Postcards From Nowhere with Utsav Mamoria

The midnight of 1st June 1981 is etched into the history of Jaffna. The city witnessed a one of its kind of violence, which was not just physical, but imaginative - aimed to strike at the heart of the city’s soul. And what eventually led to change the fate of a people. This week, we travel to north and eastern Sri Lanka, and discover how the decades long civil war impacted the food of its most notable minority - Jaffna Tamils. Tune in, and discover what it means to travel a country ravaged by war, and what travellers need to be mindful of. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27th April 2018 The supreme leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un stepped over the De-militarized Zone (or DMZ) boundary line and entered South Korea. It was the first time since the 1950 Korean War that a North Korean leader had entered South Korean territory. As a symbol of peace, the Kim Jong Un also got a chef from Pyongyang to cook a signature dish from North Korea, one that became a symbol of North Korean cuisine. This week, we travel to the border of the two Koreas, and discover the famine-induced cuisine of North Korea and the need to preserve your family’s culinary heritage. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the legends of the Puri Jagannath temple, an irate goddess Laxmi is placated by Lord Jagannath by offering her a sweet. Its the same sweet which led to a battle between Odisha and West Bengal with each claiming to be the original inventor of it. But the presence of the sweet itself is a testament of a pattern in sweets in Eastern India, and even in Southern India. This week, we uncover two food divides in India: one lesser-known and one well-known, both of which have the same underlying cause. It has nothing to do with politics, culture, agriculture, weather or even ecology. Tune in, and discover the story of how genetics shaped Indian food. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 19th century, the Maharaja of Travancore levied an absolutely bizzare tax: Any woman who had come of age and had breasts had to pay a breast tax, and bare her breasts to anyone who was of a higher caste to them. This was one amongst the hundreds of taxes the lower castes had to endure, which put them in a cycle of perpetual debt and poverty. And then came a revolt which led the Maharaja to revoke the tax. This week, in the fifth episode of India's Linguistic Heritage, we explore the bizzare story of the origins of modern Malayalam, which has everything from a breast tax to a religious power struggle. Tune in and discover, what this story means for us as travellers, everytime we encounter a new culture. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Banasura Hill in Wayanad is one of the tallest mountains and is named after Banasura, son of the great demon king Mahabali and himself a legendary king with a thousand arms. But what could he have to do with the fact that Malaria is endemic in Wayanad? Meanwhile, the entire district is known to have leeches, with the exception of the town of Pulpally, which is Leech free? And what could it have to do with the famed Hindu epic Ramayan? This week, we travel to Wayanad in Kerala and discover the connections between Malaria, blood-sucking leeches and the lessons for us in the Wayanad Ramayanas." Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 Mn year old trees Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1756, France - A 27 year old man publishes two volumes on integral calculus. His work is recognized by his peers, he gets elected to the Royal Society in London, but his career as a mathematician also ends with those two volumes. A few decades later, a man circumnavigates the globe, but does not immediately get recognition for it. And all this is connected to one of the most popular flowers in the world. This week, we celebrate Women’s History Month and uncover the tragic history of the discovery and naming of one of the most beloved flowers known to mankind and the systematic denial of the contribution of the woman who discovered it. Tune in and discover, what history could feel like if we acknowledged the contribution of women.  Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 Mn year old trees Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1470 BC - A five-ship caravan by Egyptian Pharoah Hatshepsut undertakes a unique voyage, possibly the first plant-collecting mission masterminded by a woman. The voyage is successful as the touring party returns with 31 live plants of a certain species. Over 4000 kms away, in a port once considered one of the greatest in the world, an extract of the same plant is making its way around the world. But which plant is this, and why does it matter today? This week, we travel from Luxor in Egypt to Bharuch in Gujarat and discover a lesser-known trade route, whose key commodity has meaning and consequences for three major religions in the world. Tune in, and discover the lessons of time and death, some inherent, and some manmade. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees The Trees that built Venice The Trees that built Venice Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees The tree that built New Zealand The tree that built New Zealand Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 Mn year old trees Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 MM year old trees You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: IVM Podcasts - Apps on Google Play or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1939, Edinburgh. The 7th International Congress of Genetics was being held, but it was not just another scientific conference. It was held after a gap of 4 years, and the most discussed subject had nothing to do with genetics. Everyone was discussing an empty chair. A few decades later, the prime minister of one of the largest nations in the world was frantically reaching out to the world to solve her food shortage problems. This week, we travel from Edinburgh to Stalinist Russia and then finally to Bangalore to uncover the story of an empty chair and the origin story of Rave Idli. Tune in, and discover what does it say about our food practices. Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees http://bit.ly/3Yhrm66  The Trees that built Venice http://bit.ly/3Jwr1s8  Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper http://bit.ly/3wIitqN  European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees http://bit.ly/3RlGCgj  The tree that built New Zealand http://bit.ly/3wJnWNU  Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 Mn year old trees http://bit.ly/3WWxGPF  You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9  You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42  (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After its arrival in Crimea in 1347, it rapidly spread through Constantinople, Spain, France and southern England. By 1350, it devastated Northern France, the British Isles, Germany and the Scandinavian region. It then crept up to Russia, touching Moscow in 1353. It killed an estimated 30% to 65% of European population. Thousands of kilometres in a town in Karnataka, a ritual which takes place every 12 years makes it an important piligrimage site for Jains all over India. What is that 'it' that devastated Europe, and led to the frenzied demand for a foreign plant? What does that have to do with a Jain piligrimate site and the world's most expensive spice. This week we travel from 14th Century Europe to the town of Śravaṇa Beḷagoḷa in Karnataka and discover the connection between Black Death, Bahubali and the world’s most expensive spice. Tune in, and come to the sobering realisation that our actions often catch up with us.  Till then Check out the other episodes, Anne Frank, Lootera and Endless Life of Trees http://bit.ly/3Yhrm66  The Trees that built Venice http://bit.ly/3Jwr1s8  Elm Trees, National Revolutions and Modern Paper http://bit.ly/3wIitqN  European Impressionism, Japanese Nationalism and Cherry Blossom Trees http://bit.ly/3RlGCgj  The tree that built New Zealand http://bit.ly/3wJnWNU  Living Fossils, National Identities and 200 Mn year old trees http://bit.ly/3WWxGPF  You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9  You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42  (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42 ) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or all other major audio platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we travel from the Wollemi National Park in Australia to the Xingdoushan Nature Conservation Area in China to uncover the story of two living fossils, and how trees can shape national identities. Till then Check out the other episodes of "Ireland Untravelled" Lost Treasures, Dynamite and the Irish Nation : https://ivm.today/3okwxm5 Gaelic and the stunning decline of the Irish Language : https://ivm.today/3zmhE9i Trinity Long Room and the Soul of the Irish Nation : https://ivm.today/3PnZkSE U2, Body Snatching and the Irish Way of Death : https://ivm.today/3IQ6fl3 Bombay, Paris and the improbable victory for LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland : https://ivm.today/3AJLa9B Irish roads that go nowhere, Houses no one lives in : https://ivm.today/3PGG95X Titanic, Mosul and the Global shame of Western Museums : https://ivm.today/3R9uBce Three Irish Women, Emigration and India's National Anthem : https://ivm.today/3KfZdqz You can check previous episodes of 'Podcasts from Nowhere' on IVM Podcasts website https://ivm.today/3xuayw9 You can reach out to our host Utsav on Instagram: @whywetravel42 (https://www.instagram.com/whywetravel42) You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.