Nicely Done Amruta Lakhe and Satya Kandala

In our final episode of 2021, we look back at the year that was. Even as we tried to move on from a pandemic-struck 2020, 2021 gave us some memorable moments in pop culture, politics, science, and sports.

From a free pop star to space-chasing billionaries, and from a a life-saving drug to a life-changing takeover, this is the year 2021.

Join Satya and Amruta as they review and reflect on the year that was. See you in 2022!

Related links:

Everything about Taliban's takeover: https://www.nytimes.com/news-event/taliban-afghanistan

Britney Spears and her freedom explained: https://www.vox.com/culture/22565683/britney-spears-conservatorship-testimony

Why is Taylor Swift re-recording her songs? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cta4qN649Y&ab_channel=BrutAmerica

People are sharing their favorite Shah Rukh Khan stories & it shows why he's the Badshah of Bollywood: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/people-sharing-favourite-shah-rukh-khan-stories-twitter/ 

What we learned from Meghan and Harry's Interview: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/world/europe/recap-of-harry-meghan-oprah-interview.html

India’s farmers call off year-long protest after gov’t assurances: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/9/india-farmers-protest-called-off-msp-assurances

  

In this episode, we ask two women to open up about their wedding days. First, Priyanka Sivaramakrishnan talks about her epic sustainable wedding to Nihal Velpanur, and the lead up to it. Quite the storyteller, Priyanka paints a vivid picture of a celebration that had them all dancing in the rain. Next, Richa Karve talks about her plans for her big day with Himanshu Damle and the challenge of putting together a wedding in India, while living in Colorado. She talks about how learnt to take a step back from her own wedding.

Bonus: This episode has very little Satya-Amruta conversation, because what do we know about planning weddings.

Also watch how Priyanka's zero waste wedding was planned here.

In this episode, we review the 2021 Netflix movie, "Meenakshi Sundareshwar," by Dharma productions. The movie about a young married couple set in the town of Madurai, Tamil Nadu could've been an insight into a newer generation owning the rich culture of the region while navigating modern relationships. Instead, it played out as a cheap ploy to attract Indian audiences captivated by movies from South India by wooing them with stock-image level narrative of food, clothes, and of course, Rajnikanth.

We take the conversation forward by discussing some tropes that have plagued our cultures Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and other parts of South India. And also, sometimes it's a 'veshti' not a 'lungi'. Also, once in the episode we say 'misappropriation', it should be 'cultural appropriation'. 

Bonus: Learn about our pet peeves while watching bad movies.

Related Links:

Indian Express on Meenakshi Sundareshwar: Meenakshi Sundareshwar is an inauthentic, stereotypical take on Tamil culture. So, what’s new?

DNA: Is Bollywood finally taking the 'Marathi manoos' seriously?

In this episode, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions from our listeners. From how we manage having demanding full-time jobs and a side hustle, challenges we faced along the way, and where we have the most fun in the process, we share everything from our origin story to our future plans. Do listen in to understand what goes on behind the scenes in the making of this bi-weekly podcast.

Bonus: Generally speaking, what else could we have named this podcast?

Let's talk love. For this episode, we take inspiration from The New York Times column, "Modern Love", and seek to find romantic and non-romantic stories of love told by the people who have lived them.

Our first guests are Priyanka and Pratham Sarin, who found each other one night by accident. Or was it? Listen to find out.

Next, we are joined by our friend, Rituparna Chatterjee, who narrates her modern love story she shares with her husband, Rajesh. From being colleagues and friends to taking control of their lives, their story is one for the books.

Additional: Your favorite hosts, Amruta and Satya, also participate in the episode and bring forth their most favorite love stories. And no, it's not about each other.

Bonus: Do you have a favorite name in the world?

ALSO: Listen to the very talented Gandhaar Amin's music here. 

In this episode, we talk about some of the biggest advertisements from our childhood. From tradition-breaking jewelry brands, sweet gender role-reversals that the internet is gobbling up, to our country’s top cricketers’ unhealthy attitude towards cola brands and the unfair double standards propagated by fairness creams —we unwrap and unpack ads that live rent-free in our heads.

Bonus: What not to say to a young woman who may or may not be a mother.

Extra links:

Fair & Lovely Ads: an evolution

Tanishq ads: a playlist

Indian stars and Cola wars, The Indian Express