The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma

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.

Sarbpreet Singh, a historian and storyteller passionate about Sikh identity, shares his journey of rediscovery and cultural exploration. He discusses the deep emotional ties to significant historical places and reflects on childhood experiences in Sikkim that shaped his identity. Sarbpreet elaborates on the intersection of Sikhism and music, exploring how art can bridge generational gaps and cultural heritage. He also addresses the impact of the 1984 riots on collective trauma and the importance of storytelling in preserving Sikh history while advocating for social justice.

Sathya Saran, a veteran journalist and former editor of Femina, shares her journey navigating the complex world of women's empowerment and femininity in India. She delves into the evolution of women's magazines and their impact on societal perceptions, particularly the Miss India competition. Sathya also discusses her experiences in journalism, the art of biography writing, and the importance of storytelling. Through personal anecdotes, she reflects on self-worth, resilience, and the significant role of media in shaping narratives for Indian women.

Manu Pillai, author of 'Gods, Guns and Missionaries', delves into the fascinating evolution of Hinduism and its complex identity formation. He discusses how historical events, including colonial encounters, have intricately shaped Hindu nationalism. The podcast explores the diversity within Hindu beliefs, the impact of reform movements, and the tensions between modernity and tradition. Pillai also addresses the misunderstandings of Hindu practices during colonization and the adaptation of cultural identities amidst changing social dynamics.

Our societies, our norms, our values are all shaped by stories from the past. Devdutt Pattanaik joins Amit Varma in episode 404 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, our society and why we should take mythology seriously. Note: This is Part 2 of a 12-hour episode, being uploaded in two parts now because Spotify and YouTube don't allow uploads over 12 hours. So do listen to Part 1 first -- and if you are on another podcast app, just play the full version if it is there! (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out 1. Devdutt Pattanaik on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Wikipedia, YouTube, Amazon and his own website. 2. Myth = Mithya: Decoding Hindu Mythology -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 3. The Girl Who Chose -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 4. The Boys Who Fought -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 5. Ramayana Versus Mahabharata -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 6. My Gita -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 7. Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 8. Sati Savitri -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 9. Business Sutra -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 10. Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilization -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 11. Olympus -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 12. Eden -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 13. East vs West -- The Myths That Mystify -- Devdutt Pattanaik's 2009 TED Talk. 14. Today My Mother Came Home -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 15. The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee — Episode 276 of The Seen and the Unseen. 16. The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande — Episode 263 of The Seen and the Unseen. 17. Sara Rai Inhales Literature — Episode 255 of The Seen and the Unseen. 18. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 19. Yuganta -- Irawati Karve. 20. Women in Indian History — Episode 144 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ira Mukhoty). 21. The Jewel in the Crown -- BBC TV series. 22. Heat and Dust -- James Ivory. 23. The Sexual Outlaw -- John Rechy. 24. Bombay Dost and Gay Bombay. 25. The Double ‘Thank You’ Moment — John Stossel. 26. The Kama Sutra. 27. Liberty -- Isaiah Berlin. 28. Thought and Choice in Chess -- Adriaan de Groot. 29. The Seven Basic Plots -- Christopher Booker. 30. The Seven Basic Plots -- Episode 69 of Everything is Everything. 31. The Hero with a Thousand Faces -- Joseph Campbell. 32. The Big Questions -- Steven Landsburg. 33. 300 Ramayanas — AK Ramanujan. 33. The egg came before the chicken. 34. The Evolution of Cooperation — Robert Axelrod. 35. The Trees -- Philip Larkin. 36. Who We Are and How We Got Here — David Reich. 37. Early Indians — Tony Joseph. 38. Tony Joseph’s episode on The Seen and the Unseen. 39. A Life in Indian Politics — Episode 149 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jayaprakash Narayan). 40. The BJP Before Modi — Episode 202 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vinay Sitapati). 41. Jugalbandi -- Vinay Sitapati. 42. Perfect Days -- Wim Wenders. 43. The Loneliness of the Indian Woman — Episode 259 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shrayana Bhattacharya). 44. The Loneliness of the Indian Man — Episode 303 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nikhil Taneja). 45. Mary Wollstonecraft and bell hooks. 46. If India Was Five Days Old -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 47. The Road to Freedom — Arthur C Brooks. 48. The Master and His Emissary -- Iain McGilchrist. 49. This Be The Verse — Philip Larkin. 50. Human -- Michael Gazzaniga. 51. The Elephant in the Brain — Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson. 52. The Blank Slate -- Steven Pinker. 53. Amitava Kumar Finds the Breath of Life — Episode 265 of The Seen and the Unseen. 54. Wanderers, Kings, Merchants — Peggy Mohan. 55. Understanding India Through Its Languages — Episode 232 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Peggy Mohan). 56. The Reformers -- Episode 28 of Everything is Everything. 57. The Golden Bough -- James Frazer. 58. Myth And Reality: Studies In The Formation Of Indian Culture -- DD Kosambi. 59. Srimad Bhagavatam -- Kamala Subramaniam. 60. Boris Vallejo on Instagram, Wikipedia and his own website. 61. The Last Temptation Of Christ -- Nikos Kazantzakis. 62. The Last Temptation Of Christ -- Martin Scorcese. 63. Jeff Bezos on The Lex Fridman Podcast.  64. The Poem of the Killing of Meghnad -- Michael Madhusudan Dutt. 65. Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil — Hannah Arendt. 66. The Crown -- Created by Peter Morgan. 67. Profit = Philanthropy — Amit Varma. 68. Imaginary Number — Vijay Seshadri. 69. The Buddha's Footprint -- Johan Elverskog. 70. A Prehistory of Hinduism -- Manu Devadevan. 71. The ‘Early Medieval' Origins of India -- Manu Devadevan. 72. Unmasking Buddhism -- Bernard Faure. 73. The Red Thread -- Bernard Faure. 74. The Power of Denial -- Bernard Faure. 75. The Thousand and One Lives of the Buddha -- Bernard Faure. 76. A Modern Look At Ancient Chinese Theory Of Language -- Chad Hansen. 77. Hermann Kulke, Umakant Mishra and Ganesh Devy on Amazon. 78. The Hours -- Michael Cunningham. 79. The Hours -- Stephen Daldry. 79. Ancestral Dravidian languages in Indus Civilization -- Bahata Ansumali Mukhopadhyay. 80. Myth -- Laurence Coupe. This episode is sponsored by Rang De, a platform that enables individuals to invest in farmers, rural entrepreneurs and artisans. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new course called Life Lessons, which aims to be a launchpad towards learning essential life skills all of you need. For more details, and to sign up, click here. Amit and Ajay also bring out a weekly YouTube show, Everything is Everything. Have you watched it yet? You must! And have you read Amit’s newsletter? Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It’s free! Also check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: ‘Tell’ by Simahina.

