SASSpod

Center for South Asia
  • 5.0 (8)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The South Asian Studies at Stanford (SASS) Podcast features conversations between the Center for South Asia at Stanford and guests who have a connection to Stanford as faculty, staff, students, or alumni. The podcasts feature a wide range of topics, ranging from poetry to politics, from manuscript collecting to music, from business to Bollywood. Every podcast consists of an informal and informative conversation about South Asia and its meaning in the world, in our lives, and at Stanford.

  1. FEB 3

    The Ustad Mahwash Archive at Stanford Libraries

    Lalita du Perron talks to Afghan historian Mejgan Massoumi (PhD, Stanford, now at Carnegie Mellon University) and South Asia bibliographer Ryan Perkins about the incredible Ustad Mahwash archive, recently acquired by Stanford Libraries. They discuss the ongoing relevance of Ustad Mahwash’s legacy, some gems that are in the collection and worth checking out, and the importance of archives in keeping traditions alive.  Episode notes and resources: Ustad Mahwash's main online exhibit page.  Ustad Sarahang’s letter Brief biographical sketch of Ustad Mahwash Notes about the music files in the episode 1)  Beshnaw az Nai (Listen to the Reed) The poetry is from Mawlana's (Rumi's) opening lines to his Mastnavi. This is one of Ustad Mahwash's masterpieces from the Kharabati/Classical Afghan Music tradition. (Featured in the podcast  Intro-  00:00-01:30 min). 2) Houri, Houri, Houri (Houri/Noori is the name of a girl, and Noori comes from the Arabic Noor meaning Light, as in light of God, light of beauty, etc.) This is a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and many attach it to her repertoire. (Part of this song is featured at 20:52-21:47 min in the podcast).  3) Guleh Seybem (My Apple Blossom, i.e. another way of saying my Beloved or My Sweetheart, etc) This is also a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and it is wildly popular because the more contemporary female Afghan superstar, Aryana Sayeed, made one of her debut concerts in Afghanistan in the early 2000s with this song. Ironically most people associate this song with Aryana Sayeed, because they do not know or realize it's original performance was from Ustad Mahwash. (Part of this song is featured at the outro of the podcast starting at 26:23 mins- end).

    41 min

  2. JAN 5

    Law, science, technology, and AI

    Lalita du Perron talks to Stanford Law student Archit Lohani about his work on digital rights, transparency in technology governance, and the ramifications of Artificial intelligence.

    40 min

  3. 12/01/2025

    Moorings: Indian Ocean voyages, labor, and fieldwork

    Lalita du Perron talks to Nidhi Mahajan, Associate Professor of Anthropology at UC-Santa Cruz about her new book Moorings: Voyages of Capital across the Indian Ocean, the way her fieldwork interviews shaped her project, and the arduous process of turning a PhD into a monograph.

    39 min

  4. 11/17/2025

    From pre-doc to start-up: hard work, serendipity, and potential

    Lalita du Perron talks to Daniel Praburaj, former pre-doctoral fellow at the Stanford King Center on Global Development about his journey to Stanford (spoiler: it did not involve an IIT) and his plans for the future. Lalita and Daniel are joined at the start of the podcast by the meows of Lalita’s cat Michelle, but after about 10 minutes she gives up trying to be the main character of the episode.  Daniel is the Co-founder & CTO of Mithram.

    35 min

  5. 10/27/2025

    Finance, debt, and artistic entrepreneurship

    Lalita du Perron talks to Shanthi Senthe of the University of Windsor Law School about her former life as a corporate lawyer, her current life as a scholar of law and business, and her experiences doing fieldwork in Sri Lanka.

    42 min

  6. 10/13/2025

    Technological transformations and job losses in the textile mills of Mumbai

    Lalita du Perron welcomes Sumeet Mhaskar to discuss his Fulbright Fellowship in the Department of Anthropology at Stanford and his book project on the changing job landscape in the textile mills of Mumbai.

    40 min

  7. 09/03/2025

    Dance, consent, and nostalgia as method

    Lalita du Perron welcomes scholar and dancer Preethi Ramaprasad to talk about their joint work on consent and dance, and Ramaprasad’s upcoming performed and curated art shows. As You Are - Sept, 12-14, BAMHouse, Oakland, tickets here  When Eyes Speak Oct 11-12, Joe Goode Annex, tickets here

    38 min
  8. Identity, Empire, and the Revolution

    05/19/2025

    Identity, Empire, and the Revolution

    Lalita du Perron talks to Amrit Deol of Fresno State University about her project on the Ghaddar party and Sikh diasporic history, and her future work on life in the borderlands.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The South Asian Studies at Stanford (SASS) Podcast features conversations between the Center for South Asia at Stanford and guests who have a connection to Stanford as faculty, staff, students, or alumni. The podcasts feature a wide range of topics, ranging from poetry to politics, from manuscript collecting to music, from business to Bollywood. Every podcast consists of an informal and informative conversation about South Asia and its meaning in the world, in our lives, and at Stanford.

Information

  • Creator
    Center for South Asia
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Ⓒ 2020 - 2022 Center for South Asia at Stanford University. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    SASSpod