Kalathmika Natarajan
Lecturer in Modern South Asian History at the University of Exeter whose research combines diplomatic history and South Asian migration; author of Coolie Migrants, Indian Diplomacy.
Best podcasts with Kalathmika Natarajan
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Nov 2, 2025 • 1h 16min
Kalathmika Natarajan, "Coolie Migrants, Indian Diplomacy: Caste, Class and Indenture Abroad, 1914-67" (Oxford UP, 2026)
Kalathmika Natarajan, a Lecturer in Modern South Asian History at the University of Exeter, explores the stories of 'coolie' migrants and their impact on Indian diplomacy from 1914 to 1967. She reveals how caste, class, and race shaped India’s diplomatic anxieties, particularly regarding the 'coolie stain.' Discussing topics like the Komagata Maru incident and the complexities of quarantine during migration, Natarajan highlights how historical narratives around caste continue to influence modern migration policies and transnational resistance.
Nov 2, 2025 • 1h 16min
Kalathmika Natarajan, "Coolie Migrants, Indian Diplomacy: Caste, Class and Indenture Abroad, 1914-67" (Oxford UP, 2026)
Kalathmika Natarajan, a Lecturer in Modern South Asian History at the University of Exeter, dives into the complex histories of Indian migrant laborers known as 'coolies.' She unpacks how caste, class, and gender shaped their experiences and influenced Indian diplomacy. Key topics include the anxiety surrounding India's reputation, the Komagata Maru incident, and the role of sanitary rhetoric in diplomatic conflicts. Natarajan also explores the construction of the Indian diaspora, international anti-caste activism, and her unique method of using regional archives to tell these vital stories.
