ChaiTimeRadio

This week on Chai Time, we sit down with Dr. Lalita du Perron — Associate Director of Stanford's Center for South Asia — for a rich and honest conversation about her journey, research, and the stories that shape her work. A scholar of Hindi poetry and performance, Lalita is the author of Thumri Lyrics and co-author of The Songs of Khyal. Her work spans courtesans, queer parenting, and questions of consent — always bold, deeply human, and full of heart. She also hosts SASSpod, giving voice to South Asia at Stanford. Don't miss this thoughtful exchange on identity, storytelling, and life at the intersection of academia and lived experience. Dr. Lalita du Perron is the Associate Director of the Center for South Asia at Stanford University. She earned her PhD from the University of London and is the author of Hindi Poetry in a Musical Genre: Thumri Lyrics, and co-author of The Songs of Khyal. From thumri lyrics and courtesans to queer parenting and questions of consent, her work is bold, thoughtful, and deeply human. She's also the host of SASSpod, a podcast that brings stories and voices from Stanford's South Asian Studies community to life. Lalita brings both intellect and heart to everything she touches — and today, we have the privilege of learning from her journey.

The Vasu Dixit Collective is a vibrant ensemble that fuses folk traditions with contemporary sounds, creating a musical tapestry that resonates with both the heart and the soul. At its core is Vasu Dixit, renowned for his open-throated vocals and dynamic performances, whether with his band Swarathma or through his solo endeavors. His artistic journey is a celebration of life's nuances, blending his roles as a composer, musician, and filmmaker to craft music that transcends mere entertainment .​ Joining Vasu are Joel Sakkari and Manu Shrivastava, whose contributions are pivotal in shaping the Collective's evolving sound. Joel, with his expertise in synth and guitar, and Manu, skilled in keys and synth, bring a modern edge to the band's folktronica style. The Vasu Dixit Collective's repertoire includes original compositions and special renditions of poems by revered saint poets like Purandaradasa, Basavanna, and Kabir, sung in Kannada and Hindi. Their music serves as a conduit for community connection and compassion, inviting audiences into a shared experience that is both introspective and celebratory. Want to know more and connect with them, here is the link: https://www.vasudixit.com

What an absolute blissful afternoon it was at the Stanford campus, immersed in the vibrant world of Nautanki—the rich folk theater tradition of North India. It was an honor to spend time with not just great artists, but also remarkable human beings who are preserving and innovating this beautiful art form. We had the privilege of engaging with Padma Shri Pandit Ram Dayal Sharma Ji, a living legend and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, whose dedication to keeping Nautanki alive is awe-inspiring. Adding to this enriching experience was his son, Professor Dr. Devendra Sharma, a prolific artist and scholar in his own right, and Shubhra Prakash, a familiar voice on Chai Time and a celebrated theater artist from the Bay Area, now making waves in New York. Don't miss this special episode of Chai Time, where we dive deep into the world of Nautanki, exploring its timeless charm, evolving narratives, and the passion that fuels these extraordinary artists.

This Women's Day, we celebrate strength, leadership, and innovation by shining a spotlight on the North American Film Association (NAFA: https://northamericanfilmassociation.org), an organization where women don't just have a seat at the table—they lead the way. With 95% of its top executives being female, NAFA stands as a true beacon of female leadership in the arts and entertainment industry. In this special episode of ChaiTime, we bring you an inspiring conversation with four extraordinary women—leaders, professionals, and passionate volunteers—who have seamlessly balanced careers, families, and a deep love for the arts. My heartfelt thanks to Arundhati Datye, NAFA Co-founder and Film Production Lead; Riya Thosar, NAFA Co-founder and Marketing Lead; Archana Saraf, this year's Film Festival Lead; and Gauri Gholap, a dedicated donor, contributor, and volunteer. Together, they share their experiences, the challenges they have overcome, and their vision for a more inclusive and empowered future in film and leadership. Please click the link on the top to listen to this special episode as we celebrate the remarkable women shaping NAFA and paving the way for future generations. Their stories inspire us all to push boundaries, challenge norms, and embrace leadership with confidence and purpose. The North American Film Association (NAFA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and advancing Marathi cinema and culture on a global stage, with a special emphasis on engaging audiences in North America. Through film production, distribution, festivals, screenings, and educational programs, NAFA provides a platform for local talent to share their stories in a global format, fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in Marathi filmmaking. By making Marathi cinema more accessible in mainstream theaters, curating masterclasses, and showcasing high-quality films, NAFA aims to preserve Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage, bridge cultural boundaries, and deepen the appreciation of regional Indian cinema worldwide.

What an incredible afternoon at KZSU Stanford with Rajeev Prakash, Aarti Prakash, and Shubhra Prakash. Tune into my Chaitime show to discover their fascinating journeys and insights. We explore Shubhra Prakash's solo play Fontwala, a tribute to the remarkable life of Rajeev Prakash Khare, a pioneer in typography and calligraphy for Indian scripts. He designed the Anglo Nagari Keyboard, which enabled Indian scripts to be typed on a Latin keyboard. Don't miss your chance to meet these inspiring artists at: An Evening of Performance and Calligraphy with Shubhra Prakash and Rajeev Prakash Khare, which is today, September 25, at 6 pm** at the San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB), 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103.

