The Literary City

Explocity Podcasts
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EXPLOCITY PODCASTS presents THE LITERARY CITY With Ramjee Chandran. This literary podcast is devoted to books and authors. It features interviews with a stellar line up of authors, both world famous and also authors who are being discovered—the only criterion being the quality of the prose. Topics are generally literary and include history, biographies, literature and literary fiction. The Literary City podcasts celebrates authors, poets, playwrights, grammar police, literary lounge lizards...and, oh yes, a cunning linguist or ten.

  1. The Soviets, Rajiv Gandhi And Delhi In The '80s - 'For No Reason At All' A Novel By Ramjee Chandran

    03/29/2025

    The Soviets, Rajiv Gandhi And Delhi In The '80s - 'For No Reason At All' A Novel By Ramjee Chandran

    Send us a text For No Reason At All is a thinly fictionalised version of a very interesting and a very real story. High stakes and high intrigue—the story follows a young, feckless lobbyist, Solly Nilla, who is tossed into a situation that attracts the involvement of foreign interests including the embassies of France and the Soviet Union. And eventually, the direct involvement of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the President of India, R Venkataraman. The Prime Minister must decide if he will standby locally developed technology or allow a government department to import technology from the Americans. The novel is written in the genre of spy thrillers—pacy, tense, and funny to the point of hilarious. And it captures the New Delhi of the 1980s in the ambience of the Cold War and an omnipotent bureaucracy and a powerful national press. And the last phases of a sexually permissive era. In this episode, Ramjee Chandran becomes a guest. The show is co-hosted by The Literary City co-host Pranati Madhav and guest host, Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor of Penguin. Buy For No Reason At All here: https://amzn.to/3DWE1Hj. Or at your favourite bookshop anywhere. ABOUT RAMJEE CHANDRAN Journalist, author and media entrepreneur with decades of experience, he is the host of The Literary City podcast—on literature and books, featuring guests who include acclaimed authors; and The History of Bangalore podcast about the rich history of his home city, Bangalore. He is currently working on his second book, The History of Bangalore—a scholarly work crafted as narrative history. This meticulously researched account spans the region's deep-rooted past, beginning in prehistoric times and tracing through epochs of transformation and cultural significance, traversing across its colonial heritage. ABOUT KARTHIK VENKATESH Author of "10 Indian Languages and How They Came to Be" and "10 Makers of the Indian Constitution: Stories of 10 Indians Who Shaped the Nation", Karthik Venkatesh grew up in Bangalore, speaking Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, English, Dakhani and Hindi. He tried to learn French but failed. He did learn Punjabi though. Once an MBA, he later studied education and taught English and History in a school. He now edits for a living and writes whenever the fancy strikes him. Karthik lives in Bangalore. On weekday mornings, he often runs. On weekends, he naps.  PRAISE "Ramjee Chandran is among the most elegant writers we have. We are fortunate he has brought his talents to fiction. What writers want, above all, is material and this novel is what happens when a proper writer assembles his material." —Aakar Patel, author and journalist" "Debonair, stylish and uproariously witty, For No Reason at All reads like you have ringside tickets to the pandemonium of 1980s India—narrated to you alone, by the most sparkling of raconteurs" —Anirudh Kanisetti, historian and author. CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    35 min
  2. Discovering The Lost Glory Of India With William Dalrymple And The Golden Road

