KATHAGRAM

Neethu M Eldose
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Kathagram is a Malayalam-English literary podcast hosted by Neethu M Eldose — a former journalist, traveler, and storyteller. Season 3 — On now. Solo treks across the Himalayas. Rishikesh, Kugti, Triund, Munsiyari. Stories of shepherds, strangers, snowstorms at 16,600 feet, and the kind of kindness you only meet far from home. New episodes weekly. Past seasons: Season 2 — Five essays on the emotions that shape us: depression, ego, solitude, cultural empathy, and love. Featuring guest voices from Baiju Chandran, Rihan Rashid, Annie Vallikappen, Meedhu Miriyam, Dr. Santhosh Kumar, and more. Season 1 — A journey through Kerala's folk tales. Yakshis, slaves turned deities, betrayed lovers, forgotten ancestors. The stories your grandmother told you, told again. Each season is a different territory, but the through-line is the host's literary register — bilingual code-switched Malayalam and English, written rather than conversational, in the tradition of essayistic Indian-language storytelling. Listen, follow, and share your thoughts. Stories are life.

  1. Jun 7

    S3 E5: Munsiyari -- An Awakening Journey | Kathagram

    Munsiyari, Uttarakhand. Near the Indo-Tibetan border. The last stop of Season 3. A 12-hour shared taxi ride in a Bolero crammed with 15 people. A homestay run by village women who took back the work of hosting strangers. Kamla, who refilled my plate while telling me the legend of the Yaksha who fell in love with a village girl at Mehsar Kund. Pushpa, the first female trekking guide I had ever climbed with — a mother of three, an ardent bird watcher, a Pahadi woman who refused to leave the hills even after marching at Jantar Mantar. And then the Raabta forest. A maze of entangled roots, a moaning voice we couldn't ignore, and Pushpa's whispered warning: "Peeche mudke mat dekhna." Don't look back. This is the story of Munsiyari — an awakening journey, the closing chapter of Season 3. Season 3 of Kathagram is a series of solo Himalayan trek memoirs by Neethu M Eldose — a former journalist, traveler, and storyteller. From Rishikesh to Kugti, Triund to Munsiyari — every path, every person, every pause had something to offer. Stories are life.

    14 min

  2. May 24

    S3 E4: Triund -- The Birthday I Spent Alone in the Snow | Kathagram

    Triund, Himachal Pradesh. I was about to turn thirty, alone on a mountain in the Indian Himalayas, in a snowstorm that lasted through the night. I had come up to be by myself. To not celebrate. To let the day pass quietly, the way I thought I wanted. I had a campsite manager named Baisakhiram who knew exactly where to find a bucket of water when I asked where the bathroom was. ("Madam, sab kuch bahar hi karna padta hai!") I had two strangers I had met on the trek up — two men whose names I barely knew. I had a flask of tea, a tent, and the silence I had asked for. Then, just before midnight, the strangers knocked on my tent. They had walked back through the snow with a packet of biscuits arranged like a cake, a single candle in the middle. This is the story of Triund. The birthday I spent alone in the snow, and the kindness I never asked for. Season 3 of Kathagram is a series of solo Himalayan trek memoirs by Neethu M Eldose — a former journalist, traveler, and storyteller. New episodes weekly. Stories are life.

    20 min

  3. May 17

    S3 E3: Kugti -- The Trek I Almost Didn't Survive | Kathagram

    Kugti, Himachal Pradesh. 16,600 feet. April. I was walking up to a sacred mountain pass with Gaddi shepherds and 800 sheep, when a freak snowstorm came — the kind no one in those mountains had seen in April for years. The sheep scattered. Half the flock was lost. My fingers stopped working. And in the middle of all of it, Ajay — one of the shepherds — reached into his pocket and pulled out an old ₹500 note. The same note India had been told, months earlier after demonetization, was worthless. He rolled it. Filled it with tobacco. Lit it. At 16,600 feet, in a snowstorm, the most valuable thing in the world was tobacco. Not money. This is the story of Kugti. The trek I almost didn't survive. Season 3 of Kathagram is a series of solo Himalayan trek memoirs by Neethu M Eldose — a former journalist, traveler, and storyteller. New episodes weekly. Listen, follow, and share your thoughts. Stories are life.