What an absolute pleasure it was to host Dr. Anna Bigelow and Ambika Sahay on Chaitime today! Click the link to enjoy our conversation about SALA 2024, a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity!

Abhi Gholap, with over 20 years in healthcare innovation, has co-founded successful startups and secured many patents. Currently he is leading OptraSCAN, an AI pathology platform, and serving as an investor at HealthFAX, focusing on Generative AI healthcare solutions. Abhijit is also a charter and board member of TiE Silicon Valley and founder of the Jiji-Bhau Foundation, supporting children with Leukemia in rural India. Beyond his professional achievements, Abhi is a renowned figure in the Marathi film industry. He has won स्वर्ण-कमळ national award for his first movie “देऊळ”. He founded NAFA to establish the Marathi film industry in the USAand is organizing the first American Marathi film festival on July, 27-28 July in San Jose. Exclusive World Premiere of 4 movies at NAFA, America's First Marathi Film Festival, in presence of director and actors on 27-28 July 2024 at San Jose, CA Book:- https://lnkd.in/gnHnEvb8

After 25 years, one of the most significant celebrations of Maharashtrian Culture, Customs, and Community— Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM) is coming to the global center of tech and innovation—the Bay Area! It was a pleasure to host @prakash ji and @anita ji @chaitime on standard radio and talk about one of the most happening events in the Bay Area, BMM2024. Prakash ji is the convener, and Anita ji represents the volunteer team. Together they provide a snapshot of the program and eminent artists, offering a comprehensive view of the lineup, performances, and creative talent involved.

Conversation between Dr. Aloka Nanjappa, Salil Chowdhury'd daughter.

I had the rare privilege of conversing with Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, an exceptional scientist and nation-builder. This unique opportunity allowed me to gain insights into his remarkable contributions and their impact on both scientific advancement and nation-building. Our transformative conversation left a lasting impression on me, reinforcing the significance of human potential and innovation. This encounter serves as a powerful reminder of the profound influence individuals can have on society. Enjoy the conversation.

Chethan Anant is a South Asian Classical bansuri (bamboo flute) player, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, and music educator based in Chicagoland. He has studied the Raagdhaari Sangeet Classical Music tradition for most of his life. He has been fortunate to study under esteemed gurus, including Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Pandit Shyam Kane, Pandit Vikas Kashalkar, and Pandit Arun Kashalkar. Chethan has been teaching music since 2016 and has shared his new generational perspective on classical music with more than 50 students. He spends months each year studying with his gurus in India and extensive time practicing at home. Saurabh Kumar began learning tabla from the age of five from Smt Bindu Pathak and later received training from Shri Nishad Parmar. Since 2016 he has been learning from Shri Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee at the Pandit Jasraj School of Music Atlanta. Saurabh is currently a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Stanford University. He is an avid Zakir Hussain fan and treasures watching and listening to Zakir Sahab whenever possible.

Maya Vishwakarma is the Founder and Chairperson of Sukarma Foundation. A native of Mehragaon village in district Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP), India, Maya has lived in San Francisco, California, USA, for nearly a decade and distributes her life between two countries. She is known as India's 'Padwoman,' and has tirelessly fought against society's deep-rooted decision that devalues the existence of menstruation among women. Sukarma Foundation is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization working on improving the lives of rural Indians. Key initiatives (or Karmas) by the foundation include educating women about the importance of female hygiene and sexual health, empowering them through employment opportunities via sustainable businesses, providing telemedicine facilities to people in remote areas with a want of timely quality medical assistance, making primary education available to children and adults from impoverished sections of the Indian rural population and many more. You can donate, help and learn more about the foundation: https://sukarmafoundation.org

In this Chaitime, we talk to poet, singer, songwriter, and inventor Kavish Seth. In this episode, Kavish talks about his musical journey and his latest single, Hindi Kavish has also conceptualized an innovative project, Zubaan, a music project that aims to create platforms for collaboration between independent music artists from different corners of India. Chapters have started in Odisha, Varanasi, Deoria, Kausani, Khetri, Nagpur/ Wardha/ Gadchiroli, Mumbai, and Kolkata, where around 30 artists have been collaborating and performing all across the mainland. Kavish has also created an innovative instrument, Noori, which allows him to play different kinds of music using the same instrument. Kavish graduated from IIT Bombay but chose to pursue music and connect with people.

In today's ChaiTime, we talk to Shri Anand Mahadeo Ganu, Founder-President of Garje Marathi Global, and Dr. Sanjay Bhandari, a leader and key contributor to Garje Marathi Global projects. Mr. Anand Gaju is the Founder-President of Garje Marathi Global (www.garjemarathi.com), a nonprofit registered in California, USA. Garje Marathi Global is a platform for 'Non-Resident Marathi' and 'Back to Motherland Marathi' ( परत मातृभूमीला मराठी) who value knowledge, education, and entrepreneurship. GMG has four main objectives: Networking, Mentoring, Giving back to society and our roots, and celebrating the success of Marathi around the world. Dr. Sanjay Bhandari is the Founder and CEO of a Stealth mode Start-up. Previously, he held positions as President & CTO at MEMSIC Inc., CTO and Sr. VP mCube (now Movella) and has won several awards, including EE Times/EDN Start-up of the Year award in 2012, "MEMS Start-Up of the Year" by MEMS Industry Group in 2014 and "MEMS/Sensor Device of the Year" in 2015. He has 69 filed patents, including 27 granted US patents. Today, we will talk about the organization and GMG's upcoming event - Garje Marathi Global Excellence Summit 2023 ICC, Milpitas on July 29, July 30, 2023. You can register and find all the information at: https://garjemarathi.com/event

