Author and poet Jeet Thayil’s work moves fluidly between fiction, poetry and memoir. He reflects on the Booker-prize shortlisted Narcopolis years after its release, the emotional intensity of writing it, and how his latest book The Elsewhereans marks a shift—from stories of addiction and survival to deeply personal explorations of family, memory and loss. 

 

Epigraph:

More than a decade after ‘Narcopolis’ first released, Jeet Thayil reflects on his relationship with the book today. He describes the process of writing the book as the opposite of catharsis, exploring how it made him reconcile with the city’s and his own traumatic past. 

 

Poet in Prose:

Jeet takes us into his creative process—how poetry shapes his sentences, why writing fiction demands a different discipline, and how he crafted one of literature’s most unforgettable long sentences. 

 

Elegy:
In The Elsewhereans, Jeet Thayil turns the conversation inward – writing about family, grief, and the passage of time. He opens up about the delicate balance of writing about loved ones, the responsibility that comes with it, and how the book has become a quiet memorial to his parents. 

 

Epilogue:

For Jeet, the role of the artist is simple yet profound: to connect. Whether through the troubled worlds of Narcopolis or the intimate reflections of The Elsewhereans, his work reaches readers in different ways — offering recognition, resonance, and a sense of shared humanity. 

 

Credits: 

 

Host: Mallika Kapur

 

Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

 

Reach out on Instagram and LinkedIn

 

This is a Maed In India Production

 

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Rachna Sukuru

Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Author and poet Jeet Thayil&rsquo;s work moves fluidly between fiction, poetry and memoir. He reflects on the Booker-prize shortlisted Narcopolis years after its release, the emotional intensity of writing it, and how his latest book The Elsewhereans marks a shift&mdash;from stories of addiction and survival to deeply personal explorations of family, memory and loss.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Epigraph:
More than a decade after &lsquo;Narcopolis&rsquo; first released, Jeet Thayil reflects on his relationship with the book today. He describes the process of writing the book as the opposite of catharsis, exploring how it made him reconcile with the city&rsquo;s and his own traumatic past.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Poet in Prose:
Jeet takes us into his creative process&mdash;how poetry shapes his sentences, why writing fiction demands a different discipline, and how he crafted one of literature&rsquo;s most unforgettable long sentences.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Elegy: In The Elsewhereans, Jeet Thayil turns the conversation inward &ndash; writing about family, grief, and the passage of time. He opens up about the delicate balance of writing about loved ones, the responsibility that comes with it, and how the book has become a quiet memorial to his parents.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Epilogue:
For Jeet, the role of the artist is simple yet profound: to connect. Whether through the troubled worlds of Narcopolis or the intimate reflections of The Elsewhereans, his work reaches readers in different ways &mdash; offering recognition, resonance, and a sense of shared humanity.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Host: <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>
&nbsp;
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world&rsquo;s top figures in business and culture.
&nbsp;
Reach out on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mallika.kapur/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mallika-kapur-a288b4131">LinkedIn</a>
&nbsp;
This is a <a href="http://www.maedinindia.in">Maed In India</a> Production
&nbsp;
Creative Director: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Sound Designer &amp; Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachnasukuru">Rachna Sukuru</a>
Sound Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D">Nihar Temkar</a>
Artwork: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>

Hosted by journalist Mallika Kapur, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.

We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.

The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that’s yet to be told. 

Because a story is never truly done.

Hosted by journalist <a href="https://mallikakapur.com/">Mallika Kapur</a>, The Next Edition dives headfirst into the glorious creative mess that lies behind every masterpiece.
We explore the discarded drafts, alternate endings and deleted scenes and reveal what writers, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are itching to add to the next edition of their iconic creations.
The most compelling chapter of a story might not be the one we know, but the one that&rsquo;s yet to be told.&nbsp;
Because a story is never truly done.