around city’s resources for unhoused population during extreme weather conditions

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Projects Reporter October 8, 2023

2023 marked one of Austin’s hottest summer yet on record according to KXAN, bringing 38 Excessive Heat Warnings and over 70 days of triple-digit heat as of Oct. 8.  With the increasing temperatures...

Five LGBTQ+ artists to see at Austin City Limits

Five LGBTQ+ artists to see at Austin City Limits

Trisha Dasgupta, Associate Life&Arts Editor October 3, 2023

Steadily featuring more diverse artists every year, Austin City Limits’ lineup looks much different than when it first started in 2002. Texas’ biggest music festival, ACL, is a great way to see long-beloved...

Around Austin: August

Around Austin: August

Trisha Dasgupta, Life&Arts Desk Editor August 7, 2023

Thousands of students will return to campus this month, and whether they’re coming home to the Forty Acres after a long summer apart from friends or discovering the bustling Austin community for the...

The Daily Texan’s playlist for ‘Barbie’, ‘Oppenheimer’ double feature

The Daily Texan’s playlist for ‘Barbie’, ‘Oppenheimer’ double feature

Trisha Dasgupta, Life&Arts Desk Editor July 18, 2023

More than 40,000 tickets have already been purchased for the highly anticipated July 21 release day of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” With the double feature...

‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ comes as a re-contextualized version of one of Swift’s classics

‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ comes as a re-contextualized version of one of Swift’s classics

Trisha Dasgupta, Life&Arts Desk Editor July 9, 2023

The latest re-release in her journey to reclaim her discography, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) features six new tracks originally written in 2010. The album, released on July 7, delivers...

Austin Live Music Monthly

Austin Live Music Monthly

Trisha Dasgupta, Life&Arts Desk Reporter July 3, 2023

With hundreds of venues and a thriving live music scene known worldwide, Austin boasts plenty of opportunities to catch concerts from all types of artists. The Daily Texan compiled a list of July music...

Austin Live Music Monthly

Austin Live Music Monthly

Sage Dunlap and Trisha Dasgupta June 12, 2023

Austin boasts the title of the Live Music Capital of the world, offering hundreds of unique venues around the city for music lovers to catch shows from both local and world-class musicians alike. From...

The Daily Texan’s guide to Austin Pride celebrations

The Daily Texan’s guide to Austin Pride celebrations

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter June 5, 2023

With the arrival of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Austin’s lively culture provides opportunities to engage with the local queer community in a plethora of ways this June. As the summer ramps up, The Daily Texan...

Usando la música para empoderar a las mujeres: el programa Niñas Arriba recauda fondos para que las niñas en El Salvador completen una educación universitaria

Usando la música para empoderar a las mujeres: el programa Niñas Arriba recauda fondos para que las niñas en El Salvador completen una educación universitaria

Trisha Dasgupta and Paula Botello April 21, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 12 de abril por Trisha Dasgupta y fue traducido al español por Paula Botello.  Gina Chavez comenzó a lanzar música en 2007, haciendo...

Using music to empower women: Niñas Arriba program raises money for girls in El Salvador to complete a college education

Using music to empower women: Niñas Arriba program raises money for girls in El Salvador to complete a college education

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter April 18, 2023

Gina Chavez started releasing music in 2007, making waves as an internationally-acclaimed Latinx pop artist. Resonating with audiences around Austin and the world for the past 16 years, her most recent...

Live Shot: Taylor Swift stuns on ‘The Eras Tour’ with nostalgic three-hour set

Live Shot: Taylor Swift stuns on ‘The Eras Tour’ with nostalgic three-hour set

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter April 10, 2023

Screams erupt across AT&T Stadium in Dallas as the lights dim, revealing a giant stopwatch on 110-foot-tall screens. Over the speakers, Lesley Gore’s 1963 anthem “You Don’t Own Me” begins to...

Comedian Vir Das talks globalization of comedy, making his dreams come true

Comedian Vir Das talks globalization of comedy, making his dreams come true

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 30, 2023

In 2021, comedian Vir Das came under fire for his viral speech “I Come From Two Indias,” a monologue that landed Das several criminal charges from Indian officials, including counts of defamation and...

