The Desi Detective Show

Writers have consistently found ways to incorporate wildlife into interesting whodunit plots. In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee delves into some prominent detective stories from India featuring wildlife in a significant manner. She is joined by wildlife photographer (and avid detective fiction fan) Shoumo Bhattacharya, who talks about his favourite detective stories featuring animals, and about his detecting experiences in the jungle. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chatGuest: Shoumo BhattacharyaInstagram: @shoumo29Books mentioned in this episode:By Edgar Allan Poe - Murders in the Rue MorgueBy Arthur Conan Doyle - The Hound of the Baskervilles,The Adventures of the Speckled BandBy Agatha Christie - Dumb Witness, A Death in the Clouds, Elephants Can Remember, Five Little Pigs, Pale HorseBy Saradindu Bandopadhyay - Chorabali (The Quicksand), Makorshar Rosh (The Tarantula's Juice), Shojarur Kanta (The Quills of the Porcupine), Chiriakhana (The Zoo).By Satyajit Ray - Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress), Royal Bengal Rohosyo (The Mystery of the Royal Bengal Tiger), Badshahi Angti (The Emperor's Ring)By Sunil Gangopadhyay - Sabuj Dwiper Raja (The King of the Verdant Island)By Vaseem Khan (@vaseemkhanwriter) - The Baby Ganesh Detective AgencyBy Abir Mukherjee (@radiomukhers) - A Necessary EvilBy HRF Keating - Inspector Ghote Hunts the PeacockBy Harini Nagendra (@harini.nagendra) - A Nest of Vipers, Into the Leopard's DenBy Suparna Chatterjee (@soup_and_chat) - The All Bengali Crime Detectives, A Gathering of CrowsBy Mallika Ravikumar (@mallika.ravikuamr) - The Case of the Missing TurtlesBy Ravi Subramanium (@ravisubramanian70) - The Mystery of the Missing CatPodcast Theme Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: @b_prasanna and @khurshedbatliwalaHaradhoner Doshti Chhele:https://youtu.be/z4S3fVtyCFc?si=XsuWsCUmXZ-GbrFr

In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee talks to author Kanchana Banerjee about her book, Nobody's Child, published by @harpercollinsin, where a TV celebrity is presumed dead, only to resurrect two years later, throwing the nation into a frenzy.We also talk about the writing process, the joys and the frustrations of being a writer, navigating psychologically disturbing passages and the difficulty of coming up with a suitable book title. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram:⁠ thedesidetectiveshow⁠ and⁠ soup_and_chat⁠Guest: Kanchana Banerjee (https://kanchanabanerjeecom.wordpress.com)Instagram: @kanchanabanerjeeBooks by Kanchana BanerjeeA Forgotten AffairEye on YouNobody's ChildUntil I Find YouThe ActorPodcast Theme Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and @khurshedbatliwalaHaradhoner Doshti Chhele:https://youtu.be/z4S3fVtyCFc?si=XsuWsCUmXZ-GbrFr

In this stimulating conversation, drawing from his vast knowledge of Hindi movies and popular culture, author Arnab Ray discusses what he thinks makes a good detective novel. We talk about the male gaze in crime novels, 'And Then There Were None' and other things Christie, post-war detective novels from Japan, his favourite desi detective, Byomkesh Bakshi, and of course about 'The Mahabharata Murders' and his upcoming book, 'The Bucket'.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chatGuest: Arnab RayInstagram: @greatbongwww.greatbong.netBooks by Arnab Ray:May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss?The MineThe Sultan of DelhiShakchunniYatrikThe Mahabharata MurdersPodcast Theme Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and @khurshedbatliwalaHaradhoner Doshti Chhele:https://youtu.be/z4S3fVtyCFc?si=XsuWsCUmXZ-GbrFr

The name Rabindranath Tagore needs no introduction. In this episode, Suparna takes a look at his run-ins with the detective department of the Calcutta police in real life, and the short story he penned titled The Detective published in 1898. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comBooks and references:WikipediaThe DetectiveWhen Tagore lost his penWhen Tagore was named a ConspiratorPodcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

