India Unarchived – A New Podcast by Ashoka University

Episode 5: Professor Monia Acciari on Silent Indian Movies and Film Archiving

How complicated is the process of film archiving—and how many films have we already lost, especially from India’s silent era? Join YIF students Arushi Bhargava and Mumtaz Mohiuddin as they speak with Professor Monia Acciari about the often-overlooked world of film preservation. From fragile reels to digital storytelling, they explore what it truly means to archive a film—not just the visuals, but the emotions, contexts, and cultural legacies that come with it.

Episode 4: Professor Aparna Vaidik on Forgotten Histories and Indian Revolutionaries

History is not only what’s documented—it’s also the stories left untold. Join YIF students Arushi Bhargava and Mumtaz Mohiuddin as they speak with Professor Aparna Vaidik about the power of oral histories, alternative archives, and challenging traditional narratives. Discover her fascination with Indian revolutionaries, her trip to Lahore, and her research on the colonial history of the Andaman Islands. Tune in for an engaging conversation on forgotten histories and the discipline of history.

Episode 3: Professor Mahesh Rangarajan on Archiving India’s Environmental History

How does the history of our environment shape our present? YIF students Arushi Bhargava and Mumtaz Mohiuddin sit down with Professor Mahesh Rangarajan to explore the evolving field of environmental history. From colonial conservation policies to the cultural and geopolitical significance of lions and elephants, he unpacks how archives help preserve lost ecological narratives. Join them as they delve into history, nature, and the stories that continue to shape our planet.

Episode 2: Archivist Deepa Bhatnagar on Building Archives of Contemporary India

In this episode of India Unarchived, YIF students Arushi Bhargava and Mumtaz Mohiuddin explore the making of Ashoka University’s Archives of Contemporary India with its Founder-Director, Deepa Bhatnagar. From securing the first collections to the challenges, innovations, and milestones of Ashoka’s archives, she offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the process of curating modern India’s voices.

Episode 1: Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee on 1857, Gandhi & Archiving Indian History

In the first episode of India Unarchived, YIF students sit down with Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee and journey into the fascinating world of archives, exploring their impact on India’s historical narrative. From the significance of archiving to pivotal moments like the 1857 rebellion, he offers deep insights into history’s influence on the present. He also shares the vision behind establishing the Archives of Contemporary India at Ashoka and reveals why he would love to converse with historical figures like Gandhi and Tagore.

Ashoka University is delighted to launch India Unarchived, an original podcast series that explores the power of archives in remembering history. Through conversations with historians, archivists, and scholars, the podcast uncovers untold stories and highlights the significance of historical preservation. Created in collaboration with the Archives of Contemporary India and Young India Fellows (Class of 2025), Season 1 delves into history through the lenses of cinema, environment, public memory, and pivotal events.