Radio APU

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Channel • 17 Shows

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Updated 07/03/2025
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Updated 12/12/2023
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Updated 12/12/2024
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Updated 14/11/2025

06/12/2023

Kathauti Mein Ganga

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, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar For a comprehensive list of resources and acknowledgements, please visit our website

06/12/2023

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52 min
28/09/2023

The Man And His Times

Yun Hota To Kya Hota? translates simply to ‘What If?’ This exciting new show from Radio Azim Premji University explores the life and times of Mirza Asadullah Khan, one of the most influential writers in Urdu, known to us by his nom de plume — Ghalib. There are stories that Ghalib told, and there are stories told about Ghalib. Address your letter to “Ghalib, Delhi” and it will reach me, the great man is reputed to have said. Not a boast, because he was already a legend in his own lifetime. Yet, despite his accomplishment, he was in need of money. So the story goes that he applied for a job as a teacher of Persian. His conduct at the job interview, however, became the stuff of gossip in his time, and the stuff of legend in ours. Hosting you through this absorbing series is Amit Basole, faculty in Economics at APU, whose pet passion for Urdu poetry found expression in a book, Thinking With Ghalib - Poetry For A New Generation, co-authored with Lahore-based writer Anjum Altaf. Listen to this and more vignettes in this first episode of the series. Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar Acknowledgements: Letters read by Zia Mohyeddin Song: Ghalib Ke Khutoot | Album: Ghalib Kay Khutoot Vol. 1 & 3 | Artist: Zia Mohyeddin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqGSK17-Y30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mjsv_8lp1g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1KiFOWGaEQ Explore more: YouTube | A Conversation with Anjum Altaf and Amit Basole, authors of Thinking With Ghalib - Poetry For a New Generation | Institute for South Asia Studies https://youtu.be/kepIWKB1Ma0 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-azim-premji-univ/message

28/09/2023

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24 min
06/12/2023 · BONUS

Bonus - Bombay Talkies

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, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar 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 Visit our website for more information and resources

06/12/2023 · Bonus

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18 min
06/12/2023

Saara Jahan Hamara

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 20th 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. Listen to the Bonus Episode - Bombay Talkies: https://youtu.be/jJvMHRqSQHk CREDITS: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Riju R Krishna, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Special thanks to Atif Anwar, Omkar Deshmukh, Seema Hussain, S. Pranesh (students at Azim Premji University) Visit our website for further reading and other resources

06/12/2023

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1h 1m
25/10/2024

Jamuna Kinare

In this series finale of Bhakti Republic, host Amit Basole explores the vibrant tradition of Krishna Bhakti with historian Varuni Bhatia. Krishna Bhakti, known for its focus on Krishna’s playful and youthful persona, has long been a cornerstone of devotion in regions like Brindavan, where his divine pastimes with Radha are revered. The episode explores the unique aspects of this devotional movement, including its emphasis on prema rasa—the essence of pure love that drives followers to renounce worldly attachments. Varuni traces how Chaitanya, a 15th-century mystic, transformed Brindavan into a spiritual realm and how Krishna Bhakti spread across India, attracting devotees from all social backgrounds. Through stories of poet-saints like Meerabai and Surdas, alongside lesser-known figures such as Ras Khan and Taj Begum, Amit and Varuni reveal the inclusive and democratic nature of Krishna Bhakti. With devotion transcending societal boundaries, this episode invites listeners to experience the deeply personal and spiritual relationship that has sustained Krishna’s followers for centuries, rooted in love, surrender, and timeless reverence. Credits Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar. Visit our website for more information, acknowledgements, and additional resources: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/bhakti-republic-with-amit-basole/on-the-banks-of-the-yamuna-the-saga-of-krishna-bhakti

25/10/2024

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45 min
28/09/2023

The Philosopher

So far in this series, we have explored various facets of Ghalib — Ghalib the lover, Ghalib the mischievous, Ghalib the belligerent. Yet, the question has always lingered after reciting his verses: Was Ghalib being a deliberately difficult poet? Did his poetry demand grappling with the intellect in an effort to understand it? Or, was it trite and meaningless and merely designed to confound? If you want to view him with a postmodern lens, Ghalib’s discourse does not limit his meaning, says host Amit Basole. So, what was Ghalib driving at — what was his philosophy? Discover the nuances and twists of Ghalib’s poetry in this episode. You will be left romancing a phrase that was used to describe the poet — Mushkil Pasand, one who favours difficulty. Listen to delve deeper. Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar Acknowledgements: Bharat Ek Khoj opening - सृष्टी से पहले सत् नहीं था. असत् भी नहीं. अन्तरिक्ष भी नहीं. 𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛"𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙠 𝙆𝙝𝙤𝙟"𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡~ 𝗡𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗸𝘁𝗮~ नासदीय सूक्त【𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗺𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻】 Bharat Ek Khoj end credits Bharat Ek Khoj | End Title | Credits |Mantra 🕉 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-azim-premji-univ/message