    01/14/2025

    Discovering The Lost Glory Of India With William Dalrymple And The Golden Road

    Send a text We Indians often wear our heritage with pride, but how much of it do we truly understand? William Dalrymple’s latest book, The Golden Road, charts the extraordinary journey of Indian ideas, knowledge, art, and religion as they shaped cultures across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In this episode we explore the Indosphere—where Indian culture thrived beyond its borders—and uncover how these rich exchanges left an indelible mark on world history. William was my guest almost two years ago on this show. And now, I am honoured to have him back here today, to talk about this fascinating book that uncovers the lost glory of India—The Golden Road. ABOUT WILLIAM DALRYMPLE William Dalrymple is one of Britain’s great historians and the bestselling author of the Wolfson Prize-winning White Mughals, The Last Mughal, which won the Duff Cooper Prize, and the Hemingway and Kapuscinski Prize-winning Return of a King. A frequent broadcaster, he has written and presented three television series, one of which won the Grierson Award for Best Documentary Series at BAFTA. He has also won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, the Sunday Times Young British Writer of the Year Award, the Foreign Correspondent of the Year at the FPA Media Awards, and been awarded five honorary doctorates. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, the Royal Asiatic Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and has held visiting fellowships at Princeton, Brown and All Souls, University of Oxford. He writes regularly for the New York Review of Books, the New Yorker and the Guardian. In 2018 he was presented with the prestigious President’s Medal by the British Academy for his outstanding literary achievement and for co-founding the Jaipur Literature Festival. He is the co-host of chart-topping podcast Empire with Anita Anand. Dalrymple lives with his wife and three children on a goat farm outside Delhi. Buy The Golden Road here: https://amzn.to/42aNNiD CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/ mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    46 min
  3. 108 Reasons To Love Art and Alka Pande - A Conversation With Kamini Sawhney

    12/21/2024

    108 Reasons To Love Art and Alka Pande - A Conversation With Kamini Sawhney

    Send a text This special edition of The Literary City is a conversation about the transformative power of the arts—particularly the visual arts. Often misunderstood or overlooked, the arts hold the potential to nourish the mind and soul, offering cultural insights that resonate deeply with our lives today. In this episode, guest host Kamini Sawhney sits in for Ramjee Chandran. She speaks to Dr. Alka Pande, a distinguished art historian, curator, teacher, and writer whose work spans over three decades. Known for her ability to make complex ideas relatable, Dr. Pande has delved into themes of gender identity, sexuality, and traditional arts, engaging audiences with her thought-provoking research and accessible storytelling. In this episode, we also discuss her monumental project, 108 Portraits of Indian Culture & Heritage, an encyclopedic 14-volume series exploring the evolution of Indian art and aesthetics across disciplines like music, dance, sculpture, architecture, crafts, and photography. Join us as we uncover the relevance and richness of Indian art through the lens of one of its most passionate champions. ABOUT ALKA PANDE Dr. Pande’s journey began at Punjab University, where she taught art history for over 20 years. Her academic path took her to London’s Goldsmiths, University of London, on the Charles Wallace award to study critical art theory. Upon returning to India, she revitalised the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, establishing it as a hub for modern and contemporary art. She has also contributed to the development of cultural spaces like the Bihar Museum, Udaipur City Palace, and Kanha Museum in Madhya Pradesh. As an author, Dr. Pande is celebrated for exploring subjects often avoided, such as sensuality and eroticism in Indian art and culture. Her acclaimed works include Ardhanarisvara: The Androgyne Probing the Gender Within, Body Sutra, Shringara: The Many Faces of Indian Beauty, and Phallus: A Cultural History. Through her writing, she challenges colonial and voyeuristic narratives, presenting an authentic understanding of these themes in Indian culture. ABOUT KAMINI SAWHNEY Kamini Sawhney is a seasoned museum professional with nearly 15 years of experience. In 2022, she became the first Indian elected to the Board of CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art). Until April 2024, Sawhney served as the founding Director of the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bangalore, India's tech capital. Under her leadership, MAP redefined the museum experience for Indian audiences, emphasising inclusivity and accessibility. She also guided MAP’s digital-first launch in December 2020. Previously, Sawhney headed the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation (2011–2019), one of India’s premier private collections of modern art, housed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai. She has fostered collaborations with institutions like Tate (London), Foam (Amsterdam), Duke University (Durham), and the British Museum (London). Sawhney’s work continues to bridge audiences and institutions, championing art as a space for dialogue, learning, and connection. BUY 108 Portraits of Indian Culture & Heritage here: https://amzn.to/4gqwrTn CONTACT US Reach us by mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    49 min
  4. Anirudh Kanisetti And His Conquest Of The Mediaeval Deccan

