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A Book A Day - A Literary Podcast from India

A Book A Day - A Literary Podcast from India

By Kalampedia

Every day, I pick at least one new book, read what it has to offer, make notes and share the best ideas with you.

Sounds fun, right? Join me in this journey and explore a whole new world of books and stories.

For any suggestions/queries please contact us at contactkalampedia@gmail.com or visit Kalampedia.org on your browser.
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Currently playing episode

Books Banned in India | Bookcast #7

A Book A Day - A Literary Podcast from IndiaJun 22, 2020

00:00
11:09
Folk Stories in Andaman's Bo Language | Anvita Abbi
Mar 28, 202415:41
A Malayalam Short Story | The Flood by TS Pillai | Thakazhi

A Malayalam Short Story | The Flood by TS Pillai | Thakazhi

Alappuzha
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, popularly known as Thakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. In this episode, I narrate one of his short stories. The story is called The Flood and it's about a dog who is stuck at a hut during the floods. Let me know how you found the story.
Mar 24, 202414:52
A Sindhi Short Story | Manjri by Lekhraj Tulsiani

A Sindhi Short Story | Manjri by Lekhraj Tulsiani

In this episode I narrate a short story from Sindhi literature. Written by Lekhraj Tulsiani, the story recounts a tale of a poor woman in the court room. Let me know how you like the story.
Mar 21, 202413:17
A Punjabi Short Story | A Whirlwind by Sant Singh Sekhon

A Punjabi Short Story | A Whirlwind by Sant Singh Sekhon

In this episode I narrate a short story called 'The Whirlwind' written by Sant Singh Sekhon. Sant Singh Sekhon (1908–1997) was a Punjabi playwright and fiction writer. He is part of the generation of Indian authors who mark the transition of India into an independent nation, scarred by the tragedies of partition.
Mar 20, 202419:00
Pankaj Mishra in India | Travel Book | Bollywood

Pankaj Mishra in India | Travel Book | Bollywood

In the final chapter our discussion on Pankaj Mishra's book Temptations of the West, I share his visit to the Bollywood. Let me know what you think of the book.
Mar 18, 202433:28
Pankaj Mishra in Afghanistan | Travel Book
Mar 16, 202430:31
Pankaj Mishra in Pakistan | Temptations of the West | Travel Book

Pankaj Mishra in Pakistan | Temptations of the West | Travel Book

In his book, 'Temptations of the West,' Pankaj Mishra travels through different parts of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and shares his experiences along with his succinct analysis on the social and political dynamics of these countries. I narrate a few passages from the book in today's episode.
Mar 15, 202432:47
Free for All | Manto Short Story | India Pakistan Literature

Free for All | Manto Short Story | India Pakistan Literature

Original called Dekh Kabira Roya (See, Kabir Cried), this short story (now titled Free for All) was published by Saadat Hasan Manto soon after he migrated to Pakistan after the partition. Manto uses the famous 15th century Sufi poet Bhagat Kabir as a protagonist to presciently satirise the emerging trends of intolerance, orthodoxy and cultural chauvinism in the newly-independent state, which are all too familiar in Pakistan in the 21st century. Let's hear the story in this episode.
Mar 12, 202410:55
The Dutiful Daughter | Saadat Hasan Manto Short Story | India Pakistan Literature

The Dutiful Daughter | Saadat Hasan Manto Short Story | India Pakistan Literature

I narrate another short story by Saadat Hasan Manto in this episode. The story is called The Dutiful Daughter and it highlights the violence faced by women during the India-Pakistan partition riots.
Mar 11, 202414:16
Saadat Hasan Manto's Short Stories | Part 1 | India Pakistan Literature
Mar 05, 202421:44
Homi J Bhabha | A Book by Biman Nath
Mar 04, 202417:04
Rani Gaidinliu | Freedom Fighter from North East India | Som Kamei

Rani Gaidinliu | Freedom Fighter from North East India | Som Kamei

Continuing our series on Pioneers of Modern India, published by Niyogi Books, this time I share the story of Rani Gaidinliu. She was a legendary freedom fighter from North East India who fought for the rights of Zeliangrong Nagas. Not only do we learn about her life, but also her community, their belief system, their history, the challanges they face and much more.
Mar 01, 202417:27
RK Narayan's Malgudi Days | Indradeep Bhattacharyya
Feb 23, 202414:52
Jagadish Chandra Bose by Sudipto Das | The Great Indians Series

