PODCAST · society
Armpit Intellectuals
by Zahra and Bilal
Welcome to Armpit Intellectuals, a podcast where we blend philosophy, political theory, and South Asian culture. Join us for a mix of wit, wisdom, and a touch of satire. Let's journey together through the armpits of intellect.
Episodes
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Episode 29: The Hari Movement: Peasants, Partition, and the Politics of Land
Partition’s hidden class war: We examine the radical struggle of landless sharecroppers fighting the feudal order in mid-20th century Sindh. While the history books focus on the "high politics" of borders and elite negotiations in 1947, a brutal class war was raging in the fields. In this…
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Ep. 28: The Second Colonization: Seeds, Floods, and Farmer Resistance
In this episode, we use the humble seed as a “zero point” to unpack the dystopian reality of the Second Colonization — a global shift from stealing land to patenting biological code, DNA, and life itself. Drawing on Vandana Shiva, they dismantle the Green Revolution, exposing it as a...
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Ep. 27: No Kings at the Hormuz Gate: Pirates, Patriarchs & Picket Lines
In this episode, we deconstruct the explosive collapse of the 2026 Islamabad Talks and the subsequent naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. As the U.S. Navy seizes Iranian-linked vessels, we examine why this pivot to Asia has transformed into a desperate imperial spiral. Through a lens of...
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Ep. 26: Hegemony at the Dhaba: Gramsci, Pakistan, and Mental Wigs
In this episode of Armpit Intellectuals, we dissect the complex ideas of Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Marxist whose theory of cultural hegemony explains why common sense often reflects elite interests. We explore how Gramsci's theories on civil and political society, passive revolution, and...
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Ep. 25: The Holy Trinity of Dissent: Manto, Chughtai, and Faiz
They were the "problem children" of the revolution. One was labeled a pornographer, one a scandal-monger, and one a traitor to the state. In this episode of Armpit Intellectuals, we move beyond the statues and the postage stamps to perform a forensic autopsy on the Holy Trinity of Dissent: Saadat...
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Ep. 24: The Nationalization of the Uterus: From 1949-2026
"The State decided that National Honour was a liquid asset stored in the uterus." This week, we dive into the dark intersection of motherhood, post-colonial statecraft, and the modern surveillance state in India and Pakistan. We discuss how the 1949 Recovery Act turned women into national…
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Ep. 23: The Matriarchy of Disruption: Spivak, hooks, and Roy
If the "Big Three" (Said, Fanon, and Ahmad) gave us the blueprint of empire, then Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, bell hooks, and Arundhati Roy are the ones pointing out that the building is on fire — and that the fire started in the kitchen. In this episode, we move from the "Macro" to the "Meso."...
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Ep. 22: The Architects of Resistance: Ahmad, Said, and Fanon
The "end of empire" wasn't a conclusion—it was the start of a new, more subtle war. In Episode 22 of Armpit Intellectuals, we go deep into the "Grand Critique" provided by the three pillars of anti-colonial thought: Eqbal Ahmad, Edward Said, and Frantz Fanon. We’re moving beyond the surface to...
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Ep. 21: Where Innocence Ends: Pakistan’s Unspoken War
In this episode, we confront Pakistan’s hidden epidemic of child sexual abuse — from Kasur’s dark legacy to everyday silences in homes, madrassas, and schools. Drawing on survivor stories, data, and global parallels, we explore how power, patriarchy, and “izzat” protect predators while children…
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Ep. 20: Waderas: Pakistan's Inherited Hangover of Power
In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Pakistan’s feudal order — the waderas, jagirdars, and sardars who didn’t just survive colonialism but turned it into dynasties of domination. From colonial land grants to dynastic politics, from karo-kari killings to bonded labour, we trace how feudal...
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Ep. 19: Cousin Marriage, Collective Narcissism
In this episode, we explore the intricate dynamics of cousin marriage in South Asian families. We delve into the reasons behind its prevalence, the concept of collective narcissism, and the reflection of family identity through such unions. The discussion navigates the comfort and limitations of...
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Ep. 18: Patriarchal Borders, Partitioned Bodies
In this episode, we delve deep into the origins and pervasive influence of patriarchy, especially within Pakistani society. The discussion covers the historical foundations, the role of women in perpetuating the system, and the impact on various marginalized groups including women, trans, and…
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Ep. 17: Street Fighting Man: The Life and Times of Tariq Ali
In this episode, we plunge into the incendiary brilliance of Tariq Ali—a lifelong contrarian, eloquent dissenter, and literary provocateur. Born in 1943 in Lahore to a family steeped in political defiance, Ali came of age railing against tyranny with a wit as sharp as his convictions....
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Ep. 16: We Sinful Women: The Power of Urdu Feminist Poetry
In today's episode, we delve into 'We Sinful Women,' a profound collection of Urdu feminist poetry translated and edited by Rukhsana Ahmed. This episode highlights the evolution of Urdu as a literary language and the significant contribution of women poets like Kishwar Naheed and Fahmida Riaz.…
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Ep. 15: Colourism in South Asia: Colonial Legacies, Modern Realities
In this episode of Armpit Intellectuals, we dive deep into the issue of colourism in South Asia, with a focus on Pakistan. We explore its roots in colonial history, class structures, and Eurocentric beauty standards. We share personal experiences, discuss the impact of colonial legacies, and...
