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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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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. 

A versatile, cheap and nourishing fruit, the banana is essential to India. We are its largest producer and grow the maximum varieties, with variants such as rasthali from Tamil Nadu, nendran from Kerala and safedvelchi from Maharashta. However, Cavendish, a variant pushed by multinational behemoths, is using ‘scale’ to destroy the sales of other local varieties. Vikram Doctor investigates how the industrial production of bananas in the original Banana Republics may provide some answers. Music: Josh Woodward

For most Indians, Muslim food is synonymous with kebabs and biryani. And, while we love our Mughlai food, the sheer taste and variety of regional Muslim cuisine often remains unknown or underappreciated. Vikram Doctor takes us through a fascinating journey through Kutch, Konkan and further south to Tamil Nadu, with each stop revealing a rich new cuisine and culture. Music: Josh Woodward

With the Farmer’s Market opening for another season in Mumbai, Vikram Doctor revisits the organic food argument. How does organic farming stack up against organised agriculture? Often discourse is limited to just health benefits, but from unique produce to rich, authentic flavours, there are several reasons to go organic. This episode examines the world of organic farming and discusses how nature is often the best creator of tastes and flavours. Music: Josh Woodward

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. 

The burgeoning Indian army contingent fighting in the Second World War faced problems apart from just the ones it encountered on the field of battle. The Indian recruits were found to be sickly and deficient in essential nutrients. The Intersection investigates how nutrition research has evolved since then and how the Indian army overhauled its diet, while simultaneously overcoming the challenges posed by our country’s diverse food culture and habits. Music: Josh Woodward & Chris Zabriskie

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

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

In 2015, The Intersection came across fascinating tales, mind-boggling facts and historical nuggets that demystify science and lend it a human touch. From the man who slept for just two hours every day to the postage stamp that set off a grand space mission, listen to seven of the most intriguing stories that Padma & Samanth brought to you on The Intersection this year. Music: Josh Woodward & Chris Zabriskie

It gets boring to harp on how diverse our country is, but the fact is that India really is a land of many communities and sundry cultures. Even choosing one language to represent all regions is a demanding task.