Brown History Podcast

South Asia through the lens of South Asians

EP 72: Deepa Mehta 04/07/2025

EP 72: Deepa Mehta On today's episode of the Brown History Podcast, we sit with Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Her work is fearless, powerful, and deeply human. Each of her films tells a different story, in a different way—but what ties them all together is her deep and unwavering love for her people. She captures their history, their joy, and their sorrow with honesty and grace. Her films are bold. They’re visually stunning. And they don’t shy away from the hard truths. This month, the Toronto International Film Festival is honouring Deepa Mehta’s remarkable 30-year career with a special retrospective—screening ten of her film from April 4th to 23rd at the TIFF Lightbox here in Toronto. This episode could not have happened without the support of the Toronto International Film Festival, specifically Nandita Dutta from TIFF, a special thanks to them all. Books covered on the podcast so far: Book Recommendations by Deepa Mehta: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/36045520

EP 71: The Making of Indian-Occupied Kashmir 03/18/2025

EP 71: The Making of Indian-Occupied Kashmir When countries in the Global South gained independence from European colonial rule, they didn’t fully break away from the systems imposed by their former colonizers. While they became independent nations, they continued to follow the same ideas about borders, governance, and state power—ideas shaped by colonial rule. In other words, they removed foreign rulers but didn’t necessarily rethink the structures that defined nations and states. In today’s episode, we sit with Hafsa Kanjwal, author of the book ‘ and explore how the Indian and Kashmiri governments used development and governance to tighten India’s control over Kashmir after Partition. In her book, she argues that India’s efforts to integrate and develop Kashmir after British rule were fundamentally colonial. She examines how India brought Kashmir under its control without the people's approval, using local leaders who followed India’s interests. Her work argues that India’s actions were not about freedom but instead shows them as part of a larger effort to strengthen the country after World War II. Get the book here: Visit our Shop: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: Book Recommendations by Guest: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/35740385

EP 70: Anglo-Indians 10/16/2024

EP 70: Anglo-Indians During colonial rule of India, relations between British men and Indian women became regular practice, and over generations a large and growing 'mixed race' community developed. They would come to be known as Anglo-Indians and have their own distinct identity. Anglo-Indians held a unique position at the crossroads of race, color, and class. They were never fully colonizers nor colonized, but something in-between, at times playing the roles of either, neither, or both. When the British left and India was granted its independence in 1947, Anglo-Indians would face an existential dilemma. In today's episode, we sit with Uther Charlton-Stevens, author of ‘,’ and reexamine empire and decolonization through the eyes of Anglo-Indians. Get the book here: Visit our Shop: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: Book Recommendations: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/33481522

EP 69: Kani Kusruti 09/09/2024

EP 69: Kani Kusruti Our guest today is the acclaimed actress Kani Kusruti. Kani garnered widespread recognition when she won the Best Actress award at the Kerala State Film Awards in 2020. Her recent film, All We Imagine as Light, won the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes. This film marks the first Indian entry in competition at Cannes in nearly three decades and is set to make its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. Today, we’ll delve into Kani's journey, the making of this groundbreaking film, and what this moment means for Indian cinema. Visit our Shop: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/32969937

EP 68: Kerala and the Arab Gulf 08/21/2024

EP 68: Kerala and the Arab Gulf Kerala was once one of the poorest states in India. However, in the 1970s, the oil boom in the Gulf sparked a surge in demand for labour which was largely filled by Keralites, thus transforming the fabric of Kerala society forever. When we talk about migrant labor, we often focus on the economic side. But we forget that cities are not just built from stone and bricks. They are also built on dreams, hopes, memories, and longing, passed down from one generation to the next. On today's episode, we sit with Mohamed Shafeeq Karinkurayil, author of '' —the first ever book that studies Gulf migrant archives in Malayalam through photographs, films, and literature. Together we delve into the impact of the Gulf in Kerala society and examine migrant labor beyond just the economic aspects. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/32671652

