Float with Boatcast

About Float with Boatcast

Drift into deep conversations about culture, heritage, and the shared human experience. Guided by the philosophy that "the river doesn't take a form," our episodes are unscripted and unhurried. We invite guests to share complex narratives that celebrate diverse traditions, hidden histories, and organic community building. Here, history is continuous, culture is shared, and every perspective is a current in the collective story. Float with us.

Publisher

Zahir Mirza

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jan 2026

Latest episode

4 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Jul 2026

   The Gulf Boom, VHS Cassettes and its impact on Malayalam Cinema | Dr. Bindu Menon | Season 02 EP06

   ..

2. 

   27 Jun 2026

   How Napoleon and Colonial Rivalries Shaped South Asia | Dr. Akhila Yechury | Season 02 EP05

   Welcome back to Boatcast! As our boat drifts peacefully along the historic backwaters, we take a deep dive into a side of colonial history that is rarely talked about—the complex, fragmented, and fascinating world of French India. Recorded live at the Muziris International Spice Route Conference, our host sits down with Dr. Akhila Yechury. Dr. Yechury is a brilliant historian and Professor at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, specializing in modern South Asian history and colonial encounters. In this episode, Dr. Yechury shatters the idealized romanticism of Pondicherry to reveal a dynamic arena of imperial rivalry. We explore the fierce competitive landscape between corporate titans like Dupleix and Clive, the massive geopolitical shocks of the Napoleonic Wars that rattled Indian shores, and how French enclaves like Mahé, Karikal, Yanam, and Chandernagore became hotbeds for cross-border smuggling and legal evasion. Dr. Yechury also uncovers the secret history of Pondicherry and Chandernagore as radical safe havens for Indian revolutionaries—sheltering iconic figures like Subramanya Bharati and Sri Aurobindo, and fostering networks linked to the historic 1931 Chittagong Armoury raid. Sit back, relax with the gentle sway of the water, and uncover the forgotten frontiers of South Asian history. 📍 Brought to you by the Muziris Heritage Project. 🔔 Subscribe to our channel and hit the bell icon to join us for every voyage! Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Boatcast & The Muziris Spice Route Conference(00:42) Setting Sail: Welcoming the Flow of Stories(02:03) Introducing Guest Dr. Akhila Yechury (University of St. Andrews)(02:25) Investigating French Colonial Footprints and Lasting Legacies(03:30) Academic Motivations: From a Delhi MA Class to Global Archives(05:02) Imperial Rivalry: The 1760s Power Struggle Between Dupleix and Clive(05:52) British Domination vs. Local Autonomy: The Art of Negotiation(07:46) Power Imbalances and the Governance of Semi-Autonomous Spaces(11:05) Historiography Beyond Pondicherry: How a Global Capital Was Born(12:00) Geopolitical Shocks: The Napoleonic Wars' Repercussions in India(13:07) Legal Enclaves: Mapping out Mahé, Karikal, Yanam, and Chandernagore(14:00) The World of Borderlands: Smuggling, Pepper, and Fleeing the Law(16:00) Safe Havens for Political Exiles: Subramanya Bharati & Sri Aurobindo(16:30) Standardizing the State: Traditional Systems vs. The Metric System(19:31) Modern Traces: Colonial Boulevards, Cemeteries, and Urban Design(24:32) Colonial Schoolrooms: French Education and Tamil Realities(24:48) 1947 Boundaries: Diplomacy, Referendums, and De Facto Mergers(26:00) Radical Networks: Safe Havens and the 1931 Chittagong Armoury Raid(34:22) Historical Proximity & Closing Reflections on the Boat

3. 

   20 Jun 2026

   The Forgotten Merchant Dynasties & Lost Shipyards of India | Dr. Chhaya Goswami | Season 02 E04

