Jaipur Bytes

Ghost stories are a significant part of Bengali culture. In this podcast, Arundhati Nath recalls how she grew up listening to her grandmother narrate ghost stories. She discusses how the stories in the collection ‘The Phantom’s Howl’ feature supernatural creatures with not only elements of horror but also humour.

Even after testing ninety fried chicken recipes in three months for her cookbook ‘Kung Pao and Beyond’, food writer and chef Susan Jung still loves fried chicken. In this engaging podcast, Jung shares her culinary journey from starting out as an English literature graduate to becoming a pastry chef, writing a cookbook and now a food writer at Vogue Hong Kong.

India cannot be separated from its ten thousand years of history, even when focusing on the last fifty years. Sandeep Khanna’s debut novel follows characters as they navigate the economic, political, and socio-cultural changes India has undergone from the 1970s and 80s to the present. In this gripping podcast, Khanna shares the stories, poetry, and themes that inspired his writing, discusses what he aimed to convey, and reflects on what he learned through the process.

Which kinds of art are worth viewing, and who creates them? Katy Hessel unpacks these questions by examining limitations historically placed on art made by women and types of works currently exhibited in the UK. The art historian argues how recognising these artists and writers’ achievements not only enriches our understanding of art history but also shapes a more inclusive future for the art world.

From discussing culinary school and what inspired his passion for cooking, to exploring how the history of colonialism in Kerala has shaped its cuisine, and delving into the science and art of selecting ingredients and preparing dishes, Chef Anand George covers multiple facets of the culinary experience.

There is a lot to be said about the current state of politics and media in India today. This is exactly what journalist and author Rajdeep Sardesai expands on while talking about his newest book ‘2024: The Election that Surprised India’. Sardesei points out the hypocrisy of the Indian media and discusses Prime Minister Modi’s mass appeal as well as the need for a strong opposition.

“I am rejecting the idea that I’m half Punjabi and half British. I am both those things fully.” In this captivating podcast, Jassa Ahluwalia discusses his book “Both Not Half,” exploring identity and his writing process. He shares stories of growing up in a multicultural home, how his family blended languages and cultures, and his experiences visiting India.

Storytelling takes on many forms from poems, plays, novels, short stories, to films, music, and short films. In this captivating podcast, Manav Kaul and Imtiaz Ali discuss elements that make narratives compelling, sharing how evocative literature and media influence their approach to writing, directing, and acting. Discover how stories inspire us and transform the way in which we see the world.

Growing up in America, singer Hrishi was surrounded by music that was different from the songs he heard at home. In this episode, Hrishi discusses how he navigated these two distinct musical worlds and discovered ways to blend Carnatic music with the English pop and rock that shaped his upbringing. He also reflects on achieving social media fame on Instagram and Tiktok.

Radio, YouTube, Instagram, and Bollywood are just a few of the diverse fields Prajakta Koli has explored. Now, she is venturing into the world of literature with her debut novel, ‘Too Good to be True’. In this engaging podcast, social media star Koli shares insights into her creative writing process, how she navigates fame, and her approach to overcoming failure.

From eating Maggi and playing cricket in the 80s, to her mother’s cancer journey, to moving to the UK, chef and author Romy Gill shares the inspirations behind her book ‘Romy Gill’s India’. She discusses how growing up in Bengal as a Punjabi, along with other experiences such as travelling and relocating to the UK, have shaped her culinary experience. Gill’s experiences of being on television and as a chef and food writer make for an engaging and enlightening conversation.

From thoughts on material possessions to the experiences that brought his iconic lyrics to life, catch the Kailash Kher beyond Saiyaan and Teri Deewani, in the first episode of the official podcast of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, The Jaipur Bytes, hosted by Yuva Ekta Foundation’s founder trustee, Puneeta Roy.

Anjum Hasan’s latest book, ‘History’s Angel’, focuses on a historian named Alif, who navigates life in the multistoried and historical city of Delhi during a time when the study of history is becoming an increasingly conflicted territory. In this episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast, Hasan joins writer and Itihāsology's founder, Eric Chopra, to discuss the nuances of her latest novel, the inspirations behind her previous works, her anxieties around the erasure of the past, and the ways in which she continues to reinvent herself as a writer.

In this Jaipur Bytes episode, Bhutanese actor, model, and author Kelly Dorji reflects on his trailblazing career as a model and offers insights into the evolving standards of beauty and the fashion industry's demands. In conversation with RJ Sarthak Kaushik, he speaks about his experiences of walking iconic ramps and working with some of the best names in the industry. He shares his thoughts on the rise of influencer culture and speaks of legendary designers like Shahab Durazi, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, and more. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, Dorji shines a light on how the inner workings of the fashion and film industries in India have transformed over the years, offering a rare glimpse into a world that has shaped Indian pop culture.

Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy brings numbers to life in this fascinating episode of Jaipur Bytes. In conversation with RJ Sarthak, Sautoy talks about being an Ambassador of Mathematics, the magic of imaginary numbers, the unexpected connections between maths and music, and the inspiring stories woven into the history of mathematics. An episode that offers a fresh and engaging take on how numbers shape our world.

How were Indian princes dethroned? Was Jaipur’s Royalty India’s answer to the Crown? What is so fascinating and puzzling about Indian magic? How does one write the shortest history of India? The ever-curious and inspiring chronicler of India’s diverse pasts, John Zubrzycki, joins Eric Chopra in this episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast to discuss all of these interesting questions & much more!

Kanan Gill, celebrated for his inimitable wit, joins host Sarthak Kaushik to discuss his soft sci-fi debut novel, Acts of God. He speaks about his more than a decade-long journey in the entertainment industry, the knock-knock jokes that earned him a Genius Visa, and the nuances that differentiate—and connect—being a writer and a performer.

The iconic classicist Mary Beard, who has written a range of books spanning diverse historical themes — from the emperors of Rome, women & power, love & laughter in our ancient worlds, and more — joins Itihāsology’s founder Eric Chopra and music programmer & broadcaster-podcaster Sarthak Kaushik in an episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast and shares how ancient Egyptian cake led her to falling in love with history; how David Beckham’s tattoos aided her in teaching students about the complexity yet everydayness of Roman Numerals; about her experiences as an academic with an authority on Ancient Rome and simultaneously a highly accessible TV and radio presenter; and what she thinks about those who attempt at being gatekeepers of history.

In this gripping episode of the Jaipur Bytes Podcast, Paul Lynch speaks to Sarthak Kaushik about the whirlwind journey of winning the Booker Prize in 2023 for his dystopian masterpiece, 'Prophet Song.' He reveals the shifts in his life after winning the coveted prize, speaks of the hidden corners of the world and the literary legends who ignite his creativity, and contemplates the evolving landscape of fiction.

What goes into the art of curation? What is the idea of the ‘museum’ in popular culture? What has MET Gala's 'First Monday of May’s’ impact been on the world of art? What is the story behind Raphael’s ‘Madonna of the Pinks?’ If you are curious to hear about all of this and more then do not miss out on this episode of Jaipur Bytes in which art historian Luke Syson is in conversation with Eric Chopra.