Jagadish Chandra Bose by Sudipto Das | The Great Indians Series

In the next few episodes of this podcast, I am going to share the stories of some wonderful characters from Indian history that have truly shaped this country. I start with Sudipto Das's biography of Jagadish Chandra Bose, the great Bengali polymath. Let's find out more about the book as well as the man himself.
Feb 12, 202419:06
The Bhagavad Gita by Vandana R Singh | Part 3 | Jnana Yoga
Jan 22, 202420:50
The Bhagavad Gita by Vandana R Singh | Part 2 | Bhakti Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita by Vandana R Singh | Part 2 | Bhakti Yoga

In the second part of our Bhagavad Gita series, I discuss Bhakti Yoga as described in the Gita. Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion as elucidated in the Bhagavad Gita, holds profound significance in spiritual and personal development. In chapters seven to twelve, the Gita delves into the essence of bhakti, outlining its principles and emphasising its relevance in navigating the complexities of modern life. Check out Vandana R Singh's book to find more on this subject.
Jan 18, 202418:55
The Bhagavad Gita by Vandana R Singh | Part 1 | Karma Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita by Vandana R Singh | Part 1 | Karma Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita -- a profound source of spiritual wisdom. In the three-part series, I discuss Vandana R Singh's The Bhagavad Gita: A Life-changing Conversation. This book presents the most valuable lessons of Gita to contemporary readers. So, join me, and together we explore the pearls if this ancient Indian wisdom and apply it in our 21st century lives. This is the first of the three parts. Stay tuned for more.
Jan 15, 202420:45
Biblical Stories Part 7 | Books on Christianity
Jan 03, 202417:23
Biblical Stories Part 6 | Books on Christianity

Biblical Stories Part 6 | Books on Christianity

From the Old Testament we now arrive to the New Testament. And Jesus Christ is here. Keep following to learn what happens next.
Jan 02, 202413:40
Biblical Stories Part 5 | Books on Christianity | Hebrew Bible

Biblical Stories Part 5 | Books on Christianity | Hebrew Bible

We start the new year with the story of King David and what the Israelites go through during this period. Keep following the series to listen to some more exciting biblical stories.
Jan 01, 202424:45
Biblical Stories Part 4 | Books on Christianity

Biblical Stories Part 4 | Books on Christianity

Continuing with our Biblical stories theme this week, we join Moses on his journey to Israel. The conflict was much the same back then as it is now: Israel Vs Phillistines. Let's see what happens next. Keep following for more stories.
Dec 30, 202333:42
Biblical Stories Part 3 | Books on Christianity

Biblical Stories Part 3 | Books on Christianity

In this episode, we find out the story of Moses's birth and how he led his people out of Egypt. Keep following the podcast to know what happens next.
Dec 29, 202319:34
Biblical Stories Part 2 | Books on Christianity
Dec 28, 202333:06
Biblical Stories Part 1 | Books on Christianity
Dec 27, 202326:55
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis | A Great Theological Read
Dec 25, 202335:01
India Pakistan Partition | History Through Books
Aug 14, 202322:35
Rain in the Mountains | Ruskin Bond | Monsoon Books

Rain in the Mountains | Ruskin Bond | Monsoon Books

In this episode, once again, I share a wonderful book on monsoon rains. Written by Ruskin Bond, Rain in the Mountains recounts the author's experience of living in the Himalayas, especially during the monsoon season.
Jul 14, 202312:03
Chasing the Monsoon | Alexander Frater's Travels in India
Jul 10, 202322:58
The Story of Ramayana | Part 5

The Story of Ramayana | Part 5

In the concluding episode of our Ramayana series, let's find out what happens in the war that takes place between Rama and Ravana.
Jul 05, 202314:04
The Story of Ramayana | Part 4

The Story of Ramayana | Part 4

In the penultimate episode of our Ramayana series, we reach some interesting turn of events where the war between Ram and Ravan seems inevitable.
Jul 04, 202320:14
The Story of Ramayana | Part 3

The Story of Ramayana | Part 3

Continuing our Ramayana series, I narrate the sequence of events that take place during the exile period. Here we get introduced to another major character. Ravana.
Jun 27, 202320:55
The Story of Ramayana | Part 2

The Story of Ramayana | Part 2

In this episode of our Ramayana series we follow the life of Rama after his marriage to Sita. Keep following the podcast to listen to the entire series.
Jun 26, 202316:07
The Story of Ramayana | Part 1

The Story of Ramayana | Part 1

Ramayana is one of the major Hindu epics. In this series I am going to narrate the key parts of this story. For this I am going to take help of the original text by Valmeeki and the abridged English version by C. Rajagopalachari. Stay tuned.
Jun 25, 202317:34
How Tea Travelled From China to Europe to India | Food History Books
Jun 03, 202320:14
Mythological Stories About Tea | The Tea Philosophy Book
Jun 02, 202312:58
The Book of Tea | Okakura Kakuzo | Teaism
Jun 01, 202317:24
From the Memoirs of Rabindranath Tagore | The Himalayas