Background Music - Morning Ragas by Ravishankar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n91Vhdrrkss)

In today's ChaiTime, we talk to renowned award-winning Indian classical vocalist Mahesh Kale (http://www.maheshkale.com). In this conversation, we talk to him about his musical journey and his upcoming Stanford Jazz workshop, Indian Jazz Journey, with jazz saxophone virtuoso George Brooks. Details of the workshop are here: https://stanfordjazz.org/more-info/indian-jazz-journey-mahesh-kale-george-brooks-22/ Mahesh Kale is a San Francisco Bay Area-based Indian Classical vocalist renowned for specializing in Indian Classical, Semi-Classical, Devotional, and Natya Sangeet. After winning India's National Film Award as the Best Playback Singer for a classical piece in the film Katyar Kaljat Ghusli in 2016, Mahesh Kale has established himself as the face of Indian classical music of the new generation. Trained in the Gurukul learning system from the legendary Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, Mahesh is among the most sought-after performers globally. He has performed extensively in India, USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Mahesh and his wife, Purva Gujar Kale, have established Indian Classical Music and Arts Foundation, ICMA (http://www.maheshkale.com/new/#icma). ICMA is a not-for-profit organization working towards preserving, nurturing, and celebrating Indian classical music through activities and projects to expose global audiences to this art form and to aid its sustainment through charitable initiatives.

हम रहें या ना रहें कल, कल याद आएँगे ये पल At Chai time radio today, we celebrate KK's legacy on ChaiTime with Vamsidhar, a prolific singer and prominent bay area voice. It is not just a regular episode but a heartfelt collaboration of two ardent, dedicated fans of KK. I hope you will like it and send your good wishes and blessings to our talented singer Vamsi. Indian playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, who was fondly known as KK, died unexpectedly last year on May 31st. The untimely news of KK's demise shattered millions of fans, but the only solace is that he went doing what he did best - singing and winning millions of hearts. KK was one of the greatest playback singers of the modern era, and it is a humble effort to pay tribute to him through his songs sung by Vamsi. You can listen to the complete songs and stay updated with Vamsi's singing at: Youtube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@vamsimusic Tribute to KK playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4brP8Gc9ag&list=PLTE0qBLi0A3zBagQcbfoOPW_EPhaTkjED&index=9

In today's show, we play Saaz, Awaaz, and Andaaz presentation Rhythms of the legends with नितिन शंकर जी. It was an honor to listen to stories and hear melodious music from the rhythm master Nitin Shankar Ji on the latest episode of Saaz Awaaz and Andaaz. Nitin Shankar Ji is a legendary rhythmist who has remastered Sholay theme music with contemporary instruments and was the rhythm arranger for the 1942 love story Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge, Devdas, Hum Dil de chuke sanam, Bajirao mastani, Kalank and many more. He learned tabla from the great maestro Ustad Alla Rakha Sahab and Zakhir Hussian Sahab and has worked with legendary composers like Sachin Dev Burman, Rahul Dev Burman, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This program was telecast live using Facebook Live with Nitin Ji joining from Mumbai and our bay area artists and a live audience in Pleasanton, CA. There is more to come in Part -2. *Saaz Aawaz Andaaz* (SAA) is a Unique Musical Initiative of the East Bay Karaoke (EBK) group with an objective to preserve Acoustic Music; Melody of Acoustic Musical Instruments & to motivate and encourage music lovers, especially the young generation. It was started by Mr. Vilas Thuse, a big fan, and connoisseur of Hindi cinema music. This program was conceived and organized by Vilas Da, with the notable music personality of the Bay Area, Raju Chidambaram, and the great team of Saaj Awaaz and Andaaz. You can support SAA with your kind contributions to the crowdfunded initiative. https://gofund.me/5c9f827b *SAA Team* Concept & Design: Vilas Da Program Director: Raju Chithambaram: Director of Technical & Sound Engineering: Vamsi Dhar: Marketing & Admin: Kanika Wah Audio-Visual Support: Abhijit Purandare Photography & Event Support: Chetan Wakade Videography & Event Support: Megha Thuse Creative Art & Event Support: Divya Raman: Event Management: Gayatri Seethamraju, Gitika Sharma, Priti Nagda:

मेरी प्रिय कविता - सीताः एक नारी (Sita: Ek Naari) श्री प्रताप नारायण सिंह by ChaiTimeRadio

In this Chaitime, we talk to Annette Philip and Rohit Jayaraman from the Grammy-nominated band Berklee Indian Ensemble(https://berkleeindianensemble.com/). The band will perform in the SF Bay Area on April 7th, 2023, as part of their "The Shuruaat Tour," celebrating their Grammy-nominated album Shuruaat. The show in SF Bay Area is in collaboration with the Sankara Eye Foundation. An evening where cause joins creativity, this event will help Sankara Eye Foundation achieve the goal of raising donations for 1000 free eye surgeries as part of its Vision 2030: March to a Million initiative(https://www.giftofvision.org/the-shuruaat-tour). Founded in 2011 by Annette Philip, the Berklee Indian Ensemble is a world-renowned collective known for its global Indian sound that honors traditions while boldly experimenting with genre, culture, and multidisciplinary art. In July 2022, the ensemble released their debut album, Shuruaat, a collection of 10 songs featuring 98 musicians from 32 countries. Shuruaat was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Global Music Album at the 65th GRAMMY Awards.

