The enchanted world of Amitava Kumar

Looking back in adoration (and frustration)

One cannot look forward without closure, can one? In this episode Pragya Tiwari and Raja Sen list their favourite books, movies, plays and music— mostly unusual suspects and share some very strongly held contrarian opinions. Join us in taking this long, last look at 2025 and send us your thoughts. We are always listening.

The enchanted world of Amitava Kumar

Amitava Kumar is a brilliant writer, artist and teacher. He is also one of them most brilliant consumers of culture, which makes him one of our dream guests. In this episode, books, films and art collide and coalesce in unexpected ways and the absolute joy and pleasure of reading and listening and watching is for all to partake in. Just make sure you have a pen and paper handy for the the recommendations that come along the way.

Bawra Mann: Swanand Kirkire sings for the podcast

In this episode, we feature an award-winning poet, composer, writer, actor. The polymath Swanand Kirkire talks about Kumar Gandharva, the National School of Drama, and his many influences in art, theatre and cinema

Down the rabbit hole

In this episode we talk about one of the greatest pleasures of all times- going down a rabbit hole. Allowing a film to suggest another, or a book to lead you to an art work that compels you to listen to a forgotten music album. Our hosts recount their rabbit hole journeys from this year and play a unique word association game. Listen in for a host of recommendations of what and how to read and watch.

Neeraj Ghaywan tells us home truths

In this episode we have a heart to heart with Neeraj Ghaywan about why he made Homebound, how he found a foothold in the industry, the films that have shaped him, his obsessions and anxieties, and being a Dalit filmmaker in Bollywood. Show Notes: * Masaan, Homebound, Geeli Puchhi, Sacred Games — by Neeraj Ghaywan * Fight Club, by David Fincher * Three Monkeys, by Nuri Bilge Ceylan * Underground, by Emir Kusturica * The White Ribbon, by Michael Haneke * Kaminey, by Vishal Bhardwaj * Gangs Of Wasseypur, by Anurag Kashyap * Udaan, by Vikramaditya Motwane * Chalte Chalte, by Aziz Mirza * Rosetta, by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne * The Great Beauty, by Paolo Sorrentino * Enter The Void, by Gaspar Noe * Soy Cuba, by Mikhael Kalatozov * Led Zeppelin: The BBC Sessions * Ijaazat, by Gulzar * The Bridges Of Madison County, by Robert James Waller * The Trial, by Franz Kafka * The Trial, by Orson Welles * Aani Maani, by Fahim Irshad * Dept Q (Netflix) * Slow Horses (Apple TV+) * Amour, by Michael Haneke * Satantango, by Bela Tarr * Fire On The Ganges, by Radhika Iyengar * Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin * Sorry To Bother You, by Boots Riley * Bridge Over Troubled Water, by Simon And Garfunkel * Geetanjali, by Mani Ratnam * Sagara Sangamam, by K Viswanath