Over the centuries, poets have reminded us of the values we are in danger of forgetting as a society. The ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice — the very values enshrined in our Constitution — have endured over centuries in the Bhakti tradition. The Bhakti poets always challenged the ideologies of their times that attempted to force the belief that people were not equal.
In this show, we explore the histories of these ideas in Bhakti poetry, and how they find resonance in the values underpinning the Constitution of a modern republic. 
We take you on a listening experience to Pandharpur with the songs of Namdev and Tukaram, to Benares with the poetry of Kabir and Ravidas, to Rajasthan in the rapture of Meera’s devotion, and to northern Karnataka where sharanas sing the vachanas. But first, we visit post-Independence Bombay where the expression of these ideas find an avenue in the film music of the times. 
Bhakti Republic is hosted by Amit Basole, faculty in Economics at Azim Premji University, where he also heads the Centre for Sustainable Employment. Basole has also hosted Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota - The World of Ghalib for Radio Azim Premji University.
CREDITS:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Riju R Krishna, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 
Acknowledgements:
A special thanks to Atif Anwar, Omkar Deshmukh, Seema Hussain, S. Pranesh (students at Azim Premji University)

Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole | Radio Azim Premji University

In India’s vibrant and active social sector, many organisations imagine a different future, plan and implement social interventions at different scales. Many of these have a lasting impact on the lives of people and society. However, their efforts and, more importantly, the learning from these initiatives, remain largely unknown. The ​‘Stories of Change’ books, an initiative of Azim Premji University, documents these good practices of social change with a focus on reflection and learning, including capturing their limitations. 
Radio Azim Premji University takes you into this world of changes with a series of audio stories hosted by Anuradha Nagaraj, faculty at the School of Development at Azim Premji University. 
Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

Stories of Change with Anuradha Nagaraj

The Constitution of India, the world’s longest written national constitution, declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. It is the supreme law of India and enshrines the rights and duties of the citizens of India. It guarantees to its citizens justice, equality, and liberty, and promotes fraternity. Despite these assurances, at several times in our nation’s history, there have been moments when the very fabric of this document has been challenged, when the values that integrate us as a people have been muddled with doubt. 
Samvidhaani Pitaara is a series from Radio Azim Premji University that examines, addresses, and illuminates various facets of the Constitution’s character. From a song playlist with lyrics founded on Constitutional Values, to the great orations that echoed in the Constituent Assembly and the men and women who applied their hearts and minds to drafting this document, we bring you an absorbing series presented by Vineet KKN Panchhi.
This non-commercial podcast is meant for educational purposes only. 
Credits:
Akshat Krishna, Akshay Ramuhalli, Avishek Bose, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harsh Gupta, Harshit Gogoi, Maitreyi Shankar, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sameera Ahmed, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Samvidhaani Pitaara with Vineet KKN Panchhi | Radio Azim Premji University

Welcome to The Stream from Radio Azim Premji University. This curated seamless listening experience intersperses excerpts from your favourite podcasts with specially commissioned original music. The Stream is presented by student RJs from Azim Premji University. 

The Stream by Radio Azim Premji University

Whether you like to play, or watch, you cannot ignore sports. This is a nuanced world, a dog-eat-dog world, where the price of 15 minutes of glory is a lifetime’s investment of sweat, grit, and nerves. But away from the stadia and the arenas, the fixtures and strictures, the record-keeping and the rulebooks, and the politicking game theory of global sports administration, is a world tailor-made for the hobbyist and the amateur. In this world, fortune and fame bump fists, athleticism and glamour collide. Here, anything is possible. And anybody can play.
Rahul De, who teaches economics at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, is obsessed with the business of sport. Of particular interest to him are sporting activities that are off-radar for the mainstream, yet command a devoted fan base. Think WWE, kabaddi, amateur running… How do these sports find a market, build loyal communities, and create wealth for participants and promoters alike?
Co-presenting the series are Kailash Kaushik, Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Humanities at Christ University, Bengaluru, and Arvind Bharathi, who is with the School of Arts and Sciences at Azim Premji University.
Economies Of Khel is a non-commercial educational podcast by Radio Azim Premji University.
Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Economies Of Khel | Radio Azim Premji University

What do the songs of 1950’s Hindi cinema have in common with the poems of Bhakti saint-poets? 
As we explore the histories of constitutional ideas through Bhakti poetry, we find a striking resonance in the values underpinning the Constitution of our modern republic. We begin our journey in twentieth century Bombay, where the film industry has created a new public sphere for expression by artists, lyricists and songwriters, who speak to a pan-India audience through the immense reach of this new medium. The pre-Independence Progressive Writers Association and its baton-bearing successors, the Indian People's Theatre Association, endeavour to create a new public consciousness. The lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Shailendra thrum with a yearning to remind people of their rights and duties. 

Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 

Acknowledgements:
A special thanks to Atif Anwar, Omkar Deshmukh, Seema Hussain, S. Pranesh (students at Azim Premji University) 

Further reading
On Sahir Ludhianvi 
Book: Sahir Ludhianvi - The Peoples' Poet by Akshay Manwani
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20424803-sahir-ludhianvi---the-peoples-poet
On Majrooh Sultanpuri:
Article: When Majrooh Sultanpuri was jailed for writing against Nehru
https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/jailed-for-anti-nehru-poem-celebrated-for-bollywood-songs-majrooh-sultanpuri-had-it-all/299167/ 
https://sabrangindia.in/article/when-majrooh-sultanpuri-went-jail-writing-poetry-against-nehru 
On Shailendra:
Article | The Print
https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/shailendra-the-leftist-poet-and-dalit-genius-whose-lyrics-define-beauty-of-simplicity/335262/ 
Article | The Forward Press
https://www.forwardpress.in/2016/11/shaken-up-by-shailendra/ (article mentions his caste as Dhursia — cobbler)
Article | The Jamia Review 
https://www.thejamiareview.com/on-the-poetry-of-shailendra-a-folk-poet-of-hindustani-cinema/ 
On Annabhau Sathe
Article | The Wire
https://thewire.in/culture/annabhau-sathe-anti-caste-marathi-literature-100th-birth-anniversary 
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/anna-bhau-sathe-father-of-indias-creative-writing-6565871/

Bhakti Republic With Amit Basole | EP1 - Saara Jahan Hamara | 23rd August 2023

In this bonus episode, we travel in time to Bombay of the 1800’s. The opium trade had brought copious wealth to the city. Among those who had cashed in were prominent Parsi and Gujarati merchants who set up textile mills with the profits. When the cotton trade soared, the textile tycoons looked for other avenues to invest their money. They financed the film industry. By the turn of the century, cinema halls had mushroomed all over the city and the industry attracted actors, dancers, singers and writers. Songs were an inseparable part of these films, piggybacking on the tradition of Gujarati and Marathi theatre. Radio provided an avenue for broadcasting film songs, which became hugely popular across the country. The stage was set for a new movement to write its way into history — the Progressive Writers Association.
Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Riju R Krishna, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 
Listen to Bhakti Republic Ep 1 - Saara Jahan Hamara 

YouTube Resources 

आज आनंदी आनंद झाला -  आशा भोसले
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrBl0TRkHGg 

Sinhagad (1933) Full Marathi Movie - Baburao Pendharkar, Shankarrao Bhosle, V. Shantaram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0KYv8RTO7Q

Bhakti Republic With Amit Basole | EP1 Bonus - Bombay Talkies | 23rd August 2023

In our first episode of Stories of Change with Anuradha Nagaraj, we visit Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru. We are here to listen to the story of the Uhuru programme, run by non-profit Snehadhara Foundation at its semi-residential facility for children with disabilities. Uhuru is Swahili for freedom, which Snehadhara attempts to realise through meaningful interventions that contribute to a wholesome and inclusive learning experience not just for the children but for the facilitators as well.
Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar


Acknowledgements: 
Uhuru as explained by Snehadhara Foundation
https://snehadharafoundation.org/uhuru/

The Stories of Change Volumes:
https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/stories-of-change-case-studies-on-development-interventions

Snehadhara Website:
https://snehadharafoundation.org/

Special Thanks to Snehadhara Foundation at Nelamangala and JP Nagar, Bengaluru

Stories of Change With Anuradha Nagaraj | EP1 Snehadhara | 19th September 2023

We journey to the ancient, timeless city of Varanasi, its ghats washed by the river Ganga, to find ourselves enmeshed in the warp and weft of Kabir’s verse. Kabir the weaver venerates the Almighty without question, but equally, he scorns the hollowness of rituals in society that clutter the path to this sacred union. His poetry is simple and accessible, yet pungent with wit and incisive with insight. And though provocative, it resounds with wisdom and truth of a kind that many of his contemporaries, even his detractors, dared not confront. 
Within this city of brick and stone, which also goes by Benares and Kashi, is ensconced a place of dreams, a utopia where the working class is free and spared from taxation, and where society is not riven by caste or stigma. Begumpura (literally, a city without sorrow) is a realm in the imagination of another of Varanasi’s most illustrious sons — Ravidas the leather-worker. A famous parable, which engendered the phrase after which this episode is titled, goes that the saint-poet equated the water in his humble tanner’s bowl (kathauti) to the sacred waters of the Ganga.
Join Amit Basole for the second episode of this series, in which we explore how the histories of the values enshrined in our Constitution find resonance in the poetry of the Bhakti tradition. 
Credits: 

