What do a right-wing YouTube creator and a small-town salesgirl have in common?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Prayaag Akbar, author of Mother India, to explore the intersections of identity, ambition, and the rapid transformations of urban India. Through the lives of Mayank, a right-wing YouTuber, and Nisha, a small-town salesgirl navigating Delhi’s class-driven chaos, Prayaag examines the human cost of our obsession with relevance and validation.

Prayaag shares the creative journey behind his novel, from an abandoned historical fiction project to crafting this sharp and modern tale. He dives into the complexities of balancing flawed, relatable characters with a fast-moving narrative, revealing how Delhi itself became a character in the book. With conversations about social media’s real-world impact, the power of motivation in storytelling, and the soul of a city in flux, this episode is packed with insights for readers and writers alike.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a novel both timely and timeless, or how fiction can capture the pulse of a city, this episode is for you.

Books Mentioned in this episode:
Leila - Prayaag Akbar
A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
You Envy the Coutinhos and Other Migrants in the Middle East - Michelle D’Costa
Temporary People - Deepak Unnikishan
Deepti Kapoor
Shivani Sibal
Anjum Hasan

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Curious about how fiction unravels the complexities of identity and migration?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Ammar Kalia, author of A Person is a Prayer, and Ram Murali, author of Death in the Air, to discuss their remarkable debut novels.

Ammar Kalia explores the ripple effects of migration on family dynamics through the lens of Bedi’s journey from Kenya to India. Ram Murali’s Death in the Air takes readers to an Indian Himalayan spa, combining Agatha Christie-style intrigue with contemporary questions about justice and identity.

Both authors share how their diverse personal backgrounds shaped their storytelling, offering a window into the immigrant experience, family relationships, and the spiritual undertones of their narratives.

In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we highlight two emerging voices in fiction, delving into their creative processes, the role of memory in shaping stories, and the layered themes that make their novels so compelling.

Tune in as Ammar and Ram share their thoughts on navigating the intersection of migration and identity, the challenges of balancing mystery with meaning, and the stories that inspired their unforgettable characters.

Books Mentioned in this episode:
The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
The Believers - Zoë Heller
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Vuong
Whose Body? - Dorothy L. Sayers

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

As India rises on the world stage, what stories and narratives are we ready to share?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara and Michelle speak with author Sriram Devtha the author of Amrut: The Great Churn. Diving into the heart of Indian brands that have received global recognition with Amrut Distilleries, a brand pushing boundaries in the whiskey market. We explore the journey from its early days to becoming a major soft power player, reaching enthusiasts in Sweden.

They discuss the crucial moments in Amrut’s rise, like the fusion story and how pivotal figures shaped the brand, from finance head Lakshmanan, who’s been with the company for 50 years, to the distillery’s unique culture, where trust in people is key.

Sriram reflects on what it takes to build an enduring brand, sharing his approach to narrative nonfiction. He seamlessly weaves personal stories of Amrut’s founding family, their challenges, and triumphs, creating stories that resonate both locally and internationally.

Listen in as Sriram reveals how Amrut, a small Indian whiskey brand, took the world by storm. He shares personal insights into the Amrut family legacy and explores how Indian brands can become global icons.

Books mentioned in this episode:
Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese
Covenant of Water - Abraham Verghese
Big Billion Startup - Mihir Dalal

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Curious about India’s unique relationship with the environment and the often-overlooked heroes who shaped it?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara welcome celebrated historian Dr. Ramachandra Guha, and talk about his recent book Speaking with Nature. Known for his extensive work on Gandhi, Dr. Guha now uncovers the lives of Indian environmentalists who, since the 19th century, championed sustainable ways of living in harmony with nature. From literary icon Rabindranath Tagore to the indomitable Meera Ben, each figure in Dr. Guha’s latest book highlights a different angle of ‘livelihood environmentalism’, an approach where nature conservation goes hand in hand with social justice.

Dr. Guha shares his insights on how scholars, editors, librarians, and archivists play crucial roles, describing how a network of trusted colleagues, editors like Rukun Advani, and even archivists shape each book. He also sheds light on the irreplaceable value of archives, libraries, and the often uncelebrated archivists who preserve history. From finding serendipitous treasures to uncovering forgotten letters and manuscripts, archival research is, as he puts it, “an addiction,” offering writers a tactile connection to the past.

Tune in as Dr. Guha takes us through forests, rivers, and the lives of those who spoke with nature, revealing the unique and timeless spirit of India's environmental ethos.