EP 67: Fatima Farheen Mirza 05/27/2024

EP 67: Fatima Farheen Mirza Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming Fatima Farheen Mirza to our podcast. Fatima is the acclaimed author of the New York Times Bestseller novel, 'A Place for Us', which offers a profound and deeply insightful look into the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family navigating their cultural and personal identities in contemporary America. Her debut work has garnered praise for its richly drawn characters and its ability to capture the intricacies of family dynamics and the immigrant experience. In the latest episode, we sit down with author Fatima Farheen Mirza and dive into her creative process, the themes she explores in her work, and her journey as a writer. In addition to her novel, Fatima also shares her thoughts and reflections through her newsletter, where she delves into various aspects of her writing process, personal experiences, and musings on life. You can subscribe at Get the book: Visit our Shop: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/31473922

EP 66: Pakistani Hindus 05/08/2024

EP 66: Pakistani Hindus Millions of Hindus make up Pakistan's largest non Muslim minority, almost all of whom are underprivileged and live in the province of Sindh. They are treated as second-class citizens and are systematically discriminated in every aspect of life. Hindu women in Pakistan face double discrimination, most notably through forced conversions. These conversions often involve abduction, kidnapping, rape, and forceful marriages. However, many people often see forced conversion as the end goal but in fact, cases of forced conversions are rarely motivated by religious zeal and are instead a consequence of the commodification of and denial of agency to women in a deeply rigid patriarchal society. In today's episode, we sit with Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner, author of and look at the different beliefs and practices of Hindus in today's Islamic Republic of Pakistan while depicting the complexities behind forced conversions as well as highlighting the economic, social, and political realities of many Pakistani-Hindu women. Get the book: Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner's documentaries: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/31197017

EP 65: British Asians of the 1970s and 80s 04/09/2024

EP 65: British Asians of the 1970s and 80s During the 1970s and 80s in Britain, South Asians came together to protest against the violent racism and injustice they were facing from the government and from rising facist groups like the National Front. These South Asians, held rallies and marches, protested, and did whatever they had to do to defend and protect themselves. It is the story of how the British Asian community had reached their breaking point and decided to stand up and fight for their right to stay and live in Britain with dignity. In the latest Brown History Podcast episode, as Channel 4 releases their new documentary series – "Defiance: Fighting the Far Right" – a three-part series that examines how Britain’s Asian community was targeted with a campaign of violence and murder between 1976 and 1981, we sit with Suresh Grover, one of UK's leading activists against police brutality, and shed light on this dark chapter in British history. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/30743493

EP 64: Afghan Refugees in Pakistan 11/24/2023

EP 64: Afghan Refugees in Pakistan In October, the government of Pakistan announced that it would expel all undocumented foreigners, including 1.7 million Afghans—one of the country’s largest immigrant communities. This includes those who were born in, brought up, married, had children, and then they raised their families, all within in Pakistan. Many of them had fled from the Taliban and are terrified of heading back to the Taliban government. In the past month, we've seen heartbreaking scenes where Afghan students bid farewell to their Pakistani classmates with heartfelt hugs, and at the border, long lines of trucks were laden with the possessions of Afghan families. The United Nations agencies and human rights organizations have widely criticized Pakistan's practice of forcefully returning refugees. This is cruelty on a massive scale. In today's episode we sit with Sanaa Alimia, author of "," and delve into a thought-provoking discussion on the intricate dynamics surrounding Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We look at their history, their current situation, and most importantly, we shed light on their humanity. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/28781253

EP 63: Sid Sriram 09/30/2023

EP 63: Sid Sriram We sit with Indian-American musician, music producer, and songwriter Sid Sriram, who is currently one of the most popular playback singers in India and has recently released his English-language studio album, 'Sidharth'. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/28188110

EP 62: Christians of Kerala 05/27/2023

EP 62: Christians of Kerala In India, Christians account for about 2% to 3% of the population. However, in the state of Kerala, Christians make up a remarkable 18% to 19% of the total population. And among them, Syrian Christians play a significant role, representing almost half of Kerala's Christian population. Although the Syrian Christians of Kerala are a minority, they are also a caste-, race-, and class-privileged minority that have historically benefited from their privileged position within society. And if the Syrian Christians are the dominant community, then it is also necessary to look at the subordinated communities, as they represent the minority within the minority. Our guest today is Sonja Thomas, author of, '' and together we will discuss the Christians of Kerala, specifically the Syrian Christians, and navigate the intricacies of caste, gender, class, race, religion, and language. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26965899

