Exploring the Cultural Significance of Mangoes in India

Summer in India brings with it the irresistible charm of mangoes, and the predictable flood of mango themed stories. These usually blend nostalgia, tales of nawabi indulgence, exotic varieties, and the timeless Alphonso-versus-the-rest debate. But journalist Sopan Joshi, in his book Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango, peels back that sugary surface to explore the mango’s deeper story—its fossil records, its genetics, its place in ecology, our culture, and the pressures of modern agriculture. 

So, as the mango season nears its end, host Sandip Roy speaks to Joshi to discuss the real state of the mango today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar