That’s The Thing with Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva

Radio APU
  • 5.0 (1)
  • 社会与文化

That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas — from the auto rickshaw to snakes and ladders. Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a bi-weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious. Whether you’re a trivia geek or just nosy about your kitchen shelf, That’s The Thing will make you rethink what you thought was truly Indian.

单集

  1. Ambassador : King of the Road, Ghost of the State

    7月11日

    Ambassador : King of the Road, Ghost of the State

    In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva slide into the wide, unyielding backseat of an Ambassador—the car that defined Indian power, politics, and pothole strategy for over five decades. It was a diesel beast. A monocoque marvel. And a boot space that no hatchback today can touch. Modelled after the British Morris Oxford, the Ambassador became the official ride for every babu, neta, and dignitary that mattered. By the 1960s, it wasn’t just on the road—it was the road. Jawaharlal Nehru may have swapped it out for a Cadillac when foreign guests arrived, but Lal Bahadur Shastri made his preferences clear: “I want them to know that the Indian Prime Minister is traveling in a car made in India.” It had fans beyond the government. R.K. Laxman, creator of The Common Man, only drove a black Ambassador. His cartoons? Usually featured one too. But by the '90s, everything changed. Liberalisation flooded Indian roads with Marutis, Daewoos, and Hyundais. Suddenly, spotting a non-Ambassador was a game 90s kids played from the backseat. And soon enough, that backseat was in a Santro. In 2002, Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the first PM to ditch the Ambassador for a BMW—security, they said. By 2014, production of the Ambassador ended. Quietly. Then came another blow. On May 1, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially ended India’s Laal Batti (red beacon) culture. Overnight, the red-domed Ambassadors vanished—no longer a moving symbol of VIP authority. And just like that, the car that once announced power fell silent. Still, it lingers. In some parking lots. In the collective memory of a nation that once measured status by how high the flagpole rose from the hood. It may be called the white elephant. But try denting it—you’ll see who wins. Discover more shows in English, Hindi, and Kannada: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/radio-azim-premji-university Follow us on Instagram: @radioazimpremjiuniv Credits Produced by Jimmy Xavier. Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Kruthika Rao, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Seshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

    31 分钟
  2. The Flip Flopped Story of Hawai Chappal

    6月27日

    The Flip Flopped Story of Hawai Chappal

    You wear them every day — but where did chappals come from? This episode takes a light-hearted but well-researched journey across time and continents to uncover the 15,000-year history of the slipper. From prehistoric Spain to dynastic China, from ancient Egypt’s leather soles to Japan’s zori and geta, the story of footwear is more global than you’d imagine. The hosts travel through history, unearthing stories of embroidered sandals in China, toe-post designs in Egypt, and how Japanese slippers helped rebuild the nation’s economy after World War II. The rubber used in Hawai chappals, we learn, was originally sourced from Hawaiian islands, giving the slipper its now-familiar name. And did you know that the word chappal comes from the Hindi chap—the imprint left behind?! With cultural trivia, school anecdotes, and an ode to toe comfort, this episode proves that even the most ordinary objects carry extraordinary stories. Slippers might seem simple — but this episode shows they’ve walked a long, fascinating path through history. Slip in and enjoy the ride. CREDITS Produced by Jimmy Xavier Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

    34 分钟
  3. Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)

    6月27日

    Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)

    In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the story of a drink that’s as familiar as the fridge door you were scolded for leaving open. Rooh Afza—part Unani medicine, part summer memory—has travelled from 1906 Delhi to iftar tables, school holidays, and millions of kitchen shelves across South Asia.. You know the scene. The fan is on full. The kids are back from the sun, dusty and loud. Someone’s yelling about a sixer. Someone’s sprawled under the fan. The fridge opens—too long. Inside is a jug of Rooh Afza. Cold. Pink. Just sweet enough. In 1906, in the blistering heat of Delhi, Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed crafted a syrup to cool the body against the loo —the dry, hot gusts of North Indian summers. A Unani antidote. Herbal. Fragrant. Fortifying. His wife, Rabia Begum, helped name it—drawing from the Persian Masnawi Gulzarein Naseeb, where Rooh Afza was a celestial figure. Daughter of heaven. It was more than marketing. It was storytelling in a bottle. The Hamdard empire grew. But history split the subcontinent—and the Hamdard family. One brother stayed in India. Another went to Pakistan. One pillar. Two homes. Two versions of Rooh Afza. Same name, same flavour, same purpose. Both branches were turned into charitable trusts, preserving the name Hamdard as a mission, not just a brand. By 2023, over 4 crore bottles of Rooh Afza were sold annually. Still made with 30 ingredients, from herbs and roots to fruits and flowers. Still pink. Still poured into milk, lemon water, or just cold water. More than just a drink, it has become part of the everyday rhythm of summer, ritual, and memory. Discover more shows in English, Hindi, and Kannada: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/radio-azim-premji-university Follow us on Instagram: @radioazimpremjiuniv Credits Produced by Jimmy Xavier. Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Kruthika Rao, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Seshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

