Team L&M
Writer Raghu Karnad has come up with a podcast, Marine Lines: Mumbai’s Hidden Worlds, from the Suburbs to the Sea, which explores Mumbai’s ecosystem and ecology whilst welcoming renowned guests ranging from Bollywood stars and artists to climate activists to talk about their engagement with the city. Guests on the 10-episode series include actor Dia Mirza, film critic Anupama Chopra, writer Amitav Ghosh and artist Sameer Kulavoor amongst others.
Some of the highlights include anecdotes on leopards and domestic pets; discussing the role the city parks provide as a space for human intimacy; examining the future for the city’s fisherman; or asking what the Bombay Slug is, the series shines a new light into the city’s incredible ecosystem and contemplates its future.
“Since the pandemic began, I’ve missed Mumbai. I also miss being a city journalist, and thinking about natural life, ecosystems and climate. So I jumped at the chance to host these conversations, and bring all of that together, with a few of the most interesting people in the city,” says Karnad talking about his podcast that has been co-created with co-created by the Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic and DeadAnt Studio.
“What I love most about exploring these hidden worlds is that most of them are hidden in plain sight – they might be the world of animal life, or coastal sea life, or human life – but they’re right there, in front of our eyes. And it’s so enriching to be able to see them, rather than staying so oblivious to the places where we live,” he adds.
The podcast, available on all key platforms like spotify, amazon, gaana, hubhopper, is a part of a series of programmes conceptualised by Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic to create a conversation around Mumbai’s rich wetlands and drive citizen action in favour of Mumbai’s rich biodiversity. The programmes include Harita the Green Footprint fellowship for the youth to champion solutions for the city’s public parks, a podcast to build a healthy climate discourse in the city, a series of creative tactics that bring attention to Koli community’s role as caretakers of the city’s coastline.
What to expect:
Sharks, Sea Slugs and Other Neighbours with Shaunak Modi (Director, Coastal Conservation Foundation)
Speaking Out for Sustainable Living with Dia Mirza (Actor)
How Leopards See the City with Nikit Surve (Wildlife Biologist)
Fishing with the First Mumbaikars with Ganesh Nakhawa (Chairman of Purse Seine Fishing Welfare Association, Director of Karanja Fisheries Society.)
The Bay of Bollywood with Anupama Chopra (Film critic and Director, MAMI)
The Art of Looking Around with Sameer Kulavoor (Artist)
Public Displays of Affection with Paromita Vohra (Filmmaker and writer)
Slums, Homes and the City Built by Women with Ramya Ramanath (Associate Professor, School of Public Service, DePaul University )
The Mental Health in Environmental Health with Ruchita Chandrashekar (Behavioural health researcher)
Mumbai in the Eye of the Storm with Amitav Ghosh (Writer)
