Join Vijay Kumar, a former CEO turned curious explorer, as he uncovers the things that spark joy and intrigue—whether it’s a film, book, destination, or unexpected discovery. With over four decades of experience, he offers fresh perspectives, teasing movie reviews, and personal stories—from the humble idli to the stunning Iguazu waterfalls. If you’re ready to explore the world with curiosity and wonder, The Fascination Station is your destination.
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Join Vijay Kumar, a former CEO turned curious explorer, as he uncovers the things that spark joy and intrigue—whether it’s a film, book, destination, or unexpected discovery. With over four decades of experience, he offers fresh perspectives, teasing movie reviews, and personal stories—from the humble idli to the stunning Iguazu waterfalls. If you’re ready to explore the world with curiosity and wonder, The Fascination Station is your destination.
In this episode, Vijay steps into The Teacher’s Lounge — a taut German drama that turns the everyday world of a school into a pressure cooker of trust, power, and perception. No explosions, no villains — just the quiet, relentless tension of people trying to do what’s right in a world that won’t sit still. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
Ever walked on a landscape that feels straight out of another planet? Join me as we traverse Chile’s Atacama Desert—the driest non-polar desert on Earth—where jagged rock formations, sparkling salt flats, and dawn geysers collide with some of the clearest night skies you’ll ever see. From floating effortlessly in a salt lagoon to gazing at distant galaxies through powerful telescopes, this episode is your ticket to an otherworldly adventure—without leaving your headphones. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
Ever wondered what it feels like to walk on a giant frozen river of time? Join me as we traverse the Athabasca Glacier in Canada, a massive ice slab that groans, creaks, and retreats faster than you’d expect. From jaw-dropping snow coaches tougher than monster trucks to sipping glacier water that’s centuries old, this episode is a chilly thrill ride with a touch of awe—and a gentle reminder of our warming world. Bundle up, listeners—it’s about to get icy! Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
Think a campus can’t feel like a city? Think again. In this episode, Vijay steps into Infosys Mysuru — where Greek columns meet tech labs, libraries rival hotels, and yes… even a leopard once dropped by. What else lurks inside this 337-acre wonderland? Tune in to find out! Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
What happens when ancient Rajasthani folk music meets theatrical spectacle — in a four-story lightbox inspired by Amsterdam’s red-light district? Trust us, it’s not what you think. This episode dives into a performance that seduces the senses and rewrites the rules of tradition. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions.
This week, we swap royal crowns for chess queens in a showdown of sharp minds and sharper moves. One’s a legend, the other a lightning bolt—and when they meet, the board burns. Add a dash of fiction, a touch of fashion, and a whole lot of fierce. The queens aren’t just playing the game—they’re rewriting it. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
It began with a craving — but not the kind you satisfy at a dinner table. This episode of Fascination Station leads us to a quiet hill town in Karnataka, where ancient stones murmur secrets, temples hold unfinished stories, and even a spoonful of sauce carries centuries of memory. What started as a lunch stop turned into something far deeper — and far stranger. Tune in for a journey where not everything is seen… but everything is felt. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
This stop takes us to Talakadu—a mysterious town swallowed by sand and steeped in legend. What happened here? And why do people say it's cursed? Strap in as we uncover a tale where history, myth, and mystery collide. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions.
Ever wonder why the number 1 loves to hog the spotlight in seemingly random lists of numbers? Meet Benford’s Law — the sneaky math detective that’s been quietly exposing fraudsters and fakes for over a century! From city populations to your kitchen pantry, this quirky law reveals a secret pattern hiding in plain sight. Tune in to discover how a worn-out book of logarithms sparked a numerical revolution and why your “random” data might just be telling a fib. Spoiler alert: it’s not just numbers — it’s personality, math-style! Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
We promised numbers, but nature—and cinema—had other plans. This week, we trade Benford’s Law for Bengaluru’s poetic weather and a surprising cinematic delight: Saiyarra, the debut love story featuring Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda. From rain-soaked drives to rain-soaked songs, join us as we unpack a film that’s simple, sincere, and sweetly nostalgic. Sometimes, detours lead to the best destinations. Benford returns next week! Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
In this special episode of The Fascination Station, Vijay takes us beyond the cricket pitch and into the heart of Melbourne — celebrating family, culture, and curiosity. From snapping street art selfies in Little Bourke Street to a serene stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, and from penguin sightings on St Kilda Pier to a windswept drive along the Great Ocean Road, this travelogue blends wonder with warmth. Plus, a sky-high bonus: a unique Antarctic flyover to end the year in unforgettable style. Join us as we celebrate a city full of contrasts, charm, and cherished memories.