    32 分钟
  4. India’s Fans – From Punkha to Ceiling

    6月20日

    India’s Fans – From Punkha to Ceiling

    Cricket chants, ceiling fans, colonial courts. In this episode, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the wild journey of the Indian fan — from movie mania to punkhawalas, peacock whisks, and regulator dials. From hand-pulled breezes to hero worship — it’s all in the air. Listen now. Credits: Produced by Jimmy Xavier. Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Kruthika Rao, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

    33 分钟
  5. India's Obsession with Gold

    6月13日

    India's Obsession with Gold

    More than metal, gold is woven into India’s culture, economy, and imagination. In this episode of That’s The Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva explore how gold became one of the country’s most powerful obsessions. From ancient civilisations and temple towers to alchemy, smuggling, medicine, and even mobile phones — they trace gold’s journey through history, mythology, pop culture, and everyday life. Why do Indian households hold more gold than most nations? How did a Roman dream of turning metal into gold lead to modern chemistry? And what does it say about us that gold is found in our art, our prayers, and even our food? With stories, trivia, and humour, the trio digs into everything from zari embroidery and gold-plated awards to the global gold rush, edible gold, and some very strange smuggling tactics. Discover more shows in English, Hindi, and Kannada: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/radio-azim-premji-university Follow us on Instagram: @radioazimpremjiuniv Credits: Produced by Jimmy Xavier. Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar.

    34 分钟
  6. How the Indian Train Chugged into Our Collective Soul

    6月6日

    How the Indian Train Chugged into Our Collective Soul

    Why Indian Trains Are a Cultural Icon — Not Just a Commute More than 23 million people ride Indian trains daily — but these journeys are about more than just getting from Point A to B. In this episode, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva explore how trains became India’s emotional lifeline, cultural stage, and cinematic legend. 🎧 From Bollywood’s most iconic train scenes to chai-fueled conversations and antakshari battles in packed coaches — this episode has stories, trivia, and nostalgia that’ll take you places. Hit play and hop aboard — your window seat is waiting. Produced by Jimmy Xavier. Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

    36 分钟
  7. More Than Sad Songs -The Art of The Ghazal

    5月23日

    More Than Sad Songs -The Art of The Ghazal

    What do you get when you mix poetry, heartbreak, and dosa? A delicious deep dive into the world of the ghazal! Often mistaken for sad Urdu songs, ghazals are actually centuries-old poetic forms with roots in Arabic and Persian traditions. This episode explores how ghazals evolved from expressions of flirtation and divine longing into intricate verse structures that travelled across languages and continents. The hosts break down the anatomy of a ghazal — from the matla (opening couplet) to the makta (closing couplet) and the poet’s takhallus (pen name). A playful group composition about dosa and sambar becomes the perfect entry point into understanding the radif and qafiya that give ghazals their lyrical rhythm. Listeners are also treated to the story of how Sufi mystics like Rumi and Hafiz used ghazals as spiritual messages, and how Amir Khusro brought this form into Indian languages like braj bhasha. Whether it’s sung in Urdu, Malayalam, or Bangla, the ghazal transcends borders — blending personal longing with poetic beauty. Charming, accessible, and funny, this episode makes the ghazal feel like both a literary puzzle and a love letter. And yes, it’ll leave you craving not just poetry — but dosa too. CREDITS Produced by Jimmy Xavier Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar. Podcast Unconventional Ghalib by Fahad Hussain with Rekhta Studio Yun Hota to Kya Hota, The World of Ghalib with Amit Basole Articles and blogs Rekta| Hamse Puchho Ki Ghazal Kya Hai… The Scroll| How the ghazal traveled from 6th-century Arabia to Persia, India and the English-speaking world [Book Excerpt] by Anisur Rahman Frontline| Story of ghazal A comprehensive tribute to Urdu ghazals and the cross-cultural roots of the enthralling poetic form. by AJ Thomas. Poetry Foundation| The Pen, the Throat, the Ear: On Ghazals by Sarah Ghazal Ali Documentary Kaagaz Ki Kashti by Brahmanand Siingh

