Play it Again

One cannot look forward without closure, can one? In this episode Pragya Tiwari and Raja Sen list their favourite books, movies, plays and music— mostly unusual suspects and share some very strongly held contrarian opinions. Join us in taking this long, last look at 2025 and send us your thoughts. We are always listening.

Amitava Kumar is a brilliant writer, artist and teacher. He is also one of them most brilliant consumers of culture, which makes him one of our dream guests. In this episode, books, films and art collide and coalesce in unexpected ways and the absolute joy and pleasure of reading and listening and watching is for all to partake in. Just make sure you have a pen and paper handy for the the recommen...

In this episode, we feature an award-winning poet, composer, writer, actor. The polymath Swanand Kirkire talks about Kumar Gandharva, the National School of Drama, and his many influences in art, theatre and cinema

In this episode we talk about one of the greatest pleasures of all times- going down a rabbit hole. Allowing a film to suggest another, or a book to lead you to an art work that compels you to listen to a forgotten music album. Our hosts recount their rabbit hole journeys from this year and play a unique word association game. Listen in for a host of recommendations of what and how to read and wat...

In this episode we have a heart to heart with Neeraj Ghaywan about why he made Homebound, how he found a foothold in the industry, the films that have shaped him, his obsessions and anxieties, and being a Dalit filmmaker in Bollywood. Show Notes: Masaan, Homebound, Geeli Puchhi, Sacred Games — by Neeraj Ghaywan Fight Club, by David Fincher Three Monkeys, by Nuri Bilge Ceylan Underground, by Emir K...

A new podcast on how we consume culture, and how it consumes us. Hosted by Pragya Tiwari and Raja Sen. Produced by Radio Kalkatta by Oijo.

In this episode, we speak with Aatish Taseer, novelist and non-fiction writer, to examine the cultural influences that have shaped him and his writing. In his new book he charts a road to find himself anew after an enforced exile from his homeland by traveling to places and exploring themes that interested his younger self. In this episode we peel back layers of narrative to reveal the cultural co...

In this episode our hosts Pragya Tiwari and Raja Sen talk about the idea of a cultural DNA- books, music, and movies that have shaped us as individuals and are formative to the way in which we look at the world. They also talk about their shared cultural DNA as friends, arguing that most important relationships are based on a shared love of culture. Listen in to get to know them and yourselves bet...