Storytelling with Shweta

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about Dushala - the Kaurava Princess. Though many know her as the only sister to 100 Kaurava brothers, the epic does not really offer up a lot of other details about her. All the more reason why Dushala deserves her own episode.  This story is from the Women of the Mahabharata series.  Apart from Dushala, this story also features Arjuna - one of...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, I have a Ramayana story for you. This one is from the monkey god Hanuman’s childhood. We hear about the day he wanted to eat the sun! Apart from Hanuman this story features Vayu - the wind god, Indra the king of gods and other characters from Indian mythology.   This family-friendly story is best for all who enjoy stories from the Mahabharata, the Ramay...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta,  I have a Mahabharata story for you. One with five brothers, a bunch of riddles, a Yaksha and a guest appearance by Yama - The God of death. This story is all about quests, logic and magical enchantments!  The art that inspired this story from Indian mythology is owned by  the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Listen to the episode for more....

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we will hear Subhadra’s story as part of the Women of the Mahabharata series. Subhadra is the sister of God Krishna and is famous for her love story with Arjuna of the Pandavas. Even though there are not a lot of details about her she is an iconic figure in Indian mythology.  The art that inspired this story from Indian mythology is owned by  the Metrop...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we will hear a story from the ancient Ramayana. Today’s story is about waking Kumbhakarna the Asura up from his enchanted sleep. Kumbhakarna is an iconic character in Indian mythology. He is the brother of Ravana and enemy of the gods. This story was performed live at the Peerbagh Varta Festival at the Ann Arbor District Library. This was a South Asian...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we return to the Women of the Mahabharata series. Today’s story is about Chitrangadha,  the warrior princess of Manipura. She has barely a few lines dedicated to her in the ancient Indian epic but I wanted to explore her story from before her appearance in the Mahabharata. What I have for you on the podcast is  a version of Chitrangadha’s life as imagin...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we return to the Women of the Mahabharata series. Today’s story is about Ulupi the half human-half serpent Naga princess. She has barely a few lines dedicated to her in the ancient Indian epic but I wanted to explore her story from before her appearance in the Mahabharat. What I have for you on the podcast is  a version of Ulupi’s life as imagined befor...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the story of the Indian Goddess Jagaddhatri. In October, India celebrates the festival of Navaratri or nine nights of the Mother Goddess and Goddess Jagaddhatri's story is closely related to this festival. The piece that inspired this story from Indian mythology is currently owned by the Metropolitan Museum of New York, though it is currentl...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the story of the Indian Goddess of Misfortune. She’s known by many names but mostly Alakshmi - the goddess of all things miserable and unlucky, and a literal translation to the opposite of Lakshmi - the goddess of all things wealthy and prosperous.  The piece that inspired this story from Indian mythology is currently housed in the South-Asian G...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the story of Vindhyavalli - King Mahabali's wife and forgotten Queen. Scroll down for shownotes! This episode is a companion piece to Ep 6 - The Legend of King Mahabali from Season 1 of Storytelling with Shweta. It is linked below in the show notes. This story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the story of Yashoda after Krishna. Suitable for listeners of all ages! Join Shweta in the second season of her Storytelling Podcast as she retells legends from India and South Asia. The story is best for children who enjoy folk tales and fairytales and it also great for adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the South asian m...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the reimagined origin story of the Yakshi as a Guardian Spirit. Suitable for listeners of all ages! Join Shweta in the second season of her Storytelling Podcast as she retells legends from India and South Asia. The story is best for children who enjoy folk tales and fairytales and it also great for adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anyt...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear the story of the Goddess with Weapons in her Hair. Join Shweta in the second season of her Storytelling Podcast as she retells legends from India and South Asia. The story is best for children who enjoy folk tales and fairytales and it also great for adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the South asian myths to listen to the...

In this final Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the last of the Navadurgas - Goddess Sidhidhatri! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to t...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the seventh and eighth of the Navadurgas - Goddess Kaalaratri and Goddess Mahagauri! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Ind...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the sixth of the Navadurgas - Goddess Katyayini! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the stor...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the fifth of the Navadurgas - Goddess Skandamata! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the sto...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the fourth of the Navadurgas - Goddess Kushmanda! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the sto...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the third of the Navadurgas - Goddess Chandraghanta! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the...

In this Navaratri special episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the second of the Navadurgas - Goddess Brahmacharini! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear about the first of the Navadurgas - Goddess Shailaputri! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the Indian folk tales to listen to the story and if you do,...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we meet Asura Princess Hidimbi and hear her story. Join Shweta as she retells stories of the women that play pivotal roles in the great Indian epic in her “Women of the Mahabharat” series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the epic to listen to the stor...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we meet Gandhaari- the Princess of Gandhaara and hear her story. Join Shweta as she retells stories of the women that play pivotal roles in the great Indian epic in her “Women of the Mahabharat” series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the epic to list...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we will hear the story behind Arunachal Pradesh’s famous Solung festival! This one features a Goddess, a God, a couple of monsters and even a dog! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairytales and adults of all ages. You don’t need...

In this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we hear one of the many stories behind the festival of Rakshabandhan! This one has a link of sorts with the Women of Mahabharat series too as it features none other than Draupadi and Krishna! Join Shweta as she retells legends from India’s storied past in her Festivals of India series. The story is best for children who enjoy Indian folk tales and fairy...