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The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma
Ep 364: Amitava Kumar Finds His Kashmiri Rain
Jan 15, 2024
03:10:06
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Quick takeaways
- Journaling allows us to shape ourselves through writing and capture the details of our days.
- Hindi film music has a communal power to bring people together in celebration.
- The normalization of Islamophobia and extreme polarization in society highlights the need for critical reflection and exploration of these issues.
- Spending time in India has heightened the writer's awareness of cultural changes and societal norms.
- Authenticity and intentionality are key elements for success in podcasting.
Deep dives
The Significance of Journaling and Recording Memories
Journaling allows us to learn more about the world and ourselves, shaping ourselves through our writing. It is a way to stop time and capture details of our days, preventing them from becoming a blur. By observing the surface of things and summarizing the insight, we can convey the story behind the situation. The story can reflect our longing for home, our experiences of failure, or our connection to music and songs that hold deep meanings for us. Hindi film music, in particular, has a communal power that brings people together in celebration. However, the communal aspect of music and art can also be perverted or distorted, as evidenced by certain instances in society. In recent years, a noticeable normalization of Islamophobia and extreme polarization have been observed in society, highlighting the need for critical reflection and exploration of these issues.
The Impact of Visiting India and Experiencing Cultural Changes
Spending time in India over the past few years has heightened the writer's awareness of cultural changes and societal norms. Journaling and intensified observation have allowed for a deeper understanding of India's complexities and transformations. The normalization of Islamophobia and the extreme polarization in society have been particularly striking. The writer has keenly observed the ease with which Islamophobic remarks are casually made in ordinary conversations, highlighting the normalization of discriminatory attitudes. The impact of these cultural changes and societal divisions have sparked critical self-reflection and the need for artistic exploration to shed light on these issues and challenge prevailing narratives.
Significance of Music in Evoking Emotions and Memories
The power of music, particularly Hindi film songs, holds great meaning for the writer. These songs are communal and evoke strong emotions and memories. They provide a connection to feelings of home and nostalgia. The writer describes the joy of listening to distinctly Indian songs that celebrate life, freedom, love, and happiness. The ability to evoke memories through music is highlighted as a deeply personal and emotional experience. These songs serve as a cultural thread, connecting individuals to their shared past and shared joy.
Observations of Normalized Islamophobia and its Impact on Society
One of the prominent observations made by the writer is the normalization of Islamophobia in everyday conversations, which has had a profound impact. The ease with which people make anti-Muslim remarks or engage in discriminatory conversations has become prevalent. This normalization is viewed as a distortion of communal and social connections present in Hindi film music and artistic expressions. It has encouraged the writer to examine these divisions closely and to create art that challenges discrimination and perceives diversity as a strength.
Approach to Conversation
My approach to conversations is to create a natural flow and balance between the scaffoldings of a person's life story, their work, and the ideas and themes I want to explore. I let the conversation unfold organically, allowing for digressions and following the flow of the conversation. I never interrupt and listen to the guests deeply, creating a space of trust and openness for them to share their thoughts and insights.
Unlocking Questions
I ask unlocking questions that allow the guests to reflect on their experiences and perspectives. These questions explore their thick and thin desires, diving into their motivations, values, and deeper aspirations. By asking these questions, I aim to elicit meaningful and introspective responses that reveal different facets of their lives and perspectives.
Priming and Audience Engagement
While I don't intentionally prime the audience in a particular way, I strive to engage them by providing a safe space for open and honest conversation. My goal is to create a sense of trust and authenticity that encourages the guests to share their thoughts and experiences in a meaningful way. By actively listening and allowing the conversation to flow naturally, I aim to create engaging and thought-provoking episodes for the audience to enjoy and reflect upon.
Podcasting as an Intimate Medium
Podcasting is considered the most intimate medium due to its close and personal nature. Unlike movies or television, where there is a distance between the audience and the actors, podcasting brings the voice of the speaker directly into the listener's head. This creates a unique sense of intimacy, akin to having a conversation with a close friend.