Fourth, final season of ‘Succession opens with compelling plot line, garnering 2.3 million viewers

Fourth, final season of ‘Succession opens with compelling plot line, garnering 2.3 million viewers

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 28, 2023

Ruthless negotiating, back-stabbing family members, outrageously out-of-touch billionaire sons — the Roy family is back.  The highly anticipated first episode of the fourth and final season of HBO’s...

Life&Arts live coverage team reflects on best moments at SXSW

Life&Arts live coverage team reflects on best moments at SXSW

Angela Lim, Life&Arts Editor The 10-day festival marathon began with artist interviews at hotels and ended at Paramount Theatre, a venue this musically inclined editor had never stepped foot in...

‘Another Body’ documentary tells story of deepfake pornography survivor’s search for justice

‘Another Body’ documentary tells story of deepfake pornography survivor’s search for justice

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 20, 2023

Content warning: This article contains mentions of sexual harassment. Transformed by the new wave of increasingly accessible artificial intelligence, the internet grows more similar to the wild, wild...

Adele Lim’s outstanding directorial debut ‘Joy Ride’ redefines comedy, makes for hysterical watch

Adele Lim’s outstanding directorial debut ‘Joy Ride’ redefines comedy, makes for hysterical watch

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 19, 2023

Previously the writer behind  “Crazy Rich Asians,” Adele Lim’s outstandingly outrageous directorial debut “Joy Ride” received an explosive round of applause and laughter from the Paramount Theatre...

Q&A: ‘Joy Ride’ cast, director talk about diversity in comedy

Q&A: ‘Joy Ride’ cast, director talk about diversity in comedy

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life & Arts Reporter March 19, 2023

The Daily Texan took to the “Joy Ride” red carpet to talk to its cast and crew members about Adele Lim’s directorial debut and the raunchy comedy that follows four women who find their way across...

SXSW Liveshot: Blondshell brings punchy alt-rock to Radio Day Stage

SXSW Liveshot: Blondshell brings punchy alt-rock to Radio Day Stage

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life & Arts Reporter March 19, 2023

Standing in front of rows of conference seating at the Austin Convention Center might not be where alt-rocker Sabrina Teitelbaum normally performs. However, that did not stop Teitelbaum, known by the stage...

UT student Emilio Mejia makes acting debut at SXSW in ‘Hail Mary’

UT student Emilio Mejia makes acting debut at SXSW in ‘Hail Mary’

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life & Arts Reporter March 18, 2023

Emilio Mejia, a theatre and dance sophomore, made his film debut at SXSW in Rosemary Rodriguez’s film “Hail Mary,” a modern retelling of the biblical story of Mary and Joseph.  The Daily Texan...

Musicians get together at SXSW to discuss ushering diversity, inclusion in music industry

Musicians get together at SXSW to discuss ushering diversity, inclusion in music industry

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 16, 2023

Grammy-nominated country artist Martina McBride wanted to make a Spotify playlist. She opened the app, clicked “new playlist” and named it “Country Music.” Spotify auto-populated suggestions based...

Musicians’ union puts on showcase demanding fair pay for musicians at SXSW

Musicians’ union puts on showcase demanding fair pay for musicians at SXSW

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 16, 2023

The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers put on a showcase Tuesday night at Hole in the Wall to call for fair pay for musicians at South by Southwest.  Featuring local Austin bands such as Pleasure...

Johns Hopkins researchers examine how artificial intelligence can help prepare for climate change effects at SXSW

Johns Hopkins researchers examine how artificial intelligence can help prepare for climate change effects at SXSW

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 16, 2023

Utilizing artificial intelligence tools, researchers at Johns Hopkins University aim to fight against and prepare for the worsening effects of climate change. In a South by Southwest session on Wednesday,...

‘We just like making bangers’: Circa Waves talks new album, touring, vulnerability

‘We just like making bangers’: Circa Waves talks new album, touring, vulnerability

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 16, 2023

Earlier this year, indie rock band Circa Waves released their much-anticipated album, Never Going Under, their first project after the pandemic. Exploring themes of disillusionment and unhappiness, the...