    12/17/2024

    Anirudh Kanisetti And His Conquest Of The Mediaeval Deccan

    Send us a text As writers, we know that how we say something matters as much as what we say. The right words, arranged with care, can influence thought and stir emotion—or so we hope. The divide between creative prose and academic jargon was once stark. But then came the 1970s and 80s, when scientists like Isaac Asimov, Arthur Clarke, Carl Sagan, and Stephen Hawking showed us how to bridge that gap. Their books demystified science and made it thrillingly accessible. They kicked the doors down for voices like Neil deGrasse Tyson to follow. Today, writers are doing this for history, medicine, and other fields once confined to the academy. They go beyond dry facts and use storytelling to make these subjects come alive. In history, we call this narrative history—a way of weaving the past into a compelling story that connects us to the humanity of those who lived it. Anirudh Kanisetti is one such writer. His debut book, Lords of the Deccan, has earned critical acclaim for its engaging blend of scholarship and storytelling. He humanizes historical figures, breathing life into their struggles and triumphs, and makes medieval politics accessible to all. In this episode of The Literary City, Anirudh joins me from New Delhi to talk about Lords of the Deccan, his upcoming book on the Cholas, and the craft of writing history that resonates. Doesn't this promise to be a fascinating conversation... so dive in. ABOUT ANIRUDH KANISETTI Anirudh Kanisetti is an award-winning history researcher and writer. He writes the weekly 'Thinking Medieval' column for The Print. His work has received grants from the Princeton Center for Digital Humanities and the India Foundation for the Arts. His writings and work have been featured in The Hindu, Open, The New Indian Express, and LiveMint, among others. Anirudh was formerly Editor at the Museum of Art and Photography and Associate Fellow at the Takshashila Institution. He hosts three popular and critically acclaimed podcasts – Echoes of India, Yuddha and The Altar of Time. Buy Lords Of The Deccan here: https://amzn.to/3OJs1uv CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/ mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    36 min
  5. Malcolm Gladwell And The Revenge Of The Tipping Point

    12/08/2024

    Malcolm Gladwell And The Revenge Of The Tipping Point

    Send a text Much of what we understand about global trends is filtered through the lens of the United States. What happens there often shapes thought, culture, and society worldwide. And when it comes to shaping thought, few have had the impact of my guest today: Malcolm Gladwell.  Gladwell, the bestselling author of *The Tipping Point*, *Blink*, and *Outliers* joins me to discuss his new book, *Revenge of the Tipping Point*. This latest work re-examines the ideas that made him famous—sometimes expanding on them, sometimes rejecting them outright.  We delve into the *Broken Windows* theory, one of the concepts at the heart of *The Tipping Point*. It famously inspired crime-prevention policies in New York City, but also led to the controversial practice of stop-and-frisk. Just last month, Gladwell publicly apologised for his role in promoting these ideas, and today, we unpack that apology and the lessons learned.  In *Revenge of the Tipping Point*, Gladwell takes a hard look at the dark undercurrents of societal change. It’s a fascinating conversation about the power of ideas, their unintended consequences, and how they continue to shape the world. Let’s go. ABOUT MALCOLM GLADWELL Malcolm Gladwell is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers: The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, David and Goliath, Talking to Strangers, and The Bomber Mafia. He is also the co-founder of Pushkin Industries, an audio content company that produces the podcasts Revisionist History, which reconsiders things both overlooked and misunderstood, and Broken Record, where he, Rick Rubin, and Bruce Headlam interview musicians across a wide range of genres. Gladwell has been included in the Time 100 Most Influential People list and touted as one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers. Previously, he was a staff writer for The New Yorker. He graduated from the University of Toronto, Trinity College, with a degree in history. Gladwell was born in England and grew up in rural Ontario. He lives in New York. Buy Revenge Of The Tipping Point here: https://amzn.to/4ifYtlA CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity.com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/ mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    45 min
  6. Celestial by Abhay K And 10 Indian Languages by Karthik Venkatesh