In this conversation, Devdutt Pattanaik, an expert in Indian mythology and prolific author, delves into how ancient stories shape modern society. He discusses the significance of mythology in understanding our identities and values, while also exploring societal challenges like credit access for rural entrepreneurs. Pattanaik reflects on personal experiences, the complexities of relationships, and the portrayal of women in history. With insightful critiques, he urges listeners to embrace mythology's rich narratives as a means to navigate contemporary dilemmas.

Devdutt Pattanaik, an acclaimed author on Indian mythology, engages in a captivating discussion about how ancient stories shape modern society. He delves into themes like morality in Indian culture, the complexities of love, and the role of mythology in political narratives. Pattanaik contrasts Eastern and Western perspectives on identity and success, urging listeners to reflect on the deeper meanings behind cultural tales. He also touches on the struggles of wealth and the nuances of storytelling, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming agency in narratives.

Shikha Dalmia, a columnist with a focus on populism and modern authoritarianism, dives deep into the rising tide of populism and its global implications. She discusses the transformation within the Republican Party under Trump, and highlights the parallels between populist movements in India and the U.S. Dalmia emphasizes the erosion of liberal values in today’s political climate, the fragmentation of media narratives, and the urgent need for electoral reform to safeguard democracy. With insights from her own experiences, she sheds light on the challenges of modern identity and journalism.

Ajay Shah, co-founder and CEO of DeepMind and a pioneer in AI, delves into his diverse journey impacting India's development. He shares valuable insights on mastering time for creativity, the impact of personal narratives on identity, and the importance of reflective habits. Shah contrasts his parents' legacies, discusses India's financial evolution post-1991, and advocates for a holistic approach to economics. The conversation also touches on the intersection of individual freedom, governance, and the exciting potential of innovation in shaping a better future.

Sanjana Ramachandran, a marketing professional and writer, and Samarth Bansal, a thinker and essayist, delve into the intricate dynamics of love in contemporary India. They explore the evolving definitions of relationships and the challenges of modern dating shaped by societal expectations. The duo discusses the impact of technology on romantic connections, the significance of self-awareness before seeking love, and the complexities surrounding identity and fulfillment in relationships. With personal anecdotes, they navigate the hurdles of authenticity in romance today.