Akshay Ramuhalli, Atif Anwar, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Riju R Krishna, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 
Acknowledgements:
YouTube:
Tera Mera Manwa | Kaluram Bamaniya | Kabir Project
https://youtu.be/O8uJ9Lr6E5I?t=80
Walking with Sunrise in Varanasi (Binaural Ambience Sounds) 4K ASMR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3yM_P39kZE  
'Koi Nahin Apna' by Vishnu Khuprao Deshmukh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I77FQIhXYtw  
Soulful Kabir Bhajan | Kalaam-e-Kabir with Shabnam Virmani | Jashn-e-Rekhta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpGOMJP2ges  
Chadariya Jhini re Jhini | Mukhtiayar Ali | Kabir Project
https://youtu.be/7z9dM2E1Zl8?t=169
Kabir by Abida Parveen Popular Kabir Songs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNEh6TbkSYo 
Bhala hua mori matki phuti | Farid Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawwal and Party
https://youtu.be/7GL0SqhQB3w?t=341
Interview with Farid Ayaz | Kabir Project
https://youtu.be/ZBiHzjj-yBE?t=369
Documentary: Hans Akela - Kumar Gandharva
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv4ynjy8m04  
Kabir: Then and Now - Lecture by Purushottam Agarwal (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkULhmshsNg&ab_channel=AshokDaRanadeMemorialTrust  
Ravidas Guru | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal and Party
https://youtu.be/0wyhcdxDrjI?t=71
Begumpura | Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC5uwIbvRLk
Pravachan on Sant Ravidas (video)
https://www.youtube.com/live/Jdo7yPGhWGw?feature=share  
YouTube Shorts
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SLfcjvdDuhw  
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KFiA7Hnlp_Y  
Books:
Akath Kahani Premi Ki by Purushottam Agarwal
https://www.amazon.in/-/hi/Purushottam-Agarwal/dp/9388933265
Seeking Begumpura - The Social Vision of Anti-caste Intellectuals by Gail Omvedt
Internet Archive:  https://archive.org/details/seeking-begumpura-the-social-vision-of-anticaste-intellectuals  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/11970804  
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/Seeking-Begumpura-Social-Anticaste-Intellectuals/dp/8189059459  
Kabir legends and Ananta-das's Kabir Parachai by David Lorenzen (PDF)
https://archive.org/details/kabirlegendsanan0000lore/page/n7/mode/2up   
Ramaini, Beejak of Kabir - Nawal Kishore Press (PDF)
https://archive.org/details/RamainiBeejakEtcOfKabirDasWithBrajBhashaProseTranslationPg49To568NavalKishorePress/mode/2up  
Kashi ka itihas by Dr Motichandra (PDF) 
https://archive.org/details/kashikaitihasmotichanda_202003_131_b/mode/2up

Bhakti Republic With Amit Basole | EP2 Kathauti Mein Ganga | 12th October 2023

Golgappa, pani puri, pani ke batashe, phulki, puchka… 

India’s most popular street snack answers to many names. Humble, lightweight, and crunchy, the pani puri has travelled across India with its itinerant vendors. Have you ever wondered who they are? Where do they come from? As they claim their space on the footpaths, do they enjoy the freedom to exercise their right to work?

Richa Govil and Puja Guha of the School of Development at Azim Premji University take you on a lip-smacking trip to discover the Story of Pani Puri. They host the first episode of our new series ‘Story Of…’ with many more exciting chapters lined up. 

Acknowledgements:
Gol Gappe waala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0eiV2QYVks

All original sound effects were recorded by the Radio Azim Premji University team in Bengaluru.

Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

Story Of Pani Puri | Story Of… with Richa Govil

Back in the day when travel was a luxury unaffordable to many Indians, a boxy contraption that occupied pride of place in the drawing room offered a unique and enjoyable way to travel the length and breadth of India. When you tuned into the airwaves, you were taken for a joyride. 

The rise of radio listening in India was coincident with seminal moments in our nation’s history. The sounds of India represent its diversity and pluralism. The music of Indianness finds resonance in the Constitution of India, a document foundational to our democracy, a tapestry tailored from disparate elements that make us Indian — our shared values, our history, and our diversity. 

November 26 is Samvidhan Diwas or Constitution Day. On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. On this momentous occasion, Radio Azim Premji University hosts you on a musical journey with a difference. Carouse to handpicked tunes in Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Kannada, Tamil, Khasi, Marathi, and more. 

This is Hindustan Ki Nayi Geetmala presented by Vineet KKN Panchhi. 

Credits: 

Akshat Krishna, Akshay Ramuhalli, Avishek Bose, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harsh Gupta, Maitreyi Shankar, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sameera Ahmed, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

Playlist:

1. Rang De Basanti -  Daler Mehndi & Chitra (composed by A R Rahman) from the movie Rang De Basanti (2006) (Hindi) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c769V25pX08

2. Hai Bhalobashi - Moheener Ghoraguli from the album Shongbigno Pakhikul O Kolkata Bishayak (1977) (Bangla)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUiOP6FGieI

3. Kuladalli Keelyavudo - Ghantasala (composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao) from the movie Satya Harishchandra (1965) (Kannada)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDiG2g8W8Xk

4. Kannai Katti - Hariharan (composed by AR Rahman ) from the movie Iruvar (1997) (Tamil)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YGW2OFPwlg

5. Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par - Mohammed Rafi (composed by S D Burman) from the movie Pyaasa (1957) (Hindi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ta4BmumQKc

6. Folk Song of Meghalaya - Bah Kerios Wahlang (Khasi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tq3PoByzxs

7. Naanenu Neenenu - SP Balasubrahmanyam (composed by Rajan-Nagendra) from the movie Gaali Maathu (1981) (Kannada)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB9t_p2gVik

8. Bulla Ki Jaana Main Kaun - Rabbi Shergill from the album Rabbi (2004) (Punjabi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbpdE8n_QWo

9. Ekla Chalo Re - Amitabh Bachchan (composed by Vishal and Shekar) from the movie Kahaani (2012) (Bangla)

10. Vaishnava Janatho - Bombay Jayashri (composed by Sai Shravanam) from the album Confluence Of Elements (2007) (Gujrathi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcyiUPjSIH8

11. Bhartacha pran ahe sanvidhan - written and presented by Sunil Swami / MANS ichalkaranji (Marathi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTp3T2MjHcA

12. Ishwar Allah - Sujata Mohan and Anuradha Sriram ( composed by AR Rahman) from the movie 1947: Earth (1999) (Hindi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNdYRORPy4

13. Thehar Zara O Janewale - Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey and Madhubala Jhaveri (composed by Shankar Jaikishan) from the movie Boot Polish (1953) (Hindi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UtTlh2kK7M

14. Na To Karavan Ki Talaash Hai - Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai - Mohammad Rafi , Manna Dey , SD Batish , Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhonsle (Composed by Roshan) from the movie Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) (Hindi/Urdu)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJbZWdvexXw

Hindustan Ki Nayi Geetmala | हिंदुस्तान की नई गीतमाला - With Vineet KKN Panchhi

How often have you heard truck drivers being described as the “backbone of our economy”? 

India owes a debt of gratitude to truck drivers, who transport goods, medicines, raw material, and other articles to destinations across the length and breadth of the country. To meet these unlikely heroes of our story of change, join Radio Azim Premji University on the road as we visit the truck parking lots of Kolkata, West Bengal. 

A truck parking lot is a busy, crowded yard that smells of diesel fumes and engine oil. The air is filled with the clamor of conversation, loud horns, and the grunt and growl of truck engines. Trucks trundle in for a quick rest stop before shifting gears and heading back to the highway. Drivers work long hours. They are constantly on the move, day and night, driving up to 16 hours at a stretch. These people, mostly men, seldom have time to take care of their needs. How often do they have a health checkup, or get a toothache attended to, or check on their failing eyesight? 

Nonprofit Seva Kendra Calcutta, an Azim Premji Foundation philanthropy partner based in the City of Joy, runs the Sambandh programme that provides an outreach avenue for truck drivers to address such needs and, more importantly, create a nurturing and caring community focused on their wellness and security. Join us on the road and listen along.

Stories Of Change is hosted by Anuradha Nagaraj, faculty at the School of Development at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

CREDITS: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Special thanks to the team at Seva Kendra Calcutta and the truck drivers who are the lifeline of this nation.

Ep 2 - Seva Kendra | Stories Of Change With Anuradha Nagaraj

Emerging in 12th-century Karnataka, Vachana Sahitya gave voice to the Sharana movement. The Sharanas were ardent devotees of Shiva, spreading their message through vachanas, verses composed and sung in simple Kannada, which were infused with profound thought. They advocated social equality and rejected caste, challenging Sanskrit dominance and the prevailing literary and social norms. Many of the Sharana poets came from marginalised groups. Their vachanas criticised rituals and hierarchies, emphasising a personal connection with the divine. 
While saints like Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi are the most prominent names of the movement, the tradition was equally enriched by the contributions of about 240 sharanas, including thirty or more women. Their simple lyrics championed social equality and resonated with the common people. As the vachanakaras challenged not just established religious practices but the very fabric of caste and hierarchy, they left an indelible mark on Kannada culture. Their thought and teaching became the foundation of a revolutionary literary and social movement.

As Amit Basole elucidates in this episode of Bhakti Republic, the core tenets of the movement find resonance with the values enshrined in the Constitution of India. The title of this episode, Kayakave Kailasa, is a key concept in the thought of poets from artisanal backgrounds. It translates loosely to “Work Is Worship”, but carries a deeper meaning. The sharanas believed that the body is the temple of Shiva, and that every act of it, conducted selflessly and honestly, is a path to the divine. 

This episode is enriched by vachanas performed in Kannada by singer M. D. Pallavi and accompanied by Bruce Lee Mani on guitar. You can enjoy the soundtrack in a special music playlist released by Radio Azim Premji University.

