MASH Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Chola Dynasty — a formidable South Indian empire that flourished from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. Originating in present-day Tamil Nadu, the Cholas expanded their influence far beyond their homeland, conquering the kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cheras, and Pandyas to establish a vast and significant empire in Southern India and beyond.

Vijayalaya Chola established the Chola empire in the 9th century. His successors, notably Rajaraja Chola I (reigned 985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044 CE), took the empire to new heights and expanded it to previously uncharted territories — making it one of the vastest empires in the Southern region of the country. Rajaraja Chola I’s reign was marked by significant administrative and military reforms, laying the foundation for a well-organised and powerful empire. The Cholas reached their zenith in social, religious, and military spheres under his rule, before their gradual decline in the late 12th century — paving the way for the rise of successor states.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details) 
 
 Image credits: Mcasankar

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani.

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the structural and ecological brilliance of one of the most iconic examples of Pallava architecture: The Shore Temple. To trace the evolution of the Dravida temple style, we’ll also take a brief look at the Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram, the historic capital of the Pallava dynasty. Along the way, we’ll explore the concepts of akam and puram, which underpin the spiritual essence of Dravida temple towns.

As pioneers of Dravidian temple architecture, the early Pallava rulers were instrumental in establishing a sophisticated artistic and architectural identity. This identity not only defines Pallava style but also reveals the deep symbolic connections between ecology and art. Our exploration of the Shore Temple, perched on the Coromandel Coast in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, will shed light on these philosophical, semiotic, and ecological aspects.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast. (Head to our website for more details) 
 
 Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak and Final Revisions by Pranay Dewani. 

The Episode begins with contextualising the essence of being in the temple — how one feels or behaves in the temple and how the temple has been significant in India. We also dwell upon the Buddhist architecture that led to the foundation of a dedicated place for devotion followed by the philosophy of the “sacred”. Further, we focus on the prominent religions of India, viz Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, which became the ground for the construction of several sacred sites.

We also explore the concept of Tirtha, a sacred site, as explained by Stella Kramrisch. We discuss the symbolic meaning of each temple structure starting from the bottom which is the jagati to the kalasa, the top, attributing that transpires a devotee while experiencing higher consciousness.

Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Image Credits: Harvinder Chandigarh

Written by Urvi C, Modified by Davangi Pathak, and Final Revisions by Asmita Singh.

Shivani Aggarwal's works come from a process of continuously breaking herself to understand not just the world around her but the world within her. Her process is an emotional premonition of her own situation or condition. Over the past few years she has been involved with creating, enlarging , bending and twisting common everyday objects that she finds in her regular environment. Her art practice has evolved into a three-dimensional installation in wood, terracotta, fibreglass and thread. Her use of red thread in her previous body of works has been a significant emotion of expression. They are symbolic of functionality, whether personal, political or societal, which are being constantly challenged.

We have arrived at the end of the podcast series, Indian Art History. In this episode, our host Ayushi takes us to the complex comprehensions of contemporary Indian art. She takes a route via art practices of several contemporary artists through the value of threats, love and care while looking at the contemporary urge to make art. Image Credits: Art Limited/Sudhir Patwardhan; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

The Episode introduces you to the practice of different artists post independence. Through their varied narrative and abstract practices they shaped the modern art landscape in India. They exchanged ideas and techniques with the rest of the world and carved a niche for the South Asian artists. . Image Credits: Met Museum; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Maksud Ali Mondal (1993, based in Santiniketan) was born in Bankura, West Bengal, India. His practice includes facilitating an experiential understanding of organisms in a durational, built microcosm, using sculpture, painting, drawing, installation and photography. His work deals with microbial contamination as a conversational expression, based on observation of growth, transformations and decomposition of organic matter by bacteria, fungi, creatures, fermentation, oxidation, rotting and with the organic, manmade found objects and everyday discarded materials. In this one of a kind podcast, learn in detail about the artist's fascination with the "real".

As India edged towards independence from the British, Indian artists also set free their aspirations, beliefs and conformities by experimenting and searching for visual idioms that made their work more of the subcontinent. Tune in as we discuss the art of prominent artists. Image Credits: National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA); Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

A quick tour to 19th century Kolkata. We are particularly visiting the Kalighat temple where the Kalighat paintings are being sold as souvenirs to pilgrims. This resulted in an art style that spoke not just about religion and mythology but also urged its readers to think beyond through social satire. Image Credits: Christie's; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia