Description
Jerry Pinto is an award-winning Indian author, poet, translator, editor and journalist whose work has profoundly shaped contemporary Indian literature. Best known for his acclaimed novel Em and the Big Hoom, as well as his translations and non-fiction, Pinto has spent decades championing literature across languages and exploring themes of family, mental health, identity, memory and the cultural life of Mumbai. Widely respected for his curiosity, wit and generosity as a reader and writer, he is also one of India's strongest advocates for translation as a bridge between communities and cultures.
This conversation explores the lifelong value of reading, writing and translation, and why literature remains essential in an increasingly digital world. Jerry Pinto reflects on growing up in Bombay, discovering books, the changing identity of cities, and the role language plays in shaping both personal and national identity. The discussion also touches on AI and creativity, publishing and bookstores, nationalism, empathy, religion, education, multilingualism, and how literature helps people understand lives beyond their own. Throughout the episode, Pinto argues that meaningful reading requires effort, curiosity and openness, making a case for literature as one of the most powerful tools for building imagination, compassion and a more connected society.
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction & Why Reading Is a Privilege
00:05:55 Growing Up, Books & Becoming a Reader
00:13:05 Writing, Curiosity & Finding Your Voice
00:21:05 Bombay Then and Now: Memory, Cities & Change
00:29:20 Translation, Language & India's Diversity
00:38:15 Society, Identity & Human Behaviour
00:46:45 AI, Reading Habits & Why Humans Must Do the Work
00:53:20 Publishing, Bookstores & The Future of Books
00:59:15 Literature, Nationalism & Difficult Conversations
01:06:45 Hope, Empathy & Closing Thoughts
Credits:
• Research Head — Anirban Bhattacharya: https://www.instagram.com/banhere2.0
• Producer — Nidhi Shetty: https://www.instagram.com/nidhiwho
• Camera Operator — Ashwin Pakhrot
• Video Editor — @RevantTalekar: https://www.instagram.com/revanttalekar