Bhakti Republic With Amit Basole | EP3 - Kayakave Kailasa

I don’t know anything like time-beats and metre
nor the arithmetic of strings and drums;
I don’t know the count of iamb and dactyl.

KuDalsangamadeva, as nothing will hurt you
I’ll sing as I love.

Poet: Basavanna
Translator: A K Ramanujan
Source: Speaking of Siva, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Basava, also known as Basaveshwara and Basavanna, played a pivotal role in Vachana Sahitya during the Kalyani Chalukya and Kalachuri dynasties in 12th century Karnataka. Despite his Brahmin caste background, he vehemently opposed gender and social discrimination, superstitions, and rituals. Basava introduced the Ishtalinga necklace for all, promoting devotion to Shiva regardless of birth. As finance minister under King Bijjala II, he utilized the state treasury for social and religious reform. He established Anubhava Mantapa, a ‘parliament’ for individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in spiritual and existential discussions, emphasizing his philosophy centered on valuing the living human experience over static structures like temples. Basava's sharana philosophy emphasizes the body as a temple (Kayakave Kailasa) and as an instrument for honoring the divine.

Tala Mana | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

Voteyya Hididu | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

In my harlot’s trade
Having taken one man’s money
I daren’t accept a second man’s, sir.
And if I do,
	They’ll stand me naked and
	kill me, sir.
And if I cohabit
	with the polluted,
My hands nose ears
	they’ll cut off
	with a red hot knife, sir.
Ah, never, no.
	Knowing you I will not.
My word on it,
	O Nirlajjeshwara

Poet: Sule Sankavva
Translator: Susan Daniel
Source: Women Writing in India, edited by Susie Tharu and K. Lalitha, Oxford University Press
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Sule Sankavva, a distinctive figure among the Kannada vachanakaras, represents the sole recorded instance in this tradition of a sex worker who embraces the Bhakti path. She transcends her experiences in her profession, using them to convey transcendental mysticism through the lens of her worldly endeavors. Sule Sankara is recognized by her vachana signature in which she addresses Shiva as "Nirlajjesvara", the Lord Who Is Without Shame. Stressing the significance of loyalty to one's Kayaka (vocation) and vows, she places their importance on par with other moral principles. Emphasizing honesty as a crucial virtue, Sankavva advocates for the pursuit of one's Kayaka, irrespective of societal judgments, with an unwavering commitment driven by purity of heart and mind, free from fear and doubt.

Voteyya Hididu | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

They say –
All those are high born
Who eat sheep, fowl and tiny fish,
They say –
All those are low born
Who eat the cow that rains on Shiva
Sacred milk sanctified five times.
What the Brahmins had eaten adorned the grass
And a dog licked it up and went away.
What the cobblers had eaten adorned the grass –
Now the Brahmin’s ornament
In other words 
Bags are made of cow’s hide
For ghee and for water.
Senseless Brahmins who drink
Ghee and water from such leather bags
Thinking it sacred
They can’t escape utmost perdition.
The master of Urilingapeddi
Doesn’t approve of such men.

Poet: Kalavve
Translator: H. S. Shivaprakash
Source: I Keep Vigil of Rudra, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Kalavve, among the earliest Dalit women poets in Kannada, firmly stood for the principles of Kayaka Siddhanta, emphasizing selfless work over selfishness and greed in her verses. Her poetic expression strongly condemned practices like animal sacrifice under the guise of pleasing the gods and spoke out against casteism. Vrata, or religious observance, held significant importance in her compositions. Although only 12 of her verses are extant, they encapsulate her staunch stance against societal injustices and her advocacy for selfless devotion through righteous actions.

Kuri Koli | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

One who's engaged in work
Must even forget the Guru's sight ;
The Linga-worship he must forget ...
Even if the Jangama stand in front,
The obligation must be snapped.
Since such work is as good as Heaven,
Amaresvaralinga Himself
Must do it.

Poet: Ayadakki Marayya
Translator: S.S. Bhoosnurmath and Armando Menezes
Source: Sunya Sampadane Volume 4, Karnataka University, Dharwad
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Ayadakki Marayya, a contemporary of Basavanna, had the humble responsibility of gathering spilled rice outside Basavanna's house. Legend holds that Marayya and his wife, Mahadeviyamma, a Dalit couple from Maharashtra, arrived in medieval Karnataka, influenced by Basavanna's teachings. The stories chronicled in the Sunya Sampadane emphasize the deep spiritual bond between Marayya and Mahadeviyamma, a recurring theme in this tradition. Research has uncovered 809 Vachanas authored by Marayya and 69 Vachanas by Mahadeviyamma. Revered among devotees dedicated to Kayaka (service) and Daasoha (charity), Marayya epitomized the belief that work is akin to heaven. Writing under the signature Amareshwaralinga, his 32 vachanas delve into the philosophy of Kayaka, underscoring the importance of dedicated service in his life's principles.

Kayakadalli | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

If I am a thief at night
That would be a shame
To the master who gave me the picklock
If I enter houses
When people are forgetful
That would be a shame
To my expertise.
I wake up the forgetful,
Show them their riches
Then bring out my own riches, O Father
Lord of Mara, the love god
Foe of Mara.

Poet: Maritande
Translator: H.S. Shivaprakash
Source: I Keep Vigil of Rudra, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Maritande, a professional burglar known for targeting the houses of the affluent, sustained his livelihood by pilfering and spending the loot until he was apprehended by Bijjala's security guards. Around 1160 AD, during the time of Basavanna, the transformative figure in Maritande's life, Basavanna advocated for leniency on his behalf. This plea led to a change in Maritande's life as he transitioned from a burglar to a devoted Sharana. Influenced by this attitudinal shift, Maritande began writing vachanas, with only a few properly attributed to him. Notably, his vachanas drew on the imagery of his former profession, freely incorporating elements of burglary into his poetic expression.

Kattaleyalli | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

To him with no death,
No decay
No form

To the Beautiful One
I have given myself, O Mother

To him with no place
No end
No space
No signs

To the Beautiful One
I have given myself, O Mother

To him with no clan
No country, 
To the peerless
Handsome One
I have given myself, O Mother

For this reason
Channamallikarjuna, the Handsome One
Is the man for me.
These wasting, dying men —
Take them away
Throw them into the oven!

Poet: Akka Mahadevi
Translator: H.S. Shivaprakash
Source: I Keep Vigil of Rudra, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Born in Udutadi near Shivamogga around 1130, Akka Mahadevi, the prominent female Vachanakara, left an indelible mark on Kannada literature with her 430 Vachana poems, alongside two short writings, Mantrogopya and Yogangatrividh. While she composed fewer poems compared to other saints of the movement, her contributions are highly regarded. Acknowledging Shiva, whom she addressed as 'Chenna Mallikarjuna,' as her husband in the 'madhura bhava' or 'madhurya' form of devotion, Akka Mahadevi asserted her identity as a woman only in name, dedicating her mind, body, and soul entirely to Shiva. Her pursuit of enlightenment is documented in simple yet intellectually rigorous poems. Her verses delve into the renunciation of mortal love in favor of an enduring love for God, and she imparts insights into the demanding methods of the path to enlightenment, advocating for practices such as overcoming the 'I,' conquering desires, and mastering the senses.

Savillada Kedillada | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

When neither Source nor Substance was,
When neither I nor mine,
When neither Form nor Formless was,
When neither Void was nor non-Void,
Nor that which moves or moves not,
Then was Guhesvara's votary born.

Poet: Allama Prabhu
Translator: S.C. Nandimath, Armando Menzes, and R.C. Hiremath
Source: Sunya Sampadane Volume 1, Karnataka University, Dharwad
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Allama Prabhu, a revered poet and the patron saint of the Sharana movement in medieval Karnataka, was born in the 12th century in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. He played a pivotal role in reshaping both society and Kannada literature. Recognized as part of the "Trinity of Lingayatism" alongside Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu channeled poetry to critique rituals, challenge social norms, and promote moral values, particularly emphasizing devotional worship of Shiva. Details of his early life are a mix of historical accounts and legendary tales. Allama Prabhu, known for his mystic and cryptic style, composed over 1,300 hymns, spreading his transformative message through spontaneous vernacular songs and Sandhya Bhasha, a coded language rooted in Vedic and Upanishadic traditions. His Ankita, or the signature he used for himself in verses, was Guhesvara, and his poetic expression staunchly opposed symbolism, occult powers, temple worship, and ritualistic practices.

Adi Adharavilladandu | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

To the utterly at-one with Siva
there’s no dawn, 
no new moon,
no noonday,
nor equinoxes,
nor sunsets,
nor full moons;
his front yard
is the true Banaras,
O Ramanatha.

Poet: Devara Dasimayya
Translator: A. K. Ramanujan
Source: Speaking of Siva, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Devara Dasimayya, also known as Jedara Dasimayya, was a prominent figure in Vachana literature, hailing from the village of Mudanuru in Karnataka. He worked as a weaver and lived during the rule of the Kalyani Chalukyan ruler Jayasimha II. Basaveshwara, among the most prominent of the Veerashaiva poets, praised Dasimayya and his wife Duggale in several of his vachanas. Composed approximately 100 to 150 years before Basaveshwara, Dasimayya's 176 vachanas are noteworthy for expressing profound philosophical ideas in a concise form. Dasimayya's vachanas touch upon themes of conjugal discipline, gender equality, and the significance of charity. Dedicated to Ramanatha (Shiva), these vachanas have earned him admiration from the Devanga community, a widespread group of weavers in southern India who consider him an avatara purusha, an incarnation of the divine.