With 37 years of Airline flying and transitioning as the youngest woman Jet Commander (B737) in 1989, Captain Nivedita has flown Turboprops, Boeing as well as Airbus planes. Brave, bold, and determined, she succeeded in transforming her passion into her profession. When just 26, Capt. Nivedita Bhasin became the world's youngest Woman Jet Commander in 1989, creating a record. After flying for three decades, finally, she has retired from flying but not from encouraging and motivating young girls while still following her passion and hobbies.

मेरी प्रिय कविता - 5 सतपुड़ा के घने जंगल (भवानी प्रसाद मिश्र) by ChaiTimeRadio

Celebrating the legacy of Rashtrakavi Shri Shrikrishna Saral with Dr. Jagdish Vyom by ChaiTimeRadio

Children's Day is celebrated across India to raise awareness about children's rights, education, and welfare on 14 November every year. Today, it was our honor to celebrate it in our studio with Dr. Jagdish Vyom Ji, known for his remarkable contribution to children's literature. He has written many novels, stories, and poems for children. He is a pioneer in creating awareness about understanding child psychology and writing poetry to touch the cord of young readers. His poetry on children is prevalent and part of the school syllabus in many schools all over India. Today, he read some popular children's poems written by various Hindi poets and also talked about बाल साहित्य (children's literature) in detail. He also recited his poems along with his granddaughter Ayra. You can listen to all of this on Soundcloud:

On this Chatime, we talk to Dr. Pallavi Sharma, a poet, painter, professor, and dear friend… She paints with her pen, writes with her paintbrush, and makes her way to our hearts.
Pallavi is a multidisciplinary artist whose research interest concerns Asian American women's cultural production and activism. She is a board member of the Asian American Women Artists Association and founder and director of 'Inner Eye Arts,' a nonprofit arts organization working for the visibility of Asian American Artists in the SF Bay area. Pallavi's work has been exhibited in the US and abroad, including at the Queens Museum of the Arts, the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, the Aicon Gallery in New York, the Bishop Museum in Hawaii, and the Taubman Museum of Art in Virginia, among others. Her works explore the theme of marginalization, patriarchy, and misogyny and examine the notions of memory. She has published two poetry collections, कच्चा रंग (Kachcha Rang) and कोलतार के पैर (Koltar ke Peir)। We talk to her about poetry, paintings, community and more. You can find out more about her work and get in touch with her at: https://www.pallavisharma.com

आज अध्यापक, लेखक, कवि, संपादक, नवगीत एवं हिंदी हाइकु के विकास के लिए सतत प्रयासरत डॉ. जगदीश व्योम जी के साथ स्टैन्फ़र्ड यूनिवर्सिटी के KZSU 90.1FM पर बात करने का सौभाग्य मिला। सरकारी महकमे में कुशलता से बड़ी बड़ी ज़िम्मेदारियों का निर्वाह करते हुए भी सतत साहित्य व संस्कृति की सेवा में जुटे रहे जगदीश जी। अनेक प्रकाशन, अनगिनत उपलब्धियाँ, और बहुत ही सफल प्रवास है उनका लेकिन मुझे सबसे ख़ास लगा उनका सरल, विनम्र स्वभाव। आसमान सा व्यापक दृष्टिकोण लेकिन ज़मीन से जुड़ा हुआ नम्र, मृदुभाषी और सबमें प्यार से घुलमिल जाने वाला व्यक्तित्व। आज की ये मुलाक़ात हमेशा याद रहेगी। डॉक्टर व्योम जी का बहुत आभार, धन्यवाद और शुभकामनाएँ। आप उनसे जुड़ सकते हैं उनके ब्लॉग के माध्यम से: vyomkepar.blogspot.com

Rungmunch is a nonprofit organization founded by Smita Karhade and Madhaw Karhade in 2016 with a passion for theater with the desire to give back to the community. Within 5 years of its inception, Rungmunch has donated over $250k for various causes and helped raise $500k. GITPro awarded Rungmunch "Charity Organization of Year - 2016". It's a platform where driven actors, directors, dancers, musicians, singers, and playwrights of Indian origin come together to produce great theater to raise funds for a worthy cause. Rungmunch operates with a philosophy that. "as an attendee or performer in any play, movie, or musical show, we enjoy every moment of it, and while doing so, if we could be the reason to put a smile on someone's face, then it will be more satisfying." #For CommunitiesByCommunities #EmpoweringArtistsForBettermentOfCommunities #MakeADifference You can find all the information about the cause, its events, and opportunities to volunteer at: https://www.rungmunch.org Please join them in their upcoming event, "Azadi ka Mahotsav" (Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 10:00 A.M to 7:00 P.M. University of Silicon Andhra 1521 California Cir, Milpitas, CA 95035)

