Books and Beyond with Bound

What is it like burning bodies amidst raging fires every day? Who are the corpse-burners and the owners of the “sacred fire”?In this episode, Tara speaks to Radhika Iyengar, author of “Fire On The Ganges: Life Among The Dead In Banaras”, as she provides us insight into the Doms’ lives- the community tasked with handling the last rites of the dead. Researched and compiled from her interactions and interviews with the community, Radhika’s book explores the individual stories of struggles and success within the Dom community.Join us in conversation with Tara and Radhika as they talk about the everyday lives of the Doms, how their work affects them, and how some of them are defying all odds to build a life for themselves. Produced by Aishwarya Javalgekar‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we will shine a spotlight on two compelling contemporary voices each month, individuals who are reshaping the landscape of Indian literature. In this special episode of Books & Beyond, Tara and Michelle converse with Aditi Kumar and Shivalik Bakshi as they take us on a tour of the Indian Army and give us an insider’s view of defence families.Exploring the heartbreaking story of the forgotten men of the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the relentless search to get them back home, Shivalik Bakshi brings us the story of his own uncle, Capt Kamal Bakshi who was declared ‘Missing-Believed Killed’ after the Battle of Chamb, in his book “Nowhere Man”. Aditi Kumar’s novel “Operation Payback” is the story of a Veer Nari who decides to join the Indian Army to honour her husband’s legacy, and delivers an audacious plan of action to deliver much-deserved payback not just for herself but for the entire nation. Tune in to hear heartfelt and never-before-heard stories about individuals who serve in the armed forces!Produced by Aishwarya Javalgekar‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Does history give you goosebumps? Specifically, history that explores the minds of kings and uncovers hidden stories of little-known queens?In this episode, Tara and Michelle venture into the ancient palaces of South India as they converse with Anirudh Kanisetti, author of “Lords of the Deccan: Southern Indian from the Chalukyas to the Cholas”. They discuss how a majority of Deccan history got left out and why it mattered enough to make him dive into translations of literature and inscriptions from 600-1100 CE, how he made friends through memes, and why making history accessible was important to him. Tune in to hear Anirudh Kanisetti talk about his fascination for Deccan history, and examine the politics of the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Cholas up close! Produced by Aishwarya Javalgekar‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

How do you create a family drama embroiled in suspense?  In this episode, Tara and Michelle uncover the nuances of writing a thriller with Vivek Shanbhag. We delve into how he navigates the minefield of family life as well as the intricate realm between truth and perception amidst India's evolving social and political landscape.  Tune in to hear them unpack Vivek Shanbhag’s writing process, his books, Kannada literature, translations into English, the politics of translations, and how pop culture helped him learn a language.Authors mentioned:Asghar FarhadiDamodar MauzoArunava SinhaItalo CalvinoProduced by Aishwarya Javalgekar‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

What ugly truths lie behind the carefully curated social circles in Dhaka’s high society? In this episode, Tara and Michelle converse with Nadeem Zaman, author of “The Inheritors”, as he talks about privilege, parties, and politics in Dhaka. In a delightful mix of satire and social commentary, his book explores Nisar’s eye-opening journey back to his hometown as he uncovers secrets and revisits his childhood “home”. Tune in to hear Nadeem Zaman talk about what it’s like to party with the elite in modern-day Dhaka, the class disparity he witnessed growing up, why his book has not been published in the US, and his upcoming work of fiction.Authors mentioned in this episode:Mira SethiJhumpa LahiriTaslima NasreenSharbari Zohra AhmedBooks mentioned in this episode:Citizen By Descent- Kritika AryaThe Great Gatsby- F. Scott FitzgeraldIndependence- Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniDestination Wedding- Diksha BasuEquations- Shivani SibalCrazy Rich Asians- Kevin KwanPineapple Street- Jenny JacksonTruth or Dare: And Other Stories- Nadia Kabir BarbProduced by Aishwarya JavalgekarSound edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

