Kalakki Podcast

In this episode of Kalakki Podcast, we break down the Iran-Israel-USA conflict in a simple, honest way where we talk about what each side wants, how the Strait of Hormuz and oil routes affect the rest of the world, why fuel prices react to these tensions, and how ordinary people end up feeling the impact of decisions made far above them.We also get into Iran’s proxy network, Israel’s nuclear ambiguity, America’s long interventionist history, and the bigger question underneath all of it: when powerful countries clash, who really pays the price?

Four of us sat down with the vague intention of having a “calm” conversation about football.One United fan, one Liverpool fan, and two Arsenal fans tried to make sense of the season so far, and we ended up doing what rival fans always do: defending the indefensible and pretending our clubs are less chaotic than they actually are.Across the episode we bounce through form, bottling, referees, transfers, nostalgia, and a whole lot of nonsense that only makes sense if you’ve ever been stuck in a group chat during matchday.Bad takes, loud opinions, half-baked predictions, and the occasional moment of wisdom that no one respects. We jump between who’s bottling what, whose season is a lie, who’s delusional, and why we keep supporting clubs that stress us out for free.If you like chaotic football discussion and friends talking rubbish with full confidence, you’ll enjoy this one.Plug in!

Zeus and Indra...Achilles and Karna...Trojan War and the Kurukshetra War...What are in common between these 2 different worlds?In this episode of Kalakki, we explore the fascinating parallels between Greek and Hindu mythology — two ancient traditions that, despite being worlds apart, share strikingly similar stories of gods, floods, fire, epic wars, and immortality.Inspired by Stephen Fry’s Mythos, this episode takes you on a journey across time and geography — from Olympus to Kailasa — uncovering how different cultures answered the same big questions: Who holds power? What happens when mortals defy the divine? And why are the gods… so much like us?Whether you're a mythology nerd or just curious about the echoes between East and West, this episode is for you.

Welcome to my own 2024 book recap! In this episode, where I’m taking you through every single book I read this year—yes, all of them! Whether it was a cozy weekend binge or a month-long trek through a literary epic, I’m sharing it all. Rapid-Fire Reviews: A quick summary and my honest thoughts on each book. Unexpected Favorites: Titles that surprised me, for better or worse. Trends & Themes: What genres, topics, and tropes dominated my reading in 2024. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, validation, or just a laugh at some of my questionable reading choices, this episode has something for every book enthusiasts. Let’s close the chapter on 2024 in style!

In this episode, we’re going all out on two of cricket’s most exciting topics! First up, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy—our take on the fiery rivalries, match-defining performances, and all the drama that makes this series unmissable. Who stepped up, who fell short, and what were those moments that had us yelling at the screen? Then, we switch gears to the IPL auction—easily the most entertaining ‘buying and selling’ event in cricket! We talk about the biggest splurges, the surprising steals, and the strategies (or lack of them) from the franchises. Did your favorite player land the deal they deserved? And what do these new lineups mean for the upcoming IPL season? It’s just us, a bunch of cricket fans, sharing our thoughts, cracking jokes, and making predictions (that may or may not age well). Tune in for a fun, chatty deep dive into the best of Test cricket and T20 chaos!

In this enlightening episode of Kalakki, we sit down with Miss Prathiba, the Franchise Head of Little Elly Preschool in Ambattur. Join me as I try to delve deep into the world of early childhood education, exploring the innovative approaches and best practices that shape young minds. Prathiba shares her journey in the educational sector, the challenges and rewards of running a preschool franchise, and her vision for the future of early education. We discuss the role of technology in the hands of young children, modern-day issues affecting their developmental curves, and the evolving landscape of education today. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of personal care in nurturing holistic development. Tune in to discover how Little Elly Preschool is nurturing the next generation of learners.

Join me as I have got Girish and Vivardhan on-air, for a friendly chat about the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals. In this episode, we share our excitement, insights, and predictions on the upcoming fixtures between South Africa v Afghanistan & India v England. Expect a bit of laughter, anecdotes, and a deep dive into each team's strategies and key players. Whether you're a cricket fan or simply curious about the sport, just join our conversation as we explore the highs and quirks of T20 World Cup cricket. Grab a seat and enjoy this casual preview of the world cup's thrilling semifinal matchups.

Tune in to listen to the first episode of our new series "Dial Kalakki for Football"! Listen to us as we dive headfirst into the chaotic world of football fandom. In this episode, join myself, and the gang consisting of Niranjan, Abishek, Sanjith, Vinabav & Subramani, as we unleash our inner football pundits to dissect the Premier League drama and upcoming exciting Champions League Quarter-Final fixtures. From the heartbreaks of our respective clubs to the euphoria of unexpected victories, no stone is left unturned as we navigate through the rollercoaster of emotions that is football fandom. Expect laughter, banter, and maybe even a few tears (just from Man United fans though) as we evaluate, reflect, and boldly predict the outcomes of the ongoing 2023/24 season. Hit "Dial Kalakki for Football" at Kalakki Podcasts to find out what we've got to say on the current affairs in the footballing world.

