Books and Beyond with Bound – Détails, épisodes et analyse

How are mourning practices in India varied? Are mourning rituals gendered? 

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara speaks with Dr. Minakshi Dewan about her book The Final Farewell: Understanding the Last Rites and Rituals of India’s Major Faiths. After her father’s death, Dr. Minakshi chose to personally perform the Antim Sanskar, a ritual traditionally reserved for male family members. This experience, combined with her period of grieving, led her to explore the funeral rites traditions in India.

Tara and Dr. Minakshi delve into the customs surrounding funeral rites in India, examining the varied religious rituals, the gender roles involved in mourning, and the environmental impacts of these practices.

Tune in and learn more about the $2.5 billion Death Care Industry in India, the role of professional mourners, the portrayal of grieving women in Bollywood, and the evolving landscape of funeral services in the country.

Books mentioned in this episode:
Fire on the Ganges : Life Among the Dead in Banaras - Radhika Iyengar
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End - Atul Gawande
Samskara - U. R. Ananthamurthy
Death in Banaras - Jonathan P. Parry

Movies Mentioned in this episode:
Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi - Seema Pahwa
Rudali - Kalpana Lajmi
Pagglait - Umesh Bist

‘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.

Are influencers rewriting the rules of publishing?

Back with a brand new season of Books and Beyond, in this episode Tara and Michelle discuss the rise of influencer books and what it means for the Indian publishing scene. From the buzz at Penguin Palooza to the power of social media, they dig into how influencer-led content is changing the game. Plus, they tackle the big question: what happens to traditional authors when influencers dominate the shelves?  Tune in to find out how content creation, smart distribution, and capturing young readers' attention early are shaping the future of publishing! 

Books mentioned in this episode: 

Under the Influence - Malini Agrawal 
She’ll Never Make It - Masoom Minawala 
The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel 
The Sex Book - Lisa Mangaldas
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear 
Make Epic Money - Ankur Warikoo
The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore- Manu S. Pillai 
Rebel Sultans: The Deccan from Khilji to Shivaji - Manu S. Pillai 
Spare - Prince Harry 
Sach Kahu Toh - Neena Gupta 
The Girls in Green - Tanushree Podder 

‘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.

Before Adam and Eve, there was Adam and Lilith.
But who is Lilith and what happened to her?

In this episode, Michelle speaks with Shinie Antony, author of ‘Eden Abandoned’, which tells the story of Adam’s first wife and the first woman ever - Lilith.  When Lilith refused to submit to Adam, she got banished from Eden and erased from the scriptures. But what did she do next?

Michelle and Shinie discuss villainized women in mythology, how Lilith stood up for herself and got branded a “child-eating monster”, and why Shinie thinks an angry, articulate woman is a work of art!

Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

Lilith - Nikki Marmery
Names of the Women - Jeet Thayil
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Covenant of Water - Abraham Verghese

Movies and TV shows mentioned in this episode:

Supernatural - Eric Kripke (Creator)
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Creator)

‘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.

Find out how she brings animal science and wildlife conversation to life in her latest book, ‘Every Creature Has a Story’.

Janaki talks about how she accidentally got into wildlife research and how she wrote the book to bring the wilderness stories into people’s homes. She talks about her relationship with an editor and how a great editor can push a writer to develop their craft. Tara loves finding out so many facts about animals that she didn’t know before. Michelle thinks it’s important to talk about wildlife conservation, since she also lives near mangroves in Mumbai. They talk about the fascinating giraffes, octopi and other 

We’re creating a community of podcast lovers in India! Click here to join the #PodSquad: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H853OktwN6X0tx4o6aBOTQ 

Contest Alert! Follow us @boundindia and DM us on Instagram with the name of your favourite podcast to get a half an hour session with Tara.

A city girl gone feral, Janaki Lenin is the author of two volumes of My Husband and Other Animals. Her latest is Every Creature Has a Story. She writes on a wide range of wildlife and conservation subjects for newspapers and magazines. She and her human partner share their home on the outskirts of Mysore with numerous pets and free-ranging wild creatures.

Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Every-Creature-Has-Story-Behaviour/dp/9353578604/

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 12 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

‘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.

Find out how she uses objects to uncover untold stories about the Partition for her book, ‘Remnants of a Separation’. 

