Frontline on Air

Shuddhabrata Sengupta examines the interplay between state control and grassroots efforts in shaping Indian art and culture. The narrative delves into the tension between institutional frameworks and independent cultural expressions, highlighting how grassroots movements are reclaiming artistic spaces to foster creativity and inclusivity. Sengupta, an artist and curator with the Raqs Media Collective, brings a critical perspective to this evolving dynamic, emphasizing the resilience of cultural communities in the face of systemic challenges.

Lawrence Liang explores the remarkable transformation of Indian cinema over four decades, from 1984 to 2024, as shaped by technological advances and cultural shifts. The narrative highlights how digital innovations, streaming platforms, and globalization have redefined storytelling, production, and audience engagement in Indian films. Liang, a Delhi-based professor working at the intersection of law, culture, and technology, provides a nuanced analysis of cinema's evolution, linking it to broader societal and technological trends.

This audio story by Pankaj Sekhsaria draws a poignant connection between the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and India's ongoing environmental challenges, such as the threats to Great Nicobar and the endangered Indian Bustard. It reflects on how ecological degradation has become emblematic of broader systemic failures in governance and accountability. Pankaj Sekhsaria, editor and curator of The Great Nicobar Betrayal published by Frontline in 2024, delves into these critical issues, urging collective action to prioritize environmental conservation.

This audio story by Kalpana Sharma critically examines the state of press freedom in India, focusing on the challenges faced by independent media in an era of government influence and corporate control. It highlights the complicity of major media outlets, the suppression of dissent, and the targeting of journalists, including the implications of high-profile cases like the Adani controversy. Kalpana Sharma, an independent journalist and author, sheds light on the pressing need to safeguard journalistic independence and integrity in the face of mounting pressures.

This audio story, written by Vandana Prasad, highlights the crisis in India's healthcare system, with a focus on how increasing privatization threatens universal access to essential health services. The narrative delves into the systemic neglect of public health infrastructure, rising out-of-pocket expenditures, and the growing disparities in access to care. Vandana Prasad, a public health professional with over three decades of experience in community and policy-level interventions, emphasizes the urgent need for equitable, accessible, and government-supported healthcare to address the nation's public health challenges effectively.

This audio story, authored by Krishna Kumar, critically examines the trajectory of higher education in India, reflecting on the policy shifts from the Rajiv Gandhi era to the current BJP-led NDA regime. It explores the impact of demonetization, the rise of market-driven educational reforms, and the challenges faced by liberal arts education in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape. Krishna Kumar, a former Director of NCERT and author of Thank You, Gandhi, brings a seasoned perspective to the discussion, urging a reevaluation of educational priorities to ensure inclusivity and intellectual growth.

This audio story, authored by Sudha Bharadwaj, delves into the steady deterioration of labor rights in India under the influence of neoliberal economic policies. It examines how the New Economic Policy has exacerbated workers' hardships, undermined trade unions, and deepened economic inequalities. Bharadwaj, a noted trade unionist and human rights activist, offers a compelling critique of the systemic challenges faced by India’s labor force, highlighting the urgent need for policies centered on social justice and workers' welfare.

This audio story, authored by renowned journalist and author P. Sainath, explores the three-decade-long crisis in Indian agriculture from 1984 to 2024. It examines the systemic decline fueled by neoliberal policies, growing farmer distress, and the widening rural-urban divide. Sainath, a champion of rural reporting and a recipient of numerous accolades for his work on agrarian issues, provides a deeply researched and compassionate analysis of the challenges facing India’s farmers and the broader implications for the nation’s socio-economic fabric.

This audio story, authored by Mukul Kesavan, critically examines the trajectory of Indian democracy under the leadership of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It delves into the interplay of secularism, majoritarianism, and the RSS’s ideological influence, tracing the socio-political shifts from the era of Indira Gandhi to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and beyond. Kesavan, a historian and writer known for his incisive commentary, offers a nuanced analysis of the challenges facing democracy in South Asia today.

This audio story explores Tulsi Gabbard's intriguing journey in American politics, from being a Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii to her recent alignment with Republican values. It examines her political evolution, ideological shifts, and the broader implications for bipartisan dynamics in the United States. Gabbard's rise and influence offer a lens into the changing landscape of American political discourse.