Raskhan Madhuri by ChaiTimeRadio

From the epic: Sakhi wo mujhse kehkar jaate - Yashodhara by Maithili Sharan Gupt

वह तोड़ती पत्थर;
देखा मैंने उसे इलाहाबाद के पथ पर-
वह तोड़ती पत्थर। सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी "निराला" Suryakant Tripathi Nirala's “ Wo Todti Patthar” is one of my favorite childhood poem. Nirala Ji was well aware of hardship of life, and in these lines he explains same of a labor woman working on roads of Allahabad in a hot summer afternoon. अभी मई का महीना चल रहा है है।भीषण गर्मी और ऐसे में आप जब ये कविता सुनें तो आप उस औरत की मनोदशा, और उसके कष्ट शायद महसूस कर सकें।

In this Chaitime, we talk to Sujit Saraf about Naatak's Annual Musical Buddha, which is currently being performed at Kelly Park Open theater and tickets can be purchased here: https://www.naatak.org/buddha/ Written and directed by Sujit Saraf, produced by Soumya Agastya, music by Nachiketa Yakkundi. The musical is set in the sixth century BCE and portrays the life of the Shakya prince Siddharth which eventually alters the course of human history. With a giant mural for a set, colorful costumes, and imaginative props, the play is a visual treat and a unique outdoor experience in the shade of lush maple and oak trees. In this interview, we talk to Sujit about his vision of creating the play, Sujit's background, and the brief history of Naatak, the premier Indian theater company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sujit Saraf received his Ph.D. from Berkeley. He works in Palo Alto, Calif., where he researches space missions and satellite control. Sujit runs Naatak, the premier Indian theater company in the San Francisco Bay Area, when not being a geek. He is the founder and artistic director of Naatak. Sujit is a recognized author, and he wrote his first novel "Limbo" in 1994. His 2007 book, "The Peacock Throne," was shortlisted for the Encore Prize in London. His third novel, "The Confession of Sultana Daku," is will be made into a motion picture starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Saraf was nominated for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 for his fourth book, "Harilal and Sons." He has also tried his hand at independent filmmaking with two feature films in his bag.

Wiki gives a simple definition for the word friendship. Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. So simple yet so profound. There are no words and no bounds to describe this bond, this connection. There are relationships, there is love, but beyond all the layers is something boundless, infinite, and soul-soothing, and that is friendship. There can be many friends, but there is the only one which makes us think who is she to me, or who is he to me. Radha has the same question for Kanu, for her Krishna, and Dr. Dharamvir Bharati has expressed it beautifully in his poem, Kanhupriya...Tum Mere Kaun Ho? प्रेम, प्यार, विवाह, भाई, माँ, पिता, बहन, गुरु, बेटा बेटी ये सब शब्द किसी ना किसी रिश्ते को परिभाषित करते हैं लेकिन, एक ऐसा रिश्ता है है जिसे किसी नाम, शब्द या परिभाषा में बांधा नहीं जा सकता, जो देश, दुनिया, मर्यादा, बंधन, नाते, रिश्ते, संयम, सही, ग़लत सबसे परे है। दो आत्माओं के बीच का एक अनकहा लगाव, दो दिलों के बीच एक गहरा बंधन, दो हृदयों का अटूट जुड़ाव जो अलौकिक होता है। क्या है वो, क्यों है वो आख़िर कौन है वो हमारा जो इस तरह से हमको अपने में डूबा लेता है कि मैं और तू से अलग होकर हम एक अलग ही धरातल में आ जाते हैं, बहुत क़रीब लेकिन फिर भी ये जान नहीं पाते की आख़िर वो हमारा कौन है। ये सवाल राधा के मन में भी आए और अपने अंतरंग कनु यानि कृष्ण से राधा ने पूछा तुम मेरे कौन हो कनु? राधा की जिज्ञासा, राधा के प्रेम, राधा के समर्पण को डॉक्टर धर्मवीर भारती ने एक बहुत ही सुंदर कविता में बांधा है जिसका नाम है "कनुप्रिया" और उसका एक अंश है जो मेरे दिल के सबसे क़रीब है - तुम मेरे कौन हो। राधा के कनु को पूछा ये एक प्रश्न हर कनु हर राधा के लिये है Flute Credit - Rakesh Chaurasia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9cefe-xD04

In today's Chaitime, we interview an inspiring community leader Usha Sundar and hear her incredible story of building the Hi5 youth foundation. Founded in 2015 by Usha and her husband R. Sundar, the Hi5 Foundation(https://www.facebook.com/Hi5youthfoundation) serves underprivileged children to help them develop life skills through the basketball game. She shares with us various stories that highlight multiple challenges she had to tackle over the years, including the COVID pandemic, the socio-economic situation of underprivileged children, and the social stigma attached to allowing girls to participate in sports. Hi5 started helping disadvantaged children in the Mumbai area; the organization has since expanded to Hyderabad and Kolkata. Hi5 foundation is currently serving 2100 children with a 50:50 ratio of boys and girls via their 20 centers and 25 coaches. The foundation also supports children from tribal areas. Usha Sundar's work is making such an impact that the NBA just featured Hi5 on their platform, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has taken a particular interest in this program and has become one of the significant donors to the cause.