Q&A: SXSW opening speaker Simran Jeet Singh reflects on employing Sikh wisdom in fight against systemic oppression

Q&A: SXSW opening speaker Simran Jeet Singh reflects on employing Sikh wisdom in fight against systemic oppression

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 12, 2023

Professor and author Dr. Simran Jeet Singh opened the 2023 South by Southwest conference with a reflective speech about using Sikh traditions in daily life and looking for the good in the world Friday,...

SXSW 2023 opening speaker Simran Jeet Singh encourages audience to look for good in times of darkness

SXSW 2023 opening speaker Simran Jeet Singh encourages audience to look for good in times of darkness

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 11, 2023

Eleven years old. That’s how old Dr. Simran Jeet Singh was when a referee at a soccer game asked to pat down his turban to check for “knives and bombs.” It marked the first time someone called...

Antone’s Record Shop remains hallmark of Austin’s live music scene with rich history, lively community

Antone’s Record Shop remains hallmark of Austin’s live music scene with rich history, lively community

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter March 2, 2023

In 1975, after relishing in the beginnings of what promised to be a booming blues scene, Clifford Antone decided to open one of the first nightclubs on Sixth Street.  Driven by his passion for blues,...

University Fashion Group members work NYFW, gain industry experience

University Fashion Group members work NYFW, gain industry experience

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter February 27, 2023

Before this year’s New York Fashion Week, Seth Brogdon, a textiles and apparels junior, had never walked down a runway as a model. Until then, his work in fashion revolved around working backstage,...

Chappell Roan puts on shimmering performance at Austin tour stop

Chappell Roan puts on shimmering performance at Austin tour stop

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter February 21, 2023

Disco balls littered the shimmering stage at Parish while restless concert-goers dressed in sparkling costumes and neon cowboy hats eagerly awaited the performance of indie pop artist Chappell Roan.  As...

4 movies about different types of love to watch on Valentine’s Day

4 movies about different types of love to watch on Valentine’s Day

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter February 13, 2023

For many, Valentine’s Day remains closely coupled with romance. However, there are many types of love to be celebrated: love for family, friends and community. In order to honor all forms of love this...

Liveshot: Suki Waterhouse puts on dreamy performance at Emo’s

Liveshot: Suki Waterhouse puts on dreamy performance at Emo’s

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter February 10, 2023

Emo’s Austin became “The Coolest Place In The World” on Tuesday. On the latest stop of model-turned-alternative singer Suki Waterhouse’s North American tour, she lit up the Emo’s stage performing...

‘Abbott Elementary’ second season shines just as bright, if not brighter, than first

‘Abbott Elementary’ second season shines just as bright, if not brighter, than first

Aaron Boehmer and Trisha Dasgupta January 31, 2023

A little more than halfway through its second season, ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” cements itself amongst the ranks of stellar mockumentary sitcoms. Both heartwarming and hilarious, the show’s continuation...

If you like boygenius, The Daily Texan recommends four artists to add to your playlist

If you like boygenius, The Daily Texan recommends four artists to add to your playlist

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life & Arts Reporter January 30, 2023

Formed in 2018 by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, indie rock trio boygenius garnered critical acclaim with their self-titled debut EP, becoming the ninth highest-selling independent record...

UT doctoral candidate receives inaugural Kevin Garren Memorial Scholarship for contributions in research on musicians’ health

UT doctoral candidate receives inaugural Kevin Garren Memorial Scholarship for contributions in research on musicians’ health

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter January 26, 2023

When Thomas Kurtz woke up one morning in 2016, he found that he could not play his saxophone, the instrument he had loved since he was 10 years old. With his fingers paralyzed, Kurtz said he could no...

Leaning into tackiness, ‘Emily in Paris’ season three is campier, more fun than ever

Leaning into tackiness, ‘Emily in Paris’ season three is campier, more fun than ever

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter January 16, 2023

Staring out into the distance, plagued by the urgency to make the decision of her lifetime, season three of the highly divisive comedy “Emily in Paris” starts with the main heroine, Emily Cooper (Lily...

