Podcast · Arts & Books

The Desi Detective Show

by Suparna Chatterjee · English · Arts & Books

Exploring the history and the mystery behind the best detective stories from India

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 31 min
Latest: 28 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

28 Sep 2026 · 18 min

Ep 28: The Bawla Murder of 1925 - Part 2

This is the final episode on the Bawla murder case of 1925, a brazen attack on Malabar Hill that shook British India. The case was raised in the House of Commons, and it ended with a Maharaja having to abdicate his throne. References: The Bawla Murder Case by Dhaval Kulkarni Article in BBC : ⁠A Murder that shook British India...⁠ ⁠Bawla Murder Case: A 1925 Trial analysis⁠ Podcast Theme Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Haradhoner Doshti Chhele: https://youtu.be/z4S3fVtyCFc?si=XsuWsCUmXZ-GbrFr

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Earlier episodes 28 most recent

17 Sep 2026 · 20 min

Ep 27: The Bawla Murder of 1925 - Part 1

On the 12th of January, 1925, when four men of the British Army - Lt. Saegert, Col. Vickery and lts Batley and Stephen- set out for the Taj Mahal Hotel, after having enjoyed a game of golf at the Willingdon Sports Club, little did they know, they were about to change history. In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee talks about the daring murder of Abdul Kader Bawla, which ended with a king being toppled from his throne. References: The Bawla Murder Case by Dhaval Kulkarni Article in BBC : A Murder that shook British India... Bawla Murder Case: A 1925 Trial analysis Podcast Theme Music by B.…
26 Jul 2026 · 32 min

Ep 26: Death Comes to Matheran with Shabnam Minwalla

Thirteen friends and 1 unsolved murder. During a weekend trip to Matheran, Rakesh Jhaveri and his driver are found dead on a rainy night. The cops dismiss it as an unfortunate accident. Eleven years later, Rakesh's daughter Tara, now 17, has decided she wants answers. She's not the only one, though. A nameless, faceless friend has been patiently documenting evidence. And Tara's mother, Pramila, getting her memory back might just be the final clue they need to solve the case. In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee chats with journalist-turned-author Shabnam Minwalla about Death Comes to…
21 Jun 2026 · 31 min

Ep 25: The M4 Mysteries with Mallika Ravikumar

In this episode, Suparna Chatterjee speaks to lawyer-turned-author Mallika Ravikumar about her legal mysteries for children, the M4 Mystery series. Mallika tells us about her move from the courtroom to the writing desk, her legal experiences that led her to write this series, her writing style, her upcoming projects, and of course, her favourite desi detectives. Host: ⁠Suparna Chatterjee⁠ Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshow Guest: ⁠Mallika Ravikumar Books by Mallika Ravikumar The Case of the Vanishing Gods The Case of the Missing Turtles The Case of the Mysterious Witches The…
31 May 2026 · 29 min

Ep 24: The White Lotus with Aditi Krishnakumar

In a small town in the south of India, jewels of the temple goddess go missing. The accountant is found dead on the temple steps. An unfortunate accident, they all say, what with the rains the previous night. All, except young Arali, who cannot rest until she finds answers. But this is 1901. Arali is only 14. And, the aforementioned accountant's death has made her a widow. In this episode, Suparna Chatterjee talks to author Aditi Krishnakumar about her Young Adult historical murder mystery, The White Lotus. We learn about Aditi's interesting background in mathematics, literature, management…
16 Apr 2026 · 25 min

Ep 23: The Fingerprint

In 1896, criminal investigation was revolutionised by a system developed by two real-life desi detectives, Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose. In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee traces the origins of the study of fingerprints, explains why a fingerprint at the crime scene is such an integral part of criminal investigations, and highlights the contributions of sub-inspectors Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose, who sadly did not receive their due under a colonial government. Podcast Theme Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Haradhoner Doshti Chhele:…
15 Mar 2026 · 27 min

