That’s The Thing

About That’s The Thing

That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas — from the auto rickshaw to snakes and ladders. Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a bi-weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious. Whether you’re a trivia geek or just nosy about your kitchen shelf, That’s The Thing will make you rethink what you thought was truly Indian.

Publisher

Radio Azim Premji University

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Apr 2025

Latest episode

11 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Jul 2025

   Ambassador : King of the Road, Ghost of the State

   Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya, and Atharva explore the cultural and historical significance of the Ambassador car in India, discussing its rise as a symbol of power and its eventual decline due to liberalization.

2. 

   27 Jun 2025

   The Flip Flopped Story of Hawai Chappal

   Hosts explore the 15,000-year history of slippers, tracing their origins from ancient civilizations to the modern Hawai chappal and revealing the surprising global journey of everyday footwear.

3. 

   27 Jun 2025

   Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)

   Jimmy Xavier, Kavya, and Atharva explore the history of Rooh Afza, a Unani medicine and sweet drink, tracing its origins from 1906 Delhi to its cultural significance across South Asia.

4. 

   20 Jun 2025

   India’s Fans – From Punkha to Ceiling

   Jimmy Xavier, Kavya, and Atharva explore the evolution of the Indian fan, from its historical roots with punkhawalas to its modern presence in movie mania, revealing its cultural significance in India; this is not an interview.

5. 

   13 Jun 2025

   Gold

   Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva investigate gold's profound cultural and economic significance in India, examining its historical journey through mythology, pop culture, and daily life in this episode.

6. 

   6 Jun 2025

   Train

   Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya, and Atharva explore how trains became India’s lifeline, cultural icon, and cinematic backdrop, highlighting their role in memories, romance, and Bollywood.

7. 

   30 May 2025

   Hawai Chappal

   The hosts of "That's The Thing" explore the 15,000-year global history of slippers, tracing their origins from ancient civilizations to modern-day use and revealing surprising cultural connections.

8. 

   23 May 2025

   Ghazal

   The hosts explore the evolution of ghazals, centuries-old poetic forms with Arabic and Persian roots, and break down their anatomy, from opening couplet to pen name, revealing their lyrical rhythm.

9. 

   16 May 2025

   Snakes And Ladders

   You’ve rolled the dice, dodged snakes, and climbed ladders — but did you know Snakes and Ladders began as a lesson in morality? This episode traces the game’s roots to 13th-century Maharashtra, where Sant Dhyaneshwar designed Moksha Patam to teach virtues and warn against vices. Each square held a symbolic meaning — generosity, faith, and humility led you upward, while pride and drunkenness pulled you down. The ultimate goal? Reaching Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. The hosts dive into family memories, Ekadashi traditions, and the cultural evolution of the game — from Jnaneshwar’s Hindu board with 72 squares to Jain versions with 84. Special guest, Chandrakant from Jejuri, offers deep insight into the Varkari tradition, Dhyaneshwar’s poetic genius, and his radical efforts to democratise spiritual knowledge by translating the Gita into Marathi. With laughter, song, and sharp reflections, the episode transforms a humble board game into a powerful metaphor for life’s journey — where even one misstep near the end (like the snake of pride at square 95) can send you tumbling. Thoughtful and funny, this episode is a reminder that even childhood games can hold timeless wisdom. CREDITS: Produced by Jimmy Xavier Radio Azim Premji University: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

10. 

    9 May 2025

    Chai

    It’s scalding hot, sweet, kadak — and proudly Indian. But can India really lay claim to chai? Hosts Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the journey of tea from the jungles near the Indo-China border to the boiling kettles of Indian railway stations. From its ancient medicinal uses in China to the British ‘discovery’ of wild tea bushes in Assam, this episode brews up a storm of fun facts, folk songs, and forgotten histories. We learn about Camellia sinensis, the dark legacy of British tea plantations and indentured labour, and the surprising role of Buddhist monks and Taoist philosophers in tea’s rise. The hosts also spill juicy trivia: why all teas come from the same plant, how iced tea rose to fame during Prohibition, and what Cha Bagan Time actually is. From masala chai to teefee and suleimani, this episode celebrates India’s deep love for chai while reminding us of its complex and global roots. Sip, listen, reflect.

11. 

    2 May 2025

    Auto Rickshaw

    Is the auto rickshaw really Indian? Or did it tuk-tuk its way into our hearts from faraway lands? In the debut episode of That’s The Thing, hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar go on a rollicking ride through the action-packed history of India’s most iconic three-wheeler. From 19th-century Japan’s human-pulled jinrikshas, to Italy’s buzzing Piaggio Ape, to Bajaj Auto’s desi makeover, they unearth the quirky global roots of the autorickshaw. Discover how freedom fighters introduced the auto to India post-Independence, how e-rickshaws are reshaping public transport, and why we might finally have the ride-hailing revolution we need. Along the way, there’s trivia, movie shout-outs (hello Octopussy and Autoraja), and a peek at how autos are doubling up as mobile homes and healthcare vans. Fast, funny, and packed with trivia, this is a history/culture lesson you’ll want to be stuck in traffic for. Hold tight—this ride has no seat belts! CREDITS Produced by Jimmy Xavier for Radio Azim Premji University

12. 

    18 Apr 2025

    That’s The Thing - Trailer

    That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas. Follow and share to be first to listen!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

7,728,295

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

32