Jaipur Bytes

Javed Akhtar, Pavan K. Varma and Shabana Azmi in conversation with Rana Safvi. India’s iconic Bollywood couple, actor Shabana Azmi and poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, carry poetry in their genes. Akhtar’s father, the late Jan Nisar Akhtar, was a legendary Urdu poet. Azmi’s father, the late Kaifi Azmi, was an enduring icon for generations of revolutionary poets. In an extraordinary session, Akhtar and Azmi celebrate this literary legacy, its impact on contemporary culture and the continuing traditions in Urdu literature. In conversation with writer and diplomat Pavan K. Varma and author Rana Safvi, a session of readings and discussion. This episode is a live session from Day 2 of #ZEEJLF2019.

Gulzar and Nasreen Munni Kabir in conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy. The most beloved of Indian poets and lyricists, the legendary Gulzar Saheb guides us through the stories behind the stories of his most iconic and enduring songs. Written over half a century of his creative ouvre, they chronicle the emotions and intuitions of successive generations and remain as markers of their times. Jiya Jale: The Stories of Songs has been written by Nasreen Munni Kabir in collaboration with Gulzar Saheb. Documentary filmmaker Kabir is the acclaimed and prolific author of several books on music and cinema. In conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy, they discuss the backstory of the music, the verses and the spirit of these songs that have become such an intrinsic part of our popular culture and heritage. This episode is a live session from Day 2 of #ZEEJLF2019.

Gulzar and Meghna Gulzar in conversation with Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri. Acclaimed film director Meghna Gulzar is the author of Because He Is, a tribute to her father, the legendary Gulzar Saheb. In conversation with editor Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, she speaks of her childhood, the tender parenting she received and the creative connection that she continues to share with her extraordinary father. The session also records his professional and personal life, and offers insights into his phenomenal oeuvre as a poet, lyricist and film director. Gulzar Saheb will be on stage with his gifted daughter, giving us his memories of parenting and the father-daughter bond. This episode is a live session from Day 1 of #ZEEJLF2019.

The versatile Usha Uthup sings in 15 Indian and eight foreign languages. She has beguiled generations of music lovers with her charismatic style and her distinct and powerful voice. In conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy, she talks of what music means to her and the passion and commitment she brings to it. A fascinating sing-along recountal of a unique musical odyssey, with a legend of our times. This episode is a live session from Day 1 of #ZEEJLF2019.

Sachin Pilot in conversation with Sreenivasan Jain. This episode is a live session from Day 1 of #ZEEJLF2019.

Neeta Gupta (festival co-director of Jaipur BookMark) in conversation with Lakshya Datta (founder of Launchora). Neeta talks about how she got into publishing, how Jaipur BookMark came out of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, what collaborations and ideas have come out of JBM over the years, and how this year’s JBM - which will host over 100 speakers - was curated. Neeta Gupta is also the co-founder and publisher at Yatra Books, as well as the Joint Secretary of Bharatiya Anuvad Parishad and editor of their quarterly journal, Anuvad. JBM 2019 will take place alongside #ZEEJLF2019 at the Diggi Palace from 23 to 26 January. You can learn more about JBM and its 2019 programme at jaipurbookmark.org.

Two insightful conversations, two amazing initiatives. Part 1 of this episode features Puneeta Roy (founder of the Yuva Ekta Foundation) in conversation with Lakshya Datta (founder of Launchora). Puneeta talks about how their program build a child’s emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion - and how they are putting together this year’s theatre production at #ZEEJLF2019 on Jan 27 on the topic of “Boundaries”. Part 2 of this episode features Himanshu Giri (CEO of Pratham Books) in conversation with Lakshya. Himanshu shares Pratham’s journey so far - how they built their 80 million strong youths readership, why they embrace new technology, and what to expect during the 100+ sessions they are organizing during this year’s festival in Jaipur. Learn more about or donate to the Yuva Ekta Foundation here: yuvaektafoundation.org Learn more about or donate to Pratham Books here: prathambooks.org

Namita Gokhale (founder and co-director of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival) in conversation with Lakshya Datta (host of Jaipur Bytes and founder of Launchora). Namita talks about how the festival is curated, and what makes these conversations, discussions and debates worth listening to. Namita is the author of over a dozen fiction and nonfiction books, including ‘Paro: Dreams Of Passion’ and ‘Things To Leave Behind’ (which recently won the Sushila Devi Literature Award).

Saba Naqvi (Author of “Shades of Saffron: From Vajpayee to Modi”), Suhasini Haidar (Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu) Nikhil Kumar (New Delhi Bureau Chief, CNN), and Jeffrey Gettleman (South Asia Bureau Chief, The New York Times) - in conversation with Swati Chaturvedi (NDTV, Indian Express). This discussion took place during the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival's Preview on December 3, 2018 at the Taj Mahal Palace in New Delhi.

In the first episode of Jaipur Bytes, listen to Sanjoy Roy (Managing Director of Teamwork Arts and producer of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival) in conversation with Lakshya Datta (host of Jaipur Bytes and Founder of Launchora). Sanjoy talks about how the festival got started, his favorite memories from their decade-long history, and what you can expect to see and hear (through this podcast) when the five-day festival returns to Jaipur in January.