This is the concluding part of the sensational germ murder case of colonial India.A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur.  The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York.This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comBooks and references:Wikipedia⁠⁠Article in BBC.com/Asia⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Calcutta High Court Judgment⁠⁠⁠⁠Article in The Telegraph⁠⁠The Poisoner of Bengal by Dan Morrison⁠⁠How Bubonic Plague Reshaped Mumbai⁠⁠⁠⁠How Bombay Fought the Plague⁠⁠Podcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

This is Part 2 of the sensational 'Germ Murder' of 1933.A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur.  The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York.This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comBooks and references:Wikipedia⁠Article in BBC.com/Asia⁠ ⁠Calcutta High Court Judgment⁠⁠Article in The Telegraph⁠The Poisoner of Bengal by Dan Morrison⁠How Bubonic Plague Reshaped Mumbai⁠⁠How Bombay Fought the Plague⁠Podcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur.  The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York.This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comBooks and references:WikipediaArticle in BBC.com/Asia Calcutta High Court JudgmentArticle in The TelegraphThe Poisoner of Bengal by Dan MorrisonHow Bubonic Plague reshaped MumbaiHow Bombay Fought the PlaguePodcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

In this episode of The Desi Detective Show, author Meeti Shroff-Shah talks to host Suparna Chatterjee about the world of Temple Hill, that posh area in south Mumbai home to Gujarati Jains, for whom Ahimsa or non-violence is a fundamental tenet of life. A murder in such a neighbourhood, where all life is considered sacred, is unthinkable. Yet, that is what the residents of Temple Hill find themselves grappling with in this fun series crackling with wit, sizzling with tension and sprinkled with a dash of romance - and we are not even referring to the sumptuous buffet spreads here.Instagram: meetishroffshahBooks by Meeti:The Death of Kirti KadakiaA Matrimonial MurderDo you Know any Good Boys?Theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

In this episode, I take a look at Saradindu Bandopadhyay's iconic creation, Byomkesh Bakshi.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comBooks and references:Byomkesh Somogro by Saradindu BandopadhyayInside messbaris Academic articles by Sunit Barui and Abeer KapurPodcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna

We are 10 episodes down, and I think this is a great time to thank all the listeners who have been very generous with their support, by sending feedback and comments on the episodes, and by supporting the podcast by sharing it on social media. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: soup_and_chatthedesidetectiveshowEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comTheme music by B. PrasannaInstagram: b_prasannaWebsite:bprasannamusic.comandKhurshed BatliwalaInstagram: khurshedbatliwalaWebsite:Bawa and Dinesh

In this episode, award-winning author Nev March talks about her book, Murder in Old Bombay, which draws inspiration from the unsolved 1890s mystery that resulted in the death of two young, well-to-do Parsi ladies. In this candid chat, Nev draws parallels with what is happening around the world today, and we get a glimpse of 19th-century India through the eyes of the Parsi community.  Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram :⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠⁠ Guest: Nev March Instagram: nevmarch https://nevmarch.com Theme music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March (HarperCollins India) Wikipedia The Parsi Business Story: Under Lock and Key Live Mint What'sHot/Mumbai

What does a hair oil brand have to do with detective fiction in India? And what was the scientific mystery story written by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose? Find out in this episode of the Desi Detective Show. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram :⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala References: Article in The Better India The Rays before Satyajit by Chandak Sengupta Article in Telegraph India The Runaway Cyclone with an English translation by Bodhisattva Chatterjee

In this episode, author Harini Nagendra talks about how she brings history, ecology and her love for cosy murder mysteries together to recreate the life and times of early 20th Century Bangalore. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram :⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Guest: Harini Nagendra Instagram: harini.nagendra www.harininagendra.com X: @HariniNagendra Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books by Harini Nagendra: The Bangalore Detectives Club Murder Under the Red Moon A Nest of Vipers References: A Mission to Mysore by Rev. Williams Arthur

We all know Mirza Ghalib as the greatest writer of Urdu poetry. But Mirza Ghalib as a detective? Now, that's an interesting idea. In this stimulating conversation, author Raza Mir discusses his book Murder at the Mushaira, a murder mystery set in Delhi in 1857. He talks about the many interesting and lesser-known facets of Mirza Ghalib's life, nuances of ghazal poetry, and provides the listeners with an insight into the cultural, social and religious life of the time. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram : ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠⁠andsoup_and_chat Guest: Raza Mir Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed BatliwalaInstagram: b_prasannaandkhurshedbatliwala Books and References: Murder at the Mushaira by Raza Mir (Aleph Book Co.) The Last Mughal, by William Dalrymple (Penguin)