From the Memoirs of Rabindranath Tagore | The Himalayas

To conclude our theme of Himalayas, I am going to narrate a few passages from Rabindranath Tagore's memoirs where he describes his childhood experience in the Himalayas.
May 25, 202315:34
Swami Vivekananda in Himalayas | Hindu Spirituality

Swami Vivekananda in Himalayas | Hindu Spirituality

Himalayas have always inspired the spiritual seekers of the Indian subcontinent. The mighty, majestic mountains fill you with a feeling of mysticism. This was true in the 19th century as well, when Swami Vivekananda, the famous Indian monk, pursued his spiritual yearnings. In his biography Swami Vivekananda on Himself, the monk recounted his travel experiences. I narrate some passages from this account in today's podcast.
May 24, 202322:40
A Train from Calcutta to Darjeeling | Mark Twain in India

A Train from Calcutta to Darjeeling | Mark Twain in India

The year was 1894. Mark Twain, the great American writer, had gone bankrupt due to some poor investment choices. Therefore, in order to extricate himself from the debt, he undertook a journey through the British Empire, which, back then, meant pretty much the entire world. The route provided a wonderful opportunity for Twain to deliver his lectures and also write a book, which was published in 1897 as Following the Equator: A Journey Round the World. I narrate some of the passages from this book where Mark Twain describes his train journey to Darjeeling.
May 23, 202327:45
A Himalayan Village | Ruskin Bond

A Himalayan Village | Ruskin Bond

In the next few episodes I will share some fascinating writings on the Himalayas. In the first part of this series I narrate a short essay by Ruskin Bond, where he describes his experience of spending a night in a remote Himalayan village.
May 22, 202328:49
Stories from the Quran | Solomon the Wise

Stories from the Quran | Solomon the Wise

Here is another short story from the Quran. Again, this story comes originally from the Hebrew Bible, whereas in the Qur'an you'd find slightly different versions of these stories.
Mar 31, 202302:39
Stories from the Quran | David and Goliath

Stories from the Quran | David and Goliath

In this short episode let me narrate the story of David and Goliath as it is mentioned in the Qur'an.
Mar 30, 202305:41
Stories from the Quran | Prophet Ezra (Uzair)

Stories from the Quran | Prophet Ezra (Uzair)

Continuing the theme of Islam, I am going to narrate a few stories from the Qur'an in the next few days. These stories are taken from Tafsir Ibn Kathir. This book is the most renowned and accepted explanation of the Quran.
Mar 29, 202307:33
Controversial Issues in Islam: Feminism, Apostasy, Ex-Muslims, Sharia.

Controversial Issues in Islam: Feminism, Apostasy, Ex-Muslims, Sharia.

I discuss the controversial issues related to Islam which often divide today's politics. The Muslim world has to grapple with these questions and settle them, if different cultures are going to live in peace and harmony with each other. Let me know your thoughts.
Mar 25, 202320:37
Understanding the Qur'an | Ramadan Series | Islam
Mar 24, 202321:04
Does Islam Teach Peace or Violence? | Ramadan Series

Does Islam Teach Peace or Violence? | Ramadan Series

Is Islam a religion of peace? Or does it preach violence? These are some of the controversial questions that divide today's political discourse in many parts of the world. Let's try to untangle this in our Ramadan special series.
Mar 23, 202320:35
History of Early Islam | Ramadan Series

History of Early Islam | Ramadan Series

Wishing Happy Ramadan to all the Muslims out there. In this series I am going to discuss some of the historical, political and philosophical aspects of Islam. Stay tuned. Don't forget to subscribe.
Mar 22, 202322:57
History of The Gita by Devdutt Pattanaik | Hindu Philosophy

History of The Gita by Devdutt Pattanaik | Hindu Philosophy

In this episode I briefly talk about the history of The Gitas (remember there is not just one, The Bhagavad Gita), and how they have evolved over time.
Mar 16, 202322:54
Indian Religions by Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan

Indian Religions by Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan

Indian religions have a peculiar approach which cannot be understood in a typical western manner. This book by the former Indian president Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan discusses the theological aspects of religions and at the same time guides us to build bridges to connect with each other.

On a different note, this is the 300th episode of this podcast. Thank you so much for your positive response. Keep following!
Mar 14, 202322:04
The Story of Mahabharata - 6 | Indian Mythology

The Story of Mahabharata - 6 | Indian Mythology

Here we are. The last episode of our Mahabharata series is here. Enjoy the war!
Mar 06, 202308:23