Acha Shiva Aikyange | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

Make of my body the beam of a lute
	of my head the sounding gourd
	of my nerves the strings
	of my fingers the plucking rods
Clutch me close
	and play your thirty-two songs
KuDalasangamadeva!
 
Poet: Basavanna
Translator: A. K. Ramanujan 
Source: Speaking of Siva, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Basava, also known as Basaveshwara and Basavanna, played a pivotal role in Vachana Sahitya during the Kalyani Chalukya and Kalachuri dynasties in 12th century Karnataka. Despite his Brahmin caste background, he vehemently opposed gender and social discrimination, superstitions, and rituals. Basava introduced the Ishtalinga necklace for all, promoting devotion to Shiva regardless of birth. As finance minister under King Bijjala II, he utilized the state treasury for social and religious reform. He established Anubhava Mantapa, a ‘parliament’ for individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in spiritual and existential discussions, emphasizing his philosophy centered on valuing the living human experience over static structures like temples. Basava's sharana philosophy emphasizes the body as a temple (Kayakave Kailasa) and as an instrument for honoring the divine.

Yenna Kayavige | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

The rich
will make temples for Siva.
What shall I,
a poor man,
do?

My legs are pillars,
the body the shrine
the head a cupola
of gold.
Listen, O Kudalsangamadeva,
things standing shall fall,
but the moving ever shall stay.

Poet: Basavanna
English translation by A K Ramanujan | Speaking of Siva, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Basava, also known as Basaveshwara and Basavanna, played a pivotal role in Vachana Sahitya during the Kalyani Chalukya and Kalachuri dynasties in 12th century Karnataka. Despite his Brahmin caste background, he vehemently opposed gender and social discrimination, superstitions, and rituals. Basava introduced the Ishtalinga necklace for all, promoting devotion to Shiva regardless of birth. As finance minister under King Bijjala II, he utilized the state treasury for social and religious reform. He established Anubhava Mantapa, a ‘parliament’ for individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in spiritual and existential discussions, emphasizing his philosophy centered on valuing the living human experience over static structures like temples. Basava's sharana philosophy emphasizes the body as a temple (Kayakave Kailasa) and as an instrument for honoring the divine.

Ullavaru Shivalaya | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

After erecting three pillars
The gross, the subtle, and the causal bodies
After beating the buffaloes’ rough hide
After removing the flesh
With the staff of the manifest and the hidden
After tanning the hide with the fire of dualism
After pouring the caustic juice of quintessence 
Into the hide-pouch of awareness
The blemishes of soul thus destroyed
I have come to take the sandals to his feet.
Take care,
Not of the ground below,
But of the path your feet and sandals take.
Do not be enslaved
By the hand-awl, blade, or peg
But realise
Ramarama, your own true self, the joy of joys! 

Poet - Madara Chennaiah
Translator: H.S. Shivaprakash
Source: I Keep Vigil of Rudra, Penguin Classics
Performed by M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
For Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole 
Radio Azim Premji University, 2023

Madara Chennaiah, a renowned vachana poet from the 11th century, earned recognition during the era of the Western Chalukyas in southern India. Despite working as a cobbler and being affiliated with the Madiga caste, he left a legacy through his vachanas, which he signed under the pseudonym ‘Nijaatmaraama Raamana,’ though only ten have endured over time. His poetry delved into the injustice of feeling superior due to one's caste, advocating for equality by highlighting that everyone shares the same origins and physical composition. Chennaiah asserted that an individual's value stems from their ethical conduct rather than their caste, dividing people into two categories based on their actions: those who perform good deeds and those who engage in wrongdoing. Additionally, his poems addressed a significant theological debate regarding the duality or unity of existence. His powerful and meaningful vachanas emerged from the fusion of metaphors drawn from his cobbler trade, interwoven with profound theological concepts.

Sthula Sukshma | Kayakave Kailasa - Bhakti Republic OST | M. D. Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani

Twenty Twenty-Three!

This was the year of the story.

From the story of the Indian republic to the story of Indian cricket…

From the beautiful mind of Ghalib to the beating heart of Bhakti…

From the curious history of mathematics to the fascinating world of science…

From Stories of Change to stories of everyday objects…

From stories in the street to stories from our campus…

An earful of stories.

A year full of stories.

Enjoy this special recap only on Radio Azim Premji University.

We’ll be back with more in 2024. Thank you for listening.

Explore our shows:

The India Project With Josy Joseph

Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota? The World Of Ghalib With Amit Basole

What About Science? With Nandita Jayaraj

It’s A Math Math Math World With Giri And Raghu

Well Caught With Divakaran And Shraddha

Stories Of Change With Anuradha Nagaraj

Story Of.. With Richa Govil

100/ 100 Karnataka With Sudheesh Venkatesh And Shraddha

Hindustan Ki Nayi Geetmala

Campus Cast

Bookmark this page for the latest shows: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/shows

Radio Azim Premji University is brought to you by Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, Velu Shankar

2023 At Radio Azim Premji University - An Earful Of Stories, A Year Full Of Stories

Dastaan-e-Samvidhaan | दास्तान ए संविधान | Radio Azim Premji University

Even if you are not a sports enthusiast, you’ve most probably heard of Sania Mirza, PT Usha, Rani Rampal, Deepika Kumari, and Bachendri Pal. But what about Archana Venkataraman, Rita Gombu, Vandana Rao, and Sarita Devi? 

Probably not. 

While some soar to stardom, others remain in the shadows despite their exceptional talents. Welcome to Almost Perfect, a captivating series that unearths the remarkable yet often overlooked stories of Indian women athletes. 

We shine the spotlight on those who competed alongside the best but never quite achieved the fame they deserved. Their names may not be etched in history, yet their resilience and determination inspire us.

This show is produced by Confluence Media for Radio Azim Premji University.

Trailer - Almost Perfect | A Podcast About Indian Women Athletes

“For the people of Dakshina Kannada, Bhootas are above god,” declares Umashanker Periodi. “Because, unlike gods, Bhootas talk to them.”

Periodi, who hails from a family that is involved in Bhoota Kola, is a seasoned mentor and former Head of Karnataka State at Azim Premji Foundation. Although he grew up in a Dakshina Kannada village enveloped by the aura of rituals and traditions, as a college student with socialist influences, he grew sceptical of them. As his worldview matured, nudged by his mother, Periodi began to acknowledge and respect the beliefs of his people. His experience shaped his tolerance and appreciation of their cultural and social significance.

In the second episode of our Kannada series Noorakke Nooru Karnataka [100/100 Karnataka], Shraddha has an engaging conversation with Periodi on the rich tradition of Bhoota Kola. 

A spirit worship tradition with highly stylised elements of performance and music, Bhoota Kola thrives in the Dakshina Kannada region of coastal Karnataka known as Tulunadu. The ceremonies, which take place between December and July, involve elaborate preparations, including energetic performances characterised by intricate costumes and decorations. 

Periodi explains that Bhootas — ancestral spirits — are often a symbolic manifestation of entities or powers feared or revered by communities that worship them. There is Koragajja the wise tribal elder who can recover anything that is lost, Panjurli the fearsome boar-faced forest spirit who is the protector of crops, the spirits of the heroic twins Koti and Chennayya who were martyred as they combated social injustice, and so on. 

Rooted in indigenous practices and Hindu mythology, Bhoota Kola is performed by shamanistic dancers who invoke ancestral spirits and become possessed by them, entering a lucid trance-like state. In this state, the Bhoota is often approached for answers, advice, or mediation. When the verdict is delivered, the spirit’s word is law. 

“I’m here, you have no reason to fear.” The Bhoota’s blessing is a solace to the village community. 

Bhootas, usually personified by individuals from lower castes, are vital arbiters who mediate conflicts and disputes within their communities. They serve as counsellors and dispensers of justice. Often, the Bhootas deliver judgements that go against the interests of the feudal landlords. For challenging the caste hierarchy, the Bhootas have often paid with their lives. Yet, struggling to overcome attempts by upper castes to rein in the tradition, Bhoota Kola has remained a vital pillar of community life in Tulunadu. A Bhoota Kola brings families together, creates a permissive environment for women to socialise beyond curfew hours, and provides a sacred space for free expression for those oppressed by the caste system.

Continuing our exploration of stories from Karnataka for you to savour and share, Radio Azim Premji University brings you yet another episode of Noorakke Nooru Karnataka. We hope you enjoy listening to it. 
Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harshit Hillol Gogoi, Manjunath SV, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
For a comprehensive list of acknowledgements and resources, including notes in Kannada, please visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/radio-azim-premji-university

Bhoota Kola | ಭೂತ ಕೋಲ | Noorakke Nooru Karnataka ನೂರಕ್ಕೆ ನೂರು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ

The Fakirani Jats live in the Rann of Kutch, where the 2500 sq-km Banni grassland segues into salt marshes and marine mangrove wetlands abutting the Arabian Sea. The livelihood of this pastoralist community is built around their pack animals, particularly the rare and hardy Kharai camel, a breed uniquely adapted to the region’s terrain and climate. As increased salt extraction and industrialisation fragment the fragile mangroves and force the herdsmen away from their traditional livelihood, the Kharai has become an endangered breed. A local organisation, Sahjeevan, has intervened with multiple initiatives to support the Fakirani Jats and sustain their traditional occupation of camel pastoralism. In the third episode of Stories Of Change with Anuradha Nagaraj, we train the spotlight on Sahjeevan’s work among the camel herders of western Gujarat. 
For additional notes on this episode and a comprehensive list of acknowledgements and resources for further reading and exploration, please visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/stories-of-change-on-radio-azim-premji-university

Ep 3 - Sahjeevan | Stories of Change with Anuradha Nagaraj

How much do you know about the people behind the Constitution of India? Samvidhaan Ke Naam, this special episode of Samvidhaani Pitaara, is presented as a game show to test your knowledge, and have some fun, while you learn about the minds that influenced the letter and spirit of the Constitution. 
Samvidhaan Ke Naam is presented by Vineet KKN Panchhi for Radio Azim Premji University.

