Sakshi Jain
If you haven’t yet discussed a podcast with your friends or colleagues and not boasted about the ones you love, this read is a must. Usually, some people prefer listening, and this helps them with multitasking while travelling, walking, commuting etc. Again the activity and listening choice differs with various categories of consumers. It doesn’t make sense for you listen to an informative documentary while jogging because you can’t concentrate on the details. But imagine a time, after all your work, when you are at your own comfortable pace, lying on a bed with eyes closed, and you prefer to listen to something soothing or informative. This is the time when podcasts come into the picture, and you may simply love them for the purpose they serve.
What Is an Audio Podcast?
A podcast is an audio file that usually combines a series of episodes and programmes that can be downloaded and listened. It is like the radio you never heard, but is more compelling and is an on-demand internet-based media streaming service. Simply put podcasts are like talks shows, audio content which you can listen to on your smartphones, computers with an internet connection. One can also download these podcasts for offline listening so that you don’t need an active internet connection while listening.
Where Did It Originate?
Like every other new thing that came from the U.S., podcasts too are no exception. These have been a prominent medium for content consumption is the U.S. and U.K. for the past two decades. India is said to be the second country for highest content consumption in the world. In recent years, the demands for passive content has facilitated podcast to be the audience’s go-to option in India.
What Are Podcasts About?
Podcasts are diverse; they can range from mythological series to high-end fashion, from sports to spiritual insights, from millennial trends to politics. English was the most common podcast medium, but in India with the regional diversity, podcasts are now streamed in various languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Punjabi and Bengali.
What Makes Them So Popular?
Podcasts like said earlier is a new generation radio but are limitless and more effective. Radios lost their significance with the number of advertisements they broadcasted which compelled the audience to switch to another channel. Also, the dependency on Bollywood for most of its content made it rather mundane and dull. Podcasts are like a splash of colours having so many topics, episodes on various genres. Talk shows have been a radio thing, but for podcasts, talk shows are quite appealing.
These are famous mostly because they fit into our active lifestyle where you multitask. Having just an audio playing around in the background, you can still do a lot of activities. Like for example, you are jogging or cooking or doing laundry you can plugin and get engaged in an enjoyable experience. Makes your day productive if you are busy as a beaver and are not able to take out time for yourself.
What Are India Best Podcasts?
India is still at an emerging stage in view of podcast production. The kind of genres and stories we have now have room to be enhanced. Also, we have observed podcast traction in the segment of peace-loving people as they rejoice composure after a hectic day.
Nevertheless, we have a few suggestions for you:
The Intersection
Every fortnight, Padmaparna Ghosh and Samanth Subramanian in the intersection series feature a twisting tale on the culture, science and history in India.
Watcha
If you need a heads up to all latest web series, YouTube videos, TV shows and movie reviews, you will get it all here. Aniruddha Guha’s podcasts are a weekly roundup of latest releases engaging you to a medium that is accessible and quick.
Maed in India
This podcast is majorly dedicated to promoting indie music culture. The host Mae Thomas covers the latest tunes and also interviews with music artists.
Cyrus Broacha
Cyrus is the master of all with his ability to lure the audience with his puns and comic timings. This podcast broadcasted on every Tuesday features various personalities on the talk show. If you are looking for no sense comedy and a treat to your mind this podcast is just made for you.
Culture Chaos: Stories of Indian Abroad
This podcast is from a non-resident Indian woman abroad, and her take on different cultural norms and living different lifestyles.
The Musafir stories
India is rich in culture and heritage, and if you love travelling and travel stories, this podcast is for you. A takeaway of India’s best travel locations, cuisines and people, this is everything.
Best International Podcasts
International Podcasts always have better content and stories. So if you are the one who would love to hear these you can start with:
Everything is alive
Genre –Society and culture
Everything is Alive is an unscripted interview show in which all the subjects are inanimate objects. In each episode, a different thing tells us its life story-and everything it says is true.
Forever 35
Genre -Fashion, Health and wellness
For the ladies, this is ultimate! With our forever problems of serums and beauty products, this podcast lights on various ways to use products and narratives from other experts on this.
The Birth Hour
Genre- Parenting
If you are a first-time mom or a veteran of many children, this podcast is just surreal. It will make you cry laugh, feel overwhelmed and everything emotional with the intimate and personal stories of birth.
Where Can You Listen?
Podcasts primarily were an Apple thing. ‘Podcast’ is a portmanteau word, i.e. from iPod and Broadcast. Although it was exclusive to apple initially, now they are other platforms too which are best for podcasts. Usually, the subscription is free, but for some apps, they can charge a premium fee. Few Apps where can access podcasts are:
- Apple- free
- Google Play Music -free
- Spotify- free
- Overcast – free/premium at around Rs 700
- Pocket Cast – at around Rs 300
- Podcast app- free
- Stitcher-free
- Saavn-free
Now, Grab a headphone and choose one podcast, this is your journey to loads of entertainment, growth and insightful stories. Have an exciting podcast suggestion? Do share via comments.
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