Jaipur Bytes

From eating Maggi and playing cricket in the 80s, to her mother’s cancer journey, to moving to the UK, chef and author Romy Gill shares the inspirations behind her book ‘Romy Gill’s India’. She discusses how growing up in Bengal as a Punjabi, along with other experiences such as travelling and relocating to the UK, have shaped her culinary experience. Gill’s experiences of being on television and as a chef and food writer make for an engaging and enlightening conversation.  

From thoughts on material possessions to the experiences that brought his iconic lyrics to life, catch the Kailash Kher beyond Saiyaan and Teri Deewani, in the first episode of the official podcast of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, The Jaipur Bytes, hosted by Yuva Ekta Foundation’s founder trustee, Puneeta Roy.

Anjum Hasan’s latest book, ‘History’s Angel’, focuses on a historian named Alif, who navigates life in the multistoried and historical city of Delhi during a time when the study of history is becoming an increasingly conflicted territory. In this episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast, Hasan joins writer and Itihāsology's founder, Eric Chopra, to discuss the nuances of her latest novel, the inspirations behind her previous works, her anxieties around the erasure of the past, and the ways in which she continues to reinvent herself as a writer.

In this Jaipur Bytes episode, Bhutanese actor, model, and author Kelly Dorji reflects on his trailblazing career as a model and offers insights into the evolving standards of beauty and the fashion industry's demands. In conversation with RJ Sarthak Kaushik, he speaks about his experiences of walking iconic ramps and working with some of the best names in the industry. He shares his thoughts on the rise of influencer culture and speaks of legendary designers like Shahab Durazi, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, and more. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, Dorji shines a light on how the inner workings of the fashion and film industries in India have transformed over the years, offering a rare glimpse into a world that has shaped Indian pop culture.

Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy brings numbers to life in this fascinating episode of Jaipur Bytes. In conversation with RJ Sarthak, Sautoy talks about being an Ambassador of Mathematics, the magic of imaginary numbers, the unexpected connections between maths and music, and the inspiring stories woven into the history of mathematics. An episode that offers a fresh and engaging take on how numbers shape our world.

How were Indian princes dethroned? Was Jaipur’s Royalty India’s answer to the Crown? What is so fascinating and puzzling about Indian magic? How does one write the shortest history of India? The ever-curious and inspiring chronicler of India’s diverse pasts, John Zubrzycki, joins Eric Chopra in this episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast to discuss all of these interesting questions & much more!

Kanan Gill, celebrated for his inimitable wit, joins host Sarthak Kaushik to discuss his soft sci-fi debut novel, Acts of God. He speaks about his more than a decade-long journey in the entertainment industry, the knock-knock jokes that earned him a Genius Visa, and the nuances that differentiate—and connect—being a writer and a performer.

The iconic classicist Mary Beard, who has written a range of books spanning diverse historical themes — from the emperors of Rome, women & power, love & laughter in our ancient worlds, and more — joins Itihāsology’s founder Eric Chopra and music programmer & broadcaster-podcaster Sarthak Kaushik in an episode of the Jaipur Bytes podcast and shares how ancient Egyptian cake led her to falling in love with history; how David Beckham’s tattoos aided her in teaching students about the complexity yet everydayness of Roman Numerals; about her experiences as an academic with an authority on Ancient Rome and simultaneously a highly accessible TV and radio presenter; and what she thinks about those who attempt at being gatekeepers of history.

In this gripping episode of the Jaipur Bytes Podcast, Paul Lynch speaks to Sarthak Kaushik about the whirlwind journey of winning the Booker Prize in 2023 for his dystopian masterpiece, 'Prophet Song.' He reveals the shifts in his life after winning the coveted prize, speaks of the hidden corners of the world and the literary legends who ignite his creativity, and contemplates the evolving landscape of fiction. 

What goes into the art of curation? What is the idea of the ‘museum’ in popular culture? What has MET Gala's 'First Monday of May’s’ impact been on the world of art? What is the story behind Raphael’s ‘Madonna of the Pinks?’ If you are curious to hear about all of this and more then do not miss out on this episode of Jaipur Bytes in which art historian Luke Syson is in conversation with Eric Chopra.