EP 61: The Rohingya 05/19/2023

EP 61: The Rohingya The Rohingya are widely recognized as one of the most persecuted and vulnerable communities in the world. They are a people that much of the world keeps forgetting. For centuries, they called Burma/Myanmar their home, but being victims of persecution as a result of ethnic cleansing and genocide, they were forced to flee to neighbouring countries. and now, over a million Rohingyas endure life in cramped refugee camps in Bangladesh. Excluded as illegal migrants by both Myanmar and Bangladesh, they face unimaginable hardships, including unemployment, mental and sexual abuse, and the denial of basic human necessities. We sit with journalist Kaamil Ahmed, author of ‘,’ and explore the haunting question: has the world failed the Rohingya? Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: Photo by Kevin Frayer /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26889714

EP 60: Asha Puthli 05/12/2023

EP 60: Asha Puthli Asha Puthli is a living legend. A musical pioneer, fashion icon, Studio 54 star, feminist, actor, environmentalist, and friends with everyone from Andy Warhol to Mikhail Gorbachev. She is cited by the New York Times as having been an inspiration to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder. As an actor she's worked with greats that include Merchant Ivory, Louise Malle, and the Italian Director Bruno Corbucci. And she continues to stay as relevant as ever. A remix of her immensely influential 1975 track Space Talk was recently released on the music label and she is about to record her 11th studio album this summer. A Hollywood documentary about her life is also in the works. On today's episode, writer-director-producer who has been documenting in her expansive, multimedia, installation project #interstellarIconoclasts, sits down with the legendary artist to conduct a rare and incredibly far-ranging interview exploring Asha's music, life, career and inspirations. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26820975

EP 59: Portuguese Goa 04/14/2023

EP 59: Portuguese Goa When we think of Goa, we usually think of beach parties, vacation, or that movie Dil Chahta Hai, but Goa was once the headquarters of the Portuguese empire in the East for 450 years. They were the first colonial powers in the subcontinent and the last ones to leave. The Portuguese brought a different face of Christianity and they used it to impose their rule over Goa. They planned for Goa to be the "Rome" of the East, and that involved violence, torture, and erasure. We sit with Ângela Barreto Xavier, author of '' and discuss the transformation of Goa during the first couple of centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26545032

EP 58: Saket Soni 04/07/2023

EP 58: Saket Soni In 2006, just after Hurrincan Katrina, hundreds of Indian workers were lured to the United States with false promises of a green card and forced to work under grueling working conditions at a shipyard in Mississippi. It would become one of the largest human trafficking schemes in U.S. history. When one of those workers called labor organizer Saket Soni for help, it set off an epic chain of events that led him to engineering their escape from the work camp and set them off on a path to citizenship. We sit with Saket Soni, author of '' as he recounts their heroic journey for justice. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26476500

EP 57: Manoj Bajpayee 03/31/2023

EP 57: Manoj Bajpayee We sit with award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, known for his roles in films like Satya, Gangs of Wasseypur, Aligarh, and the most recent, Gulmohar, as well as leading the running hit series, The Family Man. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26402340

EP 56: Smriti Mundhra 03/17/2023

EP 56: Smriti Mundhra We sit with Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, creator of the hit Netflix series 'Indian Matchmaking' and the four part docu-series 'The Romantics.' Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26259933

EP 55: Siddhartha Khosla 03/10/2023

EP 55: Siddhartha Khosla We sit with 6 time Emmy-nominated film and television composer, Siddhartha Khosla, lead singer of critically acclaimed band, Goldspot, and the man behind musical scores of hit shows like This Is Us and Only Murders in the Building, and his most recent film, Gulmohar. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26188167

EP 54: Israel and India 02/24/2023

EP 54: Israel and India In 1948, when Israel declared itself as an independent state, it quickly sought for international recognition from other countries, including from a newly independent India. Nehru, who was Prime Minister then, was hesitant. Even Albert Einstein personally wrote to Nehru, requesting India’s support but Nehru declined. Instead, India allied itself with the Palestinians, and when 33 nations at the United Nation voted in favour of an Israel, India was one of the 13 countries that voted against. However, today, India has become Israel's biggest and most dependable purchaser of weapons. What happened? We sit with Azad Essa, author of ',' and discuss the history of the relationship between India and Israel. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/26033703

