Jaipur Bytes

Ajume H. Wingo, Christophe Jaffrelot, Gideon Levy, Makarand R. Paranjape and Mukulika Banerjee in conversation with Milan Vaishnav.

While the notion of democracy had its birth in Ancient Greece and gained currency in the 18th century revolutions in France and America, it was in the 20th century that it became a global aspiration. Yet each nation that professes allegiance to democracy has a shifting definition of what the concept entails. A distinguished panel of speakers examine the constitutional safeguards as well as the civic attitudes that define the critical parameters of democractic process. Christophe Jaffrelot's recent publications include India’s First Dictatorship: The Emergency, 1975-1977, The Majoritarian State: How Hindu Nationalism is Changing India, and Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability: Analysing and Fighting Caste. Ajume H. Wingo has published widely on liberal democratic philosophy and politics, particularly on institutional building in places where there are non-liberal democratic or illegitimate political institutions. He is the author of Veil Politics in Liberal Democratic States. Gideon Levy is a journalist and author of The Punishment of Gaza. Mukulika Banerjee was the inaugural director of the LSE South Asia Center and is associate professor in social anthropology at the London School of Economics. Her books include Why India Votes?, and the recently completed monograph, Cultivating Democracy: Politics and Citizenship in Agrarian India. Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and is the author of When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics. A crucial conversation on the pulse and vital parameters of democracy around the world.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

As society waits for a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, a timely conversation on social realities and medical roots to help the world exit the limbo it finds itself in. Scientist, author, and philanthropist William Haseltine is the founder of two academic research departments, the Division of Biochemical Pharmacology and the Division of Human Retrovirology at the Harvard School of Public Health. His work revolves around cancer, HIV/AIDS, genomics, and COVID-19. His latest autobiographical book is My Lifelong Fight Against Disease. Ambarish Satwik is a vascular and endovascular surgeon and writer. He is director of the Vascular Cath Lab at Sir Ganga Ram hospital and professor of vascular surgery, GRIPMER. He is author of the critically acclaimed novel Perineum: Nether Parts of the Empire.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

What does it mean to be Indian? Retired diplomat, politician, and celebrated author Shashi Tharoor's latest book, The Battle Of Belonging: On Nationalism, Patriotism, And What It Means To Be Indian, evaluates the historical and current political trends that are impacting the “idea of India.” Tharoor explores the changing interpretations of nationalism, patriotism, citizenship, and belonging, as well as the nature and future of nationhood. In an important conversation with journalist Pragya Tiwari, he discusses the concept of belonging in the context of nationhood.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Eric Cornell in conversation with Priyamvada Natarajan.

The notion of imperfection usually carries negative implications and the idea of defect. But what is the significance and implication of the concept of imperfections in the field of physics? How did it impact our universe? Eric Cornell, Professor of Experimental Physics from the University of Colorado and Nobel Laureate for Physics in 2001, speaks with distinguished astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan and evaluates the one moment in time 14 billion years ago that made it possible for us to be here today.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi in conversation with Mayank Shekhar.

Running Towards Mystery by The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi is a vivid account of a life dedicated to the path of truth, devotion, and human connections across all barriers. The revered monk and teacher is also the President and CEO of The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT. In conversation with journalist Mayank Shekhar, The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi shares the lessons learned from the mentors who shaped his life, stressing the importance of spiritual courage and truth at all times.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

David Abulafia in conversation with William Dalrymple.

Oceans and seas across the world have played a pivotal role in the development of world history. They stand not just as a testament to political and economic change but also play an integral role in the spread of ideas and religion across the planet. They have recently found themselves under scrutiny as major drivers of change in human affairs and as the subject of a major wave of exciting and path-breaking historical scholarship. One of the leading figures of this new wave is emeritus Cambridge don David Abulafia. He is the Wolfson Prize-winning author of books such as The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans, and The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean, among others. In conversation with historian and Festival Co-Director William Dalrymple, Abulafia offers a fresh perspective on the extraordinary narrative of humanity and its relationship with the sea.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Hussain Zaidi and Vikram Chandra in conversation with Jenny Bhatt.

Introducing us to the inner world of noir, celebrated authors Vikram Chandra and Hussain Zaidi embark on a journey around the various aspects of the genre, the craft and techniques of building plot and character, and developing narrative styles. Chandra is the bestselling author of books such as Sacred Games, Red Earth and Pouring Rain, and Geek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty. Zaidi’s work includes The Endgame, The Class of 83, and Mumbai Avengers, to name a few. In conversation with writer and literary critic Jenny Bhatt, they present a masterclass on fiction and the dark side.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Taking us on a journey through his layered and multifaceted literary process, Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel talks about the liberating power of the written word. Martel is the bestselling author of books such as Beatrice and Virgil and Life of Pi. In a conversation with writer and author Diksha Basu, Martel explores the inspirations and essence of his work, and talks about his journey as a writer.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFColorado2020.

Bee Rowlatt, Edward Chancellor, Nick Robins, Swapan Dasgupta, William Dalrymple and Zareer Masani discuss the age of iconoclasm with Mukulika Banerjee in the closing debate of #JLFLondonAtBL2020

Britain is full of statues of men once regarded as imperial heroes, many of whom are responsible for acts of loot and pillage that would now be classified as war crimes. This house believes the time has now come to remove them to a museum of colonialism. The JLF closing debate is a much-loved session that always sets pulses racing – watch out for the drummer…

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.

What are the responsibilities of the writer, to themselves, to their readers, to the narratives they share? Bestselling writers Amish, Vikas Swarup and Shrabani Basu speak to one another on their commitment and belief in words and of the dharma of the storyteller.

This episode is the audio version of a live online session from #JLFLondonAtBL2020.