28/09/2023

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25 min
07/03/2025 · BONUS

Shakti x Bhakti - The Fearless Women Poets of India

Across centuries, Bhakti poetry has resonated through temples, streets, and the hearts of millions. But among these voices, some rise with a quiet defiance—those of women. In an era of rigid hierarchies, they dared to sing of love, liberation, and equality. Their devotional poetry, delicate yet resolute, were not mere expressions of piety but declarations of justice. From Akka Mahadevi’s ascetic surrender to Mirabai’s unwavering defiance, from Sule Sankavva’s fearless faith to Janabai’s poetry of self-worth, these extraordinary women carved a space for themselves in a world that sought to silence them. Their words—woven with longing, rebellion, and radical hope—continue to inspire, carrying forward the very ideals that shape India’s constitutional democracy today. On this International Women’s Day, journey with Radio Azim Premji University into the heart of the Bhakti movement with Amit Basole. Explore the voices of poets, saints, and revolutionaries who reshaped devotion and dissent. Take your curiosity further and listen to Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole on Radio Azim Premji University. CREDITS Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

07/03/2025 · Bonus

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15 min
12/12/2023

Birth Of The Nation | The India Project with Josy Joseph and Seetal

What is the mood in the streets of India on August 14, 1947? If you expected cheering crowds and processions of jubilation on the eve of Independence, here’s the sobering truth: not everyone is celebrating. For some princely states, accession to the Indian Union is not a natural choice. Punjab, Sind and Bengal, cloven by Partition, witness scenes of horrific violence and the displacement of millions. The birth of our nation, as the facts reveal, is not without its share of labour pangs. In the season finale of The India Project with Josy Joseph, we observe the awakening of India as an unstoppable idea whose time has come. With memorable sound-bites from the leaders of a newly free nation, we end Season 1 on a note of nostalgic introspection. Thank you for joining us on the journey so far. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Confluence Media for the letters in this episode: Letter from CP Ramaswami Iyer replying to Indore’s invitation to be the Prime minister performed by Narayan Krishnaswamy Letter from Mir Osman Ali, Nizam of Hyderabad, performed by Ranvijay Pratap Singh Letter from Hamidullah Khan, Nawab of Bhopal, to Viceroy Lord Mountbatten, performed by Kafeel Jafri View the full list of acknowledgements on our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/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

12/12/2023

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33 min
28/09/2023

Ghalib's Legacy

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And it’s no surprise that Ghalib is one of the most adored, emulated (and imitated) Urdu poets. More than a hundred and fifty years after he passed into the ages, Ghalib’s legacy lives on and has acquired new vigour in contemporary music, literature, cinema and pop culture. Perhaps the most enduring of his legacies is the ghazal, a poetic form that is often misconstrued to be a form of song. Ghalib’s ghazals have been rendered and interpreted by voices ranging from Suraiya and Iqbal Bano to Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh. His poetic tradition has been borne forth by titans of Urdu poetry like Muhammad Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, to Gulzar in the present day. Encompassing themes both pedestrian — love and heartbreak — and weighty — existence and god, Ghalib remains relevant and evergreen in our times. With this episode, host Amit Basole brings the 6-part series to a climactic finale, leaving you with signposts and resources to continue your journey of discovery. Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar Acknowledgements: Dil-e-nadaan from the film Mirza Ghalib (1954) starring Bharat Bhushan and Suraiya (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQfQlSaUMt4&t=60s Jab us zulf ki baat chali performed live at the BBC by Mehdi Hassan (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygG0lMVq80o YouTube - Aah ko chahiye performed by Ghulam Ali on the PTV program Nikhar (1970’s vintage) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m09R8FgoZ4w YouTube - Mirza Ghalib’s Diya hai dil agar usko bashar hai kya kahiye performed by Iqbal Bano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfuhscO0hhg Naqsh Fariyaadi Hain Kiski from the film Mirza Ghalib starring Naseeruddin Shah and performed by Jagjit Singh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqQrrwDIYdA 'Dil-e-Nadaan' performed by Ayushmann Khurrana and Shweta Subram from the film Hawaizaada (2015) | Label: T-Series (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeOkMCNIFFI Former BJP leader Sushma Swaraj Vs former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh engage in a parliamentary debate in shayari style | ABP News (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhiZFCh52c&t=4s Naseeruddin Shah informal on Gulzar's Mirza Ghalib in Urdu Studio with Manish Gupta (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUiS1UgTx4Y Bridgerton on Netflix | Season 2: “Have you read Ghalib?” https://www.netflix.com/in/title/80232398 Mirza Ghalib ka hai Kaifiyat har ek ki apni apni | Label: Saregama India (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sszBp0oerrM Explore further: Website: A Desertful of Roses - The Urdu Ghazals of Mirza Asadullah Khan “Ghalib” by Prof. Frances Pritchett http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ghalib/ Book: Ghalib - A Wilderness At My Doorstep: A Critical Biography byMehr Afshan Farooqi; Penguin Allen Lane (18 January 2021) | Amazon India store

28/09/2023

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23 min
SEASON 1 BONUS

Ghalib Explained: 3 Poems On Reality and Existence

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

Season 1 Bonus

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13 min

Radio Azim Premji University is the campus radio station of Azim Premji University, providing a view into the world with a variety of engrossing shows on topics of your interest. Our internet radio station, Radio Azim Premji University, harnesses the energy, expertise, and creative expression of students, faculty, and experts to deliver thoughtful, nuanced, and relevant radio shows to a public audience. Tune in. Visit our website to learn more about our shows.