EP 53: Caste in America 02/17/2023

EP 53: Caste in America Did you know that a survey done in 2016 on caste in America revealed that one in three Dalits in the United States reported being discriminated against during their education? Did you know that same survey revealed that one out of four Dalits in America said they had faced verbal or physical assault based on their caste? Did you know that it also revealed that that two out of three Dalits in America reported being treated unfairly at their workplace because of their caste? We sit with Dalit American rights activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan, author of ',' and discuss caste in America. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/25960530

EP 52: Asif Kapadia 02/06/2023

EP 52: Asif Kapadia We sit with award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, who works across both film and television, and has firmly established himself as one of the world’s most popular and celebrated documentarians. His documentaries include Senna, Diego Maradona, and Amy which won Best Music Film at the Grammy Awards and Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/25842840

EP 51: South India vs. North India 01/23/2023

EP 51: South India vs. North India Take the average child born in South India and the average child born in North India; one will live a healthier, wealthier, more secure life than the other, all because of which side of the country they happened to be born and raised in. We sit with data scientist Nilakantan RS, author of '' and discuss why there is such a large imbalance between the South of India and the North of India. By using hard data, we examine how and why states on one side of India are outperforming the rest of the country and what the consequences of that could mean for everyone in an increasingly centralized India. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/25695996

EP 50: The Hijra under British Rule 10/26/2022

EP 50: The Hijra under British Rule We sit with Jessica Hinchy, author of '', and discuss the Hijra community during colonial rule. When the British ruled the subcontinent, one of their preferred methods of control was classification; they grouped and categorized people, reducing them inside their boxes. However, the British were not able to define the Hijra community into a category and that caused the British see them as threat. So what solution did the British come up with? They decided to exterminate the Hijra community through laws and policing. Get the book: Book mentioned on the episode: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24813459

EP 49: Sheila Chandra 10/21/2022

EP 49: Sheila Chandra We sit with British vocalist Sheila Chandra who first created waves in 1982 when she and her band, 'Monsoon,' reached number 12 in the UK charts with their single "Ever So Lonely." She was only around 16 years old at the time. The band split up and Chandra embarked on a solo career and released several albums. In 2002, she was featured in the movie soundtrack for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' in the song, 'Breath of Life,' where she sings completely in Elvish. Sadly in 2010, she developed a rare chronic condition called Burning Mouth Syndrome which made it extremely difficult for her to even speak. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24758211

EP 48: Opium and Colonialism 09/26/2022

EP 48: Opium and Colonialism We sit with Thomas Manuel, author of ‘,’ and discuss the historic opium trade which unleased two wars, and ultimately shaped human history. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24489663

EP 47: Nisha Pahuja 09/18/2022

EP 47: Nisha Pahuja We sit with award-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja whose works include Diamond Road, The World Before Her, and her latest, To Kill A Tiger. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24412179

EP 46: Vinay Shukla 09/15/2022

EP 46: Vinay Shukla We sit with filmmaker Vinay Shukla, director of the award-winning documentary 'An Insignificant Man', and his latest, 'While We Watched.' Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24391746

EP 45: Nandita Das 09/13/2022

EP 45: Nandita Das We sit with filmmaker, actor, and social advocate Nandita Das and discuss her life, works, and her latest directorial film, 'Zwigato'. Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24367455

EP 44: Blasphemy with Adeel Hussain 09/12/2022

EP 44: Blasphemy with Adeel Hussain In today’s episode, we sit with Adeel Hussain, author of ‘', and take a deep dive into the history of Blasphemy in South Asia, specifically Pakistan. We trace the history of blasphemy from colonial India to present times and look at how big of a role blasphemy has played, and still plays, in politics, society, and within the legal frameworks. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24343302

EP 43: Descendants of Partition with Aanchal Malhotra 09/01/2022

EP 43: Descendants of Partition with Aanchal Malhotra We sit with Aanchal Malhotra, author of '' and discuss how Partition is preserved and passed down through generations, and how the ramifications of Partition still spread and manifest within families, communities, and nations. Get the book: Visit our Shop: Subscribe to our newsletter: Become a patron: Books covered on the podcast so far: /episode/index/show/brownhistorypodcast/id/24243177

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