Ep 22: The Chowpatty Cooking Club with Lubaina Bandukwala

In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee speaks to kidlit author Lubaina Bandukwala about her historical mystery book, set in 1942, during the Quit India movement. Lubaina talks about the incredible first-hand research that went into writing this book, about the Peek-A- Book literature festival she helps organise, and her fun hobby - collecting inspectors from around the world. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Lubaina Bandukwala Instagram: ⁠lubaina.bandukwala Books and references: The Chowpatty Cooking…
14 Feb 2026 · 31 min

Ep 21: A Demon in Dandi with Lavanya Karthik

In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee speaks to kid-lit author and illustrator, Lavanya Karthik, about her book, A Demon in Dandi. The year is 1930. All the world's eyes are on this tiny village by the Arabian Sea, where Mahatma Gandhi will arrive soon to break the salt law. But there is a demon roaming the village, claiming victims. Can the young Dinu solve the mystery before Bapu arrives? Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: ⁠⁠ thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠⁠ Guest: Lavanya Karthik Instagram: @ _lavanyakarthik_ Books and references: A Demon in…
21 Dec 2025 · 38 min

Ep 20: Gajanan Godbole with Salil Desai

In this episode, author Salil Desai talks about his journey into novel writing, the influences and inspirations that have shaped his storytelling - from Hitchcock and Colin Dexter to Hakan Nesser and P.L.Deshpande, his beloved fictional character Inspector Saralkar who has been with him for 6 books already, the art and craft of coming up with a suitable title, and of course, his book with the unlikely murderer, The Grudges of Gajanan Godbole. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: ⁠ thedesidetectiveshow⁠ and ⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Guest: Salil Desai Instagram:…
23 Nov 2025 · 58 min

Ep 19: Wildlife in Detective Fiction with Shoumo Bhattacharya

Writers have consistently found ways to incorporate wildlife into interesting whodunit plots. In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee delves into some prominent detective stories from India featuring wildlife in a significant manner. She is joined by wildlife photographer (and avid detective fiction fan) Shoumo Bhattacharya, who talks about his favourite detective stories featuring animals, and about his detecting experiences in the jungle. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Guest: Shoumo Bhattacharya Instagram: @shoumo29…
21 Oct 2025 · 31 min

Ep 18: Nobody's Child with Kanchana Banerjee

In this episode, host Suparna Chatterjee talks to author Kanchana Banerjee about her book, Nobody's Child, published by @harpercollinsin, where a TV celebrity is presumed dead, only to resurrect two years later, throwing the nation into a frenzy. We also talk about the writing process, the joys and the frustrations of being a writer, navigating psychologically disturbing passages and the difficulty of coming up with a suitable book title. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: ⁠ thedesidetectiveshow⁠ and ⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Guest: Kanchana Banerjee…
6 Sep 2025 · 57 min

Ep 17: The Mahabharata Murders with Arnab Ray

In this stimulating conversation, drawing from his vast knowledge of Hindi movies and popular culture, author Arnab Ray discusses what he thinks makes a good detective novel. We talk about the male gaze in crime novels, 'And Then There Were None' and other things Christie, post-war detective novels from Japan, his favourite desi detective, Byomkesh Bakshi, and of course about 'The Mahabharata Murders' and his upcoming book, 'The Bucket'. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Guest: Arnab Ray Instagram: @greatbong…
11 Aug 2025 · 32 min

Ep 16: Tagore's Detective

The name Rabindranath Tagore needs no introduction. In this episode, Suparna takes a look at his run-ins with the detective department of the Calcutta police in real life, and the short story he penned titled The Detective published in 1898. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshow Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Books and references: Wikipedia The Detective When Tagore lost his pen When Tagore was named a Conspirator Podcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna
3 Jul 2025 · 48 min

Ep 15: The Sensational 'Germ Murder' of 1933 - Concluding part

This is the concluding part of the sensational germ murder case of colonial India. A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur. The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York. This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933.…
4 Jun 2025 · 34 min

Ep 14: The Sensational 'Germ Murder' of 1933 - Part 2

This is Part 2 of the sensational 'Germ Murder' of 1933. A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur. The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York. This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933. Host: Suparna Chatterjee…
19 May 2025 · 24 min