A sample of Dulari Devi Paintings: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GaKY4dwSesN5MpK18 Youtube Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/Kjg-CENxuP0 Most of us have seen and admired a Madhubani painting at some point in our lives. The artists' colorful and vibrant style and topics in their paintings make Madhubani paintings one of the very famous Indian art forms. Yes, it is indeed a splendid art form, but for me, it means a lot more than just a beautiful expression. The story of Madhubani is closely related to the women’s economic and social empowerment while showing their talent and innermost feelings to the world.  Today, we reveal one such inspiring story of a great Madhubani artist – Dulari Devi. Dulari Ji learned this art from renowned artists Mahasundri Devi and Karpoori Devi working in their houses as a domestic worker. She used to watch them and would dream of becoming an artist and today she has received the Padma Shri award for dedication and brilliance.  In this interview, we cover her astonishing and inspiring journey to become a renowned artist and receiving one of the highest civilian awards by the government of India. Along with Dulariji, We have the privilege to have Kaushik Kumar Jha with her too. As the chief Administrator and General Manager of Mithila Art Institute since its founding in 2003, Kaushik Kumar Jha has been instrumental in bringing the Madhubani artists and researchers together and is a great help and support to the entire Madhubani art community.

In this episode of Chaitime, I talk to Manish Gupta about the Hindi Kavita project(https://www.youtube.com/c/HindiKavita/about). Manish is the force behind one of the most significant literary-cultural projects, Hindi Kavita. Manish has successfully revived interest in Hindi poetry among elites and ordinary people in India, particularly youth. In the last few years, Hindi Kavita has become a household name among poetry lovers in India. The Hindi Kavita project has touched Hindi language-lovers globally. We talk to Manish about his journey and vision. We also listen to some of the popular poems from the Hindi Kavita project recited by Rajendra Gupta(Bhool Galti), Manoj Bajpeyi(Rashmirathi), Swara Bhaskar(Ab mein vida leta hun), and a Chattisgarhi poem recited by Anuj Sharma. Manish Gupta is a filmmaker, columnist, painter, poet, and a cultural-philanthropist. More recently, Manish has also added Urdu Studio and Punjabi Studio to the Kavita project.

Shailendra’s Ji’s poetic genius was in his ability to convey the deepest of human feelings in simplest of the words. Simplicity and sincerity of his expressions made his songs immortal. The legendary team of Raj Kapoor, Shailendra, Hasrat-Jaipuri, Shankar-Jaikishan, and Mukesh are attributed with creating some of the most popular compositions in Hindi film music. Many of his songs like, Mera Joota Hai Japaniand Aawara Hoon met with popularity beyond the borders of India and are still popular in many countries worldwide including former Soviet Union, China and Middle East. In this ChaiTime, we relive his life and legacy with his son, Manoj Shailendra. Manoj Ji has personally witnessed unfolding of the ethereal events which have resulted in creation of the iconic and memorable music, Hindi film industry has ever experienced. Manoj himself is an accomplished musician and has worked with greats like S.D. Burman and Rahul Dev Burman. In this special interview, Manoj Ji has been kind enough to share some of the intimate moments he experienced with his father. To Shailendra’s fans, these details will be a treat to cherish forever.

In this Chaitime we celebrate India's independence day and desire of humanity to be independent and live one's life with dignity.

In this Chaitime, we talk to renowned Bollywood singer Suresh Wadkar about his journey as a singer and his upcoming live online concert with Rungmunch (www.rungmunch.org) on August 15, 2020. The funds raised through this event will be donated for music education for under-privileged and special-abled children. This is Suresh WadkarJi's first-ever online Bollywood Style Music LIVE Concert with full orchestra, professional video camera, and sound setup, VIP Lounge, and much more. Suresh Ji performs in both Hindi and Marathi films. He has sung songs in some Bhojpuri films, Odia albums and bhajans and in Konkani films. In 2020, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri. Suresh Wadkar’s Ajivasan Music Academy(https://www.ajivasan.com/) offers varied Music Appreciation Courses for children, adults and youth. In this interview we are joined by the co-founder of Rungmunch, Madhav Karhade.

Mohd. Rafi is one of the legends of Indian Film Music. He had an illustrious career spanning 40 years and during this time he sung more than 12000 songs in Urdu,Hindi,Konkani, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu, Maghi, Maithili and Assamese. July 31st is his death anniversary In this show we remember him and his music.

Welcome to the new season of ChaiTimeRadio. COVID-19 has changed the way we live and in this episode we explore various facets of life with the help of some of the most loved songs from Hindi Film music. We wish all our listeners to stay safe, and stay healthy.

In this ChaiTime, we talk to the world-renowned Baul singer Parvathy Baul(https://parvathybaul.com) and experience her divine music LIVE!!. In the studio, she is joined by Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh. Parvathy is visiting the San Francisco Bay Area from 9/20 to 9/25, and she will be performing at various venues. Complete information about the multiple events can be found here: https://parvathybaul.com. Parvathy Baul is the most recognized woman Baul performer in the world: she is a practitioner, performer and teacher of the Baul tradition from Bengal, India. The Baul tradition weaves together threads from Buddhism, Sufism, and Hinduism. She is also an instrumentalist, storyteller, and painter. In February 2019, she was awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, national recognition for her immense contribution to the ancient Baul tradition. Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh (“BG”) is the CTO at 8VC. Since receiving his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Yale, BG has had a distinguished career in Silicon Valley, working for 20+ years in technology leadership in diverse domains. He is instrumental in organizing the current trip and is working closely with Parvathy Baul to realize the Sanatan Siddhashram Project through SACSA (http://sacsouthasia.org/).

