In this episode of PODIcast brought to you by South Side Story, Thomas Fenn sits down with Karina Aggarwal, wine and spirit advisor, to unpack the evolving landscape of local ingredients, South Indian beverage culture, and the delicate balance between letting a drink speak for itself and building a narrative around it.

From her humble beginnings to becoming a respected voice in the industry, Karina shares honest takes, spirited anecdotes, and a refreshing perspective on what truly goes into your glass. She opens up about her college days, her South Indian roots, and how those experiences shaped her career in the world of alcohol.

The conversation also explores how India, especially the South, is claiming its space in the global alcohol industry, infusing it with regional flavour, pride, and purpose. This is a candid exchange about identity, innovation, perceptions and everything South.

The iconic superstar who wears many hats shared his heart, soul, and some wild stories with us. From juggling jobs in Bengaluru to rocking Saturday night gigs, his journey is as multilayered as his music. He’s witnessed it all, from radios to Walkmans to the internet era. Ever seen someone sing newspaper headlines to a melody? Raghu Dixit did just that!

Blending Carnatic essence with Western grooves, he even has a quirky trick, listening to music in languages he doesn’t understand so the lyrics don’t creep into his songs. That’s the level of dedication to staying true to one's original self. The king of folk tales and regional flavour, Raghu is spontaneous, rooted, and always ready to jam. Catch all the behind-the-scenes madness in this candid chat and watch him live at South Side Story on 30th and 31st August

In this deeply personal and vibrant conversation, Bharat Bala, the visionary filmmaker, global legend and director, takes us on a journey through the sounds, sights, and soul of South India.

From the divine mornings of Madras, filled with bhajans and kirtans, to the inherited legacy of classical music through his family, this episode delves into traditions, identity and all things cinema.

The chat unfolds into a thoughtful portrayal of how storytelling, aesthetics, and cultural expression in South Indian films reflect the same rootedness and pride found in their rituals. It’s a celebration of heritage, both on-screen and off.

The maestro of Malayalam music, Job Kurian, gets real at South Side in Studio and takes us on a journey. In this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, Job Kurian, one of the most soulful and influential voices in the Malayalam music scene, joins us for an episode filled with music, meaning, and moments that matter. From the rush of being on stage to the silence that sparks creativity, Job opens up about the raw, real journey of being an artist.

He shares his thoughts on collaborations, the emotional core of his music, and the story behind his soul-stirring track Padayatra, a song that captures the journey one undertakes in search of peace, purpose, and meaning. At the heart of it all is his philosophy that when you focus on creating honest, good music, everything else —fame, recognition, and fans —will find its way to you.

Gear up, Delhi, it’s about to get wild wild this season!
South Side in Studio is here with the unstoppable Wild Wild Women. Are you ready to be hydrated with energy, hustle, journeys, and pure empowerment?

RJ Akriti sits down with India’s first all-female hip-hop collective for a conversation that’s goosebump-inducing and mind-expanding. These women don’t just sing. They make impact with every verse. Tackling themes like mental health, body image, freedom, and identity, their music is a movement, not just in one language, but in many, including Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, English, and Tamil. From street-side dosas to Andheri jams, wedding gigs to power-packed shows, discover how they rose above the noise and found their voice.

Get ready to feel the rhythm!
In this episode of South Side in Studio, RJ Arun sits down with the powerhouse percussion band Aattam Kalasamithi, a name that echoes across stages in Kerala and beyond. Their 25-year expedition has redefined traditional percussion through its innovative take on Shinkari Melam and Chenda Melam.

In this candid conversation, we get a scoop of their team dynamics and behind-the-scenes coordination, the creative process behind their signature steps and beats, and what it truly takes to turn passion into legacy. From childhood dreams and local beats to global stages and fusion performances, to learning under masters, this conversation dives deep into their journey.

From fiery Malayali rock riffs to immersive electro-fusion beats, this latest episode of South Side in Studio showcases the genre-defying brilliance of Thaikkudam Bridge. Dive into their sonic evolution, the soul behind their melodies, and how music becomes a powerful homecoming.

This isn't just a performance — it's a cultural reunion.
Expect South Indian roots, family gathering energy, raw emotions, and storytelling that transcends languages and borders.

For our second episode of PODIcast, we're serving up a feast with Arun Kumar T.R., a filmmaker turned award-winning chef, author of Feast On A Leaf, and a passionate custodian of Kerala's culinary traditions.

This lively conversation spills into the wonderfully chaotic world of Kerala's signature feasts, cinema and literature. With a dash of humour and a dollop of nostalgia, Arun Kumar T.R. (speaking of perfection), takes us through its growing popularity, the quirky regional twists, and the “table-side drama” that makes every meal a marvel. This episode is a classic blend of banter and recollections that hits just right, from Payasam to progress.

In our debut episode of PODIcast we have Ruchira Hoon, owner of Dakshin Canteen with our host Thomas Fenn, owner of Mahabelly, to trace her roots, her recipe evolution, and why she chose to build a brand that feels just like home! She opens up about the early days of Dakshin, the moments that mattered and how growing up in South & North gave her the superpower of flavour intuition. From 100-plate sadhyas to the upcoming madness at South Side Story (hello, filter coffee softy), this episode's a crash course in food, identity and finding your true spice! Also, she's a certified fan of The Raghu Dixit Project & Avial, so you already know she's got taste!

Watch Vedan a songwriter, rapper who made his foray into the Indian Rap scene and curved out a space for Malyalam rap, spilling the tea and dropping the truth bombs.