The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma

Ep 408: Amitava Kumar Finds His Gulmohar Tree

35 snips

Jan 6, 2025

Amitava Kumar, a celebrated writer and professor, returns to share insights from his trilogy. He reflects on the cyclical nature of life through trees and the impact of mortality on identity. Kumar discusses the evolution of language, the importance of curiosity, and the enriching connections made on travels. He also explores the significance of journaling in self-expression and the complexities of familial ties. Plus, he tackles societal divisions in India and the nuanced responsibilities of writers in addressing controversial topics.

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ANECDOTE

Hitchcock's Suspense

Amitava Kumar recounts Alfred Hitchcock's strategy for holding an audience's attention.
Hitchcock would abruptly end his stories mid-sentence, leaving listeners in suspense.

INSIGHT

Leaf and Tree

Amit Varma reflects on D.H. Lawrence's analogy of a leaf falling from a tree.
He questions the narratives we create about our origins and the possibility of disconnection.

ANECDOTE

Art and Mortality

Amitava Kumar describes making an art object inspired by D.H. Lawrence's quote about a falling leaf.
He connects the quote to mortality and the search for resurgence and recovery.

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Husband of a fanatic

Amitava Kumar

From Phansi Yard: My Year with the Women of Yerawada

Sudha Bharadwaj

The Wisden Book of Test Cricket, 1877-1977

Bill Frindall

The Green Book: An Observer's Notebook

A Traveller's Diary

Amitava Kumar

Area of Darkness

V. S. Naipaul

Ill Nature

Joy Williams

Hermit in Paris

Italo Calvino

All About H Hatterr

G.V. Desani

A Suitable Boy

Vikram Seth

India Is Broken

Ashoka Mody

Kanthapura

Raja Rao.

A Million Mutinies Now

V.S. Naipaul

Burdock

Janet Malcolm

The Yellow Book: A Traveller’s Diary

Amitava Kumar

The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

null

Ludwig Wittgenstein

The blue book

A L Kennedy

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Timur Kuran

In *Private Truths, Public Lies*, Timur Kuran argues that preference falsification—the act of misrepresenting one's wants under perceived social pressures—is ubiquitous and has profound social and political consequences. Drawing on diverse intellectual traditions, Kuran provides a unified theory of how preference falsification shapes collective decisions, orients structural change, sustains social stability, distorts human knowledge, and conceals political possibilities. The book explores various social phenomena, including the fall of communism, the caste system in India, and affirmative action in the United States, highlighting how minor events can trigger massive and unanticipated changes when public support for a policy or regime is largely contrived[1][3][4].

Secondhand Time

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Svetlana Alexiévich

In 'Secondhand Time', Svetlana Alexievich brings together dozens of voices to create a mosaic of testimonies about the decline of the USSR. The book charts the period from 1991 to 2012, covering the Yeltsin and Putin decades, and explores the collective trauma and nostalgia of people who found themselves in a world suddenly alien to them. It delves into themes of suffering, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the Soviet era, presenting a human-centered perspective on historical events without analysis or personal commentary[3][5].

The Heat Will Kill You First

Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

Jeff Goodell

In this book, Jeff Goodell examines the catastrophic impacts of heat waves resulting from global warming. He discusses significant events such as the 2003 European heat wave and the 2021 Western North American heat wave, highlighting the dire consequences on human health, urban infrastructure, and ecosystems. The book also delves into the role of air conditioning in exacerbating the problem and features personal stories of individuals affected by extreme heat. Goodell combines scientific insights with on-the-ground reporting to illustrate the profound threat posed by extreme heat in a rapidly warming world.

The artist's way

a spiritual path to higher creativity

Ada Arbós Bo

Julia Cameron

This book presents a comprehensive method for artists to recover their creativity from various blocks such as limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, and other inhibiting forces. It is designed to help individuals discover and develop their artistic potential, whether as writers, painters, poets, or musicians. The book emphasizes the connection between creativity and spirituality, providing step-by-step exercises to nurture creative expression as a consistent part of daily life.

Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India

Akshaya Mukul

Being Mortal

Atul Gawande

In *Being Mortal*, Atul Gawande explores the limitations and failures of modern medicine in dealing with aging and death. Through personal stories, case studies, and research, Gawande argues that the medical profession often prioritizes prolonging life over improving its quality. He highlights the need for greater communication and planning around end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, dignity, and individual preferences. The book encourages readers to rethink their approach to aging and dying, focusing on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling until the very end.

Fire Weather

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