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The Myth and Culture Podcast revisits ancient myths, once treated as irrelevant to modern life, and demonstrates their interconnectedness with contemporary culture, business, politics, and society. Join renowned mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik in conversation with Jerry Johnson, a writer & speaker on Western Philosophy, as they skillfully reframe the hot-button issues of our times to uncover the myths that drive our lives.  

Understanding a large nation’s ancient culture is difficult, but a few habits, when traced to their origins, can help explain how we lived then. Food is one of them; from communal eating – the famed “thali” – to why we sometimes do not eat, Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik throws light on the eating habits of ancient India. 

We believe that anger validates us; it helps show us as passionate, involved and even becomes integral to our identity. But to believe that if you do not argue you submit, if you don’t fight then you are indifferent or complacent, is a limited binary worldview that is not reflective of a more complex reality. In this episode Devdutt Pattanaik speaks to Jerry Johnson about how eastern mythology teaches us to accept things as they are rather than constantly attempt to mould them to our expectations.

The feminine and a masculine instinct, the aggressive nature and the nurturing nature have always co-existed and a balance of these two forces is essential for harmony in society. But are masculine instincts becoming more desirable and is femininity seen as a sign of weakness? In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson talk about the conflicting instincts and the consequent fall-out of male dominance.

Do societies really believe in equality as they preach or are there undercurrents of authoritarianism (and inequality) underlying the democratic facade? In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson talk about the history of democratic society and how the world has seen a shift in ideologies over the years. The duo also discusses how the right and left both use authoritarianism to subdue individualism.

We think Bollywood is very hero-centric but Devdutt Pattanaik argues that in Bollywood heroes do not undergo a journey and a transformation in the classic sense, but essentially stay the same (many also mainly play themselves in every film, but that’s another story). In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson talk about heroes, hermits and martyrs and what makes them who they are.

Talk of money is in the air, what with demonetisation affecting us all in our daily lives. Devdutt and Jerry use this opportunity to talk about the philosophical, mythical and cultural meaning and significance of money. Money, says Devdutt, is also a myth in which both the giver and receiver have to believe in the value of what is being transacted. But myth is not fiction; it is a reality lived by the people who believe in it.

Is Liberty is primarily a western notion? No, says Devdutt, as he reminds us of the deeply libertarian nature of the Shramanic Parampara or the hermit tradition in Indian philosophy, from which Buddhism and Jainism also originate. But unlike the western notion of absolute liberty, the Indian notion of liberty is counterbalanced by the shravaka or the householder traditions, which emphasize the importance of duties and responsibilities.

In this new episode Devdutt Pattanaik speaks to Jerry Johnson about different ways in which people express nationalism. Is patriotism merely one’s love for country? Or does it need to have a more legal and political definition? They discuss the birth of patriotism and nationalism approximately 300 years ago as a means to bind societies together over boundaries and the urgent current need for healthy patriotism.

We Indians love our butter, we really do. It makes everything better. But does ‘our’ butter taste different from butter around the world? Join Vikram Doctor on an utterly butterly delicious journey as he uncovers the very surprising reason behind the unique flavor of the taste of Amul, which is the “Taste of India”. (Music-Josh Woodward) *It has been brought to our attention by Amul that they do not add "diacetyl" to their butter (as mentioned in an earlier version of this podcast), it naturally occurs in cream. We have updated the podcast to reflect the same.

Poets (and a Prime Minister) have sung the praises of this ancient whole grain. Tune in as Vikram Doctor traces the path of ragi, the humble finger millet, from its roots as a traditional weaning food, rich in calcium and iron, to its promising comeback as a diabetic friendly, low-glycemic grain. With its hearty, earthy texture, Ragi may be the next superfood for health and taste-conscious modern India. Music: Josh Woodword

Fasting is a big part of Indian culture, across religions. However for Hindus, fasting does not mean starving. Just as well, because according to the Bhavishya Purana, there are as many as 139 different fasts to be followed in a year. But, rather than not eating, it is actually a fertile ground for food innovation. This episode of The Real Food Podcast finds out how fasting has helped us rediscover ingredients such as rajgira (amaranth), lotus seeds and yam; foods that may have otherwise disappeared. Music: Josh Woodward

“Be proud of who you are” is flashed across ads, motivational posters and self-help books. We have all heard of people who claim to be proud of their nation, their gender, their sexuality, their caste, etc. While some of these ideas such as gay pride and dalit pride have led to progressive movements and empowerment, other ideas of identity based pride boost regressive social formations. In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson explore the different contexts in which the concept of pride can be deployed.

A little over a decade ago, Nashik was known for one thing – the Kumbh Mela, which arrived at this Maharashtrian city once every 12 years, and for the sheer number of people who gathered during this Hindu pilgrimage festival. Today however, Nashik is also known for being at the heart of India’s wine industry. The story of how this came about to be is a tale of vision, persistence, and trial and error. Here’s Vikram Doctor on how Nashik became India’s wine capital. Music: Josh Woodward & Chris Zabriskie

Vikram Doctor knows our collective passion for the mighty Alphonso (Hapus) mango. Tracing its lineage back to colonial times, Vikram tells us how this beloved variety of mango has witnessed key historic moments, such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s landmark meeting with US president John F. Kennedy and the Indo-US nuclear pact. But, he warns, our unrealistic demand for Alphonsos is pushing farmers to use excessive chemicals that could - literally - bring us a season of bitter fruit. 

There’s an inadvertent connection that turkey has to India – in Turkey, the country, the bird is known as Hindi, as in the language that we speak. But, turkey, which has become associated with Christian festivals, was never really big here, even during Christmas festivities. Christmas in India was majorly about the one thing that is a constant at all our festivals – sweets. From traditional plum (or rum) cakes, kulkuls and marzipan to the recently popular, stollen, Indian Christian communities excel not only at making delicacies unique to India, but also at adapting western Christmas food traditions and giving them a typical Indian touch. Music: Josh Woodward

In a pre-liberalised India, Old Monk was a natural choice for 20-somethings looking for a familiar taste. Mohan Meakin, the makers of this sweet, hard-hitting rum, achieved cult status for Old Monk, and that has helped this drink occupy a prime spot in popular culture (and our glasses). Vikram Doctor brings you the fascinating history of Old Monk and explains why counting on nostalgia cannot be its sole strategy for the 21st century. Music: Josh Woodward

What is more important—equality or justice? In this episode, Devdutt tells us that this question itself is a western one. Greek mythology and enlightenment philosophy values justice while Abrahamic mythology and socialism value equality. In India, both equality and justice are important at different times and in different places. While the west has a fixed worldview where everyone must agree to one final truth, India because of its polytheistic beliefs allows for different perspectives and different truths to co-exist together.

Vikram Doctor on our passion for the Marie, the simplest of biscuits, that have stood the test of time and changing tastes. The democratic dunk of choice whether rich and powerful or poor and hungry, if you have a cup of tea, you'll be wanting a Marie. Also featuring a recipe for 'serradurra', a sublime dessert made from crushed Marie. (Music: Josh Woodward)

Coffee in India is booming. Cafés are spouting all over, newer and more exotic blends are making their way into the market, and drinking coffee, on a larger level, has become a sign of modernity. This hip, trendy image of coffee isn’t new, though. Decades back, southern India saw the rise of a special kind of filter coffee, and it stood for everything that coffee is for India today. It was the hallmark of the contemporary, middle class, south Indian home. But, it’s not something you’d easily find at a café today. Can kaapi, as it is often termed, find a place in modern-day India’s coffee drinking culture? The Real Food Podcast finds out. Music: Josh Woodward