In this Chaitime, we talk to Dr. Kanwaljeet Anand about the upcoming concert Heart to Heart: Healing thru Music on July 20 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at the Cemex Auditorium, Graduate Business School, 655 Knight Way, Stanford. More information about the program can be found here: https://arts.stanford.edu/event/84299/ It is a free concert with Jazz and Carnatic Fusion, and it is being organized for raising awareness of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and the work done by the H2H Foundation. H2H Foundation (https://www.h2h.foundation/) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to saving the lives of children born with congenital heart defects (CHDS) by providing free pediatric cardiac surgeries. Dr Anand is a professor of pediatrics(Pediatric critical care) and anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine at the Stanford University Medical Center.

In this Chaitime, we talk to Dr. Jayant Kumar of the Bihar Foundation of the USA about their non-profit and upcoming annual function Bihar Diwas - 2019 on June 30, 2019 @ICC Milpitas from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Details of the program can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yxwru8g8 Bihar Foundation of USA, California is a non-profit organization working to help poorest of poor people in India through their various projects. "Adopt A Village" under the Project-VisionBihar, Bihar foundation of USA recently adopted six villages in Bihar, India and sponsored 500+ Free Eye Surgeries and distributed 1000+ Free Eye Glasses, in association with Sri Sai Lions Netralaya, Patna, Bihar, India.

In this Chaitime, we talk to Nima Gujar, President of Ekal Vidyalay, Bay Area Chapter. Ekal is a non-profit organization on a mission to bring basic education to every child across rural India. Ekal Vidyalaya’s mission targets the holistic development of rural and remote tribal villages in India by providing functional education that includes basic literacy, health and hygiene, economic development, social empowerment, and value education. The nonprofit has a goal of 100,000 schools by 2022 – the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. You can donate or/and volunteer for Ekal. Please join annual fundraiser for the Bay Area chapter of the nonprofit Ekal Vidyalaya. It is a melodious evening of music by the Vishwanath Batunge Group at ICC Milpitas on Sunday, April 7 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. It is the annual fundraiser for the Bay Area chapter of the nonprofit Ekal Vidyalaya. You can find all the information on their webpage ekal.org Currently, Nima is the president of Ekal Vidyalaya, Bay Area Chapter. Nima Gujar is a principal at HGA, specializing in designing corporate workplaces throughout the San Francisco Bay area. Her expertise includes interior design details, construction documents, construction administration, client relations, project management, and team coordination. Apart from that she dedicates her time in social causes and is actively involved in Bay Area Maharashtra Mandal, Rajasthan Association of North America and is a founder of WWW (Wonderful Women of the World) which has been running successfully for last 16 years. It gives platform to women to come together and share their expertise and experience.

In this Chaitime, we talk with Padmabhushan Sursamragyi Begum Parveen Sultana. She is currently visiting Bay area and will be performing at ICC Milipitas on 3/24/2019@4.00pm. Parveen Sultana does not need any introductions. She debuted on stage at the age of twelve. In 1965 she recorded her first EP for EMI India, and in 1967 her first LP for the same label. She was conferred the Padmashri in 1976, at the age of 25 and was awarded Padma Bhushan (2014) by the Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1998, given by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. Parveen Sultana has sung for Bollywood movies such as Gadar, Kudrat, Do Boond Pani, and Pakeezah, and several other Assamese films. She was awarded Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for the song "Hame Tumse Pyar Kitna" for the film Kudrat.

In this Chaitime, we talk to vocalist Konark Sarangi (http://www.konarksarangi.com/). A devoted student of Indian Classical Music and Vocal artist who works on Social Issue based Musical projects. His musical videos Hausla Na Ruthe and Ghar Jaana Hai have met with critical acclaim. His first video “Ghar Jaana Hai” showcases the issue of Drought & Migration. The video has been well accepted in film festivals across the world with 23 official selections (Including Miami Beach Film Festival, Richmond International Film festival, Los Angeles Film Awards) and has won 6 Awards in various categories. His latest video "Hausla Na Ruthe" has the Orissa Super Cyclone as its backdrop. The cyclone struck the state of Odisha in 1999 causing large scale devastation killing around 50000 people. "Hausla Na Ruthe" depicts one such story of 'Charu Maa,' a super courageous woman from the village of Gundalba, Odisha who refused to give up and led a group of women to fight against nature's fury and restored an entire forest cover that got destroyed in the 1999 Orissa Super Cyclone. Konark started his musical learning under the able guidance of Shri Mahesh Kale in the San Francisco Bay Area. His quest for learning the highly rich traditions of Indian Classical music took him to the legendary Dhrupad vocalist, Padmashree Pandit Ramakant Gundecha from whom he learns Dhrupad gayaki. Konark has performed in various solo concerts in the US and has also performed as an accompanying artist in many classical / semi-classical concerts.

