Brown History Podcast

The ticking clock on Afghan refugees in Pakistan takes center stage, highlighting the heartbreaking decision to expel 1.7 million individuals who have called the country home. Personal stories of students saying goodbye in tearful hugs add a poignant touch. Insightful discussions reveal the often-overlooked contributions of Afghan migrants in urban areas, while the precarious balance of identity and belonging is explored. The ethical complexities of deportation and urgent humanitarian needs are underscored, reflecting a deep understanding of their humanity amid political strife.

We sit with Indian-American musician, music producer, and songwriter Sid Sriram, who is currently one of the most popular playback singers in India and has recently released his English-language studio album, 'Sidharth'. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

In this insightful discussion, Sonja Thomas, author of 'Privileged Minorities: Syrian Christianity, Gender, and Minority Rights in Postcolonial India,' explores the unique landscape of Syrian Christians in Kerala. She reveals how this group, despite being a minority, holds caste and class privilege. The conversation covers the intricate relationship between caste dynamics and Christian identity, the impact of colonial history, and the ongoing challenges faced by subordinated communities. Additionally, Sonja emphasizes the importance of addressing caste privilege within activism and education.

Explore the long-standing persecution and violence faced by the Rohingya community, their identity complexity, and inhumane conditions in refugee camps. Learn about Aung San Suki's rise to power, her transformation from hope to villain, and the failure of assistance and support from governments and organizations. Discover the emotionally challenging book that highlights the struggles of the Rohingya and criticizes the international system's failure to assist them.

Asha Puthli is a living legend. A musical pioneer, fashion icon, Studio 54 star, feminist, actor, environmentalist, and friends with everyone from Andy Warhol to Mikhail Gorbachev. She is cited by the New York Times as having been an inspiration to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder. As an actor she's worked with greats that include Merchant Ivory, Louise Malle, and the Italian Director Bruno Corbucci. And she continues to stay as relevant as ever. A remix of her immensely influential 1975 track Space Talk was recently released on the music label @naya.beat and she is about to record her 11th studio album this summer. A Hollywood documentary about her life is also in the works. On today's episode, writer-director-producer @deeptidatt who has been documenting @ashaputhli in her expansive, multimedia, installation project #interstellarIconoclasts, sits down with the legendary artist to conduct a rare and incredibly far-ranging interview exploring Asha's music, life, career and inspirations. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

When we think of Goa, we usually think of beach parties, vacation, or that movie Dil Chahta Hai, but Goa was once the headquarters of the Portuguese empire in the East for 450 years. They were the first colonial powers in the subcontinent and the last ones to leave. The Portuguese brought a different face of Christianity and they used it to impose their rule over Goa. They planned for Goa to be the "Rome" of the East, and that involved violence, torture, and erasure. We sit with Ângela Barreto Xavier, author of 'Religion and Empire in Portuguese India' and discuss the transformation of Goa during the first couple of centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. Get the book: https://amzn.to/43fvGpf Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

In 2006, just after Hurrincan Katrina, hundreds of Indian workers were lured to the United States with false promises of a green card and forced to work under grueling working conditions at a shipyard in Mississippi. It would become one of the largest human trafficking schemes in U.S. history. When one of those workers called labor organizer Saket Soni for help, it set off an epic chain of events that led him to engineering their escape from the work camp and set them off on a path to citizenship. We sit with Saket Soni, author of 'The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America' as he recounts their heroic journey for justice.  Get the book: https://amzn.to/42Svz2B Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

We sit with award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, known for his roles in films like Satya, Gangs of Wasseypur, Aligarh, and the most recent, Gulmohar, as well as leading the running hit series, The Family Man. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

We sit with Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, creator of the hit Netflix series 'Indian Matchmaking' and the four part docu-series 'The Romantics.' Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

We sit with 6 time Emmy-nominated film and television composer, Siddhartha Khosla, lead singer of critically acclaimed band, Goldspot, and the man behind musical scores of hit shows like This Is Us and Only Murders in the Building, and his most recent film, Gulmohar.  Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768