BOOKS AND US

In the final episode of Season 2 of Books and Us, we welcome back author and conservation architect Anisha Shekhar Mukherji. Listeners will remember her from our earlier conversations on the 'Red Fort of Shahjahanabad'. This time, she joins us to discuss her remarkable book Jantar Mantar - Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh’s Observatory in Delhi — a work that uncovers the layered history and meaning of one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
Built in the early 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh of Amber, the Jantar Mantar has long been recognised as an observatory, yet its precise functions and architectural significance remained elusive. Anisha’s research brings clarity to these mysteries, revealing how the site embodies both scientific ingenuity and cultural symbolism.
Today, Jantar Mantar is not only a monument of astronomical heritage but also a living space in the heart of Delhi, often associated with civic gatherings and public memory.
As we close Season 2, this episode feels like a fitting finale — weaving together history, architecture, and storytelling. With three episodes this season featuring Anisha, her insights have truly shaped our journey.

In this episode of Books and Us, poet and essayist Sumana Roy ( Sumana Roy ), author of Provincials: Postcards from the Peripheries, joins us to explore the emotional and cultural landscapes of small-town life. Raised in Siliguri, Sumana reflects on what it truly means to be “provincial.”
We discuss:
The quiet power of provincial geographies
Literary lives shaped by small towns
Whether cosmopolitanism and provinciality can coexist

Sumana’s book explores the desires, ambitions, and uniquecharacteristics of people from the provinces — those often overlooked geographies where creativity quietly flourishes. Through literary and personal reflections, she connects us to poets, writers, and artists from around the world who emerged from small towns and villages, carrying their landscapes within them.
Sumana’s other works include How I Became a Tree, VIP: Very Important Plant, and Out of Syllabus. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, and in many other publications.
Tune in for a thought-provoking journey into the heart of the peripheries.
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In this episode, we enter a different kind ofconversation—one that blends financial understanding with practical steps to ensure a loving and smooth transfer of legacy.
We feature Let’s Talk Legacy: A Financial Planner forYour Loved Ones by Monika Halan (MonikaHalan – A trusted personal finance writer, speaker and television personality )  —a book that isn’t just read, butlived. As Monika reminds us, it’s a workbook you’ll return to again and again, revisiting the details of your financial life with growing awareness. It’s a companion, a gentle guide, and a sacred space for organising the information that often remains scattered or unspoken.
Monika Halan is one of India’s most trusted voices inpersonal finance. A certified financial planner, she holds a master’s in economics from the Delhi School of Economics and a master’s in journalism studies from Cardiff University, UK. Her career spans over three decades, during which she has worn many hats—journalist, podcaster, TV anchor,chairperson of SEBI’s Advisory Committee for Investor Protection and Education, and author of three widely translated books.
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In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kruti S. Dhirwani,a consulting homeopath, clinical nutritionist, and author of Millets - The Trending Ancient Grains. With over 15 years of experience, she is a passionate advocate for including millets in the diet. She discloses that these simple cereals are nature’s answer to many of the world’s problems. Whether itis wholesome nutrition or sustainable agriculture, millets can take care of these quite well. Very systematically, she deals with the various types of millets and their benefits in her book and also gives many easy-to-make recipes. Listen to her give her favourite recipe in the podcast.
Dr. Kruti is the co-founder of Sunshine Homeopathy Clinic in Mumbai and the founder of wellness initiatives such as MagicOfMom.com and C.A.R.E., which focus on holistic women’s health. Her work bridges traditional wisdom and modern lifestyle through millets. . Learn more about her work at drkrutidhirwani.com, and follow her on  https://www.instagram.com/dr.krutidhirwani/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkruti/You can also check out her YouTube channel for more information on millets: https://youtu.be/ua6oxeon35k?feature=shared

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Welcome to the 20th episode of Books and Us—and the 8th of Season 2! Though technically it’s the 21st, as we also released a special episode earlier in July! We've also completed two years since launching this podcast, having crossed 1000 streams and downloads. It may be a modest number, but every listen motivates us to keep going and exploring more compelling topics in the nonfiction category. Thank you for being part of this journey.
In this episode, we take a different route. Rather than focusing on a single book, we’re diving into a cultural aspect that is perhaps long forgotten but has captivated me ever since I learned about it through my friend Sundip Sharma([email protected]), artist and promoter of miniature paintings based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. His father, Sumahendra (Mahendra Kumar Sharma), was a renowned Rajasthani painter who had also authored a book on the topic titled ‘Ragamala Chitra Parampara’ (Ragamala Painting Tradition). Sadly, that book is now out of print, but it led me to explore the vivid world of Ragamala paintings.
These exquisite miniatures—mostly created in the 17th and 18th centuries—are perhaps the only artworks in the world that visually interpret classical Indian music. Their name, Ragamala, literally means 'a garland of melodies', and the paintings themselves are an evocative blend of rhythm, emotion, and visual storytelling.
Joining us today are two remarkable guests who speak with deep knowledge. Ms Soma Ghosh ([email protected]), who works as a Librarian and Media Officer with the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, has authored several research papers and e-books and shares rich insights into the origins and significance of Ragamala Paintings.
We’re also joined by Dr Vijay Sharma ([email protected]), a master of the Pahari miniature tradition, who has created Ragamala paintings early in his career. He earlier worked at the Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba. His understanding of visual form and heritage is a gift to this conversation.
So, dive into the world of Ragamala paintings with us as we explore their origins at the intersection of music, art, and poetry. We hope this episode offers a window to India's artistic legacy which enriches us.
 
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