    03/05/2024

    Celestial by Abhay K And 10 Indian Languages by Karthik Venkatesh

    Send a text In this episode of The Literary City, we embark on a journey with two distinguished guests—each bringing a unique perspective to our exploration of literature and language. Abhay K, a poet-diplomat, and the author of "Celestial," a poetic masterpiece comprising 100 couplets that intricately weave the enchanting tales of the 88 constellations in our galaxy. Abhay's journey into the realm of poetry was sparked by a mesmerising night beneath the southern skies during his tenure as the Indian ambassador to Madagascar. His book "Celestial" stands as a testament to the wondrous inspiration found in the cosmos, beautifully complemented by illustrations from the renowned 10th-century Persian astronomer, Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, known as Azophi in the West. Through his return to our show, we anticipate delving deeper into the celestial wonders that continue to captivate both poet and audience alike. Later in the popular segment WHAT'S THAT WORD—with co-host Pranati  “P with an A” Madhav—we are joined by Karthik Venkatesh, an Executive Editor at Penguin and the author of the enlightening book "10 Indian Languages And How They Came To Be." Karthik's book is a trove of knowledge, with each page resembling a rich chapter brimming with insights into the origins and evolution of Indian languages. What strikes me the most about Karthik's work is the depth of research—evident from years of accumulated knowledge and experience. As an editor himself, Karthik has skillfully distilled this wealth of information into a concise yet impactful narrative, shedding light on languages both familiar and obscure to India.  This is an action-packed and intellectually stimulating episode of The Literary City. ABOUT ABHAY K Abhay K. is a poet-diplomat, translator, and author of several poetry collections. His poems have appeared in over a hundred literary magazines. His “Earth Anthem” has been translated into over 150 languages. He received the SAARC Literary Award and was invited to record his poems at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., in 2018. His translations of Kalidasa’s Meghaduta and Ritusamhara from Sanskrit won him the KLF Poetry Book of the Year Award. ABOUT KARTHIK VENKATESH Karthik Venkatesh grew up in Bangalore, speaking Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, English, Dakhani and Hindi. He tried to learn French but failed. He did learn Punjabi though. Once an MBA, he later studied education and taught English and History in a school. He now edits for a living and writes whenever the fancy strikes him. Karthik lives in Bangalore. On weekday mornings, he often runs. On weekends, he naps. Buy Celestial: https://amzn.to/49Ba6iu Buy 10 Indian Languages: https://amzn.to/3Tlg6Gt The similarities between Brahui in Pakistan and Tamil: https://youtu.be/97pwj5AslIw?si=YO52pQEvuu9f0-9i WHAT'S THAT WORD?! Co-host Pranati Madhav "Pea" joins Ramjee Chandran in the fun etymology segment, "WHAT'S THAT WORD?!" where they discuss the word “PATOIS”. CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    44 min
  7. The Literary Life Of Ramachandra Guha

