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BBC Radio 4, 30 minutes
Every Sunday at 6.05 a.m. and repeated at 11.30 p.m.
Something Understood has been broadcasting contemplative programmes to insomniacs, early risers and night owls since 1995. Its original and principal presenter is Sir Mark Tully, former BBC correspondent and author of a number of books about India. Other presenters have included Fergal Keane, Sheena Macdonald, Bonnie Greer and Joan Bakewell. The series was originated and is still mostly produced by Unique, the Production Company. Now Loftus contributes 8 programmes a year to the series. A further 12 programmes, with a range of different presenters, are produced by Falling Tree Productions.
Presenters choose a theme that interests them and then pick pieces of music, poetry and prose. Often the starting point is something in life that is puzzling or doesn't seem to fit: an unexplained gesture, an angry thought. Small themes often work better than grand thoughts. The presenter then circles around the grit until the end of the programme, when they may or may not have an answer. Spiritual rather than religious, Something Understood is about the thoughtful moments in life.
2010
Finding My Father
Sunday 4 July 2010
British based Gospel singer and broadcaster Muyiwa Olarewaju tells the story of his search for a father. He was sent from Nigeria to Britain when he 10 years old. His father was shot dead in Nigeria and he never saw him again.
Presenter: Muyiwa Olarewaju, Producer Kim Normanton
The Sea
Sunday 12 June 2010
Mark Tully discusses our longing for the sea with National Poet of Wales, Gwyneth Lewis, who spent a year on a disastrous round the world voyage.
Other poets in the programme include the contemporary Welsh poet Menna Elfyn, who speaks of the sea opening her eyes; and the Anglo-Saxon seafarer from before the Tenth Century. The music includes Britten`s Sea Interlude: Dawn, Charles Trenet`s evocative song of the 40s, `La Mer` and a Bach cantata in which he evokes a storm.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer Elizabeth Burke
Translation
Sunday 23 May 2010
For Pentecost, Mark Tully talks to Bible translator Father Nicholas King about the process of translation. With poems from Keats to Kei Miller, and music by Ella Fitzgerald, Allegri and John Tavener.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer Elizabeth Burke
Westminster Abbey
Sunday 2 May 2010
A special edition of Something Understood from Westminster Abbey, which this month celebrates the 450th anniversary of its establishment as a collegiate church by Elizabethan Charter. The Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, guides Mark Tully through some of its most sacred spaces and talks about the inspiration he finds in the `prayer-soaked walls`. With music, poetry and prayers by some of the great musicians and writers buried in the Abbey - from Purcell to Noel Coward, Sir Isaac Newton to John Betjeman.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer Elizabeth Burke
Birds
Sunday 28 March 2010
Mark Tully reflects on birds as symbols of spiritual hope, and talks to bird-watcher and nature writer Richard Mabey about the role nature played in his recovery from depression. With poetry by Thomas Hardy, George Herbert and Mary Oliver, and music by Handel, Miles Davis and Mahalia Jackson.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer Elizabeth Burke
Pilgrim Or Tourist?
Sunday 14 March 2010
When you travel what is your aim? Is it possible for the very act of travelling to be important in itself? Satish Kumar explores the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim, and asks whether pilgrimage can become a way of life rather than just going to places.
Presenter: Satish Kumar, Producer Jo Coombs
2009
Words My Mother Taught Me
Sunday 8 November 2009
“Culture passes through the ears and the tongue like a current passing down an electric wire” - Pamela Marre is a storyteller from a non-orthodox Jewish family. In this edition of Something Understood she looks at how ancient wisdom is passed down through families: what we choose to remember, what we carry with us from the previous generation, and what we create for the next.
Presenter: Pamela Marre, Producer Kim Normanton
The Consolations of Autumn
Sunday 25 October 2009
The writer and broadcaster Hazhir Teimourian asks whether youth, as with spring and summer, is not overrated. In the company of sages and poets from the most ancient times to our own era, he draws parallels between the physical ‘age of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ and the contentment and serenity that can be the gift of old age in these days of greater affluence and better medicine.