    40 分钟
  8. The Origin of Snakes And Ladders

    5月16日

    The Origin of Snakes And Ladders

    You’ve rolled the dice, dodged snakes, and climbed ladders — but did you know Snakes and Ladders began as a lesson in morality? This episode traces the game’s roots to 13th-century Maharashtra, where Sant Dhyaneshwar designed Moksha Patam to teach virtues and warn against vices. Each square held a symbolic meaning — generosity, faith, and humility led you upward, while pride and drunkenness pulled you down. The ultimate goal? Reaching Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. The hosts dive into family memories, Ekadashi traditions, and the cultural evolution of the game — from Jnaneshwar’s Hindu board with 72 squares to Jain versions with 84. Special guest, Chandrakant from Jejuri, offers deep insight into the Varkari tradition, Dhyaneshwar’s poetic genius, and his radical efforts to democratise spiritual knowledge by translating the Gita into Marathi. With laughter, song, and sharp reflections, the episode transforms a humble board game into a powerful metaphor for life’s journey — where even one misstep near the end (like the snake of pride at square 95) can send you tumbling. Thoughtful and funny, this episode is a reminder that even childhood games can hold timeless wisdom. CREDITS: Produced by Jimmy Xavier Radio Azim Premji University: 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

    32 分钟
  9. Chai is Indian, Right?

    5月9日

    Chai is Indian, Right?

    It’s scalding hot, sweet, kadak — and proudly Indian. But can India really lay claim to chai? Hosts Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the journey of tea from the jungles near the Indo-China border to the boiling kettles of Indian railway stations. From its ancient medicinal uses in China to the British ‘discovery’ of wild tea bushes in Assam, this episode brews up a storm of fun facts, folk songs, and forgotten histories. We learn about Camellia sinensis, the dark legacy of British tea plantations and indentured labour, and the surprising role of Buddhist monks and Taoist philosophers in tea’s rise. The hosts also spill juicy trivia: why all teas come from the same plant, how iced tea rose to fame during Prohibition, and what Cha Bagan Time actually is. From masala chai to teefee and suleimani, this episode celebrates India’s deep love for chai while reminding us of its complex and global roots. Sip, listen, reflect.

    29 分钟
  10. Is Auto Rickshaw Really Indian?

    5月2日

    Is Auto Rickshaw Really Indian?

    Is the auto rickshaw really Indian? Or did it tuk-tuk its way into our hearts from faraway lands? In the debut episode of That’s The Thing, hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar go on a rollicking ride through the action-packed history of India’s most iconic three-wheeler. From 19th-century Japan’s human-pulled jinrikshas, to Italy’s buzzing Piaggio Ape, to Bajaj Auto’s desi makeover, they unearth the quirky global roots of the autorickshaw. Discover how freedom fighters introduced the auto to India post-Independence, how e-rickshaws are reshaping public transport, and why we might finally have the ride-hailing revolution we need. Along the way, there’s trivia, movie shout-outs (hello Octopussy and Autoraja), and a peek at how autos are doubling up as mobile homes and healthcare vans. Fast, funny, and packed with trivia, this is a history/culture lesson you’ll want to be stuck in traffic for. Hold tight—this ride has no seat belts! CREDITS Produced by Jimmy Xavier for Radio Azim Premji University

    40 分钟
  11. That’s The Thing - Trailer

    第 1 季预告片

    That’s The Thing - Trailer

    That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas. Follow and share to be first to listen!

    1 分钟

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关于

That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas — from the auto rickshaw to snakes and ladders. Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a bi-weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious. Whether you’re a trivia geek or just nosy about your kitchen shelf, That’s The Thing will make you rethink what you thought was truly Indian.

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