In this concluding part, I discuss the witness testimonies and the evidence presented in court, which established once and for all, whether this man claiming to be the second prince of Bhawal, is in fact genuine or a charlatan. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠ and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Guest: Dr Somnath Chatterji Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Wikipedia https://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7277.pdf Articles in The Dhaka Tribune The Mendicant Prince by Aruna Chakravarti A Princely Imposter? by Partha Chatterjee

The Curious Case of the Bhawal Sanyasi continues in this episode. Please do listen to Part 1 of the story, before listening to this episode. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠ and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Wikipedia https://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7277.pdf Articles in The Dhaka Tribune The Mendicant Prince by Aruna Chakravarti A Princely Imposter? by Partha Chatterjee

In this episode (and the next 2), I talk about the case that resulted in one of the longest legal battles in colonial India - a case so absurd, so improbable and so intriguing with its many twists and turns, that it lingers on the public imagination to this day. This was a story where the truth was certainly stranger than fiction! It's the curious case of the Bhawal Sanyasi.  *** Spoiler Warning! There is a novelised version of the events in a book titled 'The Mendicant Prince' by Aruna Chakravarti. If you wish to read that book, then please do so, before you listen to these 3 episodes. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Wikipediahttps://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7277.pdfArticles in The Dhaka Tribune The Mendicant Prince by Aruna ChakravartiA Princely Imposter? by Partha Chatterjee

Just how old is the oldest whodunnit from India? Who were the first writers of detective fiction in this country? And who were their inspirations? How did India get her first detective department? Find out in this episode of the desi detective show. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and references:WikipediaEvery Man his own Detective - Richard ReidMemoirs of Vidocq - Eugene Francois VidocqDarogar Doftor - Priyonath MukherjeeOffice of Bankaulla - Kaliprasanna ChattopadhyayMurders in the Rue Morgue - Edgar Allan PoeThe Making of a Gentleman and a Detective - Anindita GhoshRemarkable Criminal Trials in BengalJournal of Medical Jurisprudence in India - Dr Norman CheversThe Manichean Investigators - Pinaki Roy

Numerous fictional detectives have been born in India. But in fame and popularity, none come close to Satyajit Ray’s Feluda. Today I take a look at Feluda stories with a new gaze, not as a young child reading them for the first time, but as an adult who has had the benefit of having read many many detective novels since, to try and understand why Feluda stories enjoy the kind of popularity that they do, decades after they were first created.Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com)Instagram: thedesidetectiveshowsoup_and_chatEmail: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.comGuest: Mir Afsar Ali (@mirafsarali)Feluda theme music played by Gourab Das @gourabex Podcast theme music by @b_prasanna and @khurshedbatliwala Books mentioned in this episode:by Satyajit Ray, published by @anandapublishersofficial in Bengali and by @penguinindia in English1. Feludar Goendagiri/ Danger in Darjeeling2.Sonar Kella/ The Golden Fortress3. Joy Baba Felunath/ The Mystery of the Elephant God4. Gangtokey Gondogol /Trouble in Gangtok5. Badshahi Angti /The Emperor's Ring6. Jokhon Chhoto ChhilamReferences:1. Wikipedia2. Where have all the bhadroloks gone? by Parimal Ghosh3. Ami ar Feluda by Sandip Ray4. Goyenda kahinite Satyajit gharana - Saroj Bandpadhyay Haradhoner Doshti Chhele: https://youtu.be/z4S3fVtyCFc?si=p10ujCAv02wdxtit

They have been sleuthing for more than a 100 years - in Mughal courts and in Rajput palaces, in the crooked by lanes of Benaras and the bustling cities of Calcutta and Bombay, in the tea gardens of Darjeeling, in the deserts of Rajasthan. Sometimes dressed in dhotis and sherwanis, and sometimes in salwar kurtas and nine-yard sarees.  These are the desi detectives.  After all, who says a deerstalker is a must for solving crime? A turban would do just as well. Welcome to the desi detective show - the podcast that explores the history and the mystery behind  the best detective stories from the Indian subcontinent. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala