Best Read Urdu Podcasts (2026)

1
After Twenty Years | Bees Saal Baad | O Henry | Audio Stories | StoryJam #170 6:19

Play Pause

29d ago6:19

6:19

Some storytellers are for every season. O’Henry is one such. We grew up on his stories in English but also some of us will recall the wonderful televised adaptations of world’s best stories in the series, ‘Katha Sagar’. Made in 1986, the series featured a collection of stories by writers like Katherine Mansfield, Guy de Maupassant, Leo Tolstoy, O' …

1
A Proverb and Riddle about Wealth 20:20

2h ago20:20

20:20

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-124_A Proverb and Riddle about Wealth. In Psalm 49, this writer presents three radical ideas that challenge both ancient and modern religious assumptions. These ideas directly oppose what human beings have believed in nearly every culture. For a free transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org and click PDF. Support the Bible …

1
_2_AMNA SAMNA (EXCERPTS) BY DILDAR PERVAIZ BHATTI 8:04

8h ago8:04

8:04

AMNA SAMNA Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti's daily columns decorating his thoughtful and deep observations of our beloved country's delicate contrasts of society and culture, compiled in a book, which were published by him in 1993. Sadly he was taken from us in October 1994. (RIP Dildar) We will share this book with all of you, hopefully you will enjoy it. I…

1
The Metaphor of the Cup 17:29

15h ago17:29

17:29

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-123_The Metaphor of the Cup. As listeners to this podcast know, we are interested in reading the Bible as literature because that method delivers us from ideology. We want to know directly what the literature of the Bible says for ourselves. We find when reading that the text is full of figurative language. In today’s …

1
Dua as Faith, Action and Inheritance: Reading Ghalib, Munawwar Rana and Kaifi Azmi 14:14

2d ago14:14

14:14

In Urdu poetry, dua is never just prayer but it is a reflection of how a poet relates to hope, faith, and control. For Ghalib, dua is too uncertain. He chooses action over waiting, offering his entire self instead of trusting outcomes. For Munawwar Rana, dua is absolute assurance, a mother's prayer that walks beside him like protection, unquestione…

1
God’s Foolishness and Weakness 12:09

6d ago12:09

12:09

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-122_God’s Foolishness and Weakness discusses the use of irony and paradox in the biblical text, looking at the idea presented that God is foolish and God is weak. For a transcript of this episode, go to www.BibleBard.org, and click the PDF link.

1
_1_AMNA SAMNA BY DILDAR PERVAIZ BHATTI 16:16

6d ago16:16

16:16

AMNA SAMNA Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti's daily columns decorating his thoughtful and deep observations of our beloved country's delicate contrasts of society and culture, compiled in a book, which were published by him in 1993. Sadly he was taken from us in October 1994. (RIP Dildar) We will share this book with all of you, hopefully you will enjoy it. I…

1
More on Mercy and Judgment 26:13

9d ago26:13

26:13

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-121 More on Mercy and Judgment adds to and clarifies the content of BB-118 Mercy Triumphs over Judgment. For a transcript of this episode, go to www.BibleBard.org, and click the PDF link.

1
Reading Ghalib's 'Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati': Ego and Self Awareness Without Apology 16:15

11d ago16:15

16:15

Reading Ghalib's 'Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati': Ego and Self Awareness Without ApologyDescription: Mirza Asadullah Beg Khan, known to the world as Mirza Ghalib, remains a towering figure in Urdu poetry for his rare ability to capture complex emotions with striking simplicity. In this episode, we step into Ghalib’s world through one of his most well-kn…

1
Falsafa in Life: Understanding Iqbal’s Philosophy of Grief 18:24

17d ago18:24

18:24

What is Falsafa? It’s the philosophy that pushes us to explore ideas with wisdom, and with a humility in which every certainty melts away. We explore this week's theme, 'falsafa' through Iqbal’s 'Falsafa-e-Gham'. He shows that grief isn’t just pain but it’s the light inside the heart, the silent music and the rouge for the soul that beautifies it. …

1
Four Insults Directed at Jesus Christ 15:29

20d ago15:29

15:29

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-120 Four Insults Directed at Jesus Christ looks at what his enemies said to him while he was pinned to the cross and apparently defeated. I analyze this text using literary methods to discover who is speaking and how what they say relates to various episodes during the life of Jesus. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBa…

1
Prediction and Prophecy 18:33

22d ago18:33

18:33

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-119 Prediction and Prophecy, concerns biblical prophecy and prediction in the Bible and in the secular world. In this episode we compare Modern symbolism to Biblical symbolism and try to understand the difference in how Biblical prephecy relates to history. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org and select PDF.…

1
Zehn and Jazbātiyat: Heart vs Mind in Urdu Poetry 11:53

24d ago11:53

11:53

This week in UIrdunama, we explore poems that live inside our zehn, meaning our mind. But this internal world of the zehn keeps colliding with the one that belongs to the heart and its jazbātiyat (emotion driven clarity) that won’t be silenced. From Barelvi’s guiding light in confusion, to Jazib’s heart triumphing over intellect, to Javed Akhtar’s …

1
Mercy Triumphs over Judgment 13:39

27d ago13:39

13:39

In Bible Bard episode BB-118 Mercy Triumphs over Judgment we look at a single verse from the book of James that places these two concepts together in the writer's admonition. Go to www.BibleBard.org and click PDF to get a transcript. Support the Bible Bard podcast on Patreon (BibleBardUSA), on GOFUNDME, or click the Donations tab on the Bible Bard …

1
What Motivates God? 11:31

29d ago11:31

11:31

In Bible Bard episode BB-117 What Motivates God we are looking at Psalm 31 that provides three (3) reasons that God acts in the world. These reasons are distinguished from other religions whose gods act out of different motivations. Using inductive methodology, we explore other texts in the literature that support and clarify the three motivations …

1
Kya Sochte Ho? : Exploring 'Soch' Through Urdu Poetry 18:21

1M ago18:21

18:21

In this week's Urdunama, we speak about 'Soch', meaning a personal lens through which we look at everything. With the intensity of Mohsin Naqvi, the softness of Bashir Badr, the sharp pain of heartbreak from rejectioon in Parveen Shakir's ghazal, and the mature understanding of boundaries in intimacy in Ahmad Faraz's nazm 'bhali si ek shakl thi', F…

1
Dharmendra - Pur Kashish, Shaista Mizaaj Fankar 12:16

1M ago12:16

12:16

In this week’s Urdunama, we remember Dharmendra not only as Bollywood's "Greek-God" hero but essentially as a man defined by two qualities - Pur-kashish (full of charm) and Shaista-mizaaj (gentle in nature). From humble beginnings in Punjab to a stunning, record 300 plus film-career, he was a man in love with Urdu zabaan. Join us for a brief tribut…

1
God's Personal Presence 14:57

2M ago14:57

14:57

In the Bible Bard episode BB_Lesson_54 Are You a Deist we discussed the idea most religions teach that God is not personally involved with humans, He is far away doing God things. In today's episode BB-116 God's Personal Presence we look at what the Bible says about whether we, the average people, not the saints of the church or heroes of the Bible…

1
Psalms 19 The Two Witnesses 12:52

1M ago12:52

12:52

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-115_Psalms 19_The Two Witnesses provides a literary analysis of Psalms 19 concerning the two witnesses the writer discusses that answer the questions who is God and who are human beings. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org, click the PDF link. Select the Donations tab to support the Bible Bard podcast.…

1
Pullover | Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena | पुलोवर | सर्वेश्वर दयाल सक्सेना | Hindi Kahani | Audio Stories 10:40

2M ago10:40

10:40

Sarweshwar Dayal Saxena’s children’s poems are part of our collective childhood. His poems for grown ups too have a candid, reflective quality that speak of his honesty as a writer. His short stories, although relatively lesser known, are just as moving and forthright. In this story, Pullover, he speaks in the voice of a man torn between the emotio…

1
Tasalli: Where Grief Meets Gentle Healing 16:49

2M ago16:49

16:49

Tasalli is a feeling of comfort, reassurance, and emotional support. It is what helps the heart feel calm when someone listens without judgment, shares your pain or simply lets you be with your emotions. Urdu poets like Aarzoo Lakhnavi write about tasalli as the space to process grief, letting tears flow and giving the heart time to settle. or, rat…

1
About the Original Abraham Accords 16:27

2M ago16:27

16:27

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-112 About the Original Abraham Accords looks at the character Abraham (Abram) as described in the Bible. The September 2020 Abraham Accords (AA) established diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and Israel. In the future, Trump II wants to extend the AA to include Syria, L…

1
Balaam, Archaeology, and the Bible 12:26

2M ago12:26

12:26

There is a famous prophet named Balaam in the Bible (PDF: NumbersChapters 22-24) who is also known from an archaeological discovery (1967) at Tell Deir ʿAlla in the Jordan Valley (east of the Jordan River). Today, we look at his story in the Bible.

1
About Discouragement 17:31

2M ago17:31

17:31

Bible Bard podcast episode BB-111 About Discouragement contrasts and compares what the literature of the Bible says about dealing with human discouragement compared to other personal and self-transformative religions teach. Get a transcript at www.BibleBard.org by clicking the PDF link. Support the Bible Bard podcast on Patreon. As little as $1/wee…

1
Rationality and the Bible 14:48

2M ago14:48

14:48

This episode of the Bible Bard podcast, BB-113 Rationality and the Bible, looks at how the story of John the Baptist is told from Matthew Ch 13. What kind of argument convinces you? The literature of the Bible uses visual imagery, metaphorical, and symbolic content, with the factual essence of the story to present an argument about who Jesus is. Cl…

1
God's Unshared Plan 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

In this episode of the Bible Bard podcast, we look at a mystery: an eternal plan of God that He has not revealed to us. We are told in the Bible that such an eternal plan exists, but we are not given many details. In this podcast I want to discuss something about this mystery plan. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org.…

1
Three Doomed Men 13:23

2M ago13:23

13:23

In this episode we look at several people who appear in the stories of the Bible that seem to be doomed. Three of them are: Pharoah, king of Egypt, Judas, and the Son of Perdition. Using literary methods of compare and contrast we see what the Bible is teaching through these stories. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org.…

1
E33_Motorcycle Tour - pt 2 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

In part two of episode 33, I tell you more about the motorcycle tour in the northern parts of Pakistan. This time though, I use both Urdu and English. I talk about various Pakistani dishes and desserts. I share with you the wisdom that was shared with me by members of our group, and a bit of drama that ensued before leaving for my trip. Be sure to …

1
Anadi No. 1 | Abid Surti | अनाड़ी नंबर 1 | आबिद सुरती | Hindi Kahani | Urdu Kahani | Audio Stories 20:53

2M ago20:53

20:53

Abid Surti is an Indian painter, author, cartoonist, journalist, environmentalist, playwright and screenwriter. A diploma holder from J. J. School of Art in 1954, Surti has written short stories, novels, plays, children's books and travelogues. Several of his books have been translated into regional languages. He has also been writing for Hindi and…

1
Ancient Human Failings 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

In this episode of the Bible Bard podcast, we look at the most ancient list of morals and ethics that human beings tried to follow. For a transcript, go to www.BibleBard.org.

1
Most Important Bible Metaphors, part 4 9:38

2M ago9:38

9:38

In this episode of the Bible Bard podcast, we again look at the use of figurative language in the Bible, including its most repetitive metaphors. Figurative language is important in a literary study because it takes one thing that is known and applies it to another thing that is unknown. When the Bible answers the question, “Who is God?’ metaphors …

1
Sannata - The Sound Between Words 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

In poetry, “Sannata” isn’t just silence but the stillness where everything stops. It is the absence of sound, of presence, of movement, yet it carries a strange weight. Poets like Gulzar, Ameer Qazalbash, Abbas Tabish and Manmohan Shukla ‘Talkh’ have turned this silence into a living emotion. For Gulzar, sannata comes sneakily, filled with the fear…

1
About Priests, Magicians, and Holy Men 13:35

2M ago13:35

13:35

For the last 10,000+ years or more, human beings who become aware of their own often poor decisions have turned to priests, magicians, and holy men for guidance. This episode of the Bible Bard podcast looks at what the Bible says directly about using occult actors to affect the supernatural world. The Bible Bard provides a literary analysis of key …

1
Chain and Bechaini: The Space Between Rest and Restlessness 13:27

2M ago13:27

13:27

In Urdu, chain means comfort, meaning when the heart finally feels at ease. Bechaini is the opposite. It is the restlessness that keeps you awake, searching for something more, something else. Poets like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Shaikh Ibrahim Zauq, and Josh Malihabadi wrote from this space between calm and chaos. Maybe that’s what it is. Not choosing betw…

1
God Has No Favorites 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

This episode of the Bible Bard podcast continues the discussion from BB-99 of what the Bible teaches when it asserts that God has no favorites. The Bible Bard provides a literary analysis of key ideas from the Bible that describe who God is and who are human beings. The texts chosen are self-explanatory but offered because their clarity describing …

1
About Bible Prophecy and End Times 9:04

3M ago9:04

9:04

This episode of the Bible Bard podcast discusses the popular topic Bible Prophecy and End Times. While the Bible Bard does not take a position on ideas or concepts from the Bible that are disputable - this episode provides listeners with the background of what others Bible promoters and End Times prognosticators are talking about. The Bible Bard pr…

1
Knowledge by Revelation 9:29

3M ago9:29

9:29

This episode of the Bible Bard podcast deals with what the Bible teaches about the source of human knowledge: 1) The creation we observe around us by using our senses and our powers or reasoning; 2) Revelation from God either through written text or directly to the mind and heart of a human being. The Bible Bard provides a literary analysis of key …

1
Hidden or Secret Believers 14:18

3M ago14:18

14:18

This episode of the Bible Bard podcast looks at what the Bible says about hidden or secret believers in the God of the Bible or in Jesus Christ. The Bible Bard provides a literary analysis of key ideas from the Bible that describe who God is and who are human beings. The texts chosen are self-explanatory, but offered because their clarity describin…

1
In the Glow of ‘Roshni’, Every Poem Finds Clarity 14:37

3M ago14:37

14:37

Roshni, meaning 'light', in Urdu poetry is never alone. It gains meaning only when contrasted with darkness, whether that’s doubt, loneliness, or the moments that challenge our hearts. Poets show us that hope isn’t about perfection; it’s about courage, resilience, and the quiet moments when even a small glimmer can guide us. From Shakeel Badayuni’s…

1
BB-101_Why ListenTo the Bible 8:29

3M ago8:29

8:29

This is the Bible Bard’s 101st English podcast episode where we examine from a literary point-of-view what the Bible says about who is God and who are human beings. The podcast is published in eight (8) languages including English, Bengali, Chichewa, Hindi, Spanish, Swahili, and Urdu, with additional languages in process. If you or someone you know…

1
Ranj: The Quiet Ache Beneath Every Verse 13:26

3M ago13:26

13:26

In this episode, we explore Urdu word Ranj, sorrow, grief, and the small heartbreaks that shape our lives. From Sahir to Dagh, Shakeel, and Irfan, each poet has experienced, expressed, and understood Ranj in their own way. Sometimes it becomes empathy, sometimes resilience, and sometimes a quiet irony. We unpack these layers through poetry and refl…