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Ep. 14: The Unsung Hero of Lahore: Sir Ganga Ram
Welcome back to Armpit Intellectuals! In this episode, we delve into the life and contributions of Sir Ganga Ram—engineer, philanthropist, and visionary who transformed modern Lahore's urban landscape and infrastructure. From revolutionizing the city's water supply system to establishing schools...
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Ep. 13: Nation of Nations: The Struggle for Identity
In this episode of Armpit Intellectuals, we explore the complex concept of nationalism in Pakistan. We discuss what it means for a country often described as a 'nation of nations' and how the interplay of culture, politics, and identity has shaped Pakistan's journey. Key figures like Bacha Khan,...
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Ep. 12: Twisted Justice: The Case of Aafia Siddiqui
In this episode, we discuss the complex and controversial case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist whose imprisonment has sparked global outrage. We also discuss the circumstances of her arrest, allegations of abuse at FMC Carswell, and the diplomatic tensions surrounding her case....
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Ep. 11: The Rise and Fall of Student Unions in Pakistan
Join us as we discuss the extensive impact of student unions on Pakistan's political and social landscapes. This episode underscores the transformative power of younger generations in shaping societal norms and policies. Tracing the influence from the 1950s to today, we discuss the rise of…
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Ep. 10: Maududi and Women: Gender and the Jamaat-e-Islami
In this episode, we delve into the complex world of Jamaat e Islami (JI), exploring its evolution from a social-cultural movement to a modern political entity intertwined with religious ideology. We discuss JI's hierarchical structure, its recruitment strategies, especially among the urban lower...
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Ep. 9: The ‘Squeezed’ White Part: Forced Conversions in Pakistan
In this episode of 'Armpit Intellectuals,' we delve into the critical issue of forced conversions in Pakistan, with a focus on young women from the Hindu community in Sindh. Highlighting the annual abduction and coercion of around 1000 girls, the podcast sheds light on the systemic violence and...
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Ep. 8: Banal Nationalism: Everyday Symbols and National Identity
Join us in this deep dive as we unravel the concept of banal nationalism, as articulated by Michael Billig. This episode explores how national identity is subtly reinforced through everyday symbols and practices, with a particular focus on Pakistan. We discuss the interplay of both hot and banal...
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Ep. 7: Surkh Salam! Communist Literature in Pakistan
Join us in this episode as we explore deep into an often overlooked part of Pakistan's communist history. We discuss the lives and contributions of three significant post-partition communist literary figures: Sajjad Zaheer, Saadat Hassan Manto, and Mohammad Hassan Askari. Utilizing research from...
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Ep. 6: The Nuclear Question: Pakistan's Atomic History
In this episode we dive into the history of Pakistan's nuclear power. We discuss the motivations and actions that led Pakistan to acquire nuclear capabilities, including key historical figures like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Abdul Qadeer Khan. Further, we explore the global context of nuclear...
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Ep. 5: Self-Surveillance Society: Lessons from Byung-Chul Han
In this episode we explore the theory of psychopolitics by contemporary philosopher Byung-Chul Han. We delve into Han's influences, including Foucault and Nietzsche, and discuss how neoliberal capitalism uses the psyche as a tool for political and economic gain. This episode touches on key…
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Ep. 4: Feminism in Pakistan: The Sindhiyani Tehreek
In this episode we discuss the Sindhiyani Tehreek, a Marxist-Leninist grassroots resistance movement primarily led by rural women in Sindh, Pakistan, and conceived during General Zia ul Haq's regime. The discussion covers the origin and evolution of the movement, its resistance against oppressive...
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Ep. 3: Pakistan Ka Matlab Kya? Remembering Habib Jalib
Join us in this episode as we explore the life, works, and impact of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib. Born in Punjab and later moving to Karachi, Jalib's poetry and activism were deeply rooted in Marxist-Leninist ideologies. We discuss his celebrated works like 'Dastur' and his impact on movements...
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Ep. 2: These Boots Are Gonna Walk All Over You: Pakistan's Military Economy
Unveiling Pakistan's Military Economy: Navigating Milbus, martial regimes and peeling back the layers of racist martial myths. Join us as we explore the complexities of Pakistan's military involvement in its economy, the grip of martial regimes, and the darker side of national narratives and...
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Ep. 1: Think Critically and Take Risks: A Brief Introduction to Eqbal Ahmad
Remembering the legacy of Eqbal Ahmad – from his politics and organizing on the Vietnam War, Palestine, Algeria, South Asia and beyond. Join us as we explore his enduring impact on social justice, anti-imperialism, and equality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Armpit Intellectuals have?
Armpit Intellectuals currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Armpit Intellectuals about?
Welcome to Armpit Intellectuals, a podcast where we blend philosophy, political theory, and South Asian culture. Join us for a mix of wit, wisdom, and a touch of satire. Let's journey together through the armpits of intellect.
How often does Armpit Intellectuals release new episodes?
Armpit Intellectuals has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Armpit Intellectuals?
You can listen to Armpit Intellectuals on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Armpit Intellectuals?
Armpit Intellectuals is created and hosted by Zahra and Bilal.
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