Award-winning journalist and author Anjan Sundaram comes out of war-torn Africa and sets his sights on India. Though born in India, Anjan has not lived there for more than 15 years. The India of his childhood has changed, there is stormy upheaval of the established order while issues like religion, caste, identity and even food have all become politicized weapons. With the backdrop of this changing tide, Anjan travels all corners of the country to unravel contentious issues like a skillful bomb disposer. Each episode of ¡®Deciphering India¡¯ is dedicated to a complex topic that Anjan navigates by entering into the world of spiritual gurus, sacred cows, patriarchy and even Indian identity. Using his scalpel sharp analysis and disabling humor, Anjan is determined to get to the bottom of the truth and decipher what the country is thinking, feeling, expressing.
Episode 1 - Deciphering India: Godmen
For thousands of years the Gurus of India have sat between men and the gods to make the divine familiar to the masses. In this episode, Anjan Sundaram explores the world of spiritual gurus in India, to see the way these men are changing the way Indians practice their faith.
Episode 2 ¨C Deciphering India: The Sacred Cow
There are one and a half billion cattle on the planet but none of them stir such passionate feelings than the Indian cow. Anjan Sundaram explores how the cow has become idolized and politicized by the country¡¯s Hindu right-wing groups, with devastating consequences to some of India¡¯s communities.
Episode 3 ¨C Deciphering India: The Great Indian Male
Shocking acts of violence have put India¡¯s gender issues in the spotlight, often demonizing Indian men. In this episode, Anjan Sundaram travels to the most patriarchal areas of the country to understand the Indian male psyche, and how it affects their relationship to women.
Episode 4 ¨C Deciphering India: Identity
The Indian republic seems to be a remote concept in some parts of the country. In this episode, Anjan travels across India to understand the concept of being Indian by meeting, erstwhile Kings, Separatists and head-hunting tribes who are redefining what it means to be Indian.
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