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Ever been captivated by the supernatural or curious about the secrets behind spirit worship?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle sits down with Hari Kumar, author of Daiva, who takes us into the fascinating world of spirit worship practiced in Karnataka and northern Kerala’s Tulu Nadu region. Hari dives into the intense practice of spirit possession, where individuals become vessels for powerful spirits like Panjurli and Bobbarya.

He also shares how a surprising oracle prediction led him on this journey of exploration, uncovering unique perspectives on these traditions through interviews with kola performers, astrologers, and local residents. Hari also discusses the cultural and symbolic importance of the vibrant kola get-up and offers a peek into his upcoming book on the serpent, revealing a lifelong fascination with the paranormal.

Listen in as Hari dives into the rich, mystical traditions of Tulu Nadu, shares personal revelations from his journey, and uncovers the complex world of spirit worship and possession in Daiva.

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Curious about how fiction explores the intersection of identity, memory, and love?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Dharini Bhaskar author of ‘Like Being Alive Twice’ and Rupleena Bose author of ‘Summer of Then’ to talk about the art of writing female coming-of-age stories. They dive into the challenges of creating relatable female characters and discuss how their personal experiences shape their storytelling.

Dharini and Rupleena open up about their creative process, the intersection of identity and literature, and the power of poetry and resilience. From navigating the complexities of inter-religious dynamics in romance to portraying the impact of the pandemic on human interaction, they offer a glimpse into their unique perspectives.

In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we highlight two voices who are transforming the narrative around inter-religious romance and female coming-of-age stories in Indian fiction.

Listen in as Dharini and Rupleena share their thoughts on the creative process, the challenges of portraying identity in fiction, and the deeper meaning behind their characters' journeys.

Books mentioned in this episode:
Leila - Prayaag Akbar
Mother India - Prayaag Akbar
My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh
August Rush - Deborah Levy
Real Estate: A Living Autobiography - Deborah Levy
How to Kill Your Family - Bella Mackie
The Illuminated - Anindita Ghose
Burnt Sugar - Avni Doshi
Mrs. Dalloway - Virginia Woolf

Authors mentioned:
Linda Greg
Jeffery Carson
Anne Carson

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Ever wonder how a destination can inspire an entire mystery novel?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara and Michelle chat with Manjiri Prabhu, India’s first female mystery writer to break into the international scene. She talks about her latest novel, The Mystery of the Portuguese Hearts, set in the heart of Portugal’s wine country. Manjiri reveals how investigator Re unravels the truth behind a murder and the mysterious ‘lenços’ (love handkerchiefs).

Minjiri shares her deep dive into research, her passion for authenticity, and how the destination itself sparks the thrill of her stories. Get ready to explore the craftiness behind her mysteries, the emotional depth of her characters, and the secrets behind crafting a destination thriller.

In this exciting partnership series with Jaico Publishing House, we are featuring fascinating new authors every month, writers that captivate the audience and bring forth a revolutionary perspective to Indian literature.

Want to know how Manjiri weaves history, culture, and mystery into one thrilling narrative? Tune in for a fascinating look at her creative process and the inspiration behind her international success!

Books mentioned in this episode:
Legend of The Snow Queen - Manjiri Prabhu
Voice of the Runes - Manjiri Prabhu
The Meditations of a Dog - Franz Kafka

Authors mentioned in this episode:
Agatha Christie
Daphne du Maurier
Wilkie Collins
Enid Blyton

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Ever wondered what it’s like to live with a disability? Or how writing can help navigate the toughest of life’s challenges?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara chat with Abhishek Anicca, author of Grammar of My Body, a creative memoir about his life with VATERS syndrome, a condition affecting multiple parts of his body. Abhishek dives into his experience of living with chronic illness and disability in India, sharing his journey of vulnerability, humor, and breaking stereotypes.

Abhishek also talks about the therapeutic power of art, especially poetry and performance, in dealing with mental health challenges and reclaiming his narrative. From the poetic nature of illness to the importance of clear, non-metaphorical communication, he gives us a deep insight into the world of writing about personal experiences.

If you’ve ever been curious about the intersection of personal storytelling, disability, and creativity, this conversation is for you! Listen in for an inspiring, thought-provoking episode.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses chronic illness, disability, and mental health struggles. Listeners are advised to exercise caution.

Books mentioned in this episode:
Illness as Metaphor - Susan Sontag
Shattered: A Memoir - Hanif Kureishi

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.