Jerry Pinto on inclusive storytelling: Southasia Review of Books podcast #26

A conversation with the renowned writer and poet Jerry Pinto on Bollywood and the nation-state, the art of translation, and lessons of a life in literature and teaching: https://www.himalmag.com/podcast/jerry-pinto-history-bollywood-translation

Welcome to the Southasia Review of Books Podcast, where we speak to celebrated authors and emerging literary voices from across Southasia. In this episode, Shwetha Srikanthan speaks to the renowned poet, writer, editor and translator Jerry Pinto about his new collection of essays, Thinking Aloud (Seagull Books, March 2025). 

In Thinking Aloud, Jerry Pinto makes a strong case for why inclusive storytelling matters – especially when it comes to understanding the world around us. He critically unpacks Bollywood and the nation-state, arguing that Hindi cinemas’ reductive moral binaries have left a deep mark on how people understand India’s past.

With insights into his landmark translations, including Sachin Kundalkar’s Cobalt Blue and Daya Pawaar’s Baluta, Jerry shows how biographies can deepen our engagement with history and challenge dominant narratives. He also makes a compelling case for the role of translation in bridging divides, helping stories that might otherwise remain unheard to travel further. 

And finally, Jerry reflects on his journey as an educator – from a reluctant start to amplifying marginalised voices in the classroom and beyond. At its core, Thinking Aloud offers a meditation on what it means to teach, to tell stories, and to keep listening.

This episode is now available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/seuqj6L0VSc

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4l87nCzApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SStReF

Let’s keep the conversation going – please share your thoughts on the episode or on Pinto’s book. If something resonated with you – or even challenged you – leave us a comment here on Youtube or send me an email (shwethas[at]himalmag[dot]com).

We’re on a mission to give Southasian literature the spotlight it deserves. Become a paying Himal Patron to support the Southasia Review of Books: https://www.himalmag.com/support-himal

Sign up to receive the Southasia Review of Books newsletter for Himal’s spotlight on Southasian literature, our latest conversations, and more: https://bit.ly/southasia-review-of-books

Photo credits:

History for Peace (https://www.historyforpeace.pw/

Sreejithkoiloth / Wikimedia Commons