1
‘Haazir’ - More Than Just Being Present 10:59

3M ago10:59

10:59

In this episode, we explore the word Hazir — a simple word that means “present,” but in Urdu poetry it holds much deeper weight. With verses from Parveen Shakir and Ahmad Faraz, we look at how hazir shifts in its context and scope. the couplets curated in this episode reminds us that being hazir is never just about attendance. It’s about presence w…

1
Swami aur Ganit Ka Sawal | R K Narayan | स्वामी और गणित का सवाल | आर के नारायण | Audio Stories 8:15

3M ago8:15

8:15

The world is made up of two kinds of people. Those who love maths and those who never forgot that episode of Swami and Friends where they saw themselves in “Chaami” who in turn saw no “logic” in Math. Today a beloved story from R K Narayan, the man who collected stories from everywhere and brought them home to live in Malgudi.दुनिया दो तरह के लोगों…

1
Whispers From the Unseen: The World of 'Ghaib' 19:29

3M ago19:29

19:29

In this episode, we dive into the idea of ghaib — that mysterious, hidden side of life that we can’t fully see or grasp. We move from the mystical inspiration in Ghalib’s poetry, to the revolutionary energy in Chakbast’s ghazal, and the creative intinacy that echoes in Ahmad Salman’s verses, discovering how poets have drawn from the unseen to fuel …

1
Gattu Bhai, Baagh aur Paani ka Lota | Ashok Pande 13:43

4M ago13:43

13:43

Ashok Pande writes in many voices. He writes travelogues and poetry, he has written a book about forgotten women of the world and a lot about his corner of Uttarakhand. His Facebook page is a treasure trove of stories big and small, told with a mix of humour, compassion and curiosity, all in equal parts. Where I pause most in his work is his book o…

1
Every Step of Raqs Is a Verse Untold 15:48

4M ago15:48

15:48

What does it mean to 'dance' in Urdu poetry? In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed explores Raqs, the movements, the madness, and the magic behind it. It's the kind that moves your heart, your soul, even the world around you. We look at the ashaar of Majrooh Sultanpuri, Saghar Khayyami, and Abbas Tabish, and see how they turn dance into metaphor…

1
The Gift of 'Fursat' in a World That Never Pauses 15:14

4M ago15:14

15:14

In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed explores the word Fursat, those rare moments of time when you can pause, breathe, and just be. What does it mean in Urdu poetry? We look at the ashaar of Ghalib, Faiz, and Sahir, tracing how each poet reflects on these small luxuries: the freedom to imagine, the quiet spaces that let life breathe, and the wa…

1
Jhakki Babu | Satyajit Ray | StoryJam Audio Stories 39:25

4M ago39:25

39:25

From the great filmmaker and storyteller of our times. Ray a master of his craft of creating images and characters brings to life Jhakki Babu in the moody environs of Darjeeling. हमारे समय के महान फिल्म निर्देशक और कहानीकार, रे, जो छवियों और पात्रों को गढ़ने में माहिर हैं। इस रहस्यपूर्ण कहानी में वे दार्जिलिंग के मनमोहकपरिवेश में झक्की बाबू को जीवं…

1
Between Silence and Sight, 'Manzar' Lives 14:13

4M ago14:13

14:13

This week on Urdunama, we talk about manzar, a word that means a view, a scene, a spectacle. In Urdu poetry, though, it’s more than just scenery; it’s like a theatre of the mind where words create pictures and feelings at the same time. With the verses of Gulzar, Nida Fazli, and Bashir Badr, we look at how one simple manzar can open up entire world…

1
TRIBUTE TO JUDGE FRANK CAPRIO 15:31

4M ago15:31

15:31

TRIBUTE TO JUDGE FRANK CAPRIO The most loved judge by millions around the world has lost his battle with cancer. A beautiful soul, a compassionate and honest human being, who can not be described in few words. Our small attempt to offer him tribute with prayers for his family. May the candle of love, justice and compassion Judge Frank Caprio has gi…