Samvidhaan Ke Naam| संविधान के नाम|  Samvidhaani Pitaara Ep 3

The Stream - Edition 1, May 2024

Welcome to The Stream from Radio Azim Premji University. This specially curated seamless listening experience features excerpts from your favourite podcast episodes interspersed with specially commissioned original music tracks. 

Featured in The Stream - Edition 1, May 27, 2024:

Shows and episodes 

- Big, big numbers - the place value system
Excerpt from It’s A Math Math Math World with Divakaran and Shraddha - Babylon 
Listen: https://on.soundcloud.com/YzZKn3kmFRgp57HcA 

- A sickle swishes in the dark - the attempt on Sir CP’s life
Excerpt from The India Project with Josy Joseph - Travancore 

- Why did the vendors come to Bangalore?
Excerpt from Story Of Pani Puri with Richa Govil and Puja Guha 
Listen: https://on.soundcloud.com/MBPtZ22EGrDhwyju7

To dive deeper, listen to these episodes on Radio Azim Premji University
 
Original music

The Babyl Is On - OST from It’s A Math Math Math World: Babylon  
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University 

Dhaar Banale - Songs from Street Philosophers: Knife Sharpeners
Performed by Kafeel Jafri and Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University 

Nima Waya Noni - A re-imagined presentation of a folk song from Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University

Vero Veena - A contemporary and lounge-inspired re-imagining of a classic Carnatic composition
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University

Cooler Colour - Carnatic Flute meets contemporary music for relaxation
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani featuring Ravichandra Kulur 

Credits

Student RJs:
Gulsingh Badgujer, Hitika Gilhotra, and Kinshuk Ghosh

Radio APU is brought to you by:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

The Stream | Edition 1 - May 2024

The radio crackles to life. We rewind to April 2, 1952. A day that is set to go down in the history of India, and the history of the world, as a triumphant day for democracy. At the counting stations, ballot boxes have been emptied for every last vote to be counted. We wait with bated breath for the results of independent India's first-ever general election to be declared.
This is a significant moment for the world. The newly declared republic is at a crossroads, having just shaken off the yoke of colonialism before it was riven by Partition.
Over the past few months, this elaborate democratic exercise has played out step by step. A total of 175 million citizens, spread over a million square kilometres, have cast their votes to choose their leaders. The entire world has had its eyes on India.
A democratic government of a nation of this size and a population this numerous is not elected in a day. Voting began six months earlier on October 25, 1951. Voters from the tehsils of Chinni and Pangi in Himachal Pradesh were first to cast their ballots. The first Indian voter was Shri Shyam Saran Negi, a schoolteacher. In Travancore-Cochin, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Hyderabad and Punjab, polling commenced in December 1951. All the remaining states went to the polls during January 1952. Polling in the northern hilly areas of Uttar Pradesh took place in the second fortnight of February 1952. The entire process spanned 68 phases over 4 months.
Imagine the massive effort it took to set up hundreds of thousands of polling booths across the country! Independent India’s first-ever election witnessed a total of 1949 candidates contest the polls for 489 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s bicameral parliament. The Legislative Assemblies of the states had a combined total of 3,283 seats.
The people of India have exercised their franchise to elect their first government. This is a watershed moment not just for India, but for democracy worldwide.
In Pehla Pehla Chunaav, our special episode of Samvidhaani Pitaara, hosts Seetal and Vineet KKN Panchhi take you on a time machine ride with a dramatised radio broadcast. Join us to recount the exciting events of the day that announces the winner of India’s first parliamentary election, and the party that will form India’s first democratically elected government.
Celebrate the legacy of democracy in India. May we have many, many more free and fair elections!

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harsh Gupta, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sameera Ahmed, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Discover additional resources for reading and exploration on our website:

https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/radio-azim-premji-university 

Pehla Pehla Chunaav | पहला पहला चुनाव

The distinguished anthropologist Irawati Karwe wrote, “I found a new definition of Maharashtra: the land whose people go to Pandharpur for pilgrimage.”

Pandharpur, near the city of Solapur, is a sacrosanct destination for the Varkari path within Hinduism, centred around the worship of the deity Vitthal or Vithoba, a form of Vishnu. The Varkaris are a part of the Bhakti movement, a spiritual tradition characterised by the immersive loving worship of a chosen deity. 

The word ‘Varkari’ means “one who performs the vari”— vari in Marathi refers to the annual 21-day pilgrimage to Pandharpur, which devotees of Vitthal perform as an expression of faith. The vari is a symbolic journey of the sants (those who have seen the truth) from their respective hometowns to the abode of Vitthal, and the varkaris carry symbolic palkhis (palanquins) bearing their padukas (footwear). The pilgrimage culminates on Ekadashi, the 11th day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha, which falls between late June and July according to the Gregorian calendar. Another pilgrimage is celebrated on the Ekadashi of the month of Kartika, which falls in November.

Helmed by the sants, the poet-saints who were instrumental in shaping the movement, the Varkari tradition reached its zenith from the 13th to 17th centuries. The tradition recognises about 50 sants, who hailed from varied backgrounds, castes, and professions. Chief among them were Dnyaneshwar, an outcast Brahmin scholar and poet; Namdev the tailor; Chokhamela, born into the Dalit Mahar caste; Eknath, a Brahmin; and Tukaram, a farmer and merchant. Other poets such as Muktabai, Janabai and Gonabai have also contributed to the wealth of verse in the tradition.

The earliest of the Varkari saints, Dnyaneshwar and Namdev broke with convention by composing abhangas, devotional songs in praise of Vitthal, in Marathi, the language of their followers, rather than the classical Sanskrit of the priestly class.

The Varkari saints believed that God was omnipresent and dwelt in the hearts of humans. Their teachings were not dogmatic or rigid. Although they encouraged their followers to live a life of austerity and self-sacrifice, theirs was a householder mode of Bhakti rather than an ascetic one. Their abhangas reinforce the message that all people are equal before god. 

In the fourth episode of our series Bhakti Republic, Amit Basole continues his exploration of constitutional values in the poetry of the Varkaris through anecdotes and readings, against a background of original music performances.

Credits:

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harshit Hillol Gogoi, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Original music tracks performed by Anjali Malkar, Bruce Lee Mani, Junuka Deshpande, Karthik Bhat, and Noel Prashanth

Acknowledgements:

This episode draws extensively on the work of Sadanand More, Indrajit Bhalerao, Christian Novetzke, and Jon Keune. Thanks to Anjali Malkar for help with selecting and interpreting some of the poems.

The Path To Pandharpur | Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole Ep 4

Rahul De, who teaches economics at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, is obsessed with the business of sport. Of particular interest to him are sporting activities that are off-radar for the mainstream, yet command a devoted fan base. Think WWE, kabaddi, running… How do these sports find a market, build loyal communities, and generate money for participants and promoters alike?
Co-presenting the series are Kailash Kaushik, Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Humanities at Christ University, Bengaluru, and Arvind Bharathi, who is with the School of Arts and Sciences at Azim Premji University.
Subscribe to be notified about upcoming episodes of this new series from Radio Azim Premji University.
Our first episode drops on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Trailer - Economies Of Khel | Radio Azim Premji University

Fun fact: In 2002, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) rebranded to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after losing a legal brawl with the World Wildlife Fund. Whatever name it goes by, the raging popularity of televised professional wrestling—a mix of mock combat and showmanship—is no accident. Despite its wild and boisterous nature, WWE’s over-the-top theatrics have found a dedicated following among Indians raised on Bollywood potboilers and saas-bahu soap operas.

India has a long history of formal wrestling in the akhadas, but wrestling as branded entertainment took off in the 1990s with the advent of satellite cable TV after economic liberalisation and the First Gulf War. Youth suddenly exposed to international sports culture embraced WWE, making it a subculture of its own.

WWE's appeal lies in its clever marketing strategy, blending sports with orchestrated entertainment. Wrestlers are more than athletes; they are characters with elaborate backstories and scripted traits. Engaging storylines keep fans hooked, ensuring the success and longevity of these characters.

Economically, WWE’s strategy in India includes big-bucks media partnerships targeting a youthful audience. Localisation efforts like training camps, events featuring international celebrities like John Cena, and desi stars like Shanky Singh and Jinder Mahal, have boosted its appeal. The glam factor is significant too, highlighted by media events such as Akshay Kumar’s “fight” with The Undertaker and Kurt Angle’s guest appearances.

The debate over whether WWE is real or fake is irrelevant to its fans—it’s all about entertainment. The 1990s fuelled fan culture with merchandise like clothing, accessories, and playing cards. WWE's efforts at inclusive marketing feature stereotyped ethnic characters like Yokozuna and Jinder Mahal’s "Punjabi Prison" match, adding to the diverse narratives that fans love.

In this conversational and engaging series on unconventional sports, economist Rahul De invites media studies professor and basketball enthusiast Kailash Kaushik to discuss the culture and economy of unconventional sporting promotions. 

Tune into "Apna WWE," the first episode of "Economies Of Khel," only on Radio Azim Premji University.

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
For a comprehensive list of acknowledgements and resources for further exploration, visit our website:
https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/economies-of-khel-the-curious-business-of-unconventional-sports

Apna WWE | Economies Of Khel Ep 1 | Radio Azim Premji University

Is there a uniquely Indian idea of freedom?

