That’s The Thing with Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva
by Radio Azim Premji University · 11 episodes
SocietyCulture
That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really?Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas — from the auto rickshaw to snakes and ladders.Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a bi-weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious.Whether you’re a trivi...
Latest episodes
-
31 min
Ambassador : King of the Road, Ghost of the State
In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva slide into the wide, unyielding backseat of an Ambassador—the car that defined Indian power, politics, and pothole st…
-
34 min
The Flip Flopped Story of Hawai Chappal
You wear them every day — but where did chappals come from? This episode takes a light-hearted but well-researched journey across time and continents to uncover the 15,000-year his…
-
32 min
Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)
In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the story of a drink that’s as familiar as the fridge door you were scolded for leaving open. Rooh Afza—part Un…
-
33 min
India’s Fans – From Punkha to Ceiling
Cricket chants, ceiling fans, colonial courts. In this episode, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the wild journey of the Indian fan — from movie mania to punkhawalas, peacock whisks…
-
34 min
India's Obsession with Gold
More than metal, gold is woven into India’s culture, economy, and imagination.In this episode of That’s The Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva explore how gold became one of the coun…
-
36 min
How the Indian Train Chugged into Our Collective Soul
Why Indian Trains Are a Cultural Icon — Not Just a CommuteMore than 23 million people ride Indian trains daily — but these journeys are about more than just getting from Point A to…
-
34 min
The Flip-flopped Story of Hawai Chappal
You wear them every day — but where did chappals come from? This episode takes a light-hearted but well-researched journey across time and continents to uncover the 15,000-year his…
-
40 min
More Than Sad Songs -The Art of The Ghazal
What do you get when you mix poetry, heartbreak, and dosa? A delicious deep dive into the world of the ghazal!Often mistaken for sad Urdu songs, ghazals are actually centuries-old…
-
32 min
The Origin of Snakes And Ladders
You’ve rolled the dice, dodged snakes, and climbed ladders — but did you know Snakes and Ladders began as a lesson in morality? This episode traces the game’s roots to 13th-century…
-
29 min
Chai is Indian, Right?
It’s scalding hot, sweet, kadak — and proudly Indian. But can India really lay claim to chai?Hosts Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the journey of tea from the jungles near the Indo…
-
40 min
Is Auto Rickshaw Really Indian?
Is the auto rickshaw really Indian? Or did it tuk-tuk its way into our hearts from faraway lands?In the debut episode of That’s The Thing, hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and…
-
55 sec
That’s The Thing - Trailer
That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hos…