What happens when a family celebration meets a world-famous stadium? Join Vijay as he uncovers unexpected kindness, hidden quirks, and a few unforgettable surprises at the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground. This isn’t just a story about cricket — it’s about how history, hospitality, and one very special birthday collided in the most unexpected way. Created & Produced by Catiko Production
In this episode of The Fascination Station, we dive into the 1999 remake of Inherit the Wind, the powerful courtroom drama inspired by the real-life Scopes "Monkey" Trial. Starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott, this version revisits the clash between science and religion, freedom of thought, and the ever-relevant debate over evolution in the classroom. Join us as we explore how this adaptation stands apart from its predecessors, what it says about the era in which it was made, and why its themes still resonate today. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
It’s Episode 27… releasing on June 27… which also just so happens to be my birthday! In this birthday edition of Fascination Station, we’re diving into Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq—the first-ever Kannada-language book to win the International Booker Prize. Translated with bold brilliance by Deepa Bhasthi, this collection of 12 short stories illuminates the lives of Muslim women in southern India with honesty, wit, and quiet rebellion. So light a candle (or a lamp), grab some cake, and join us for a story that’s lighting up the world—on the host’s birthday, no less!
What if the solution to a deadly disease... was more mosquitoes? Welcome to Colombia, where scientists are turning the tables on dengue fever by breeding and releasing special mozzies with a mission. In this episode, we buzz into the world of high-tech mosquito matchmaking, discover how bacteria are making bugs less deadly, and ask the big question: can these tiny winged warriors really save lives? Grab your bug spray (just in case), because things are about to get weird—in a good way.
Pack your bags and prepare for a detour—this week on The Fascination Station, we're getting wonderfully lost in La Palma, the sun-soaked Norwegian film that fakes a vacation but delivers an emotional layover. Join us as we unpack the impulsive getaway of Kristina and Harald, a couple whose spontaneous trip to the Canary Islands turns into an unexpected odyssey of mistaken identity, existential musings, and maybe a bit too much Sangria. We talk about the film’s disarming blend of indie whimsy and Nordic melancholy, the bizarre beauty of finding yourself by pretending to be someone else, and why this low-budget gem deserves a stamp in your cinematic passport. Is it a comedy? A drama? A travelogue for emotionally stranded millennials? Tune in to find out. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
What’s bigger than a toddler, smells like the tropics, and might just save the planet? Meet the jackfruit—a culinary chameleon, sustainability superstar, and cultural icon. In this episode, we explore the surprising history, versatility, and quiet power of the world’s largest tree-borne fruit. Created & Produced by Catiko Producitons.
Everyone's heard of Ellora and Ajanta—but what if we told you there’s a trio of ancient temple sites in Karnataka that are just as awe-inspiring, yet blissfully under the radar? In this episode, we journey to Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal—three historic gems that chart the evolution of Indian temple architecture. From Badami’s dramatic red sandstone caves to Aihole’s bold experiments and Pattadakal’s architectural masterpieces, discover how the Chalukyas carved their legacy into stone—and why it’s high time these unsung wonders got the spotlight they deserve.
Beneath the bustling streets of Bengaluru lies a history far richer than you might imagine—literally! From ancient gold hoards to mysterious hidden chambers, the city has revealed some astonishing secrets over the years. Could more treasures still be buried beneath our feet? Tune in to uncover a golden past that might just change the way you see Bengaluru forever! Created & Produced by Catiko Productions.
Join me in this episode of The Fascination Station as we uncover the lesser-known layers of one of history's most intriguing figures. From poetry to philosophy, from music to social reform, I explore the complexities of a man whose influence continues to shape the world in unexpected ways. Get ready for a journey through brilliance, contradictions, and creativity—Tagore like you’ve never 'seen' him before. Created & Produced by Catiko Productions
Join Vijay Kumar, a former CEO turned curious explorer, as he uncovers the things that spark joy and intrigue—whether it’s a film, book, destination, or unexpected discovery. With over four decades of experience, he offers fresh perspectives, teasing movie reviews, and personal stories—from the humble idli to the stunning Iguazu waterfalls. If you’re ready to explore the world with curiosity and wonder, The Fascination Station is your destination.