The music of our beating hearts weaves the multifaceted tapestry that is India. This Independence Day, we remind ourselves yet again what it means to be Indian. 

Hosted by Vineet KKN Panchhi of The Jai Hind Project, this special edition of Samvidhaani Pitaara is aptly titled “Hindustan Ki Nayi Geetmala - Azaadi Special” — a playlist of tunes and voices that sing of our yearning for freedom. Featuring voices old and new, familiar and quaint — from Indian Ocean to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, from Folk Masti to A R Rahman — which resonate with the qualities that remind us of true Indianness: a healthy respect for our differences, and a generous tolerance of views that are at variance with each other. Topped off with special I-Day wishes from some of the artists, this celebratory selection of music will fill your heart with pride and love — for India.

Radio Azim Premji University wishes you a joyous and meaningful Independence Day 2024!  

Playlist:

Song: Des Mera 
Album: Peepli [Live] Movie
Artist - Indian Ocean

Song: Kabir Ki Vani
Album: Single
Artist: Folk Masti

Song: Pataka Guddi
Singer: Sultana and Jyoti Nooran
Music: A.R Rahman
Movie: Highway

Song: Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hai Tere
Singers: Rashid Khan & Vidya Shah
Music: Sneha Khanwalkar
Movie: Manto

Song: Koi Bole Ram Ram
Singer: Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Song: Tanna Na
Artist: Nyasa
Album: Single

Song: Mohabbat Zindabad (Feat. Karsh Kale)
Album: Side A || Side A/ Side B
Artist: Ankur Tewari & The Ghalat Family
Feat. Karsh Kale

Song: Yeh Tara Woh Tara
Movie: Swades
Singer: Udit Narayan, Master Vignesh, Baby Pooja, Kids
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Music: A.R. Rahman

Enjoy these songs in a special YouTube Music playlist that we have curated for your listening pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo3VipWSCallycnXkihbARS8FxkLLKdbP 
Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
Acknowledgements:
Our thanks to Ankur Tewari, Folk Masti, and Nilesh from Nyasa for soundbites used in this episode.

Hindustan Ki Nayi Geetmala - Azaadi Special

The Stream Edition 2

In this edition:

A. Shows and episodes: 

Sahir Ludhianvi’s Bombay - Excerpt from Bombay Talkies - Bonus Episode of Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole
Cricket and caste - The Baloo Palwankar story | Excerpt from Well Caught Ep 1 - Separate Gates, Separate Dressing Rooms 
Round Figure - excerpt from It’s A Math Math Math World
Grain Of Truth - excerpt from the Story Of Rice


B. Original Music

- Ullavaru Shivalaya… from Kayakave Kailasa - Music for Bhakti Republic by Pallavi MD and Bruce Lee Mani
- Kole Basava OST by Bruce Lee Mani featuring Manjunath V on Nadaswaram
- Silly Point - soundtrack composed by Bruce Lee Mani for Well Caught With Giri and Raghu 
- Desh Jam - soundtrack for It’s A Math Math Math World Ep 2 by Bruce Lee Mani
- Soundtrack for the series opener of Unboxed - The Harmonium in India by Bruce Lee Mani
- Soundtrack for Story Of Pani Puri by Bruce Lee Mani

The Stream | Edition 2 - August 2024

In 2022, six years after its inception, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) became the second most-watched sports event in India with 220 million viewers, surpassed only by the Indian Premier League (IPL) for T20 cricket. 

What fuelled its meteoric rise? 

In the second episode of Economies of Khel, economist Rahul De and media expert Kailash Koushik explore how kabaddi transformed from a rural pastime into a professional sport. They trace its roots back over 4,000 years in the Tamil-speaking region of southern India and its evolution in northern India’s traditional wrestling akhadas, where it was used to build physical fitness and combat skills. Some sources even liken Abhimanyu’s battle in the Mahabharata to a kabaddi match, where a lone warrior fends off encircling opponents.

Kabaddi demands a unique combination of physical strength, mental agility, and extraordinary breath control, similar to swimming — Kailash calls it “meditation on the move.” Traditionally, the game is played between two teams of 12, with 7 players on the field at any time. The objective is to raid the opponent's half, tag players, and return without inhaling, all while chanting "Kabaddi." Points are awarded for successful raids and defences, with teams alternating roles after each half. 

India has several forms of kabaddi, each with distinct rules. Sanjeevani features a 40-minute game with players revived when an opponent is put out. Gaminee has no time limit, with players remaining out until all teammates are out. Amar is similar to Sanjeevani but allows players to stay on the court after being touched out. Punjabi Kabaddi is unique for its circular pitch. Despite their differences, all forms share the goal of capturing opponents. 

Though modern kabaddi gained recognition in the mid-1900s, with an exhibition match staged at the Berlin Olympics in 1936, it wasn't until 1950, with the establishment of the All India Kabaddi Federation, that it began to acquire prominence. Kabaddi was included as a medal sport in the Asian Games in 1990, and the launch of India’s Pro Kabaddi League in 2014 further propelled its popularity, making it a spectator sport backed by a cast of promoters that included industrialists, and Bollywood stars. Kabaddi’s international popularity is also growing, with strong teams emerging in Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Korea, and Australia.

Pro Kabaddi adapted and modified traditional rules to make the sport television-friendly. More significantly, it transported kabaddi from the akhada to the mat. With names like Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls, PKL teams rough it out for glory and laurels in a packed arena. 

In addition to dramatically increasing kabaddi's popularity in India, the PKL has introduced professionalism to the sport, attracting corporate sponsorships and improving player remuneration. It has also invested in grassroots development, fostering talent and promoting physical fitness in rural areas. PKL has elevated kabaddi's cultural significance, transforming a rural tradition into a mainstream sport and a symbol of Indian pride.

Credits 

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

For a comprehensive list of acknowledgements and other resources, visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/economies-of-khel-the-curious-business-of-unconventional-sports

Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi | Ep 2 - Economies of Khel

Over the past two decades, running in India has transformed from a niche pursuit to a mainstream phenomenon, driven by rising fitness awareness, social influencers, and dedicated running communities. This evolution began in the late 2000s, when tech professionals returning to cities like Bengaluru from the USA brought with them the enthusiasm for long-distance running, a trend that had already gained popularity in the West.
In Bengaluru, communities like the Hashhouse Harriers and pioneers such as KC Kothandapani played a key role in making running accessible and organised. As interest grew, running blossomed into both a passion sport and a profitable industry. International sports brands recognised the market potential, sponsoring marathons and promoting their products through running clubs. Corporate sponsors also encouraged employee participation in fitness events, further fueling the sport’s growth.
The rise of digital platforms enabled running influencers and coaches to gain significant followings, turning running into a viable career for many. Today, running in India thrives, with marathons, half-marathons, and even “runcations” becoming commonplace. 
Arvind Bharathi led India’s first running club, Runners for Life, for over a decade, helping bridge the gap between amateur and serious runners. In Run Bhoomi, the third episode of Economies of Khel, Arvind joins hosts Rahul De and Kailash Koushik to share insights, tracing the passion, culture, and business that have shaped running into a cultural phenomenon in India that blends fitness, community, and commerce.

Credits
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Discover more on our website:

Ep 3 - Run Bhoomi | Economies Of Khel

Featured in The Stream - Edition 3, October 17, 2024
Shows and Episodes:
The India Project with Josy Joseph - Indore
Almost Perfect - 200 metres from Glory - Rita Gombu Marwah
Stories of Change - Snehadhara
Well Caught - Spinning Through The Seventies

Original Music and Soundtracks:
1. Amhi Vaarika Vaarika
2. River Song by Bhatiyali singers
3. Acha Shiva Aikyange - Kayakave Kailasa - Music for Bhakti Republic by MD Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani
4. Halpudi Haadu - the Tooth Powder Song
5. Prema Pisey

Credits: 
Student team: Aashi Chheda, Hitika Gilhotra, Kinshuk Ghosh
Radio APU is brought to you by:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

For more information, visit: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/the-stream-by-radio-azim-premji-university

The Stream | Edition 3 - October 2024

Guess what screams through the air at a whopping 565 km per hour? Not a peregrine falcon. Not a bullet train. Not even a Bugatti on the freeway. 
It’s a shuttlecock flying off the racquet of an Indian champion who set the Guinness record for the fastest smash.
In ‘Net-Net’, episode 4 of Economies of Khel, economist Rahul De and media studies expert Kailash Koushik analyse the curious subculture and economic currents shaping one of India’s most cherished sports. They explore how badminton has woven itself into the social fabric of India.
For a sport that began in India as a British colonial import confined to Gymkhana clubs, badminton’s undemanding nature and accessibility helped it to permeate Indian society, carving out a special niche within middle-class neighbourhoods . It became one of the few sports where men and women could play side-by-side, offering a rare space for co-ed interaction in a conservative society. Kailash reflects on how, in these humble settings, badminton was almost like a cup of coffee—casual, accessible, and refreshingly uncompetitive, often played just to enjoy each other’s company.
For Rahul De, the rise of badminton in India can be viewed in two distinct eras: before and after Pullela Gopichand. The former national champion and celebrated coach established the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, a powerhouse that has produced champions like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. Besides nurturing elite athletes, his academy has propelled the sport into the national consciousness, inspiring a new generation and sparking a surge in badminton courts and academies across the country.
In “Net-Net” we dig into the marketing personas crafted around Indian badminton stars, with Saina’s relatable small-town charm contrasting Sindhu’s high-gloss, urban image. These branding strategies offer a peek into badminton’s dual identity in India, balancing grassroots appeal with a rising, elite-driven professional presence. Today, it’s hard to find a place in India where badminton is not played. 
Of course, if you tend to feel claustrophobic inside an indoor court, you can always step outside and enjoy a game of AirBadminton with a specially designed wind-resistant shuttle!
Intrigued? You have to listen to the episode for the rest. Tune in to unpack the fascinating layers of badminton in India. 