The Difference between Podcasting and Radio
Podcasting sets itself apart from radio by offering a more focused and niche approach. While radio stations often cater to a broad audience and the lowest common denominator, podcasts can target specific interests and provide a more tailored listening experience. Podcasts give the opportunity for unfiltered and intimate conversations, fostering a connection between the host and the listener.
Authenticity and Intentionality in Podcasting
In podcasting, authenticity and intentionality are key elements for success. Podcasters strive to be true to themselves and present their genuine interests and curiosity to the audience. By engaging in honest and open conversations, podcasters build a relationship with their listeners, creating a sense of familiarity and trust. Collaboration and meaningful interactions become the foundation of podcasting, allowing for the exploration of diverse perspectives and the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Writing helps you find yourself, and shape yourself. Nothing illustrates this better than the life & work of our guest today. Amitava Kumar joins Amit Varma in episode 364 of The Seen and the Unseen to continue his journaling in the form of this conversation. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Amitava Kumar on Instagram, Substack, Twitter, Amazon, Vassar and his own website.. 2. The Yellow Book: A Traveller's Diary -- Amitava Kumar. 3. The Blue Book: A Writer’s Journal — Amitava Kumar.. 4. Amitava Kumar Finds the Breath of Life -- Episode 265 of The Seen and the Unseen. 5. Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh. 6. The White Lioness -- Henning Mankell. 7. The Snow in Ghana -- Ryszard Kapuściński. 8. Ram Guha Reflects on His Life -- Episode 266 of The Seen and the Unseen. 9. Danish Husain and the Multiverse of Culture — Episode 359 of The Seen and the Unseen. 10. Aadha Gaon — Rahi Masoom Raza. 11. From Cairo to Delhi With Max Rodenbeck — Episode 281 of The Seen and the Unseen. 12. By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept -- Elizabeth Smart. 13. Open City -- Teju Cole. 14. Intimacies -- Katie Kitamura. 15. Bradford -- Hanif Kureishi. 16. Maximum City -- Suketu Mehta. 17. The Lonely Londoners -- Sam Selvon. 18. Luke Burgis Sees the Deer at His Window — Episode 337 of The Seen and the Unseen. 19. The Bear Came Over the Mountain -- Alice Munro. 20. The Artist's Way -- Julia Cameron. 21. Vinod Kumar Shukla on Wikipedia and Amazon. 22. Waiting for the Barbarians -- JM Coetzee. 23. Paris, Texas -- Wim Wenders. 24. Janet Malcolm, Susan Sontag and Joan Didion on Amazon. 25. Iphigenia in Forest Hills -- Janet Malcolm. 26. Butter Chicken in Ludhiana -- Pankaj Mishra. 27. Hermit in Paris -- Italo Calvino. 28. In the Waiting Room -- Elizabeth Bishop. 29. Abandon the Old in Tokyo -- Yoshihiro Tatsumi. 30 The Push Man and Other Stories -- Yoshihiro Tatsumi. 31. Why I Write -- George Orwell. 32. Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahaan Mein Kho Gaye -- Lata Mangeshkar song from Sazaa. 33. Monsoon Wedding -- Directed by Mira Nair, written by Sabrina Dhawan. 34. Ranjish Hi Sahi -- Mehdi Hassan. 35. Ranjish Hi Sahi -- Ali Sethi. 36. Saaranga Teri Yaad Mein -- Mukesh song from Saranga. 37. Mohabbat Kar Lo Jee Bhar Lo -- Song from Aar Paar. 38. Mera Dil Ye Pukare, Aaja -- Lata Mangeshkar song from Nagin. 39. Ranjit Hoskote is Dancing in Chains -- Episode 363 of The Seen and the Unseen. 40. H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars -- Kunal Purohit. 41. Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche -- Haruki Murakami. 42. UP Girl Challenges CM Yogi To Arrest Her Over Oxygen Shortage -- Mojo Story. 43. Too Many Hurried Goodbyes -- Amitava Kumar. 44. Ways of Seeing -- John Berger. 45. Wheatfield with Crows -- Vincent van Gogh. 46. The Wind -- Warren Zevon. 