A microphone, a script, and a vision — podcasts have revolutionized the broadcast media landscape, becoming an outlet for authentic and unfiltered expression. From pop culture to finance, spirituality to true crime, they’ve evolved from audio-visual mediums to multi-faceted business models, bolstering the creator economy along the way. For a country that used underground radios for its anti-colonial resistance, India rightfully stands as the third-largest podcast-listening country in the world, boasting 57.6 million monthly listeners. Where there’s a good story, the audience will always lend an ear.
This World Podcast Day, Rolling Stone India spotlights emerging voices shaping the audio landscape. From a podcast that teaches you about bioacoustics to one that breaks down popular Urdu couplets, there’s an echo for every niche.
The Desi Crime Podcast
If you were one of the “Buzzfeed Unsolved” enthusiasts, gear up for a true crime podcast with a desi twist. Produced by Desi Studios, “The Desi Crime Podcast,” helmed by showrunners Aishwarya Singh and Aaryaan Misra, each episode shines a light on an underrepresented crime story from the asian subcontinent’s lesser-known criminal underbelly. Balancing the gory details with a Gen-Z-like cadence, consuming the episodes feels like you’re uncovering a mysterious crime investigation with your friends. Spotlighting brown communities across Bangladesh, Nepal, and beyond, these tales are just as layered and intricate as their international counterparts.
Maed In India
A celebration of Indie Indian music that stretches from the valleys of Kashmir to the bylanes of Madurai, Maed In India is a vibrant space for discovering new artists, exploring rich folk elements, and championing emerging South Asian talent. Launched in 2015 by ex-radio presenter Mae Mariyam Thomas, a true music nerd at heart, her quest for highlighting the country’s growing indie talent led to the creation of India’s first indie music podcast. It offers a visceral experience, giving an unfiltered glimpse into the sonic stories of independent musicians. Since then, it has featured artists like Raga, Dot, Parekh & Singh, and Anoushka Maskey. From regional roots to modern iterations, this podcast is for both music nerds and genre enthusiasts.
Radically Yours
Hosted by Radhika Bajoria, a digital creator and also India’s youngest LinkedIn “top voice,” “Radically Yours” is India’s first talk show with global female leaders at the forefront. Through audio-visual formats, the platform challenges and addresses the invisible grip of gender biases in business, highlighting the women in power who are growing by leaps and bounds in their respective fields. The podcast has seen women entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and media professionals share their unfiltered journeys of ups and downs, inspiring many young aspirants along the way. Through this initiative, Bajoria aims to cultivate a network of new-age role models, one episode at a time.
Unfiltered By Samdish
With a dose of satire and tongue-in-cheek humor, “UNFILTERED” by Samdish offers a refreshing take on the pulse of the country’s socio-political, economic, and cultural affairs. A mix of political documentaries, videos, and celebrity interactions, the platform also holds space for film and pop culture. Samdish’s signature on-ground reporting style, paired with in-depth participant observation recordings, adds an immersive layer to the entire viewing experience. Some of his standout works include a riveting, vulnerable interview with cricketer and actor Yograj Singh on parenthood, past failures and career pitfalls. Equally impactful are episodes from his series Bharat Ki Khoj, notably one that exposes the utter disparities of the Mahadalit community of Durgapur, Bihar.
Urdunama
If you’re in your polyglot era, this one’s for you. An original production by The Quint, “Urdunama,” hosted by Faheba Sayed, takes listeners on a sonic journey, breaking down the Urdu wordings in your favorite songs. The podcast offers an enriching look into the poetic language, one that is equal parts educational and lyrical.
Mongabay India: Wild Frequencies
“Wild Frequences,” Co-hosted by researchers Kartik Chandramouli and Shreya Dasgupta, is an immersive, audio-visual marvel. Spanning three episodes, the podcast delves into the world of bioacoustics, a cross-disciplinary science that involves dissecting animal sounds and signals. Through the episodes, the researchers harness this science to study how it can protect wildlife across diverse landscapes, namely oceans, tea plantations, and urban areas. With sound design by Abhijit Shylanath, the podcast was honored with “Best Produced Show” at the India Audio Summit & Awards. From identifying different species to understanding how bioacoustic signals work, this is a must-add to broaden your horizons.
Finshots Daily
For anyone keen to cut through the financial jargon and finally get started, this podcast offers the perfect entry point. Host Shrehith Karkera delivers bite-sized, weekly episodes, providing quick yet valuable insights into business, economy, and finance. Concise yet resourceful, each five-minute episode packs in just enough information to keep you informed and engaged, making it an easy and insightful addition to your daily routine.
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