A Book A Day - A Literary Podcast from India - podcast cover

A Book A Day - A Literary Podcast from India

Kalampedia
My name is Deepak Rana. 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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Episodes

The Kamasutra - Audiobook - Part Three

In today's episode of our Kamasutra series, I narrate the chapter which describes the role and duties of a citizen. Let me know what you think of it. Thank you for listening. Visit www.kalampedia.org for more.

Nov 24, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 364

The Kamasutra - Audiobook - Part Two

In the next chapter of the Kamasutra, the ancient Indian guide to pleasure, we explore the different kinds of arts and games it encourages us to explore. Of course the idea is to seek pleasure in the most balanced and meaningful way. Keep following more about the ancient Indian literature on www.kalampedia.org and do not forget to subscribe. Thank you for listening!

Nov 13, 202418 minSeason 1Ep. 363

The Kama Sutra - Audiobook - Part One

In the next few episodes, I will be narrating and discussing the Kama Sutra. It's an ancient Indian text, written by Vatsyayana, on the art of pleasure. Let's learn more about it. You can also visit www.kalampedia.org and read my recent posts on the subject there. Thank you for listening. Keep following.

Nov 12, 202421 minSeason 1Ep. 362

Kalidasa's Ode to Spring in Ritusamhara

In the concluding episode of our Ritusamhara series, I discuss how Kalidasa narrates the beauty of spring season. You can share your feedback on contactkalampedia@gmail.com. Thank you for listening. Keep following!

Nov 02, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 361

Kalidasa's Winter in Ritusamhara

In the fifth chapter of our Ritusamhara series, we read parts of Kalidasa's poetry where he discusses the chilly and frosty charms of winter. Keep following us on www.kalampedia.org and do not forget to subscribe. Thank you for listening!

Nov 01, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 360

Ritusamhara - Kalidasa on Early Winter

In the fourth part of our Ritusamhara (The Garland of Seasons) series, we read more about the poetic genius of Kalidasa. It is the season of early winter and that's precisely what we discuss in this episode. Feel free to share your thoughts on contactkalampedia@gmail.com and help me improve.

Oct 29, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 359

Kalidasa's Autumn in Ritusamhara

In the third chapter of our Ritusamhara series, I discuss Kalidasa's poetic descriptions of autumn. Let me know your thoughts at contactkalampedia@gmail.com. Thank you for tuning in.

Oct 27, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 358

Kalidasa on Rains and Monsoon - Ritusamhara

In the second episode of this series where I am discussing Kalidasa's Ritusamhara (The Garland of Seasons), I discuss the chapter on rains. You can reach out on contactkalampedia@gmail.com for any feedback, queries etc.

Oct 24, 202415 minSeason 1Ep. 357

Ritusamhara - Kalidasa's Ode to Seasons - Part 1 - Summer

Ritusamhara is Kalidasa's ode to the six major seasons of India. It is an 1500 year old text which still describes India's seasons as wonderfully as it did back then. In this episode, I discuss the first chapter of this book. It is about the summer season. Hope you will like it. Feel free to share your thoughts on contactkalampedia@gmail.com and keep visiting kalampedia.org to support us.

Oct 21, 202414 minSeason 1Ep. 356

Aldous Huxley's Travel Essays

A Book A Day Podcast is back after a long gap. Thank you for keeping your patience. In this episode, I discuss some of the travel essays by Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World and The Doors of Perception. He offers a philosophical perspective on our need to travel and asks some really insightful questions. Let me know what you think of it. You can reach me at contactkalampedia@gmail.com to share your feedback.

Oct 14, 202417 minSeason 1Ep. 355

Mughal History During Akbar and Humayun's Time | Gulbadan by Rumer Godden

In the concluding episode of this 3-part series, I discuss the Mughal Empire during Akbar and Humayun's times as seen through the eyes of Princess Gulbadan. Let me know your thoughts about this book at contactkalampedia@gmail.com and what books we should discuss in future.

May 28, 202421 minSeason 1Ep. 354

Babur in India | Gulbadan by Rumer Godden

In the second part of our book conversation on Gulbadan by Rumer Godden, I narrate the sequence of events when Babur moves to India from Afghanistan. Keep following the podcast to find out the fate of Mughal Empire after Babur's death.

May 21, 202410 minSeason 1Ep. 353

Mughal History and Babur | Gulbadan by Rumer Godden

In this 3-part series, I share a brief history of Mughal emperors and their lives, as seen through the eyes of Princess Gulbadan. I have picked this wonderful biography of Gulbadan by Rumer Godden. Let me know your thoughts on this at contactkalampedia@gmail.com.

May 20, 202422 minSeason 1Ep. 352

A Book on Indian Art | Jamini Roy by Anuradha Ghosh

In this episode, I discuss Anuradha Ghosh's wonderful monograph on Jamini Roy. Jamini Roy was a 20th-century Bengali painter who drew inspiration from Indian folk art and blended it in his art. Let's learn more about his life and works. Feel free to share your thoughts at contactkalampedia@gmail.com.

Apr 23, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 350

Indian Queer Literature | Entering the Maze by Krishnagopal Mullick

In this episode, I take you to the 20th-century Calcutta, where we explore the queer literature of Krishnagopal Mullick amidst the hustle and bustle of the Bengali city. The book, Entering the Maze: Queer Fiction of Krishnagopal Mullick, contains two short stories apart from the novella with the same title. Let's find out more about the book.

Apr 03, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 349

Folk Stories in Andaman's Bo Language | Anvita Abbi

In this episode, I narrate some short and wonderful stories from Anvita Abbi's book Voices from the Lost Horizon. In this book Abbi traces down and chronicles the stories and songs of Bo language of the Andaman islands, which has since gone extinct. Visit kalampedia.org to know more about the book. Keep sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Mar 28, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 348

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, 202415 minSeason 1Ep. 347

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 minSeason 1Ep. 346

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 minSeason 1Ep. 345

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 minSeason 1Ep. 344

Pankaj Mishra in Afghanistan | Travel Book

It's early 2000s. Pankaj Mishra is travelling in Afghanistan and exploring its socio-political challenges. Let's find out what happens there with the help of his book Temptations of the West. Don't forget to share your feedback on contactkalampedia@gmail.com and I will be happy to respond.

Mar 16, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 343

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, 202433 minSeason 1Ep. 342

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, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 341

Homi J Bhabha | A Book by Biman Nath

In today's podcast I discuss about the life of one of the 'Rocket Boys', with the help of Biman Nath's monograph. Homi Bhabha was an Indian nuclear physicist who is often regarded as the father of Indian nuclear programme. Learn about his life and works with this wonderful book. As always, your thoughts and suggestions are welcome at contactkalampedia@gmail.com.

Mar 04, 202417 minSeason 1Ep. 338

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 minSeason 1Ep. 337

RK Narayan's Malgudi Days | Indradeep Bhattacharyya

In this episode I discuss a wonderful monograph written by Indradeep Bhattacharyya on life and works of RK Narayan. Visit www.kalampedia.org to read more about RK Narayan's works. If you have any queries or thoughts to share, please feel free to write at contactkalampedia@gmail.com.

Feb 23, 202415 minSeason 1Ep. 336

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 minSeason 1Ep. 335
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