The Yodakin Podcast

Episode 24: Arshi Javaid in conversation with Ekta Chauhan

The 24th episode of The Yodakin Podcast features a recording of a conversation between Arshi Javaid, author of 'Yaadgah: Memories of Srinagar', and Ekta Chauhan, Assistant Professor at the Jindal School of Design and Architecture, that took place on 31st August, 2025, at Studio Safdar. 'Yaadgah: Memories of Srinagar' was released in May 2025 by Yoda Press, and brings together 14 essays dedicated to the old city of Srinagar. It discusses the city’s transitional urban geography and demography, the gendered urban landscape, and its multicultural neighbourhoods. Through this conversation, Chauhan brings to the table her engagement with collective memory and alteration of urban landscapes, and discusses with Arshi Javaid the myriad inspirations behind 'Yaadgah'. This event would not have been possible without the support of Studio Safdar and Mayday Bookstore. You can purchase 'Yaadgah' at the following link: https://www.amazon.in/Yaadgah-Memories-Srinagar-Arshi-Javaid/dp/934856644XThe book is also available in independent bookstores across various cities. Arpita Das on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/arpitayodapressYoda Press on Instagram: @yodapress The opening and closing theme is 'Typewriter' by Eric Taboel via Epidemic Sound. This podcast episode has been edited and produced by Tara Mathur.

Episode 23: Padmini Mongia reads from Baby Looking Out and Other Stories

In our 23rd episode, Padmini Mongia reads from her short-story collection, 'Baby Looking Out and Other Stories', published by Yoda Press in 2018. Padmini Mongia teaches literature in English at Franklin & Marshall College. She is a teacher and scholar, a writer and painter. In this special episode, she recites the second chapter of the book, titled "The Bat and His Kite", where a bat named Pond/Chipku, learns to fly a kite. Stay tuned for future readings from the author! The book is available online, as well as in independent bookstores across India: https://www.amazon.in/Baby-Looking-Out-Other-Stories/dp/9382579230Arpita Das on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/arpitayodapressYoda Press on Instagram: @yodapress A special thank you to Devansh Mathur for providing the background score for this episode! The opening/closing song is 'Typewriter' by Eric Taboel via Epidemic Sound. This episode has been edited and produced by Tara Mathur.

Episode 22: In conversation with Arshi Javaid, Neeta Kolhatkar, and Namita Waikar | Ananke Lit Fest 2025

Our 22nd episode is a special one, where Arpita Das, Founder-Publisher of Yoda Press, moderates a panel between three of our authors, as part of the 2025 Ananke Literature Festival. She talks to Arshi Javaid, author of Yaadgah: Memories of Srinagar; Neeta Kolhatkar, author of The Feared: Conversations with 11 Political Prisoners; and Namita Waikar, author of Farmers Protest! A Movement for Our Times. The theme for this year's festival was 'Speaking Truth to Power', which we believe each of these titles epitomise, through their powerful words; of hope, of resistance. The panel was originally recorded and uploaded in April 2025. Each of the aforementioned titles are available on Amazon through the links attached below, as well as in independent bookstores. Yaadgah: https://amzn.in/d/gG6ZobEThe Feared (with Simon & Schuster): https://amzn.in/d/gG6ZobEFarmers Protest!: https://amzn.in/d/h0wPWv5Yoda Press on Instagram: @yodapressArpita Das on X (formerly Twitter): @arpitayodapressThe opening song is 'Typewriter' by Eric Taboel via Epidemic Sound. This podcast has been edited and produced by Tara Mathur.

Episode 21: Naima Rashid reads poems from Sum of Worlds

For our 21st episode, the last of 2024, we have Naima Rashid reciting a few of her poems from Sum of Worlds, published by Yoda Press in September 2024. Naima Rashid, an author, poet, and literary translator, deals with themes of migration, motherhood, and living between different cultures, places, and languages. In Sum of Worlds, Rashid questions the nature of the self as it is shattered and put together again. Sum of Worlds is available worldwide on Amazon using the following link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9382579974 Yoda Press on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yodapress/ Arpita Das on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/arpitayodapress The opening song is 'Typewriter' by Eric Taboel via Epidemic Sound. This podcast has been produced and edited by Tara Mathur.

Episode 20: In Conversation with Arpitha Kodiveri

In our 20th episode (in our 20th year!), Founder-Publisher Arpita Das is in conversation with environmental lawyer and legal scholar, Arpitha Kodiveri. Arpitha Kodiveri is the author of 'Governing Forests: State, Law and Citizenship in Indian Forests'. Among other topics, the two discuss the centring of forest-dwelling communities in environmental law, how Dalit and Adivasi communities tackle judicial and State oppression, and the extraction of consent from these communities. Arpitha Kodiveri is an environmental and justice scholar and assistant professor of political science at Vassar College. Her work focuses on the role of law in redressing climate harms faced by South Asian indigenous communities. She has previously worked as an environmental lawyer to support Adivasi and forest-dwelling communities in India. In Governing Forests, she describes how these communities bear the cost of both rapacious mining development and increasing pressure for forest land to be set aside for environmental conservation. Despite these challenges, Kodiveri shows how the traditional owners and inhabitants of forest areas are driving creative solutions in forest law. Hope can be found here, in each community’s unique vision of co-governance, expressed in the language of care and repair. Buy the South Asian edition here: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9382579958 Internationally available here: https://www.mup.com.au/books/governing-forests-paperback-softback Follow Yoda Press on Instagram!: https://www.instagram.com/yodapress/ Arpita Das' Twitter/X: https://x.com/arpitayodapress The opening song is 'Typewriter' by Eric Taboel via Epidemic Sound. This podcast has been produced and edited by Tara Mathur.