Aanchal shares her family’s history with partition and why she decided to use objects to ask people about sensitive and traumatic memories. She discusses her experience of interviewing people in Pakistan and how her guide Khizarji helped her navigate difficult interviews. Tara can relate to Aanchal due to her own partition family history. And Michelle appreciates how Aanchal is so transparent about the difficulties in the research process. 

Why can’t Aanchal write in cafes? What languages does she speak and understand? And what is she writing next? Tune in to find out!

Want Aanchal to read your personal essay on the partition? Submit your personal essay (<1500 words) on  ‘Memory of Partition’ to connect@boundindia.com by 4th September, 2021. Only Word Doc attachments will be considered. Aanchal’s favourite 3 essays will be published on our blog, Jotted. 

We’re creating a community of podcast lovers in India! Click here to join the #PodSquad: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H853OktwN6X0tx4o6aBOTQ 

Aanchal Malhotra is an artist and oral historian working with memory and material culture. She received a BFA in Traditional Printmaking and Art History from the Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto, and an MFA in Studio Art from Concordia University, Montreal.

 She currently lives in New Delhi. This is her first book. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Remnants-Separation-History-Partition-Material/dp/9353022959/ 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 12 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

Follow us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

‘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.

Find out how she provides a glimpse into the experiences and challenges of growing up in war-torn Kashmir through her memoir, ‘Rumours Of Spring: A Girlhood In Kashmir’. 

Farah tells us why she decided to write this book and how it was challenging to relive some painful memories. She talks about her grandmother, Bobeh, who was a strong female figure  in her coming-of-age story and why she decided to structure the book around her death. Tara loves this as she’s also close to her grandmother! Michelle is moved by the vividness and intensity of some of the descriptions and scenes, like the absence of windows. 

Why did Farah decide to write this memoir? What influences have shaped her writing identity? And how does she feel about childhood now? Tune in for a moving and revelatory episode. 

Farah Bashir was born and raised in Kashmir. She was a former photojournalist with Reuters and currently works as a communications consultant. ‘Rumours of Spring’ is her first book. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Rumours-Spring-Girlhood-Farah-Bashir/dp/9354224210 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 12 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

Looking to write your dream memoir? We can help! Email us at connect@boundindia.com or DM us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

We’ve joined #PodForChange to raise donations for Covid relief. Donate here: www.auwa.in/podforchange

‘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.

Find out how he uncovers the untold stories and troubled lives of Bollywood celebrities like Rajesh Khanna, Rekha, Sanjay Dutt and Guru Dutt in his biographies. 

Yasser breaks down his research process - from approaching the celeb for interviews to going through old articles and talking to people who knew them well. He shares some interesting anecdotes about Rajesh Khanna and Rekha, and how the media only focused on certain parts of their lives. He also reveals how his interactions with Guru Dutt’s sister helped him survive the pandemic!

Tara loves learning more about the previous Bollywood era. Michelle loves how he delves into the lives of Bollywood celebs like we delve into the lives of authors! How did Yasser become a Bollywood biographer? How does he decide which celebs to research next? And what are his tips for young and aspiring biographers? Tune in to find out! 

Book Recommendations:

• The Kapoors: The First Family of Indian Cinema by Madhu Jain
• Parveen Babi: A Life by Karishma Upadhyay
• The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Yasser Usman is an award-winning TV journalist and the author of four bestselling film biographies: Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar; Rekha: The Untold Story and Sanjay Dutt. His recent book is the critically acclaimed - Guru Dutt - An Unfinished Story. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award for excellence in journalism, Indian Telly Award, Red Ink award among many others.

Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Guru-Dutt-Unfinished-Yasser-Usman/dp/9386797887 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 9 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

Create your own podcast with our 2 week masterclass! Details available here: https://boundindia.com/events/create-your-own-podcast-an-interactive-masterclass/

Check out our pathbreaking publishing podcast, ‘The Book People’: https://boundindia.com/the-book-people-podcast/ 

Find us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

We’ve joined #PodForChange to raise donations for Covid relief. Donate here: www.auwa.in/podforchange

‘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.

Find out how she captured the red-light district of Lahore and wrote a compelling and nuanced love story in her debut novel, ‘Skyfall’. 