47. El Amor de Mi Vida -- Warren Zevon. 48. The Hunter Becomes the Hunted -- Episode 200 of The Seen and the Unseen. 49. My Friend Sancho -- Amit Varma. 50. Range Rover — The archives of Amit Varma’s column on poker for The Economic Times. 51. Why I Loved and Left Poker -- Amit Varma. 52. That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen — Frédéric Bastiat. 53. The Bastiat Prize. 54. Kashmir and Article 370 — Episode 134 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Srinath Raghavan). 55. Fixing Indian Education — Episode 185 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Karthik Muralidharan). 56. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 57. The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto — Episode 314 of The Seen and the Unseen. 58. The Life and Times of KP Krishnan — Episode 355 of The Seen and the Unseen. 59. A Meditation on Form -- Amit Varma. 60. Why Are My Episodes so Long? -- Amit Varma. 61. Listen, The Internet Has SPACE -- Amit Varma. 62. If You Are a Creator, This Is Your Time -- Amit Varma. 63. Thinking, Fast and Slow -- Daniel Kahneman. 64. The Blank Slate -- Steven Pinker. 65. Human -- Michael Gazzaniga. 66. The Undoing Project -- Michael Lewis. 67. The podcasts of Russ Roberts, Sam Harris and Tyler Cowen. 68. Roam Research: A note-taking too for networked thought. 69. The Greatest Productivity Mantra: Kaator Re Bhaaji! -- Episode 11 of Everything is Everything. 70. Natasha Badhwar Lives the Examined Life -- Episode 301 of The Seen and the Unseen. 71. The Life and Times of Nilanjana Roy -- Episode 284 of The Seen and the Unseen. 72. Luke Burgis Sees the Deer at His Window -- Episode 337 of The Seen and the Unseen. 73. Wanting — Luke Burgis. 74. René Girard on Amazon and Wikipedia. 75. The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande — Episode 263 of The Seen and the Unseen. 76. Pandemonium in India’s Banks — Episode 212 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Tamal Bandyopadhyay). 77. The Life and Times of Abhinandan Sekhri — Episode 254 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Abhinandan Sekhri). 78. Chandrahas Choudhury’s Country of Literature — Episode 288 of The Seen and the Unseen. 79. Crossing Over With Deepak Shenoy — Episode 271 of The Seen and the Unseen. 80. The Importance of the 1991 Reforms — Episode 237 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shruti Rajagopalan and Ajay Shah). 81. The Reformers -- Episode 28 of Everything is Everything. 82. Brave New World -- Hosted by Vasant Dhar. 83. Among the Believers -- VS Naipaul. 84. Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle ka Naata Koi -- Soham Chatterjee sings for his dying mother. 85. Eric Weinstein Won’t Toe the Line — Episode 330 of The Seen and the Unseen. 86. Aakash Singh Rathore, the Ironman Philosopher -- Episode 340 of The Seen and the Unseen. 87. Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil -- Hannah Arendt. 88. The Better Angels of Our Nature -- Steven Pinker. 89. Particulate Matter -- Amitava Kumar. 90. A Seventh Man -- John Berger. 91. Khushwant Singh and Ved Mehta on Amazon. 92. Disgrace -- JM Coetzee. 93. Elizabeth Costello -- JM Coetzee. 94. Penelope Fitzgerald, VS Naipaul and Ashis Nandy on Amazon. 95. A House for Mr Biswas -- VS Naipaul. 96. Sabbath's Theater -- Philip Roth. 97. Finding the Centre -- VS Naipaul. 98. Dinesh Thakur, not Dinesh Thakur. 99. Rajnigandha -- Basu Chatterjee. 100. Rules of Writing -- Amitava Kumar. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new video podcast. Check out Everything is Everything on YouTube. Check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. And subscribe to The India Uncut Newsletter. It’s free! Episode art: ‘The Storm Is Inside Me’ by Simahina.
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