Ep 13: The Sensational 'Germ Murder' of 1933 - Part 1

A sizeable inheritance, a disgruntled half-brother, a killer bacteria and the plot of a Sherlock Holmes novel come together in the sensational royal murder involving the scion of a zamindari estate called Pakur. The planning was so meticulous and the execution so clinical, that it made headlines around the globe, from London to Sydney to New York. This case was unlike anything the world had seen outside the works of detective fiction. In this episode, I take a look at the sensational 'germ murder' of 1933. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: soup_and_chat and…
5 Apr 2025 · 40 min

Ep 12: The Temple Hill mysteries with Meeti Shroff-Shah

In this episode of The Desi Detective Show, author Meeti Shroff-Shah talks to host Suparna Chatterjee about the world of Temple Hill, that posh area in south Mumbai home to Gujarati Jains, for whom Ahimsa or non-violence is a fundamental tenet of life. A murder in such a neighbourhood, where all life is considered sacred, is unthinkable. Yet, that is what the residents of Temple Hill find themselves grappling with in this fun series crackling with wit, sizzling with tension and sprinkled with a dash of romance - and we are not even referring to the sumptuous buffet spreads here. Instagram:…
14 Mar 2025 · 30 min

Ep 11: Byomkesh Bakshi

In this episode, I take a look at Saradindu Bandopadhyay's iconic creation, Byomkesh Bakshi. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: soup_and_chat and thedesidetectiveshow Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Books and references: Byomkesh Somogro by Saradindu Bandopadhyay Inside messbaris Academic articles by Sunit Barui and Abeer Kapur Podcast theme music by Khurshed Batliwala and B. Prasanna
12 Feb 2025 · 12 min

Bonus Ep: Shout Out to the Listeners

We are 10 episodes down, and I think this is a great time to thank all the listeners who have been very generous with their support, by sending feedback and comments on the episodes, and by supporting the podcast by sharing it on social media. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: soup_and_chat thedesidetectiveshow Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Theme music by B. Prasanna Instagram: b_prasanna Website: bprasannamusic.com and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: khurshedbatliwala Website: Bawa and Dinesh
18 Jan 2025 · 56 min

Ep 10: Murder in Old Bombay with Nev March

In this episode, award-winning author Nev March talks about her book, Murder in Old Bombay, which draws inspiration from the unsolved 1890s mystery that resulted in the death of two young, well-to-do Parsi ladies. In this candid chat, Nev draws parallels with what is happening around the world today, and we get a glimpse of 19th-century India through the eyes of the Parsi community. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠⁠ Guest: Nev March Instagram: nevmarch https://nevmarch.com Theme music by B. Prasanna and…
26 Dec 2024 · 16 min

Ep 9: Kuntalin

What does a hair oil brand have to do with detective fiction in India? And what was the scientific mystery story written by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose? Find out in this episode of the Desi Detective Show. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala References: Article in The Better India The Rays before Satyajit by Chandak Sengupta Article in Telegraph India The Runaway Cyclone with an English…
3 Dec 2024 · 42 min

Ep 8: The Bangalore Detectives Club with Harini Nagendra

In this episode, author Harini Nagendra talks about how she brings history, ecology and her love for cosy murder mysteries together to recreate the life and times of early 20th Century Bangalore. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠ soup_and_chat⁠ Guest: Harini Nagendra Instagram: harini.nagendra www. harininagendra.com X: @HariniNagendra Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books by Harini Nagendra: The Bangalore Detectives Club Murder Under the Red Moon A Nest of Vipers…
15 Nov 2024 · 46 min

Ep 7: Detective Mirza Ghalib with Raza Mir

We all know Mirza Ghalib as the greatest writer of Urdu poetry. But Mirza Ghalib as a detective? Now, that's an interesting idea. In this stimulating conversation, author Raza Mir discusses his book Murder at the Mushaira, a murder mystery set in Delhi in 1857. He talks about the many interesting and lesser-known facets of Mirza Ghalib's life, nuances of ghazal poetry, and provides the listeners with an insight into the cultural, social and religious life of the time. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow ⁠⁠⁠ and soup_and_chat Guest: Raza…
2 Nov 2024 · 40 min