Saba shares how her writing is inspired by her father and why she decided to explore the exact opposite through the villainous father figure in her novel. She tells us why she made her main character Rania a tour guide to show women accessing public spaces. 

Tara edited her book and knew it was going to be a bestseller. Michelle loves how Saba captures the love and friendship between the two countries. How did Saba include her own experiences in this story? Why did she ask her mother to read the book? What does the publishing industry in Pakistan look like? Tune in to find out! 

Book Recommendations:

• In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
• Beautiful Thing by Sonia Faleiro 

Saba Karim Khan holds a postgraduate [M.Phil] degree from Oxford University and currently teaches at New York University's international campus in Abu Dhabi. She has taught two creative writing courses and led four creative writing workshops for undergraduate MFA students. Her work has been published in The Huffington Post, DAWN, Express Tribune and ThinkProgress, Washington. She has also been commissioned to write the memoirs of a classical music artist in Pakistan, whose repertoire focuses on ghazals by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Ghalib. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Skyfall-Saba-Karim-Khan/dp/9390252385 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 9 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

We can pitch your book to publishers! Send your manuscript and bio to connect@boundindia.com or DM us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

We’ve joined #PodForChange to raise donations for Covid relief. Donate here: www.auwa.in/podforchange

‘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.

Find out how she captured her journey with infertility and years of medical research into her one-of-a-kind medical memoir, ‘What's a Lemon Squeezer Doing in My Vagina?'

Rohini shares her writing process: from storing all her medical documents to writing for 30 minutes at a time. She recounts how her brother acted as her sounding board and beta reader: convincing her to write this book as a memoir instead of a nonfiction how-to book. Tara loves how Rohini was able to cover such a taboo topic with depth and vulnerability. Michelle loves medical memoirs! How did she come up with this title? How did she come up with this title? How did her family feel about the book? And what does she plan to write next? Tune in to find out!

Book Recommendations:

• Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala
• Educated by Tara Westover
• Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
• Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban
• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
• The Small-Town Sea by Anees Salim

Rohini S. Rajagopal was leading a fairly humdrum life in Bangalore when an encounter with infertility stopped her in her tracks. In a temporary suspension of good sense, she quit her well-paying, flexible-hours job to write this book that narrates her journey from infertility to motherhood. But for her current penury, she has no regrets about that move. She has a master's degree in English (media and communication). Her special talents include fitting dishes inside overfilled refrigerators and taking three-hour-long afternoon naps without the slightest trace of guilt. You can find her on Instagram @rajagopal.rohini. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Whats-Lemon-Squeezer-Doing-Vagina/dp/0143452002/ 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Now trending in 9 countries! Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

Follow us If you need help starting your podcast, reach out to us at connect@boundindia.com or DM us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

We’ve joined #PodForChange to raise donations for Covid relief. Donate here: www.auwa.in/podforchange

‘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.

Tara talks to the talented Pakistani writer, Moni Mohsin, about  how she uses social satire to comment on current events in her 2 bestselling books ‘The Diary of a Social Butterfly’ and ‘The Impeccable Integrity of Ruby R’. 

Moni shares how the ‘metoo’ movement inspired her to write her latest politically charged novel. And how the male politician character is inspired by Trump and 1970s Amitabh Bachchan! Tara loves how her opening line, ‘Haww’, immediately drew the attention of publishers. How did she go from writing columns to books? Why does social media make her uncomfortable? How has the writing community in Pakistan supported her? Tune in to find out!

Authors Moni Loves: Kamila Shamsie, Mohsin Hamid, Mohammed Hanif, Daniyal Mueenuddin, Evelyn Waugh, Nancy Mitford, Elizabeth Taylor

Moni Mohsin was born and raised in Pakistan. She has written two novels, The End of Innocence and Tender Hooks aka Duty Free and two books of collected columns, The Diary of a Social Butterfly and The Return of the Butterfly. She now lives between London and Lahore.

Find the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Impeccable-Integrity-Ruby-R/dp/0670094315 

'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ 

Follow us @boundindia on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

Reach out to us at connect@boundindia.com for more information on our editorial  services. 

We’ve joined #PodForChange to raise donations for Covid relief. Donate here: www.auwa.in/podforchange

‘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.