Inglourious Basterds and the Question of Evil
In Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, he suggests that “nobody believes they are evil,” echoing Hannah Arendt’s ideas on the banality of evil. The film explores how history transforms into a theatrical narrative, questioning the erasure of the Apaches and highlighting Hollywood’s dominance as a storytelling medium.
Lessons for India from Japan’s Meiji Restoration | Nikhilesh Dholakia and Arup K. Chatterjee
The episode of The Unofficial Seminar features Arup K. Chatterjee and Professor Nikhilesh Dholakia discussing the Meiji Restoration’s significance. Dholakia explores Japan’s transformation from Tokugawa feudalism to a modern state, emphasizing eclectic borrowing from various foreign models. The discussion draws parallels to India and suggests lessons for the Global South regarding development and cultural adaptation.
John Lang | An Anglo-Indian Barrister Who Fought Against the British Empire | Arup K. Chatterjee with Amit Ranjan
This podcast features a conversation between Arup K. Chatterjee and Amit Ranjan, exploring the life of writer John George Lang in Mussoorie. They discuss Lang’s literary contributions, his influence on Victorian narratives, and his engagement with colonial society. The episode emphasizes Lang’s lasting legacy, linking history, memory, and literary exchange.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Evil and Stupidity
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident, highlighted the dangers of sociopolitical stupidity in his writings, especially in “Letters and Papers from Prison.” He argued that stupidity can enable evil actions and manipulation more effectively than malice, underscoring the necessity of critical thinking and discernment in society.
Hannah Arendt: The Banality of Evil
Hannah Arendt’s concept of “the banality of evil” emerged from her observations during the trial of Nazi official Adolf Eichmann, suggesting that ordinary individuals can commit horrific acts through thoughtless bureaucracy. Critics argue this perspective may downplay the true monstrosity of evil, highlighting how modernity renders the ordinary potentially menacing and oppressive.
Mughal-e-Azam
In the mid-1970s, a man reluctantly watched the iconic film Mughal-e-Azam, despite dismissing its popularity. Initially skeptical, he became captivated, watching it multiple times. Over time, audiences recognized the film’s historical inaccuracies, acknowledging it as a remarkable work of fiction rather than a genuine historical account.
Andha Yug and Mahabharat | Bihar, Caste Census, Women’s Welfare | Arup K. Chatterjee in Conversation with Ashwani Kumar
Dr. Arup K. Chatterjee interviews Professor Ashwani Kumar about literature, war, and social history. They discuss the metaphor of blindness in Bharati’s play, Andha Yug, linking it to contemporary conflicts and moral crises. Kumar emphasizes the importance of honest engagement with war and highlights Bihar’s rich intellectual heritage amid social challenges.
Ramayana Retold from Sita’s Perspective | Sita’s Veil (“Trina Dhari Ot”) | Arup K. Chatterjee with Nishtha Gautam
This podcast episode features a sensitive discussion between Dr. Arup K. Chatterjee and translator Nishtha Gautam about Anamika’s Hindi text, “Sita’s Veil.” They explore themes of translation, literary kinship, and the multifaceted nature of Sita within the Ramayana, emphasizing her agency and the epic’s cultural relevance amidst contemporary discourse.
India in the 1990s | Culture, Television, Consumerism, and the Everyday | Arup K. Chatterjee and Amit Ranjan
The podcast discusses the enduring impact of the 1990s on Indian culture, framing it as a “long 90s” rather than simply a decade. It explores radical changes brought by television, consumer goods, and cultural shifts, illustrating how these influences continue to shape contemporary Indian identity, desire, and media engagement.
Prisons in Colonial India: Panopticon and Andamans | Arup K. Chatterjee, Amit Ranjan, Nasruddin Khan
In this podcast discussion, historians Arup K. Chatterjee, Dr. Amit Ranjan, and Dr. Nasruddin Khan explore the evolution of prisons, particularly focusing on the nineteenth century and Bentham’s panopticon concept. They examine prisons’ societal roles, the treatment of criminals, and the dynamics of surveillance, along with historical contexts in India and globally.
The Feminist Utopia of “Sultana’s Dream” (1905) | Arup K. Chatterjee and Amit Ranjan
In this inaugural episode of The Unofficial Seminar, Arup K. Chatterjee and Amit Ranjan discuss Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s short story, Sultana’s Dream. They explore its significance as an early feminist sci-fi work, its influences, and the relationship between women and science, while considering literary and historical contexts within colonial India.
Arup K. Chatterjee 