In this episode, join myself, Girish & Vivardhan as we explore India's cricketing resurgence after the heartbreak of the World Cup. We delve into the spectacular highs of recent T20 triumphs, analyzing key performances, strategic brilliance, and the emergence of new stars. But the story doesn't end there. As the excitement of the T20 victories echoes, we shift our focus to the upcoming India vs England Test series. With redemption on their minds, the Indian team is geared up for a fierce battle against the famous & much spoken about Bazball on home turf. We try to dissect the strategies, discuss player dynamics, and provide insightful predictions for what promises to be a gripping Test series. Tune in to witness the narrative of resilience, the pursuit of glory, and the determination to turn setbacks into triumphs.

Hit play to hear my thoughts and perspectives about Nihilism, Existentialism, and Absurdism in simple terms. In this episode, I tried exploring the basic ideas that form the foundation of these philosophical concepts, in my POV. Tune in for an easily understandable version that invites you to reflect on the fundamental aspects of existence. Welcome to a down-to-earth discussion on Nihilism, Existentialism, and Absurdism in the heart of philosophy. As someone who's new to exploring philosophy myself, the views and thoughts I put forth are completely subjective and personal.

In this episode, we delve into the powerful influence of the Tamil movie "Chithha" and its impact on the critical conversation surrounding child sexual abuse. Myself, along with Indrajith and our first female speaker Anusha, navigate through the reel and real worlds, exploring impact left behind by "Chithha" in shaping perceptions & the responsibility it holds in addressing societal issues. Join us as we unravel the poignant narratives that bridge the gap between fiction and reality, using "Chithha" as a lens to shed light on the harsh truths of child exploitation. Our discussion includes personal opinions and a call to action for increased awareness and advocacy. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about child sexual abuse. We encourage listener discretion and provide resources for support throughout the episode. Let's break the silence and work together to create a safer world for our children.

Being one of the goriest massacres in modern world, I chose to talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict, which is a protracted dispute over territory and national identity including key issues like the displacement of Arab Palestinians, control of Jerusalem, and the status of refugees. Despite numerous attempts at resolution, including wars and diplomatic efforts, a comprehensive solution remains elusive. The conflict continues to be a source of tension and violence in the region, costing the lives of thousands and thousands of innocent civilians' lives till date.

As we approach the business end of the Cricket World Cup 2023 which has produced some amazing cricket throughout the 45 matches, we finally have the top 4 facing each other in the semi-finals, setting their eyes on glory. India vs New Zealand & South Africa vs Australia. Hear me join with the Kalakki cricketing panel of Girish and Vivardhan for a quick recap of our favorite individual performances of the tournament & interesting battles to lookout for in the semi-finals.

Wishing our one and only Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan a very happy birthday with this episode as myself, Indrajith and Mayrujaan sit and talk as much as we can about the man, his works and his genius within a short span of time. Happy born day, Aandavarey! You complete Tamil cinema!

Hear me reminisce 'that' night I happened to witness live at MCG as Virat Kohli showcased an immaculate exhibition of character, resilience, determination and grit to take India through to a famous victory against Pakistan in a crucial WT20 game. This is just a 'straight outta personal journal' episode where I tried taking you through the gush of emotions we as spectators went through that day as Virat was building an innings of all-time greatness.

Hear myself, Sanjith, Girish & Indrajith sit and discuss about the latest blockbuster release "Leo" starring Vijay, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. We've touched upon what worked for us, what didn't & what could've been done differently. Disclaimer: As it's been 2+ days since the release, we've taken the liberty to have a discussion with spoilers.

Tune in to listen to the second part of our Cricket World Cup special episode with a couple more fellow enthusiasts of the sport ie, Vivardhan & Girish. We've touched upon our own Top 4 predictions and probable impact of individual players on the overall tournament & their respective teams as well.

Hear me speak cricket with a couple more fellow enthusiasts of the sport ie, Vivardhan & Girish, on account of the ongoing Cricket World Cup in India. Tune in to listen to our couch conversation touching upon the chances of Team India winning the World Cup putting all the past demons to rest, and how other formidable teams are lining up to beat the host country to it.

Hear me talk about one of my favorite & greatest novels of all time - Animal Farm by George Orwell, which has several themes throughout the novel. Some of the prominent themes include the desire for power, institutional corruption, class systems, language and propaganda, and totalitarianism.

Hear me talk about the ethnic violence that has plunged the small Indian state of Manipur into what many have dubbed a state of civil war as the two largest groups, the majority Meitei and minority Kuki, battle over land and influence. A shocking video emerged last week of an attack in May when two Kuki women were paraded naked by Meitei men shortly after their village was razed, in the latest use of terror against women in the region. Where is our country headed towards? I don't know.

Continuing from where we left off from last episode, hear myself and Indrajith, rewind and relive the not-so-good movies from the first half of the year and what's exciting in store as we step into the second half of the year. Kalakki awards for ya, peeps!

As we have just moved into the 2nd half of the year, hear myself and our first ever guest onboard, Indrajith, rewind and relive the first half of the year by means of how has Tamil Cinema lived up thus far. Presenting Kalakki Awards, y'all.

Happy 42nd birthday to the Chennaiyin Selvan! Hear me reminisce about one of the greatest cricketing mastermind's foray into the Indian cricketing scene, his eventual rise climbing all the way to become one of the greatest white ball captain in the world, and how he built a brand of man-management & captaincy on his own.

A brief trailer'esque introduction to what Kalakki is all about and what you can expect out of this podcast. Watch (hear) us out!