Sleeping With Words

Madhuri Adwani / Rutika Yeolekar•podcasters.spotify.com

Join Rutika and Madhuri every weekend as they read to each other, the words and narratives that help them stir through the chaos of the mind, land and body. This podcast is an attempt to put together a collection of words for people separated by isolation and lockdown in this pandemic. We hope that as we read to each other, we also be able to read to you about your hearts' longing and yearning. You can write to Rutika on lettersthathug@gmail.com and you can write to Madhuri on adwanimadhuri@gmail.com We are grateful to Bhawna Parmar for designing the logo for our podcast.

Last refreshed: July 3rd, 2025 at 12:51 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Ep. 08: Reading with Anuradha Beniwal and Sarah Blondin

On this very special episode that we recorded after a long time, Madhuri and Rutika take us into the corners of Azaadi (Freedom). Madhuri reads an excerpt from 'Azaadi Mera Brand' by Anuradha Beniwal and redefines Azaadi ka Kona in thoughts and people we encounter. Rutika brings in Azaadi ka Mediatation 'I Would Like To Give You Permission' by Sarah Blondin where words become a gateway to introspect / heal / feel free. This has been the most exciting conversation and we hope you find your bits o...

Aug 22, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Ep. 07 : Reading with Lauren Berlant and Esther Perel

This week, Madhuri and Rutika dive into the unspoken realms of femininity and eroticism. Madhuri reads Lauren Berlant's blog 'For example' which is an ode to a woman who died of practicing feminine values throughout her life and Rutika reads Esther Perel's responses from the podcast 'On Being' by Krista Tippett where desire and togetherness sit along with the idea of being separate from each other. Join them as they speak about their bodies and mind through these words that they carried througho...

Jul 25, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Ep. 06 : Reading with Tishani Doshi and Marie Howe + Anna Akhmatova

In this episode, we talk about to-do lists, adulting and the sound of the cooker in the background before we start reading to each other. As Madhuri reads from an article by Tishani Doshi "That Thing In Your Belly" , the conversation enters into the rituals of grieving, its shapes and sizes that sit with us. Rutika toys around the idea of belonging as she reads a poem by Marie Howe called "Singularity" . When it comes to poems, how can there be one? So there is a surprise poem by Anna Akhmatova ...

Jul 11, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Ep.05 : Reading with Omair Ahmad and Indie Kdz

Madhuri and Rutika start this episode on a lyrical note and then their songs lead them into some fascinating places where storytelling through poetry and prose makes everything come alive. While Madhuri invites you into the world of 'Indie kdz' by Manaswini Dash, Rutika opens the doors to the manor in ' The Storyteller's Tale' by Omair Ahmad. We hope you take away something new and something old from this episode. You can write to Rutika on lettersthathug@gmail.com and you can write to Madhuri o...

Jun 26, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Ep.04 : Reading with Oliver Jeffers and Rebecca Solnit

Rutika and Madhuri are here with another ride on sleeping with words. In this episode, Madhuri reads Oliver Jeffer's 'How to catch a star?' and Rutika reads Rebecca Solnit's 'A field guide to getting lost'. Where one is talking about finding a star, another shares what it is to accept when one is lost. On this 'lost and found' journey, we hope these words bring some sense of comfort. You can write to Rutika on lettersthathug@gmail.com and you can write to Madhuri on adwanimadhuri@gmail.com....

Jun 19, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Ep.03 : Reading with Meera Ganapathi Ayappa and Chimamanda Adichie

" In this episode Madhuri envelopes us into a warm blanket of poems by Meera Ganapathi Ayappa. and Rutika reads us a short story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called 'Zikora'.They discuss the multiplicity of feelings evoked by certain places, foods, relationships and how they affect us. This episode is an ode to all the incredible women out there so join us as we take you through the worlds created by the words of Meera Ganapathi Ayappa and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie! You can write to Rutika on lett...

Jun 12, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Ep.02: Reading Akka MahaDevi and Fady Joudah

On this episode, Madhuri opens the world of Bhakti poetry as she reads Mahadevi Akka's Vachanas and takes us to the world of eroticism practised through devotion. Rutika reads Fady Joudah's poem 'Mimesis' and a dialogue from Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novel 'Gods of Jade and Shadow' where she focuses on that which is often unsaid. What is? Tune in to find out. You can write to Rutika on lettersthathug@gmail.com and you can write to Madhuri on adwanimadhuri@gmail.com.

Jun 05, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Ep.01 : Reading Nina George and Patrick Ness

Welcome to the first episode of 'Sleeping With Words'. In this episode, Madhuri reads from "And The Ocean Was Our Sky" by Patrick Ness and Rutika reads from "The Little Paris Bookshop" by Nina George. Join us as we take you through Bathsheba and Jean Perdu's story : a world of a whale and a literary apothecary. Quite a combination! A playful banter of words at the end is an invitation for all of you to write to us about words that you often use or have come across or those that have stayed with ...

May 29, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Ep. 00 : Introduction to Sleeping With Words

When was the last time someone read to you? When did you sleep in the realm of words knowing at least this will help? Join Rutika and Madhuri every weekend as they read to each other, the words and narratives that help them stir through the chaos of the mind, land and body. This podcast is an attempt to put together a collection of words for people separated by isolation and lockdown in this pandemic. We hope that as we read to each other, we also be able to read to you about your hearts' longin...

May 26, 2021•2 min

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