The Stream
A special curation of your favourite shows and episodes interspersed with original music tracks. Bring out your headphones and tune in for some easy listening.
Welcome to The Stream by Radio Azim Premji University.
This curated seamless listening experience intersperses excerpts from your favourite podcasts with specially commissioned original music.
The Stream is scripted, performed, and presented by student RJs from Azim Premji University.
Featured in The Stream — Edition 3, October 2024:
A. Shows and episodes:
- A car chase, a bloody street murder, and an abdication
A car chase in Bombay climaxes in a cold-blooded street murder and a foiled abduction. With this thrilling anecdote set in 1926, this episode of The India Project transports us to Indore, then not yet the capital city of Madhya Pradesh but a princely state in pre-Independence India. Decades later, as the days inch towards Independence, palace intrigues deepen the dilemma facing Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II — should he accede to the Union of India, or secede and face the consequences?
Listen to this gripping excerpt from the third episode of The India Project with Josy Joseph.
- The Lure of Everest
In 1984, Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest. Rita Gombu Marwah, from a renowned mountaineering family, was part of the same expedition. Despite coming close to the summit, Rita was stopped by harsh weather conditions just 200 meters away. While Bachendri’s success brought joy, Rita and her teammates were haunted by missed opportunities, highlighting the bittersweet nature of sporting achievements.
Tune into a chilling snippet from Rita’s story in the first episode of Almost Perfect.
- Masala papad and the taste of opportunity
The first episode of our series Stories of Change, presented by Anuradha Nagaraj, visits Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru to listen to the story of the Uhuru programme, run by non-profit Snehadhara Foundation at its semi-residential facility for children with disabilities.
Listen to the episode for a heartwarming story.
- The devastating nonviolence of spin bowling
The 1970s saw Indian cricket light up with a burst of colour, as the legendary Indian spin quartet — Bishen Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and S Venkataraghavan — stood up to the aggressive pace of the times with their own brand of non-violent, yet devastating, bowling. Well Caught, hosted by cricket enthusiasts and long-time friends S Giridhar and V J Raghunath, brings the thrill of those historic cricketing moments back to life. Colleagues at the Azim Premji Foundation and authors of two books on the sport, Giri and Raghu recount the story of Indian cricket through the decades.
Tune in to Episode 3 — Spinning Through The Seventies on Radio Azim Premji University to relive the magic.
B. Original Music and Soundtracks
- The lyricism of everyday devotion (Marathi)
Amhi Vaarika Vaarika is a lyrical fusion of everyday objects and spiritual concepts, inspired by the devotional poetry of Sena, the royal barber of King Uday Singh of Bandhavgarh. Sena’s poem links ordinary items like mirrors, tongs, and oil to deeper spiritual meanings, resonating with the Bhakti movement’s tradition of worshipping Vitthal through song.
Featured in The Path to Pandharpur, the fourth episode of our series Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole, this piece is brought to life by the rich performances of vocalist Anjali Malkar and musician Bruce Lee Mani. Malkar, renowned for her Gwalior-Jaipur Gharana roots, sings with a clarity and depth that reflect her belief in music as a path to self-discovery, while Mani, an award-winning guitarist and songwriter, lends his acclaimed talent to this spiritual exploration.
The track is included in the music album The Path To Pandharpur. Listen to the full album and download it for free on your device.
- Song of the river by Bhatiyali singers (Bengali)
Rivers of Life, a celebration held at Azim Premji University in 2022, was the first in a series dedicated to showcasing the beauty and significance of rivers. Through the diverse perspectives of students and practitioners, the event wove a rich, multi-layered narrative around these vital waterways.
In this excerpt, our student RJs present a Bhatiyali river song from West Bengal’s Cooch-Behar district. Bhatiyali, derived from the Bangla word “bhata” meaning ebb or downstream, is a traditional river song sung by the boatmen of Bengal as they navigate the streams, capturing the rhythm of life along the rivers.
