5.06 Ashok Banker: Epic And Unknown Love Stories From The Mahabharata

Find out how romance is depicted throughout Indian mythology!Ashok Banker makes Tara and Michelle travel through centuries as they talk about his book “Epic Loves: Stories from the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata”. A book which finds love within the epic war of Mahabharata. Find out how love has transformed in our mythologies throughout centuries. If all the mythological stories are written by men, can we avoid the trap of male gaze and misogyny? Whilst retelling the epics, how can you be true to the original text and bring along your own spin to it? And… are there any LGBTQ+ characters in the epic of Mahabharata? Tune in to find out!Books & movies mentioned in this episode:Amar ChitraStephen King Ponyo by Ghibli studioJoseph and his brothers by Thomas MannHarry PotterLord of the RingsIf you live, eat and breathe books, subscribe to Books and Beyond!Produced by Aishwarya JavalgekarSound edit by Kshitij JadhavApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.