From Cicero in Rome 2000 years ago, through Omar Khayyam in medieval Persia and Shakespeare in modern England, he reflects upon both reminiscences of youth and the praise of ‘the autumn of life’.
Presenter: Hazhir Teimouran, Producer: Jo Coombs
Cricket
Sunday 2 August 2009
Mark Tully celebrates cricket as a symbol of an ideal society, with historian Ramanchandra Guha.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Buying And Selling
Sunday 5 July 2009
Mark Tully examines the troubled relationship between buyer and seller, talking to business guru Charles Handy. With music by Henry Purcell and Memphis Minnie, and commentary from Martin Amis to Montaigne: “Remember”, said Montaigne, “that no profit is ever made except at somebody else’s loss”.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Charm
Sunday 14 June 2009
When film director Michael Korda was cornered by furious investors, wanting to know what had happened to their money, he would stare at their feet, riveted. “What simply marvellous shoes,” he would remark – thus defusing the confrontation, and escaping unscathed.
Mark Tully investigates the danger and usefulness of charm, with guest Tony Benn.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Homesickness
Sunday 24 May 2009
Mark Tully explores homesickness, a yearning more complex than nostalgia for homeland. How true is it that all older people are homesick for the culture of their childhood? With Rabbi Lionel Blue.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Weaving
Sunday 03 May 2009
Mark Tully explores weaving as a metaphor for how we should live our life, beginning in Gandhi’s house. Gandhi believed weaving was a necessary spiritual discipline, and perhaps surprisingly many western poets and musicians echo this view.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
Hospitality
Sunday 05 April 2009
For Palm Sunday, Mark Tully explores the deeper spiritual meaning of hospitality, with Jean Vanier, the founder of the L’Arche Community for adults with learning disibilities.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Elizabeth Burke
2008
Ambition
Sunday 03 September 2008
Mark Tully explores the role of ambition – which is often considered a necessary force to succeed in life. But it is such a powerful force – can too much ambition be dangerous, especially in political life? And can it stop us growing spiritually?
The programme includes an interview with the distinguished political commentator, Anthony Howard.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
Limbo
Sunday 06 July 2008
In this week’s Something Understood, Mark Tully will be considering limbo – a state in which time stands still and we cannot move on. For some, the very prospect of such a place leads to a feeling of despair, while for others it has a spiritual dimension and can offer the opportunity to share in The Eternal.
The programme includes an interview with Paul Lamplugh, whose daughter Suzy disappeared twenty-two years ago. The police investigation lasted for twelve years – and Paul explains that in his experience, you have to take positive action in order to get out of limbo.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
Downsizing
Sunday 15 June 2008
Mark Tully considers how people cope when they are forced to downsize through financial necessity. And what is the difference when someone chooses to downsize – are there any benefits to a simpler, scaled-down life?
The programme includes an interview with Rajmohan Gandhi, whose grandfather, the Mahatma Gandhi, had strong views on living the simple life uncluttered by materialism.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
Committees
Sunday 25 May 2008
What is the role of committees in our lives – are they good or bad for us? Are they an excuse for not making decisions, or can they provide opportunities for creative and innovative thinking?
The programme includes an eclectic range of reflections on the topic including the thoughts of the late Pope John Paul 23rd and an interview with the Bishop of Kingston, the Right Reverend Richard Cheetham.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
The Past
Sunday 13 April 2008
What happens when we look back at our pasts with regret and sadness or alternatively, with nostalgia or thankfulness? What difference does this make to our present?
Wise and witty words from P G Wodehouse and music from Ella Fitzgerald help Mark Tully investigate. He also asks what we have to do to move on from our past.
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
Privacy
Sunday 30 March 2008
Mark Tully considers our need for privacy. How do we balance this with our responsibilities to others?
Presenter: Mark Tully, Producer: Libby Spurrier
Something Understood
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