- Uniting with Shiva (Kannada)
“Acha Shiva Aikyange,” performed by MD Pallavi with Bruce Lee Mani, captures the essence of unity with Shiva. Attributed to Devara Dasimayya, a key figure in Vachana literature from Mudanuru, Karnataka, this poem reflects his profound philosophical insights. Living during the reign of Kalyani Chalukyan ruler Jayasimha II, Dasimayya worked as a weaver and composed his vachanas about 100 to 150 years before Basaveshwara, who praised him and his wife, Duggale, in his own works. Dasimayya’s 176 vachanas address themes like conjugal discipline, gender equality, and the importance of charity, all dedicated to Ramanatha (Shiva). Revered by the Devanga community, a group of weavers in southern India, he is considered an avatara purusha or divine incarnation. “Acha Shiva Aikyange” is one of many vachanas translated into English by renowned poet and scholar A K Ramanujan. The poem beautifully illustrates the transcendent nature of divinity, declaring that in the presence of Shiva, time ceases to exist
Discover this track and the full album:
- The Tooth Powder Song (Instrumental)
For the first time, listeners can immerse themselves in Halpudi Haadu (The Tooth Powder Song), the full-length instrumental soundtrack composed by Bruce Lee Mani for the Kannada series Noorakke Nooru Karnataka. The debut episode delves into the captivating story of B V Pundit’s Nanjangud Tooth Powder, a beloved Karnataka brand that has stood the test of time. Far more than just a mouth freshener, this product has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of Karnataka, cherished by its legends.
After you listen to the track, be sure to listen to the episode, in which Sudheesh Venkatesh and Shraddha uncover the inspiring tale behind this iconic brand, rooted in the temple town of Nanjanagudu.
- Like a mother’s love (Marathi)
Our second selection from The Path To Pandharpur, Prema Pisey is a radiant track that pulses with emotion. It draws inspiration from Namdev, the saint credited with shaping the abhang tradition and using kirtans to bring spiritual ideas into public spaces.
In this endearing poem, Namdev emphasises that devotion, not musical skill, is what truly matters — just as a mother cherishes a child’s babbling.
Prema Pisey is rendered lovingly by Junuka Deshpande with music by Bruce Lee Mani and Karthik Bhat for the music album The Path To Pandharpur. Junuka, a transdisciplinary artist, specialises in bringing poetry and verses to life, exploring the nuances of bhava in her soulful vocal performances.
Listen to the track and download the album
Credits:
Student team:
Aashi Chheda, Hitika Gilhotra, Kinshuk Ghosh
Radio APU is brought to you by:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
Featured in The Stream — Edition 2, August 2024:
A. Shows and episodes:
- Sahir Ludhianvi’s Bombay
Sahir Ludhianvi and other contemporary lyricists of the Progressive Writers Movement in 1950’s Bombay wrote of constitutional values, striking a similar vein as the teachings of medieval Bhakti poets. Discover how these writers found a wide audience for their work through the city’s film industry.
This edition of The Stream features an excerpt from Bhakti Republic — Bonus — Bombay Talkies. Read more and listen to the full episode.
- Cricket and caste — The Baloo Palwankar story
Born into the oppressed Chamar community in 1875 in Dharwad, then part of Bombay Presidency, Baloo Palwankar was one of the earliest Dalit cricketers to represent India. He began working as a groundskeeper, but took up spin bowling at the behest of an English batter who wanted someone to bowl to him. By dint of his talent, Palwankar rose to prominence and became known as the “Rhodes of India” (after Will Rhodes, the great English slow left arm bowler). He was selected to be part of the first Indian cricket team to tour England in 1911 where he impressed, despite the team losing the series. Despite his success on the field, discrimination and social exclusion followed him. Palwankar was made to eat at a separate table and served water and tea in disposable utensils. Despite being deserving, he was denied captaincy. In later life, he became an influential voice for Dalit rights. In politics, he opposed Dr B R Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorates for Dalits, advocating for integration within Hindu society instead.
S Giridhar and V J Raghunath, Giri and Raghu to friends, are colleagues at Azim Premji Foundation. Forged by a common love for cricket, their friendship of four decades’ vintage began when they started playing city tournaments together. They co-present our series Well Caught with Giri and Raghu.
This edition of The Stream features an excerpt from Ep 1 — Separate Gates, Separate Dressing Rooms. Listen here.
- Round Figure
The concept of zero has its beginnings in the 7th century in the Indian subcontinent. It later became a foundational element of mathematical concepts during the Islamic Golden Age (fun fact: the word algebra has Arabic roots). Later, it was adopted in Europe by Renaissance mathematicians. In the second episode of our series, It’s A Math Math Math World, Prof. Divakaran and his eager student Shraddha dive into the storied history of this round figure, tracing its elliptical orbit from zero to infinity.
- Grain Of Truth
How many varieties of rice are grown in India? Where did this nutritious grain originate? What does it take to put a plateful of rice on your table?
Examining these questions and more in this episode of “Story Of…”, Richa Govil ponders the layered role of the world’s most-cultivated foodgrain in Indian society and economy. Joining her is Manikandan V, faculty at Azim Premji University and an expert in food rights and social inclusion.