Tattoo artist Alfren specializes in hand-poked tattoos incorporating Southeast Asian culture

Tattoo artist Alfren specializes in hand-poked tattoos incorporating Southeast Asian culture

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter January 12, 2023

With just a few months between them and graduation, art student and soon-to-be UT graduate Alfren, had a decision to make in late 2020: find a tattoo studio in Austin or move abroad to find a place where...

UT Bollywood fusion team Mohini prepares for competition season with boot camps

UT Bollywood fusion team Mohini prepares for competition season with boot camps

Trisha Dasgupta, Senior Life&Arts Reporter January 9, 2023

Winter break promises a long reprieve from work, full of relaxation and lounging, but that’s not the case for members of the Mohini dance team, who spent the week before spring classes in dance boot...

Shakespeare at Winedale leaves lasting impact on UT campus

Shakespeare at Winedale leaves lasting impact on UT campus

Trisha Dasgupta, General Life & Arts Reporter December 2, 2022

On a rare cool summer evening in Texas, a storm passes through Round Top, where UT’s Winedale Historical Center stands.  With no electricity under a cover of darkness, the sounds of rain in the distance...

Spike in Travis County flu cases triples number of positive tests from past years

Spike in Travis County flu cases triples number of positive tests from past years

Trisha Dasgupta, General News Reporter December 2, 2022

Editor's note: a previous version of this story said 49% of students said influenza negatively impacted their academic performance. The story has been updated to reflect the correct number of 61%. The...

Nueva organización estudiantil ayuda a empoderar a los estudiantes emprendedores con “pop-ups” del mercado comunitario

Nueva organización estudiantil ayuda a empoderar a los estudiantes emprendedores con “pop-ups” del mercado comunitario

Trisha Dasgupta and Maria Probert Hermosillo November 10, 2022

Una nueva organización estudiantil llamada “Longhorn Made” está ayudando a emprendedores del UT a construir una comunidad y base de consumidores con el objetivo de empoderar a estudiantes con negocios...

New student organization helps to empower student entrepreneurs with community market pop-ups

New student organization helps to empower student entrepreneurs with community market pop-ups

Trisha Dasgupta, General News Reporter November 1, 2022

A new student organization called Longhorn Made is helping UT entrepreneurs build a community and consumer base with the goal to empower students with small businesses. The group helps small businesses...

Taylor Swift's “Midnights" lands as boldest, most personal project to date

Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” lands as boldest, most personal project to date

Trisha Dasgupta, General Life & Arts Reporter October 23, 2022

In her tenth studio album “Midnights,” released Oct. 21, Taylor Swift delivered 20 pop songs  exploring passionate stories of love, heartbreak, revenge and grief. Created in collaboration with...

UT Bollywood dance competition, Jhalak, brings people together

UT Bollywood dance competition, Jhalak, brings people together

Trisha Dasgupta, General News Reporter October 21, 2022

UT’s premier Bollywood fusion dance competition, Jhalak, is one of the biggest college dance competitions in the nation. On Oct. 15, Jhalak’s 21st year in a row, eight college dance teams across the...

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UHS sees fewer students getting flu shots, hopes to increase shots administered

Trisha Dasgupta, General News Reporter October 20, 2022

University Health Services has been providing low-cost flu shots to UT faculty, staff and students for over 20 years, but the number of students willing to get those shots has almost halved since 2020.  In...

5 artists Taylor Swift fans should check out

5 artists Taylor Swift fans should check out

Trisha Dasgupta, Life & Arts General Reporter October 12, 2022

Since her 2006 debut, Taylor Swift continues to reach the hearts of hopeless romantics all over the world with an extensive catalog of love songs and heartbreak anthems. For those looking for more nostalgic...

After the repeal of Roe v. Wade, students seek to expand voter registration counts

After the repeal of Roe v. Wade, students seek to expand voter registration counts

Trisha Dasgupta, News Reporter October 2, 2022

According to data from a study conducted by polling firm TargetSmart, more than 300,000 people ages 18-25 have registered to vote in Texas since the overturn of Roe v. Wade.  Marina Garfield, a Plan...

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