    02/20/2024

    The Literary Life Of Ramachandra Guha

    Send a text My guest today is a titan of Indian history, Ramachandra Guha. He is known for his monumental works on Gandhi and Indian history, but today we're taking a detour into the realm of literature. We'll be diving into his latest book, "The Cooking Of Books," a slice-of-life memoir that offers a poignant glimpse into his relationship with his first editor, Rukun Advani. It also offers us a look into Ram's literary side and the bonds that have shaped his writing journey. My first encounter with Ram Guha’s writing—and I have probably read every book he has written, other than his books on cricket—was what could have been the start of his own intellectual odyssey, "Savaging the Civilized". I was carrying a freshly purchased copy of it into our favourite cafe in Bangalore, Koshy’s, and Ram jabbed approvingly at it. That book captures him, beyond his geographical roots and into a profound intellectual depth—a passion for colonial critiques, insightful biographies, and an unwavering commitment to social justice. It is refreshing not to have to interview Ram Guha about Gandhi, or any other history, sociology or politics but rather about his prodigious output— in books, columns in newspapers and publications—and what must constitute a lifetime of learning. And it begs the question: what drives him as a historian? Is it the solitary pursuit of knowledge, the quiet contemplation he once described as "staring out of the window with a blank piece of paper in front of him"? This ethic is wonderfully captured in his latest book, "The Cooking Of Books". The title hints at the profound collaboration in editing a manuscript, a process he celebrates through his long-standing association with Rukun Advani. And now to the conversation. ABOUT RAMACHANDRA GUHA Ramachandra Guha is a distinguished historian and author of several acclaimed books, including "India After Gandhi" and "The Unquiet Woods." He has received numerous awards, including the Leopold-Hidy Prize and the Fukuoka Prize for contributions to Asian culture. Currently a Distinguished University Professor at Krea University, Guha's intellectual breadth spans environmental history, biographies, and socio-political commentary. Buy The Cooking of Books: A Literary Memoir here: https://amzn.to/42N3afA WHAT'S THAT WORD?! Co-host Pranati "Pea" Madhav joins Ramjee Chandran in the fun etymology segment, "WHAT'S THAT WORD?!" where they discuss the word “HISTORY”. CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/ mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    48 min
  8. The Lighthouse Family: A Compelling Novel From The Turkish Ambassador

    02/13/2024

    The Lighthouse Family: A Compelling Novel From The Turkish Ambassador

    Send a text My guest today, is an author from Turkiye, Firat Sunel. He is a career diplomat. He is currently the Turkish Ambassador to India. Firat is a demonstrably fascinating novelist. His latest novel, “The Lighthouse Family”, is a wonderful example of storytelling, of craft and of everything literary. I venture to say without qualification that it is one of the best novels I have read in recent years. Because this novel embraces a universally-resonant human sentiment, it makes it relatable across cultures, to anyone anywhere, even if the story it tells is set deep in rural Turkiye. We'll delve into the unique blend of ethnic authenticity and international appeal that characterizes contemporary Turkish literature, tracing its evolution from folk tales to modern intellectual prose. From the reforms of Kamal Atatürk to the global recognition spurred by Orhan Pamuk's Nobel Prize, Turkish literature has garnered increasing attention on the world stage. Firat Sunel is a product of the rich Turkish literary heritage. I had the opportunity of a conversation with him (together with the Lithuanian Ambassador Diana Mickevičienė) live at the Bangalore Literature Festival; and today I have the privilege of having him as my guest here—another conversation I am eager to have. To that end, joining me from his home in New Delhi is the Ambassador to India from Turkiye, Firat Sunel. Buy THE LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY: https://amzn.to/47NB3hh ABOUT FIRAT SUNEL Turkish diplomat, lawyer, scriptwriter, and author he studied law at Istanbul University and did his postgraduate at Bochum ruhr university in Germany. As a diplomat, he served in several countries and is now in New Delhi as Turkiye’s ambassador to India His novels include Salkım Söğütlerin Gölgesinde [In the Shade of the Weeping Willows, 2011] which inspired a tV series called Büyük Sürgün Kafkasya [The Great Exile Caucasia], İzmirli [Izmirli, My Last Love, 2015] and Sarpıncık Feneri [The Lighthouse Family, 2020]. WHAT'S THAT WORD?! Co-host Pranati "Pea" Madhav joins Ramjee Chandran in the fun etymology segment, "WHAT'S THAT WORD?!" where they discuss the word “DIPLOMAT”. CONTACT US Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity..com Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycity Or here: https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/ mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

    42 min
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EXPLOCITY PODCASTS presents THE LITERARY CITY With Ramjee Chandran. This literary podcast is devoted to books and authors. It features interviews with a stellar line up of authors, both world famous and also authors who are being discovered—the only criterion being the quality of the prose. Topics are generally literary and include history, biographies, literature and literary fiction. The Literary City podcasts celebrates authors, poets, playwrights, grammar police, literary lounge lizards...and, oh yes, a cunning linguist or ten.

Information

  • Creator
    Explocity Podcasts
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ramjee Chandran
  • Show Website
    The Literary City