    18 min

  4. May 9

    S3 E2: Rishikesh -- The Night I Lost My Way | Kathagram

    A solo trip. A forest after dark. A guide who lost his way. And a mind spiraling into fear. In this episode of Kathagram, Neethu recounts her first solo journey to Rishikesh, a trip that began with excitement and freedom, but slowly turned into one of the most terrifying nights of her life. Lost in a jungle with no signal, fading light, and a stranger beside her, every fear she had ever heard as a woman came rushing to the surface. But sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves are scarier than reality. “Rishikesh: The Night I Lost My Way” is a deeply personal story about fear, trust, solo travel, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. Kathagram — Roads That Changed Me

    10 min

  5. May 1

    S3 E1: This story didn't begin in the mountains | Kathagram

    This story began in a newsroom, with a quiet restlessness that led me to travel alone. Those journeys changed me. They shaped how I see the world and led me to build a home in the hills: Fifth Estate. If travel has ever changed you, this might feel familiar.

    12 min

  6. Season 3, Episode 13 Trailer

    KATHAGRAM - Season 3 Trailer

    This season is personal. I share stories from my treks and travels, from places I once kept to myself. For a long time, I didn’t tell anyone where I went. Those journeys shaped how I see the world. They led me to build a home in the hills, now called Fifth Estate. Season 3 is about those experiences, the people I met, and the moments that stayed with me. If travel has ever changed you, this will feel familiar.

    2 min
  7. Endless Echoes of Love: The Final Note | S2 | E5

    04/16/2024

    Endless Echoes of Love: The Final Note | S2 | E5

    In this final episode of Kathagram, we explore the deep and diverse meanings of Love through stories and reflections that resonate with the soul. From the poetic nuances of timeless romances to the practical realities of love in today's world, join us as we unpack the layers of love's essence. Featuring heartfelt discussions with guests like Ajith Mohan and Sudha Balachandran, we dive into the complexities and simplicities of love. As we conclude our series, the host Neethu M Eldose leaves us with a tapestry of emotions and thoughts to ponder. Tune in for this moving finale, where every story weaves into the larger narrative of life, celebrating love in all its forms.

    8 min

  8. 04/09/2024

    Hearts & Cultures: Bridging Worlds with Empathy | S2 | E4

    Dive into the essence of connection in our latest episode, "Hearts & Cultures: Bridging Worlds with Empathy." This journey takes you beyond mere understanding to feeling the pulse of diverse cultures around the globe. From the vibrant life in Delhi to the serene ambiance of Kerala, we uncover the beauty of embracing our differences and finding common ground. Ever wondered what it feels like to experience the world through someone else's eyes? "Hearts & Cultures" offers you this unique perspective, bringing you stories that resonate with the soul and remind us of our shared humanity. Featuring intimate conversations with those who've lived these stories, this episode is a mosaic of cultural insights and heartwarming narratives. Each tale is a testament to the power of empathy in creating a more inclusive world. Why Press Play? If you're looking to enrich your worldview and connect with the collective heart of our planet, this episode is for you. It's an invitation to join a movement towards deeper, more meaningful connections across cultural divides. Transform your commute, workout, or coffee break into a moment of connection. Press play on "Hearts & Cultures: Bridging Worlds with Empathy" and take the first step towards a journey that promises growth, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the world's rich tapestry of life. In a sea of content clamoring for attention, here's an episode that speaks directly to the heart. Tune in to "Hearts & Cultures: Bridging Worlds with Empathy" and be part of a conversation that matters. Your adventure in empathy awaits! Join us in this heartfelt exploration. Your journey into the heart of cultures starts now!

    13 min
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About

Kathagram is a Malayalam-English literary podcast hosted by Neethu M Eldose — a former journalist, traveler, and storyteller. Season 3 — On now. Solo treks across the Himalayas. Rishikesh, Kugti, Triund, Munsiyari. Stories of shepherds, strangers, snowstorms at 16,600 feet, and the kind of kindness you only meet far from home. New episodes weekly. Past seasons: Season 2 — Five essays on the emotions that shape us: depression, ego, solitude, cultural empathy, and love. Featuring guest voices from Baiju Chandran, Rihan Rashid, Annie Vallikappen, Meedhu Miriyam, Dr. Santhosh Kumar, and more. Season 1 — A journey through Kerala's folk tales. Yakshis, slaves turned deities, betrayed lovers, forgotten ancestors. The stories your grandmother told you, told again. Each season is a different territory, but the through-line is the host's literary register — bilingual code-switched Malayalam and English, written rather than conversational, in the tradition of essayistic Indian-language storytelling. Listen, follow, and share your thoughts. Stories are life.

Information

  • Creator
    Neethu M Eldose
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 Neethu M Eldose
  • Show Website
    KATHAGRAM