Jaipur Bytes

David Abulafia in conversation with William Dalrymple. Oceans and seas across the world have played a pivotal role in the development of world history. They stand not just as a testament to political and economic change but also play an integral role in the spread of ideas and religion across the planet. They have recently found themselves under scrutiny as major drivers of change in human affairs and as the subject of a major wave of exciting and path-breaking historical scholarship. One of the leading figures of this new wave is emeritus Cambridge don David Abulafia. He is the Wolfson Prize-winning author of books such as The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans, and The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean, among others. In conversation with historian and Festival Co-Director William Dalrymple, Abulafia offers a fresh perspective on the extraordinary narrative of humanity and its relationship with the sea. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Hussain Zaidi and Vikram Chandra in conversation with Jenny Bhatt. Introducing us to the inner world of noir, celebrated authors Vikram Chandra and Hussain Zaidi embark on a journey around the various aspects of the genre, the craft and techniques of building plot and character, and developing narrative styles. Chandra is the bestselling author of books such as Sacred Games, Red Earth and Pouring Rain, and Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty. Zaidi’s work includes The Endgame, The Class of 83, and Mumbai Avengers, to name a few. In conversation with writer and literary critic Jenny Bhatt, they present a masterclass on fiction and the dark side. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Taking us on a journey through his layered and multifaceted literary process, Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel talks about the liberating power of the written word. Martel is the bestselling author of books such as Beatrice and Virgil and Life of Pi. In a conversation with writer and author Diksha Basu, Martel explores the inspirations and essence of his work, and talks about his journey as a writer. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Bee Rowlatt, Edward Chancellor, Nick Robins, Swapan Dasgupta, William Dalrymple and Zareer Masani discuss the age of iconoclasm with Mukulika Banerjee in the closing debate of #JLFLondonAtBL2020 Britain is full of statues of men once regarded as imperial heroes, many of whom are responsible for acts of loot and pillage that would now be classified as war crimes. This house believes the time has now come to remove them to a museum of colonialism. The JLF closing debate is a much-loved session that always sets pulses racing – watch out for the drummer… This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

What are the responsibilities of the writer, to themselves, to their readers, to the narratives they share? Bestselling writers Amish, Vikas Swarup and Shrabani Basu speak to one another on their commitment and belief in words and of the dharma of the storyteller. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

Writer, politician and public intellectual Shashi Tharoor is the award-winning author of over 20 books of fiction and non-fiction. His predilection for long words has also created a sub- genre of #Tharoorisms. On #JLFLondonAtBL2020, Tharoor speaks with author & journalist James Crabtree of his latest book ‘Tharoorosaurus’ and shares some whimsical anecdotes behind his vocabulary. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

Award-winning foreign correspondent Christina Lamb has worked extensively in war-torn areas and combat zones for over 30 years. She speaks to fellow journalist Taran N. Khan about her latest book ‘Our Bodies, Their Battlefield’, a groundbreaking examination of how women experience sexual abuse in modern conflicts. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

Deepa Anappara’s debut novel ‘Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line’ journeys to the heart of childhood and painful loss of innocence. In conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy, managing director of Teamwork Arts and the founder-trustee of Salaam Balaak Trust, she discusses the impact of poverty and religious violence on the education of children.  This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

The award-winning Vidya Balan and author and screenplay writer Nayanika Mahtani discuss their latest film on the mathematical genius, the late Shakuntala Devi. In conversation Vani Tripathi Tikoo. This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020. Bernardine Evaristo’s 2019 Man Booker Prize-winning ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ follows the journey of an interconnected group of 12 black women in a quest for love, hope and home spanning across the legacy of contemporary and colonial Britain. In conversation with writer Anjum Hasan, she discusses the idea of womxnhood, culture, class, politics and race coursing through her iconic writings.