Credits
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar 

For additional resources, please visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/economies-of-khel/net-net-smashingly-curious-about-badminton

Net-Net - Ep 4 of Economies Of Khel | Radio Azim Premji University Podcast

'सड़कों की आवाज़ें'
शुरुआती दिनों मे एक यंग एनेरजेटिक पब्लिक हेल्थ रिसर्चर के रूप में मैं लोगों को तंबाकू छोड़ने के लिए कहता रहता था। ‘भारत मे तंबाकू से संबंधित बीमारियों से हर दिन 2000-3000 लोग लोग मरते हैं। ‘पैकेट में मौत लिखी है वाली अक्षय कुमार की ऐड नहीं देखी?’ वगेरे वगेरे। 
फिर मैं 30-35 साल के कैब  ड्राइवर रमेश  को मिला। क्यूंकी ड्राइवर लोगों मे तंबाकू का उपयोग बहुत आम है, मैं तंबाकू के बारे मैं रमेश को बताता गया और वो दिन रात सड़कों पर अपनी टेकसी चलाते चलाते मुजे चुपचाप सुनता गया ।  रोजाना मिलों का सफर तय करने वाले रमेश ने एक दिन अपने भीतर की यात्रा की, और हिम्मत जुटा कर मुझे  अपने मन की बात कह दी।  ''सड़कों की आवाज़ें' नाम के इस एपिसोड में आइए रमेश के तंबाकू छोड़ने के दिलचस्प दृष्टिकोण को उसी की जबान मे सुनते हैं। 
__
“I’m off now, wherever the road takes me…”
As a young and spirited public health researcher, the presenter urged people to quit tobacco. And then he met Ramesh, a cab driver in his mid-thirties, who listened to him quietly as he drove the researcher around on his field visits. In answer to the social worker’s long sermons on the ill effects of tobacco, Ramesh said nothing. 
One day, unexpectedly, the researcher receives a notification on his phone. It is a long message, in Hindi, from Ramesh. The cab driver politely speaks his mind and opens his heart in a way that makes the researcher think, and consider the question deeply.
“Professor Saab, you might think I chew tobacco out of habit or for fun. But no, it’s not like that. It helps me work. I have to drive for hours, day and night. You guests rest in the back after your meals, but I have to stay alert to get you home safely. When one is alone and has to stay awake, one needs some company. It keeps us going…”
Ramesh appears to be defending his tobacco habit, but in actuality he is uncovering the hard life of a daily wage earner who toils to make ends meet, and has to withstand numerous societal challenges every day. More so, it shines a light on the public healthcare system that makes little effort to prevent tobacco consumption but wakes up only when a user falls ill. 
“If society or the government really wanted us to quit, they’d make it harder to access tobacco, wouldn’t they?” Ramesh asks. “But no, it’s available everywhere. Every other shop sells it alongside biscuits, hair oil, and shampoo. It’s cheaper than tea.” 
What do you feel after listening to Ramesh’s letter? Drop us a note with your thoughts.
CREDITS
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Taxi driver voiced by Sanjay Chauhan
——
Chapters:
0:00:00 - Introduction - Sadakon Ki Awaazein
0:01:19 - A Public Health Researcher Reflects
0:02:35 - Meet Ramesh, the taxi driver
0:03:49 - Ramesh’s Message
0:04:59 - Tobacco Addiction Since Childhood
0:06:19 - Struggles To Quit Tobacco
0:09:15 - Outro
0:10:00 - Epilogue

Sadkon Ki Awaazein - सड़कों की आवाज़ें - लिखो जो ख़त मुझे मयूर त्रिवेदी के साथ Ep 1

Mirza Ghalib, one of Urdu’s greatest poets, masterfully wove metaphysical reflections into his verse, questioning the nature of reality, existence, and perception. On the occasion of his 156th death anniversary, we revisit his poetry through a selection of verses from Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota: The World of Ghalib, a six-part series presented by Amit Basole, a poetry aficionado and faculty in economics at Azim Premji University.

Ghalib’s poetry often challenges our understanding of the visible and the hidden, suggesting that what appears before us may, in fact, conceal a deeper truth. One of his celebrated verses plays with paradoxes, exploring the idea that ultimate reality is hidden in plain sight. Through close readings, this episode unpacks such layered meanings, drawing connections to philosophical traditions and his poetic predecessors.

We also examine Ghalib’s playful yet profound manipulation of language, which reflects on existence and divinity with deceptive simplicity. Whether through paradox, wordplay, or existential musings, Ghalib’s poetry remains an endless source of interpretation and wonder—an invitation to look beyond the obvious and glimpse the hidden truths of the universe.

Amit Basole explains three Ghalib poems in this bonus episode. If you enjoyed these excerpts, you’ll find more to love as you explore the series on Radio Azim Premji University.

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar


Ghalib Explained: 3 Poems On Reality and Existence

In Unboxed — The Lightbulb in India, Sharmadip Basu and Proteep Mallik explore the history, science, and legacy of electric lighting in India, joined by guests Antara Das and Sunandan K.N.
The electric lightbulb transformed human life, replacing natural cycles of light and darkness and extending human productivity beyond the workday. Early innovations such as Humphry Davy’s arc light (1802) and Warren de la Rue’s platinum filament bulb (1840) were impractical. In 1879, Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan developed longer-lasting carbon filament bulbs. By 1906, tungsten filaments became the standard, and later, argon gas was introduced to extend bulb life.
Electric lighting arrived in India in 1879. By 1889, Kolkata had streetlights, and by 1899, its first power station. Mumbai saw electric lighting in 1882, but tungsten filament bulbs became common only by 1923. The Roy brothers helped establish India’s lighting industry with Bengal Lamps. 
Don’t miss Sunandan’s personal story of electricity reaching his Kerala village in the 1970’s—with an ironic twist!
Heard the term social jet-lag? Antara, professor of biology at Azim Premji University, warns about the effects of prolonged exposure to artificial lighting, which disrupts circadian rhythms and affects sleep and health. Ironically, the future of light may eventually lie in darkness. Dark Sky Reserves, such as India’s Hanle Reserve in Ladakh, aim to reduce light pollution and preserve natural nightscapes. 
Tune in to another illuminating episode of Unboxed and don’t forget to catch up on other episodes in the series.
Credits: 
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, Vaishnavi Ramanujam, and Velu Shankar

Unboxed - The Lightbulb In India with Sharmadip Basu and Proteep Mallik

Bengaluru Karaga | ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕರಗ
In this special episode of Noorakke Nooru Karnataka, we step into the heart of one of Bengaluru’s oldest and most vibrant traditions—the Bengaluru Karaga. New host Varsha Ramachandra is joined by historian and storyteller Dharmendra Kumar Arenahalli, who has spent years documenting this unique festival.
Held in the lunar month of Chaitra, the Karaga is a spectacular night-time procession through the city’s historic Pete area. At its centre is a flower-adorned Karaga bearer, who channels the spirit of Draupadi, the warrior-goddess from the Mahabharata. We explore how the Thigala community, once caretakers of Bengaluru’s lakes and temple gardens, continue to uphold this tradition even as the city rapidly changes. We also trace the origins of the Karaga, its symbolic rituals like the Gange Puje, and its powerful gesture of interfaith harmony at the Tawakkal Mastan Dargah.
Tune in to discover how this living ritual speaks to Bengaluru’s soul—its layered past, its inclusive spirit, and its resilience in the face of constant change. 
Credits 

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

ಚೈತ್ರ ಮಾಸದ ಆಗಮನದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರವೂ, ನೂರಕ್ಕೆ ನೂರು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲೂ ಹೊಸ ಆತಿಥೇಯರಾಗಿ ವರ್ಷಾ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಹೊಸ ತಿರುವು ಪಡೆದಿದೆ. 2023ರಿಂದ ಈ ಸರಣಿಯು ಕನ್ನಡದ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಐಕಾನ್ಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರು ಹಾಗೂ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡವರಿಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯಿಸುತ್ತ ಬಂದಿದೆ.
ಈ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಇತಿಹಾಸಕಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಥೆಗಾರರಾದ ಧರ್ಮೇಂದ್ರಕುಮಾರ್ ಅರೇನಹಳ್ಳಿ ಅವರು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕರಗದ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. 1970ರ ದಶಕದ ಮೈಸೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದ ಅವರು, ಕರಗದ ಕುರಿತು ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಜನಪ್ರಿಯ ವಿಡಿಯೋಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಮೂರು ಶತಮಾನಗಳಿಂದ ನಡೆಯುವ ಈ ಉತ್ಸವವು ಪೇಟೆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಹೃದಯದಲ್ಲಿ, ದ್ರೌಪದಿಯನ್ನು ಆದಿಶಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ಭಾವಿಸಿ, ತಿಗಳ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಯಾಗಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಗಂಗಾ ಪೂಜೆ, ತವಕ್ಕಲ್ ಮಸ್ತಾನ್ ದರ್ಗಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಅಂತರ್ಧರ್ಮೀಯ ಸಹಿಷ್ಣುತೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಗರೀಕರಣದ ನಡುವೆ ಕರಗವು ಭೂಮಿ, ನೀರು, ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ನೆನೆಸುವ ಒಂದು ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಸಂಚಲನೆಯಾಗಿ ಉಳಿದಿದೆ. ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ನಗರದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ, ಕರಗವು ನೆನಪಿನ ತಂತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಜೀವಂತವಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತದೆ.
ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಪೂರ್ವಕ ನುಡಿಗಳು:
ಅಕ್ಷಯ್ ರಾಮುಹಳ್ಳಿ, ಬಿಜೋಯ್ ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ್, ಬ್ರೂಸ್ ಲೀ ಮಣಿ, ಗೋರ್ವೆಕ್ ತೊಕ್ಚೋಮ್, ಕಿಶೋರ್ ಮಂಡಲ್, ನಾರಾಯಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣಸ್ವಾಮಿ, ಪ್ರಶಾಂತ್ ವಾಸುದೇವನ್, ಸಾನಂದ ದಾಸ್‌ಗುಪ್ತ, ಸೀಮಾ ಸೇಠ್, ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾ ಗೌತಮ್, ಸುಪ್ರಿಯಾ ಜೋಶಿ ಮತ್ತು ವೇಲು ಶಂಕರ್.