   ..Welcome back to Boatcast! As our boat gently floats along the historic waters of Kochi, we dive into the incredible, seafaring world of the Western Indian Ocean. Recorded live at the Muziris International Spice Route Conference—which brought together maritime experts from 22 countries—our host sits down with Dr. Chhaya Goswami. Dr. Goswami is an acclaimed maritime historian, author, and Associate Professor at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, currently spearheading major digital archival repository projects. In this episode, Dr. Goswami shares her inspiring personal journey of breaking through traditional societal norms in Kutch to become a pioneering historian. She takes us deep into her archival discoveries in Zanzibar, mapping out the massive influence of Gujarati merchant communities, customs houses, and the Sultanate. We explore the vibrant history of Kutch’s historic ports (Mandvi, Mundra, Jakhau), the technical brilliance of traditional master shipwrights, the harsh sensory realities of early shipyards, and the fascinating world of pre-GPS celestial navigation using traditional manuals. Dr. Goswami also beautifully illuminates the fluid, syncretic cultural identities of the sailors and pirs who traversed these global routes. Sit back, listen to the gentle lap of the waves, and journey back to an era when Indian merchants shaped global commerce. 📍 Brought to you by the Muziris Heritage Project. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more stories from the sea! Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Boatcast & The Muziris Spice Route Conference(00:41) Welcome & Setting Sail on the Water(01:33) Introducing Maritime Historian Dr. Chhaya Goswami(02:16) From Kutch to Academia: Overcoming Society & Pursuing History(03:46) Exploring the Archives: Finding Kutch's Footprints in Zanzibar(04:36) Gujarati Maritime Traders, Customs Control, and the Sultan(05:56) Funny Anecdotes from the Field: Uncovering Muskets & Hidden Records(06:42) Reconstructing the Trade Triangle: Africa, Arabia, and North India(07:21) The Great Ports of Kutch: Mandvi, Mundra, Lakhpat, Jakhau, and Tuna(09:10) Fluid Beliefs & Liminal Spaces: The Syncretic Culture of Hajipir(12:00) Indo-Portuguese, Persian, and Arab Layers of Seafaring History(14:02) The Art of Shipbuilding: Master Carpenters, Planners, and Woodcarvers(15:32) The Sensory Reality of Shipyards: Hard Labor, Fish Oil, and Health Hazards(16:44) Merchant Dynasties: The Lohanas, Bhatias, and Cosmopolitan Adaptability(30:08) Navigating Before GPS: Traditional Manuals and Sailing by Stars(37:00) Preserving Maritime Heritage & Closing Thoughts

4. 

   13 Jun 2026

   The Hidden Politics of Math & Science in South India with Dr. Senthil Babu | Season 02 EP 03

   (00:00) Introduction to Boatcast & The Muziris Spice Route Conference (00:41) Welcome & Setting Sail on the Water (01:33) Introducing Maritime Historian Dr. Chhaya Goswami (02:16) From Kutch to Academia: Overcoming Society & Pursuing History (03:46) Exploring the Archives: Finding Kutch's Footprints in Zanzibar (04:36) Gujarati Maritime Traders, Customs Control, and the Sultan (05:56) Funny Anecdotes from the Field: Uncovering Muskets & Hidden Records (06:42) Reconstructing the Trade Triangle: Africa, Arabia, and North India (07:21) The Great Ports of Kutch: Mandvi, Mundra, Lakhpat, Jakhau, and Tuna (09:10) Fluid Beliefs & Liminal Spaces: The Syncretic Culture of Hajipir (12:00) Indo-Portuguese, Persian, and Arab Layers of Seafaring History (14:02) The Art of Shipbuilding: Master Carpenters, Planners, and Woodcarvers (15:32) The Sensory Reality of Shipyards: Hard Labor, Fish Oil, and Health Hazards (16:44) Merchant Dynasties: The Lohanas, Bhatias, and Cosmopolitan Adaptability (30:08) Navigating Before GPS: Traditional Manuals and Sailing by Stars (37:00) Preserving Maritime Heritage & Closing Thoughts

5. 

   7 Jun 2026

   Colonial Footprints & Creole Languages in South Asia with Dr. Hugo Cardoso | Season 02 EP 02

