Watch Aditya Chatterjee on CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast, on YouTube
This episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR features Aditya Chatterjee, author of a seminal book on divinity, The Evolution of Our Gods, and Vice President at Adfactors PR.
Click play to listen to Aditya Chatterjee on Commscast:
Aditya has more than 30 years of rich experience that includes multiple publications like The Times of India, Financial Express, Business Standard and Agencyfaqs, and the past 19 years at Adfactors PR. Perhaps from the very early days of his media career, Aditya has created and nurtured a place in his heart for his parallel passion: understanding and documenting India’s spiritual and visual traditions.
This episode of Commscast explores Aditya’s book—which Kiran Khalap has described as “seminal”—and Aditya’s journey behind it. He shares insights from extensive travels across India, where he combines powerful photography with a deep exploration of how religious depictions have evolved—culturally, artistically, and philosophically.
Aditya traces the origins of the book, going back to 2009 when he began photographing temples and artefacts across India. Since then, he has travelled more than 75,000 kilometers, capturing around 1,000 images that now form the visual backbone of the book. Spanning over 400 pages and approximately 100,000 words, The Evolution of Our Gods is both a striking visual narrative and a deeply researched study of how divine iconography has shifted over centuries.
Little wonder, then, that it received the honour of a launch in the hallowed portals of the main Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Society, Mumbai, and under the aegis of its Literary Club.
Dr Wispy Balamoria, President of The Asiatic Society, Meenal Kshirsagar, Vice President of The Asiatic Society and Chairperson – ASM LitClub, and Madan Bahal, Managing Director of Adfactors PR launched the book, after the Asiatic Society of Mumbai’s Literary Club sent out an invitation about the launch.
And after the event which he attended, here’s what Kiran Khalap, Co-Founder of chlorophyll, said in a Facebook post: The launch of a seminal book on The Evolution of Our Gods by Aditya Chatterjee! A scholarly yet unputdownable story of India’s Gods by an individual whose day job is a PR professional! Attended the launch at Asiatic Society’s Durbal Hall. Buy it now’.
One couldn’t agree more, so here’s the Amazon link to buy the book. Do that now.
Aditya explains that the book goes beyond imagery—it explores the philosophy and spirituality that have shaped religious iconography. From the evolution of religious orders to the different philosophical traditions, Aditya’s book offers an in-depth view of India’s complex and enduring spiritual landscape.
He tells me his early interest in religion and philosophy was shaped by his mother, who told him stories from the scriptures instead of fairy tales. That early exposure sparked a curiosity that grew into a lifelong pursuit—culminating (for now) in the meticulously created The Evolution of Our Gods.
Aditya recounts the book’s journey, from initial inspiration to its formal launch at the historic Asiatic Library in Mumbai—a milestone moment where he engaged with an audience of scholars, enthusiasts, and cultural observers. And answered with profound knowledge and understanding, every question the rapt audience put to him in an extensive Q&A session.
The conversation also touches upon communications in a fast-changing world. As AI continues to influence how reputations are built and managed, Aditya emphasizes the importance of authenticity, and why young communicators must stay curious, engage with context, and go deeper into both — the popular culture of the past, and the evolving tools and expectations of the present.
So what does Aditya hope to achieve with The Evolution of Our Gods? He hopes it inspires a renewed interest in preserving not just cultural artefacts, but also the stories, philosophies, and spiritual perspectives that define our shared heritage. He hopes the book will rekindle curiosity, appreciation, and engagement with the richness of India’s cultural and spiritual traditions.
The Evolution of Our Gods is not a mere collection of visuals and facts—it is a heartfelt and layered exploration of faith, identity, and the histories that live within and around us. Aditya hopes it encourages readers to become more informed and thoughtful stewards of the legacy they inherit.
Watch or listen to this compelling episode of CommsCast – The Reputation Podcast powered by Adfactors PR, featuring Aditya Chatterjee, author of The Evolution of Our Gods and Vice President at Adfactors PR. It’s a conversation that bridges culture, communication, and the timeless search for meaning.