Bengaluru Karaga | ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಕರಗ

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where our rights as citizens intersect—or sometimes clash—with the law. While it’s one thing to study the Constitution article by article, it’s quite another to understand the nuances of when and how to exercise those rights.
What if you had the chance to call in and consult a constitutional expert? Would that make you more aware of your rights—and more empowered as a citizen?
On the occasion of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birthday, we bring you a special episode of Samvidhaani Pitaara that promotes civic awareness. Hello Samvidhaan is a dramatised simulation of a call-in radio show where listeners from across India raise questions about how the Indian Constitution applies to everyday life. A cast of characters present a variety of dilemmas, each met with clear, practical guidance from an expert.
One caller is confused about why he can’t use the RTI to find a bride—after all, isn’t the “right to information” supposed to help with everything? A private school teacher is denied paid maternity leave because her contract is ending—can she still claim her rights? A domestic worker from West Bengal, now living in Bengaluru, recounts her ordeal after her husband is falsely accused of theft—how can she access justice without money for legal help? A young schoolboy complains of being beaten and pressured into tuition by his teacher—does he have any say in how he learns?
The Indian Constitution is 75 years old, and it’s time citizens embraced its possibilities fully. In Hello Samvidhaan, host Vineet KKN Panchhi reflects on emphasising the importance of not only knowing our rights, but also upholding our duties as citizens.
Credits
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
Acknowledgements
Performers: Gulshan Badgujjar, Johanna Lokhande, Hiya
Experts: Archana Relan, Geetanjali Prasad, Harsh Gupta, Shivangi Anand

Hello Samvidhaan! | Samvidhaani Pitaara with Vineet KKN Panchhi | Radio Azim Premji University

You thought it was Indian? That’s the thing — it might not be!
That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas.
Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious.
Whether you’re a trivia geek or just nosy about your kitchen shelf, That’s The Thing promises to challenge what you think you know about what’s “Indian.”

Produced by Jimmy Xavier for Radio Azim Premji University 
Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar


That’s The Thing - Radio Azim Premji University (Show Trailer)

Is the auto rickshaw really Indian? Or did it tuk-tuk its way into our hearts from faraway lands?

In the debut episode of That’s The Thing, hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar go on a rollicking ride through the action-packed history of India’s most iconic three-wheeler. From 19th-century Japan’s human-pulled jinrikshas, to Italy’s buzzing Piaggio Ape, to Bajaj Auto’s desi makeover, they unearth the quirky global roots of the autorickshaw.

Discover how freedom fighters introduced the auto to India post-Independence, how e-rickshaws are reshaping public transport, and why we might finally have the ride-hailing revolution we need. 

Along the way, there’s trivia, movie shout-outs (hello Octopussy and Autoraja), and a peek at how autos are doubling up as mobile homes and healthcare vans.

Fast, funny, and packed with trivia, this is a history/culture lesson you’ll want to be stuck in traffic for. Hold tight—this ride has no seatbelts!

CREDITS:
Produced by Jimmy Xavier 
Radio Azim Premji University:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

That's The Thing| Ep 1 Auto Rickshaw| Radio Azim Premji University

It’s scalding hot, sweet, kadak — and proudly Indian. But can India really lay claim to chai?
Hosts Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the journey of tea from the jungles near the Indo-China border to the boiling kettles of Indian railway stations. From its ancient medicinal uses in China to the British ‘discovery’ of wild tea bushes in Assam, this episode brews up a storm of fun facts, folk songs, and forgotten histories.
We learn about Camellia sinensis, the dark legacy of British tea plantations and indentured labour, and the surprising role of Buddhist monks and Taoist philosophers in tea’s rise. The hosts also spill juicy trivia: why all teas come from the same plant, how iced tea rose to fame during Prohibition, and what Cha Bagan Time actually is.
From masala chai to teefee and suleimani, this episode celebrates India’s deep love for chai while reminding us of its complex and global roots. 
Sip, listen, reflect.
CREDITS:
Produced by Jimmy Xavier 
Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

That's The Thing| Ep 2 Chai| Radio Azim Premji University

In the pantheon of Kannada literary greats, K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi stands apart, with his dazzling prose, unquenchable curiosity, wit, and originality that coloured everything he touched. His multi-faceted personality ranged from being a literary rebel of sorts and an explorer of life to an agriculturist, photographer, and activist.
Unlike his legendary father Kuvempu, Tejaswi’s literary voice was distinctly modern, often laced with science, folklore, and adventure. He wrote about everything from alien civilisations and quantum physics to the raw beauty of the Malnad region.
Tejaswi’s irreverent sense of humour is perhaps one of the most enduring aspects of his writing. His narratives often sparkle with sarcasm, irony, and outright funny moments — not just for comic relief, but to mock bureaucratic inefficiency or the absurdities of superstition. His humour was always sharp, thought-provoking, and fearless, as he delved into the depths of forests and dived into the politics of rural Karnataka.
His works bridged the gap between the literary and the scientific, making complex ideas accessible, thrilling, and deeply rooted in Kannada culture. Credited with bringing a breath of fresh air to the literary scene, his novels — Chidambara Rahasya, Jugari Cross, and Karvalo — became not just bestsellers but also literary landmarks, blending storytelling with sharp socio-political insight.
Even today, nearly two decades after his death in 2007, Tejaswi’s works remain startlingly relevant and popular. His critiques of environmental degradation, blind faith, and social inequality feel more urgent than ever. In an age of misinformation and climate crisis, his rational, empathetic, and boldly curious voice serves as a compass for both readers and writers.
His writings continue to inspire a new generation of Kannada readers, encouraging them to see the world with wonder, scepticism, and laughter. In classrooms, book clubs, and forest trails alike, Poornachandra Tejaswi lives on as the curious rebel with a pen — ever ready to question, entertain, and enlighten.
In this episode of Noorakke Nooru Karnataka, our host Varsha Ramachandra talks to director and writer Dr Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, and director Shashank Soghal of Daredevil Mustafa fame, about the enduring enigma that Tejaswi continues to be.

ಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ ತೇಜಸ್ವಿ | Tejaswi Forever...._ Noorakke Nooru Karnataka| Episode 8

You’ve rolled the dice, dodged snakes, and climbed ladders — but did you know Snakes and Ladders began as a lesson in morality? This episode traces the game’s roots to 13th-century Maharashtra, where Sant Jnaneshwar designed Moksha Patam to teach virtues and warn against vices. Each square held a symbolic meaning — generosity, faith, and humility led you upward, while pride and drunkenness pulled you down. The ultimate goal? Reaching Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu.
The hosts dive into family memories, Ekadashi traditions, and the cultural evolution of the game — from Jnaneshwar’s Hindu board with 72 squares to Jain versions with 84. 
Special guest, Chandrakant from Jejuri, offers deep insight into the Varkari tradition, Jnaneshwar’s poetic genius, and his radical efforts to democratise spiritual knowledge by translating the Gita into Marathi.
With laughter, song, and sharp reflections, the episode transforms a humble board game into a powerful metaphor for life’s journey — where even one misstep near the end (like the snake of pride at square 95) can send you tumbling. Thoughtful and funny, this episode is a reminder that even childhood games can hold timeless wisdom.

That's The Thing| Ep 3 Snakes and Ladders| Radio Azim Premji University

Game Play Sport| Episode 1| Game Play Sport with Rahul, Arvind, and Kailash

Ghazal| That's The Thing| Radio Azim Premji University

Pustakadinda Pardega| ಪುಸ್ತಕದಿಂದ ಪರದೆಗೆ

In this episode of Game Play Sport, we explore how India’s gym culture has shifted—from basement weight rooms and bodybuilding ideals to wellness-focused routines and group classes. Shwetambari Shetty, founder of Third Space, joins the conversation to reflect on why gyms have felt intimidating for many, and how fitness trends are shaping access, comfort, and community today.

Watch this incredibly thought-provoking conversation about how the gym culture in India has evolved and where it will be in 10 years… Tune in NOW!

Evolution of India's Gym Culture | Game Play Sports Episode 2

You are listening to Radio Azim Premji University, our campus radio station. Azim Premji University was founded in 2010 with the vision to contribute to the realisation of a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. On our channel, you can tune in to a variety of engrossing shows on themes ranging from democracy and culture, science and mathematics, and more. You can also experience a slice of campus life. If you are a seeking student, an arts aficionado, curious about science, or just passionate about India, subscribe and start listening.

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

Radio Azim Premji University

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks