Chippin' Away

A review of the history of medicine takes the discussion to a well-documented era of South Asian history, the medieval period under the Mughal Empire (c. 14th – 17th century CE). Ananth Adhyam takes a literary review of medical practices represented in the writings of the Mughal period. The episode discusses the attitude towards health-seeking practices, medicine men and record-keeping for medical procedures, amongst other features...

How could the history of medicine be complete without discussing herbs and plants!? Rashmimala Devi, an artist and botanical illustrator, takes us through the history of illustrating botanical samples of medicinal and ornamental varieties in South Asia. We discuss the practice of creating herbariums and the history of writing detailed manuals on local flora from at least the early medieval period in India. This episode combines var...

The history of medicine cannot begin without an archaeological survey of ancient health-seeking practices. We take the listeners on a whirlwind tour of the world, from Europe to North America and back to Asia, reviewing examples of medical practices and intentional caregiving practices in archaeological data. The episode discusses skeletal remains and examples of residue analysis, among other examples of archaeological remains that...

The discussion on material culture in the history of medicine lays a foundation for this episode which summarizes the oral and performative traditions in community health-seeking. Traditionally termed as “folk medicine”, we discuss the field of studying indigenous medical practices. The episode reviews belief systems that often animate diseases as deities themselves, to be propitiated and feared. On the other hand, the deification ...

The introductory episode offers a sneak peek into Major S L Bhatia Museum of History of Medicine, Bangalore. Ms. Radhika Hegde offers a walkthrough of the museum, its exhibits and their archives at the museum within the St. John’s Hospital, Medical College and Research Institute campus (Bangalore, India). The episode takes a deep dive into the multifaceted collection at the museum, including new activities and ventures such as thei...

Team Chippin’ Away interviews Dr. Sunil Pandya on the life and work of Major-General Dr. S L Bhatia. He takes the listener through the history of medical institutions and medical research with Dr. Bhatia’s biography. The episode unveils Dr. Bhatia’s work in the field of medical research, his contributions to the field of pathology and introduces his views as a humanist. Extolled as one of the finest medical practitioners in the pre...

From the South of Asia to the North of America, we discuss the influence of popular culture on archaeology and the study of the past. If you started following archaeology after Indiana Jones' movies, Lara Croft Tomb-Raider, or the likes; this episode is for you! 
Join us as we interview Josh Lindal (co-host of the podcast "Screens of the Stone Age"). We discuss films, archaeology, and how the field and popular cu...

We had the wonderful opportunity to feature on Screens of the Stone Age. Find the details below!

On this episode, we’re joined by Akash Srinivas and Durga Kale of the Chippin’ Away podcast to review Mohenjo Daro (2016), the story of a simple farmboy’s first trip to the big city where he falls in love, discovers his destiny, and saves an entire civilization. Mohenjo Daro was a real city in the Indus Valley, and Akash and Du...

In this episode, part two of two, we continue our conversations with Dr. Kush Dhebar on India's wrestling and grappling culture, its representation and expression in material culture and the concept of masculinity, both in the past and how we represent it in the present. More examples, more details and an exciting origin story (!!), so jump right in!

And you know the drill; get in touch with us with your comments and...