March Reflections: On AI, Ancient Wisdom and the Power of Storytelling

March Reflections: On AI, Ancient Wisdom and the Power of Storytelling

March has been a month of reflection and revelation, especially around what it means to be a creator today.

The internet lit up with the Ghibli trend, where AI-generated visuals mimicked the soulful charm of Studio Ghibli films. While undeniably stunning, they stirred an uneasy question in the creative community: in a world of algorithms, what becomes of the human artist? The debate is far from settled—do we adapt to this brave new world or hold our ground, rooted in lived experience and emotional nuance? I’m still sitting with that one.

Amidst this digital churn, March brought some truly enriching conversations on my podcast. These weren’t just interviews—they were doorways into the hearts and minds of storytellers, changemakers and literary visionaries. Each guest reminded me why I do this work: to keep the dialogue alive.

One such moment was sitting across from Sunita Pant Bansal, a mythologist and storyteller whose words have shaped the way generations engage with Indian scriptures. With over 1,000 books to her name, Sunita ji simplifies the most intricate ideas from the Vedas and Puranas and presents them with depth, clarity, and relevance.

Her latest work—A Comprehensive Guide to Indian Scriptures, launched at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025—is a testament to her lifelong commitment to preserving our literary heritage.

We explored a key question: How do you make thousand-year-old wisdom speak to a modern, distracted reader?* Her answer was gentle yet powerful: By listening first, then interpreting.

Another highlight was my conversation with Richa Mukherjee, journalist and author of Vigil Aunties. Equal parts thrilling and hilarious, the book dives into the lives of Indian “aunties” who run a secret operation—yes, you read that right.

We unpacked whether these nosy neighbors are a menace or our quiet community warriors, holding it all together in their own chaotic way. Richa’s take? Women have always lived double lives—and that’s where their quiet strength lies.

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Rohan Raj, the voice behind the Booknerds Podcast and the co-founder of a literary startup that’s built a reading community of 25,000+ across India.

Rohan opened up about what it really takes to build community—from the first book session with five people in a café to now moderating panels with Sudha Murty and Kabir Bedi.

We spoke about the explosion of podcasting in India, the hurdles creators face, and how Booknerds continues to champion curated, meaningful content in an age of endless scrolling.

My conversation with Anu Singh Choudhary was another masterclass in authenticity. As co-writer of Aarya, Grahan, and Mrs, the Hindi adaptation of The Great Indian Kitchen, Anu brings nuance and truth to the screen.

We explored how food became a metaphor for power in her screenplay and how real-life observations often feed fictional brilliance. Her storytelling is sharp, sensitive, and grounded in lived experience.

And then came an extraordinary literary duet: Marilyn Hacker and Karthika Naïr, co-authors of A Different Distance. This collaborative poetry book, born during the pandemic, traverses themes of illness, freedom, aging, and isolation. We spoke about the silence of Paris during lockdown, the rhythm of renga, and how the personal and political often coalesce in verse.

These voices, each distinct yet equally powerful, made March one of the most rewarding months on the show.

I can’t wait for you to hear the episodes as they drop—follow me on

✨ And a little celebration:

My podcast hit 2,68,500 downloads in March! Thank you for listening, sharing, and believing in the power of stories.

If you know someone with a story that can spark thought, challenge norms, or uplift a community—I’d love to meet them.

Reach out at mohua@themohuashow.com or business@themohuashow.com

With Warmth and Stories,
Mohua Chinappa