The Dusty Mic Chronicles

Photography, Streets and Journeys

In this podcast, I discuss my views on photography, the streets, journeys - mostly in India, and aspects of Indian history and society. And maybe a few conversations with people on the street. I will record some podcast episodes from the street and some from my little office. www.rajivchopra.in

  1. 19 hr ago

    Independence for some.

    I started writing about Ferozepore, the town I was born in. It is my birthday month, so I will dwell on the past. August 1947 was dramatic, liberating, and, for many, traumatic. Yet, we must all march on. The past stays with us as we look ahead. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  2. 2 days ago

    Substack Half-Dead: Walking at night.

    When night falls, the creatures emerge. People sleep; others work. Some engage in nefarious activities, and others just want to go home. I don’t know who this girl was. She was well-dressed, well-made up, and seemed to be waiting for someone. As I boarded my taxi home, I saw her talking to some men in a jeep. They did not look like her friends. Before we rush to judge her, it may be worth pausing. First, she may have been waiting for friends, family, or something else. If it was for ‘business,’ ask why she needs to do ‘business’ and ask if it is your concern or mine. India has changed and so has Delhi. Social mores have changed: some for the better and many for the worse. A driver lay back in his car, waiting for his passengers, one foot out. So many drivers sit in their cars, lounging back, one foot sticking out, flapping in the breeze or the hot air. Their bosses discourage them from sitting in the car and using the aircon and then complain when their drivers smell of sweat. The poor blokes are forbidden to sleep (even when bored) or to use the air-conditioning while waiting or to sweat. So they flap one foot in the air and signal their presence. Auto-rickshaw drivers waited for passengers, but the girl wasn't looking for an auto-rickshaw. Water gathers on the streets and cozies up with the rubbish dumped there. One man was charging his EV. The ice cream vendor stood, waiting for a customer. A crazy driver on a two-wheeler decided to ram into me while driving the wrong way but thought the better of it at the end, swerved, and missed me by half a whisker. The creatures of the night emerge around midnight but I was looking forward to my bed at home. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  3. 2 Aug

    Humanism, Photography. The Mother & Child

    I photographed the mother with her child soon after I photographed the man in the doorway. In this episode, I start my explorations on the connections between photography and humanism, no matter how tenuous the connection. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  4. 20 Jul

    Substack Half-Dead: Mr Chaurasia's Chai Stall

    There is a market near my home. The market’s name is Vyapar Kendra. You can get almost anything there, unless it is very expensive or a designer brand! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

    Substack Half-Dead: Mr Chaurasia's Chai Stall

  5. 12 Jul

    Humanism: The Man in the Doorway

    My uncle's reaction to "The man in the Doorway" gave me the push towards re-evaluating myself, my work, and my attitude towards people. It has been a long time coming but, I have finally started exploring humanism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  6. 6 Jul

    Substack Half Dead: Meet Mr Mondal

    I’d like to introduce all of you to Mr. Mondal. I had gone down to renew my car’s pollution certificate, and I always return to the same man for this. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  7. 28 Jun

    When the desert comes to town.

    India is a dusty country, and North India is especially dusty. Will the Thar Desert encroach upon India? I don't know. While the dust can create surreal images, it creates health problems - for you and your camera. Will we all be wearing gas masks in the near future? What will that dystopian future mean for photography in India? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

  8. 22 Jun

    Living on the edge of thirst

    We live in unusual times. We have an unusually humid summer, and we are all living on the edge of thirst. Water shortages and polluted water compound the problem. How will you photograph this misery? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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About

In this podcast, I discuss my views on photography, the streets, journeys - mostly in India, and aspects of Indian history and society. And maybe a few conversations with people on the street. I will record some podcast episodes from the street and some from my little office. www.rajivchopra.in

Information

  • Creator
    Photography, Streets and Journeys
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rajiv Chopra
  • Show Website
    The Dusty Mic Chronicles