What's your ism?

Nadira Khatun, author of "Postcolonial Bollywood and Muslim Identity," delves into the complex portrayal of Muslims in Hindi cinema. She discusses the nuanced differences between regional representations, revealing the contrast between Tamil's stereotypes and the depth in Malayalam films. Khatun critiques historical narratives, focusing on contemporary shifts in storytelling influenced by social issues. She also touches on the surprising appeal of Pakistani dramas in India, highlighting audience preferences for relatable storytelling over divisive narratives.

In this episode of What's Your ISM?, Sudipto Mondal sits down with Journalist Kalpana Sharma to discuss her trailblazing career in journalism. They explore her early days with Himmat, a small but influential English-language weekly that stood for truth and justice during the post-Emergency era. Kalpana reflects on her work covering Dharavi and amplifying marginalized voices, as well as the evolution of feminism and the role of media in today’s social movements.Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel or listen to this podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 26 of What's Your Ism? Sudipto Mondal speaks with Shailaja Paik, MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner and scholar, to delve into Dalit feminism, caste, and sexuality. They explore ‘Manuski,’ caste intersectionality, and the hidden stories of Dalit women in art like Tamasha. Episode releases tomorrow—stay tuned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest this time is hard to define. President of PUCL Karnataka, law scholar, Constitutional expert, author, one of the country’s pioneering LGBTQ+ activists, co-founder of the Alternative Law Forum and the legatee of a family that laid the first foundation for secular education in Karnataka. Over two decades of human rights work and political organising, he has created his own unique ism combining Gandhi and AmbedkarSudipto Mondal discusses the anti caste legacy of one of Bangalore’s oldest charities, human rights law, the Constitution and the relevance of Gandhi and Ambedkar today with Arvind Narrain in episode 25 of What’s Your Ism.Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel or listen to this podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishika Pardikar, a noted environmental journalist, sheds light on India's climate crisis and the plight of vulnerable communities. She discusses the Modi government's controversial mega projects on Great Nicobar Island and their implications for indigenous tribes. The conversation explores the clash between development plans and cultural preservation. Rishika also critiques recent changes to the Forest Conservation Act and the cycle of carbon trading, emphasizing the urgent need for environmental justice and genuine community involvement in policymaking.

How did the civilian administration in India gain an upper hand over the military? Why did Pakistan and Bangladesh fail to control their generals? Nehru was initially dismissive of the armed forces, why and how did his view evolve? What was Jinnah’s view of the military?Sudipto Mondal discusses the Poles Apart – a newly released book comparing the three major military powers of South Asia – with the author Dr. Aditya Sondhi. The Supreme Court lawyer and former Additional Advocate General of Karnataka also reflects on how civil military relations in India could be further improved in episode 23 of ‘What’s your ism?’ Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel or listen to this podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kiran Jonnalagadda, an anti-Aadhaar activist and founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation, dives into the complexities of living in India without Aadhaar. He discusses the troubling trends of state surveillance and the implications for individual privacy. The conversation touches on the balance between paper and digital records, the challenges posed by data breaches affecting millions, and the evolution of governance amid growing central authority. Kiran raises critical questions about the future of privacy and the responsibility of citizens in a surveillance-heavy society.

What role did eugenics play in the creation of a modern police force in India? What does it take for a Dalit woman to negotiate with the savarna dominated judiciary? What does it mean to be a ‘creamy layer’ Dalit in the most rarefied space in the Indian power structure?Sudipto Mondal discusses the savarna stranglehold on the judiciary and Brahminical policing with Nikita Sonavane, Lawyer and Researcher Nikita Sonavane , founder of Bhopal-based Criminal Justice and Police Accountability Project (CPAP) in Episode 21 of ‘What’s your ism?’ Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel or listen to this podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the ways in which journalism in India is changing? Is Indian democracy safe? How deep is the rot in the country’s anti-corruption agencies and security establishment? Can the Indian army be trusted to stay out of civilian affairs?Sudipto Mondal discusses the state of the nation and the future of journalism with the country’s leading investigative journalist and founder of Confluence Media Josy Joseph in Episode 20 of ‘What’s your ism?’ Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel or listen to this podcast, available on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In what ways is journalism in India changing? Is Indian democracy safe? How deep is the rot in the country’s anti-corruption agencies and security establishments? Can the Indian army be trusted to stay out of civilian affairs?In our latest episode of What’s Your Ism, Sudipto Mondal speaks to Josy Joseph, an  investigative journalist and founder of Confluence Media, about the state of the Indian democracy, central agencies, and the tide of change in journalism.   Watch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.