   Welcome back to Boatcast! As the waters sway and the waves keep coming, we step into a fascinating conversation about linguistics, hidden colonial trajectories, and how history morphs the languages we speak today. Recorded live from Kochi at the Muziris International Spice Route Conference—which brought together maritime experts and scholars from 22 countries—our host is joined by Dr. Hugo Cardoso. Dr. Cardoso is a renowned Portuguese citizen and linguistics professor who completed his PhD in Amsterdam and has taught across major Asian academic hubs, including Hong Kong and Macau.In this episode, Dr. Cardoso explains the intricate differences between pidgins and creoles, diving deep into the indentured labor systems, slavery, and multi-cultural realities that birthed entire language groups across the Atlantic, Pacific, and South Asian coastlines (with a special focus on Cochin). He challenges standard euro-centric histories, explaining why treating 1498 as a simple story of military "conquest" is flawed, and highlights the massive linguistic exchange of items like cashew, pineapple, and cabbage (kobi) that traveled via early global sea routes. We also explore the complex balance of power, historical memory, and the modern akademics of Dravidian vs. Tamil linguistics.Relax, enjoy the steady movement of the boat, and discover how global trade permanently rewrote human vocabulary.📍 Brought to you by the Muziris Heritage Project. This Podcast is a part of Aazhi Archives.🔔 Subscribe to the channel to catch every episode of the journey!Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome Back to Boatcast: The Gentle Rhythm of the Water (00:58) The Muziris International Spice Route Conference Explained (01:47) Introducing Dr. Hugo Cardoso (Creole Expert, PhD Amsterdam) (02:54) Dr. Cardoso’s Journey Through Lisbon, Hong Kong, & Macau (03:46) From Childhood Curiosity to Focus on Asian History (04:27) Getting into Linguistics & Tracing Creoles Across South America (05:32) The Dark Roots of Creoles: Slavery, Indentured Labor, and Island Isolation (06:02) Moving to the Pacific & The Multi-Cultural Origins of Cochin Creole (07:23) Defining Terms: The Critical Difference Between Pidgins and Mixed Languages (08:32) Debunking 1498: Why Calling the Portuguese Era a "Conquest" is Wrong (09:36) Global Sea Routes: How Gujarati, Sri Lankan, and Local Traders Shook the World (20:00) Cultural Exchange: How Global Trades Changed Words (Cashew, Pineapple, Cabbage) (21:05) The Power Dynamics of Colonial Grammars & Religious Liturgy (29:06) Modern Linguistic Debates: Dravidian Roots, Tamil Vocabulary & Academic Humour (35:20) Outro: The Stories Behind Capital and What's Coming Next on Boatcast

6. 

   7 Jun 2026

   Forgotten Maritime History Between India and the Gulf with Dr. James Onley | Season 02 EP 01

   Welcome to the maiden voyage of Boatcast — a podcast on a boat where we gently float through history, culture, and untold stories! ⛵🌏In this special premier episode, recorded live from the waters of Kochi during the Muziris International Spice Route Conference, we sit down with renowned historian and author, Dr. James Onley (Chair in Gulf and Middle Eastern Studies at the American University of Sharjah). Did you know that the iconic Arab Dhows were actually built right on the Malabar Coast using Kerala's finest teak wood? Or that until 1947, the Gulf states used the Indian Rupee and fell under the Bombay postal circle?Dr. Onley takes us on a fascinating dive into his personal journey—from serving as a Canadian army peacekeeper under Saddam Hussein's Iraq to decoding the deep, 2,000-year-old maritime relationship between India and the Arabian Peninsula. We discuss:* The surprising military traditions shared between Canada, India, and Iraq.* How the spice routes brought Islam to Kerala during the lifetime of the Prophet.* The unique architecture of Kerala's mosques and its historical roots.* The truth behind "piracy" in the Gulf and how the British-Indian Empire redrew the region's political maps.Grab a seat on deck and let your curiosity run wild with this conversational, eye-opening look at the globalized ancient world.(00:00) Introduction to Bocast & Dr. James Onley (03:15) From the Canadian Army to Peacekeeping in Iraq (06:00) How a High School Field Trip Sparked a History Obsession (08:06) The Indian Ocean: Connecting Peoples, Not Separating Them (09:31) The Secret Indian Origins of the Arab Dhow (12:12) Why the Concept of "India" was Defined by the Gulf (13:30) How the Gulf was Constitutionally a Part of India Until 1947 (19:30) The Fascinating History of Mosque Architecture in Kerala (22:05) Piracy, Toll Evasion, and the British-Indian Navy (28:00) The Indian Merchants Who Negotiated British-Arab Treaties (31:00) Imperialism as a Spectrum: Cooperation, Acquiescence, and Gandhi (32:50) The Indian Roots of Indirect Rule and the "Light Footprint" in the Gulf (36:00) Post-1947: The British Exit and the Shift Towards American Protection (39:01) The Rise of Arab Nationalism and Aviation Reorienting the Region (39:49) The Pivot Back to Asia: Modi's "Link West" Policy (40:34) The Magnet of Petrodollars and Sovereign Wealth Investment (42:02) Peak Oil, Golden Visas, and the Future of Gulf-India Diversification (44:50) Outro: Planning the Next Boatcast on a Dhow in DubaiIf you enjoyed floating through history with us, make sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more deep-dives into the stories that connect our world!📍 Brought to you by the Muziris Heritage Project. This Podcast is a part of Aazhi Archives.#Bocast #IndianHistory #GulfHistory #SpiceRoute #Muziris #Kochi #MaritimeTrade #DrJamesOnley #PodcastOnABoat

7. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Kerala's Early Development: A Historian's View by Prof. Dr. Micheal Tharakan | Boatcast

   Prof. Dr. Micheal TharakanHistorian and scholar of Development Studies.Former Chairman of the Kerala Council of Historical Research (KCHR).Held the Ramakrishna Hegde Chair at the Institute of Social and Economic Change (Bangalore).Was a professor at the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in Trivandrum.Served as Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University and briefly of Calicut University.Switched from studying History (BA and MA from Union Christian College, Aluva) to Development Studies (M.Phil. and Ph.D. under K.N. Raj at CDS).sailing from Kochi toward the old Muziris port (Kottapuram).

8. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Heritage, Tourism and Histories - the Muziris’s story with Mr Sharon Veettil | Boatcast

   Sharon Veettil, Managing Director of The Muziris Project

9. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Ancient Jewish Traditions of Kerala | Sreekala Sivasankaran | Boatcast with Zahir Mirza

   Sreekala SivasankaranFormer Associate Professor, Janapada Sampada Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi.PhD in West Asian Studies from School of International studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.Academic, poet and theatre activistSpecialized in the history of Jewish community in Kerala.

10. 

    29 Jan 2026

    Kerala, a Palimpsest | flowing with Prof. M V Narayanan | Boatcast with Zahir Mirza

    Prof. M. V. NarayananFormer Vice Chancellor, Sree sankara University of sanskrit, kalady.Areas of his research include: Cultural studies, popular culture, theatre and performance studies and traditional Indian theatre.Prof. Narayanan obtained doctoral degree from the university of Exeter, UK.He was a Fellow at Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

11. 

    29 Jan 2026

    Kerala's Hidden History: Slavery on the Spice Route | Prof. Sanal Mohan | Boatcast

    Prof. P. Sanal Mohan, Former Professor of history at Mahatma Gandhi university.His areas of specialization include: colonial modernity, social movements and questions of identity dalit movements and Christianity in India. He combines history and ethnography in his research.He is the author of "Modernity of Slavery: Struggles Against Caste Inequality in Colonial Kerala", a work that garnered international crotical acclaim.As a researcher and teacher Sanal Mohan has an illustrious international exposure.

12. 

    29 Jan 2026

    Hidden History of Kerala's Music: Jewish, Portuguese, and Boat Songs with Reshmi Sateesh | Float with Boatcast

    Reshmi Sateesh is a multi-dimensional artist known for her melodious singing and work across film and music.- She is a trained Carnatic musician from a young age.- She studied film at the Satyajit Ray Film Institute and has worked as an audiographer, playback singer, associate director, and actress (including a "female dominant role" in the film 22 Female Kottayam).- While studying social work in the tribal area of Wayanad, she began collecting and performing various folk songs.- She founded her band, ReSa, to express her musical identity, focusing on folk and traditional music, including forms like Theyyam.This episode of "Boatcast" is an exploration of the multicultural history and music of Kochi- Focus: The episode highlights the musical exchange that occurred through ancient trade routes to Muziris, including the lasting influence of Portuguese music and Jewish songs.Featured Performances: Reshmi performs and discusses:- Ancient Jewish Malayalam Songs: These are songs originally translated from Hebrew to Malayalam and focus on personal, divine, and historical themes.Kappa Patt (Boat Songs): An ancient form of Mapila song from coastal areas. These songs typically compare the emotions and journey of human life to that of a boat, and are performed by the men who work on the water.- Portuguese Music: She performs a segment of "Jingly None," a celebratory, carnival-like song whose tune is widely used in Kerala and Sri Lanka, and notes the introduction of instruments like the violin and guitar through Portuguese influence.

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