Ep 6: The Curious Case of the Bhawal Sanyasi - Concluding part

In this concluding part, I discuss the witness testimonies and the evidence presented in court, which established once and for all, whether this man claiming to be the second prince of Bhawal, is in fact genuine or a charlatan. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠⁠ and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Guest: Dr Somnath Chatterji Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Wikipedia https://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7277.pdf Articles in The Dhaka…
14 Oct 2024 · 27 min

Ep 5: The Curious Case of the Bhawal Sanyasi - Part 2

The Curious Case of the Bhawal Sanyasi continues in this episode. Please do listen to Part 1 of the story, before listening to this episode. Host: Suparna Chatterjee (www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram : ⁠thedesidetectiveshow⁠ and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and References: Wikipedia https://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7277.pdf Articles in The Dhaka Tribune The Mendicant Prince by Aruna Chakravarti A Princely Imposter? by Partha Chatterjee
7 Oct 2024 · 31 min

Ep 4: The Curious Case of the Bhawal Sanyasi - Part 1

In this episode (and the next 2), I talk about the case that resulted in one of the longest legal battles in colonial India - a case so absurd, so improbable and so intriguing with its many twists and turns, that it lingers on the public imagination to this day. This was a story where the truth was certainly stranger than fiction! It's the curious case of the Bhawal Sanyasi. *** Spoiler Warning! There is a novelised version of the events in a book titled 'The Mendicant Prince' by Aruna Chakravarti. If you wish to read that book, then please do so, before you listen to these 3 episodes. Host:…
E3 · 27 Sep 2024 · 26 min

Ep 3: Origins

Just how old is the oldest whodunnit from India? Who were the first writers of detective fiction in this country? And who were their inspirations? How did India get her first detective department? Find out in this episode of the desi detective show. Host: Suparna Chatterjee ( www.suparnachatterjee.com ) Instagram : thedesidetectiveshow and soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Music by B. Prasanna and Khurshed Batliwala Instagram: b_prasanna and khurshedbatliwala Books and references: Wikipedia Every Man his own Detective - Richard Reid Memoirs of Vidocq - Eugene Francois…
E2 · 21 Sep 2024 · 41 min

Ep 2: Decoding Feluda with Mir

Numerous fictional detectives have been born in India. But in fame and popularity, none come close to Satyajit Ray’s Feluda. Today I take a look at Feluda stories with a new gaze, not as a young child reading them for the first time, but as an adult who has had the benefit of having read many many detective novels since, to try and understand why Feluda stories enjoy the kind of popularity that they do, decades after they were first created. Host: Suparna Chatterjee ( www.suparnachatterjee.com) Instagram: thedesidetectiveshow soup_and_chat Email: thedesidetectiveshow@gmail.com Guest: Mir…
E1 · 20 Sep 2024 · 9 min

Ep 1: Meet the Desi Detectives

They have been sleuthing for more than a 100 years - in Mughal courts and in Rajput palaces, in the crooked by lanes of Benaras and the bustling cities of Calcutta and Bombay, in the tea gardens of Darjeeling, in the deserts of Rajasthan. Sometimes dressed in dhotis and sherwanis, and sometimes in salwar kurtas and nine-yard sarees. These are the desi detectives. After all, who says a deerstalker is a must for solving crime? A turban would do just as well. Welcome to the desi detective show - the podcast that explores the history and the mystery behind the best detective stories from the…

About The Desi Detective Show

Exploring the history and the mystery behind the best detective stories from India

The Desi Detective Show is a English arts & books podcast from Suparna Chatterjee. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Suparna Chatterjee
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 31 min
Latest episode: 28 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1769923035
Website: suparnachatterjee.com
Rights: Suparna Chatterjee

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