Jaipur Bytes

Ghost stories are a significant part of Bengali culture. In this podcast, Arundhati Nath recalls how she grew up listening to her grandmother narrate ghost stories. She discusses how the stories in the collection ‘The Phantom’s Howl’ feature supernatural creatures with not only elements of horror but also humour. 

Even after testing ninety fried chicken recipes in three months for her cookbook ‘Kung Pao and Beyond’, food writer and chef Susan Jung still loves fried chicken. In this engaging podcast, Jung shares her culinary journey from starting out as an English literature graduate to becoming a pastry chef, writing a cookbook and now a food writer at Vogue Hong Kong. 

Which kinds of art are worth viewing, and who creates them?

Katy Hessel unpacks these questions by examining limitations historically placed on art made by women and types of works currently exhibited in the UK. The art historian argues how recognising these artists and writers’ achievements not only enriches our understanding of art history but also shapes a more inclusive future for the art world.  

From discussing culinary school and what inspired his passion for cooking, to exploring how the history of colonialism in Kerala has shaped its cuisine, and delving into the science and art of selecting ingredients and preparing dishes, Chef Anand George covers multiple facets of the culinary experience. 

There is a lot to be said about the current state of politics and media in India today. This is exactly what journalist and author Rajdeep Sardesai expands on while talking about his newest book ‘2024: The Election that Surprised India’. Sardesei points out the hypocrisy of the Indian media and discusses Prime Minister Modi’s mass appeal as well as the need for a strong opposition. 

“I am rejecting the idea that I’m half Punjabi and half British. I am both those things fully.”

In this captivating podcast, Jassa Ahluwalia discusses his book “Both Not Half,” exploring identity and his writing process. He shares stories of growing up in a multicultural home, how his family blended languages and cultures, and his experiences visiting India. 

Storytelling takes on many forms from poems, plays, novels, short stories, to films, music, and short films. In this captivating podcast, Manav Kaul and Imtiaz Ali discuss elements that make narratives compelling, sharing how evocative literature and media influence their approach to writing, directing, and acting. Discover how stories inspire us and transform the way in which we see the world. 

Growing up in America, singer Hrishi was surrounded by music that was different from the songs he heard at home. In this episode, Hrishi discusses how he navigated these two distinct musical worlds and discovered ways to blend Carnatic music with the English pop and rock that shaped his upbringing. He also reflects on achieving social media fame on Instagram and Tiktok.

Radio, YouTube, Instagram, and Bollywood are just a few of the diverse fields Prajakta Koli has explored. Now, she is venturing into the world of literature with her debut novel, ‘Too Good to be True’. In this engaging podcast, social media star Koli shares insights into her creative writing process, how she navigates fame, and her approach to overcoming failure. 

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

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

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

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

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