B. Original Music
- Singing With Basavanna
In 12th century Karnataka, the Sharanas, ardent devotees of Shiva, spread their message of social reform through vachanas. These verses, composed and sung in simple Kannada, are infused with profound thought. The most well-known is this one by Basavanna, which has been widely translated. The vachanas are the subject of Kayakave Kailasa, the third episode of our series Bhakti Republic with Amit Basole.
The original track featured in this episode, Ullavaru Shivalaya…”, was performed and recorded live at Azim Premji University. It appears in the album Kayakave Kailasa — Music by M D Pallavi and Bruce Lee Mani.
Pallavi is a singer, actor, composer and filmmaker from Bengaluru. She comes from a family of artists and has a degree in Hindustani classical music from Benares University. Guitarist, singer, songwriter, music producer, and educator, Bruce has earned global acclaim for his work with the award-winning band Thermal And A Quarter. He is a recently inducted member of the US Recording Academy (which confers the Grammy Awards).
Read more and listen to the entire playlist
- The Fading Nadaswaram
Members of the Kole Basava community consider their cattle as family. These itinerant musicians are often seen on city streets seeking alms as they lead their decorated bulls and cows while playing the nadaswaram. The traditional lifestyle that sustained them is no longer lucrative, leading many to migrate to cities like Bengaluru, where their music falls on deaf ears. The first episode of our series in Kannada, Banni Kelona, examines the plight of the Kole Basavas.
The soundtrack for this episode is composed, produced and performed by Bruce Lee Mani. The track features Manjunath V on Nadaswaram. Manjunath is an accomplished Nadaswaram artiste with decades of performance and teaching experience. A qualified Carnatic classical musician, he teaches vocal music and also works in the Kannada music and film industries.
Read more and listen to the episode
- Silly Point
Bruce Lee Mani composed, performed, and produced the title track for the cricket series Well Caught inspired by ‘Soul Limbo’ — the BBC Test Match Cricket Theme written by Booker T. & and MGs.
- Desh Jam
The soundtrack for Episode 2 of the series It’s a Math Math Math World, composed, performed, and produced by Bruce Lee Mani, features Dr Prakash Sontakke on Hindustani slide guitar and vocal, with Karthik Bhat on tabla. Prakash is one of Bangalore’s best-known Hindustani classical musicians. His depth of knowledge within the tradition is balanced by his open approach to working with collaborators from diverse styles and genres. He is also a sought-after music educator.
- An Indo-European melange
The soundtrack for our series opener, Unboxed — The Harmonium in India, features an uplifting composition by Bruce Lee Mani that melds the unique heritage of the harmonium, drawing on its European and Indian roots.
- Street Snacking
Crunch! Slurp! Behind every morsel of mouthwatering Pani Puri is a human story of migration, entrepreneurship, labour, and the right to work. Listen to the soundtrack of the first episode of the series, Story Of… with Richa Govil, composed by Bruce Lee Mani.
Credits
Scripted by:
Gulsingh Badgujer, Hitika Gilhotra, Jyotiraditya Pradhan, Khushi Verma, Kingshuk Ghosh
Student RJs:
Gulsingh Badgujer, Jyotiraditya Pradhan, and Khushi Verma
Radio Azim Premji University:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
Featured in The Stream — Edition 1, May 2024:
A. Shows and episodes
- Big big numbers — the place value system
Excerpt from It’s A Math Math Math World with Divakaran and Shraddha — Babylon (Listen to the full episode)
- A sickle swishes in the dark — the attempt on Sir CP’s life
Excerpt from The India Project with Josy Joseph — Travancore (Listen to the full episode)
- Why did the vendors come to Bangalore?
Excerpt from Story Of Pani Puri with Richa Govil and Puja Guha (Listen to the full episode)
B. Original music
- The Babyl Is On
OST from It’s A Math Math Math World: Babylon
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University
- Dhaar Banale
Songs from Street Philosophers: Knife Sharpeners
Performed by Kafeel Jafri and Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University
- Nima Waya Noni
A re-imagined presentation of a folk song from Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University
- Vero Veena
A contemporary and lounge-inspired re-imagining of a classic Carnatic composition
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani for Radio Azim Premji University
- Cooler Colour
Carnatic Flute meets contemporary music for relaxation
Performed by Bruce Lee Mani featuring Ravichandra Kulur
Credits
Student Scriptwriters and RJs:
Gulsingh Badgujer, Hitika Gilhotra, and Kinshuk Ghosh
Radio Azim Premji University:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