What does it take for a national hero to be deemed a deadly criminal?Join your host Michelle, as she dives into conversation with Hussain Zaidi, author of “R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima”, as he talks about covering the story of Lucky Bisht, who was convicted for the alleged murder of two notorious criminals. In his book, he uncovers how a 16-year-old ended up being “a fantabulous killing machine”. In this episode, you’ll hear how Hussain Zaidi accidentally hurtled headfirst into crime journalism and how he escaped getting shot in Iraq by bonding over Bollywood and Amitabh Bachchan.Tune in to hear more stories about his growth as a crime journalist, how he convinced Lucky Bisht to tell his story, and the trouble he faced getting it published.Authors  mentioned in this episode:Vikram ChandraNeeraj KumarBooks and series mentioned in this episode:Dongri to Dubai- Hussain ZaidiThe Lincoln Lawyer (Series)Bambai Meri Jaan- Dir. Shujaat SaudagarProduced by Aishwarya JavalgekarSound edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Is our worth as women determined by our ability to make rotis? In this episode, we delve into the nuances of writing mainstream feminist poetry in India!Join Tara and Michelle as they talk to Mehak Goyal about her book “Failure to Make Round Rotis: Poems on Rebellion, Resilience and Relationships”, about her inspiration, her writing process, and her publishing journey. How did she go from a start-up founder to a published poet? How did she decide what to write? How did she translate her personal experience into poems? And more importantly, how did a mainstream publishing house pick up a poetry book?Tune in to find out!Authors and Poets mentioned:John KeatsJeet ThayilRanjit HoskoteChitra Banerjee DivakaruniFatimah AsgharArundhathi SubramaniamChimamanda Ngozi AdichieBooks mentioned:Infidel by Ayaan AliProduced by Aishwarya JavalgekarSound edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

What would you do if you discovered your favourite sport, which is almost a religion in this country, is rife with corruption? Join your hosts Tara and Michelle as they unravel the shocking story of corruption in cricket with one of India's most well-respected police officers and a former BCCI anti-corruption chief.In this episode, you'll hear from Neeraj Kumar as he tells us how he uncovered the alarming truth behind the administration that runs various cricket tournaments, including the IPL, and the impact it has on our country’s sportsmen. This is a podcast episode you don't want to miss. It will inspire you, anger you, and make you think. Tune in now and find out why "A Cop in Cricket" is a book you have to read, especially if you love cricket.Books and authors mentioned in this episode: Byculla to Bangkok - S. Hussain ZaidiNine Lives - William DalrympleMemoirs of A Maverick: The First Fifty Years (1941–1991) - Mani Shankar Aiyar Vengeance - George JonasConfessions of a Thug - Philip Meadows TaylorP. G. WodehouseProduced by Aishwarya JawalgekarSound edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Imagine discovering surprisingly progressive stories from the 19th century, all written by your grandmother!In this episode, we'll introduce you to Ranjana Kaul and her passionate endeavour to do justice to her grandmother's legacy — a trailblazing woman, who not only wrote but also fervently fought for women's rights. Join your host, Michelle, as she delves deep into the captivating accounts of how Ranjana serendipitously unearthed the stories and accounts of her grandmother. Laxmibai Abhyankar wrote short stories in Marathi, and Kaul, her granddaughter, painstakingly translated and moulded her work into an English collection called "Stepmother and Other Stories".The collection highlights archaic customs and regressive beliefs, such as the mistreatment of widows and the denial of education to women.Produced by Aishwarya JawalgekarSound Edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

How would you react if you found out that your employer was poisoning you and your community with a deadly substance?Join your hosts Tara and Michelle as they unravel the astonishing story of "Heavy Metal: How a Global Corporation Poisoned Kodaikanal" by journalist Ameer Shahul. Prepare to be drawn into a world of courage, corporate recklessness, and the battle for justice.In this episode, you'll hear from Ameer Shahul himself how he uncovered the horrifying facts about the mercury contamination, how he joined forces with Greenpeace and the local workers to launch a campaign against the company, and the challenges he faced to publish his book.This is a podcast episode you don't want to miss. It will inspire you, anger you, and make you think. Tune in now and find out why "Heavy Metal: How a Global Corporation Poisoned Kodaikanal" is more than just a book - it's a movement.Tune in to the riveting world of corporate accountability and environmental justice.Movies & Shows mentioned in this episode : Chernobyl – Dir. Johan RenckQala Dir – Anvita Dutt GuptanErin Brokovich – Dir. Steven Soderbergh Minamata – Dir. Andrew LevitasProduced by Aishwarya JawalgekarSound edit by Kshitij Jadhav‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.