We dedicate this episode of Chaitime to Ankit Chadha. Ankit Chadha((21 December 1987 – 9 May 2018) was an Indian writer, storyteller, oral narrative performance artist, researcher, and educator but above all, he was a genuinely lovely human being and friend. Ankit specialized in research-based narratives performed in the centuries-old Dastangoi form of storytelling. He weaved biographical accounts of personalities like Kabir and Rahim to Dara Shikoh and Majaz into the conventional Dastangoi style of presentation. He performed Dastangoi globally, including at Harvard, Yale, and University of Toronto. Ankit left us and all his fans on 9th May 2018 few weeks after his last performance in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode, we listen to my interview with the accomplished team of Khusro-ke-Rang which included Ankit Chadha, Bindu Narayanaswami, Vedant Bharadwaj and Ajay Tipaniya. This interview was recorded in July 2017, when I had an opportunity to travel with the group to attend a live performance of Khusro-Ke-Rang in Pondicherry.

In today's Chaitime we talk to anchor, art critic, music aficionado, journalist and author Sanjay Patel. Sanjay Patel is from Indore, India and he has had a unique honor of meeting almost every music personality of the industry. This year he completed his 40 years of public life. I had an opportunity to talk to him during my visit to Indore in 2017 and have him share his experience with music stalwarts: Mehdi Hasan, Prahlad Tipaniya, VG Jog. In this interview, he shares his broad experience as an anchor and journalist.

In today's Chaitime we talk to the famous Hindi/Urdu poet and lyricist, Javed Akhtar. It was an incredible honor and experience talking to Javed Akhtar Saheb and listen to him talk about his incredible journey, life lessons and his show Mein Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon, for which he is currently touring the USA. Mein Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon has a unique format where the multifaceted lyricist shares intimate details and stories of his super hit songs along with an evening of soulful music. Mein Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon is coming to SanJose on Nov 3rd, 2018 . The tickets are available at www.sulekha.com/JavedAkhtar

In this Chaitime, we talk to vocalist, composer, and scholar of Hindustani classical, semi-classical, and devotional music Pandit Raja Kale (http://www.rajakale.com) and listen to his compositions, recorded in KZSU studio. Pandit Kale is accompanied by renowned bay-area artist Raju Chithambaram, founder of Andaaz creations. Pandit Raja Kale is a senior disciple of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. He also received valuable guidance from Pandit C. P. Rele and Pandit Balasaheb Poonchwale from the Gwalior Gharana. Pandit Raja Kale is known for rendering both old and new Hindustani classical music with an approach that is at once eclectic and focused on the performance. With his appealing style and gifted voice with wide range and rare tonal qualities, Pt. Raja Kale achieves perfect articulation in the alaap, taan as well as the exposition of the Bandish. He is equally proficient in presenting Thumri, Tappa, Natyageet, Bhajan, and Bhavgeet. He holds a Ph.D. with the thesis on the Importance of Bandish in Khayal. He has also received a senior fellowship from the Department of Culture of the Government of India for the study of the subject: Comparative study and analysis of "Gayaki" of Legendary singers Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, and Pandit Jasraj. Pandit Kale is the founder of Swarabhishek Gurukul, a music academy with the goal of teaching the real essence of Hindustani classical and semi-classical music. He has performed live on several notable occasions, and on broadcast media, including TV and Radio in India. Raju Chithambaram is a lead vocalist in Bay Area band Andaaz Creations. Raju is a student of Mahesh Kale & Pandit Laxmi Ganesh Tewari and has sung with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, and other elite Bollywood artists. Andaaz Creations is the originator of the Bollywood Broadway Musical and has raised over $1M in fundraisers.

In this Chaitime, we talk to award-winning filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai Gya (https://www.stanzindorjaigya.com) about his life, his journey and his film - Shepherdess of the Glaciers. Shot at an altitude of 16,400 ft, Shepherdess of the Glaciers is an award-winning film by Stanzin Dorjai Gya and Christiane Mordelet. In this movie, Stanzin tells the story of her sister who is a shepherdess in the rock-strewn mountain in the Himalayan region of Ladakh. And through her story, Stanzin captures an intimate portrait of a disappearing way of life – one marked by challenges and isolation, but also beauty and spiritual grace. Stanzin Dorjai has dedicated his career to sharing stories that open the viewers’ eyes and minds to the unique challenges of life in the High Himalayas. His work is as compelling as the landscape of Ladakh itself, and his message is as profound as the surrounding Himalayas. He is joined in the studio by Linda Cortright and Mary Dautricourt. Stanzin is an internationally-acclaimed filmmaker who has directed and produced notable feature films and documentaries on regional, national and international issues. “Jungwa: The Broken Balance,” a documentary based on the 2010 flash floods that devastated Leh, was selected for screening at the United Nations’ COP21 Paris Conference in 2015. “The Shepherdess of the Glaciers,” an homage to his sister’s life, has won 20 awards, including the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2016. Stanzin is alumnus of SECMOL(https://secmol.org) and founder of the Himalayan Film House. HFH seeks to promote and capture stories unique to this region as people face increasing socio-economic conflict and environmental degradation. Linda Cortright is founder and publisher of Wild Fibers Magazine (https://www.wildfibersmagazine.com), a U.S. quarterly and Pangong Craft Center in Phobrang village, Ladakh. Pangong Craft Center provides a warm, well-lit space for nearly 60 semi-nomadic women to spin and weave cashmere from the goats they lovingly raise. Mary Dautricourt is the coordinator for Stanzin’s trip to the San Francisco Bay area and his appearances.