Let’s Talk

Time and a certain disposition of mind allows for self-reflection that is productive not just for the individual but for others as well. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kua Kia Soong, academic, activist and author of almost 40 books on his latest work, “The Malaysian Dilemma: My Memoir and Manifesto”.

We are what we eat said a German philosopher. Nothing could be more true. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chef Yin about her journey to a raw vegan diet.

Has our addiction to images and representations of food come through popular culture come at the cost of understanding our true relationship to food, food producers and our histories? Sharaad Kuttan speak to University of Brasilia professor in tourism, Taina Zaneti, and about her book “From Our Grandmother's Pans to Haute Cuisine” and her critique of representations of food and structural problems in our food production systems.

Images and text can be a potent mix in story-telling. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to writer Lim Soon Heng & illustrator Tang Yeok Khang about their illustrated book, “A Hen-Made Tale” ostensibly for children, perhaps for the child in all of us.

Sharaad Kuttan speaks to ecologists Benjamin Ong, Applied Imagination Fellow, Center for Science & The Imagination and fellow member of Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) together with UBI's Creative Director Siti Syuhada Sapno about their month-long programme ImagiNasi, created to help us rediscover Nature through Food.

Non-Fungible Token (NFT) art stole headlines for record breaking sales in crypto currencies. But are we applauding the money or the artistry? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to visual artist Visithra Manikam, whose sale of her work to musician Snoop Dogg, brought her to national prominence.

Can we redesign formerly exploitative relationships with the land and communities whose lives are intimately tied to it into relationships of respect and cooperation? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Daniel Teoh, Founder of Native Discovery, a social enterprise seeking to create what it describes as “impactful business opportunities with Orang Asli communities”.

Every year during the Ramadhan month, just like clockwork, the media raises the issue of food waste. But this is neither a problem unique to the fasting month nor to the Muslim community. Malaysia has a serious, year long problem with wasted food. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Syazwan Mokhtar, General Manager, The Lost Food Project.

Excavations of the past both personal and political are invaluable to developing a sense of what Malaysia is as a nation. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Peggy Loh, author of two volumes of “My Johor Stories”.

He describes himself as an introvert for whom the pandemic was an opportunity to express his inner emotions in images. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Yoss Yoseff, Johor-based visual artist who will be participating in CULT Gallery's “6 Ways Of Seeing Show”.

What forms of inequality exist and why do they persist? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chandran Nair, founder & CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow about his new book “Dismantling Global White Privilege, Equity for A Post-Western World”.

In 2019 a group of Malaysian dancers travelled to the city of Prayagraj to witness and participate in one of the largest gatherings of humanity, the Kumbha Mela. The deeper culture connections between the Subcontinent and the Peninsular are evident if often silenced; so how can we creatively excavate and animate them for ourselves? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Chairman of Sutra Foundation about his book “The Kumbha Mela Prayagraj, Joined in Dance, A Malaysia-India Experience”.

Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kee Thuan Chye about his book “Lim Kit Siang Malaysian First; Volume One: None But The Bold” about the veteran politician whose leadership of the Democratic Action Party has had a profound impact on the social and political landscape of post-Independence Malaysia.

Years spent working in commercial graphic design and generous mentors seem to have laid the foundations for his current success. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to one of Kuching best known muralist about his unmistakable painterly style, the realities of commissioned work and where he plans to take his art.

Two years after it's establishment the environmental journalism portal Macaranga, it's founders are looking for ways to sustain a project that's filling a gap in our media landscape. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to co-founder Wong Siew Lyn and Natasha Zulaikha Zahirudin (a graduate student on a mentorship programme) about the challenges they are facing.

The CIMB Artober Hotel Art Fair 2021 was held from 4th to 7th November 2021 at the Element by Westin hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Ismail Ani Arope, Director, Group Corp Events, CIMB and artist Najib Bamadhaj about the event that brings some of the city's leading galleries together.

Books - domestic or foreign - traditionally represent an important dimension of the intellectual life of society and the flow of ideas. How healthy is this trade in Malaysia? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Gerakbudaya Editor, William Than and Lit Books' Fong Min Hun about their book “Paper & Text: The Trials and Trade of Malaysian literature”. 

On this episode of Let's Talk, Sharaad Kuttan speaks to novelist and academic Faisal Tehrani about his work, literature and culture in Malaysia.

On this episode of Let's Talk, Sharaad Kuttan speaks to novelist and academic Faisal Tehrani about his work, literature and culture in Malaysia.

In this classic study of ideas our guest looks to the writing of political and community leaders, literary figures as well as the religious elite to discern the ways in which the problem of development or lack of it is understood. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Shaharuddin Maaruf, author of “Malay Ideas on Development: From Feudal Lord To Capitalist” first published in 1988.

In this classic study of ideas our guest looks to the writing of political and community leaders, literary figures as well as the religious elite to discern the ways in which the problem of development or lack of it is understood. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Shaharuddin Maaruf, author of “Malay Ideas on Development: From Feudal Lord To Capitalist” first published in 1988.

Undaunted by the small and potentially shrinking pool of avid readers, Svara also publishes exclusively in Malay. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.

A broad thematic canvas allows for the unexpected, along with sharp story-telling and an attractive layout. Where next for this quarterly? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.

The persistence of older analogue forms is a reminder of what is sometimes lost in the transition to digital formats, exemplified in the literary journal. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.

While pursuing a postgraduate degree my guest embarked on an exploration of a man whose life of crime has become legend, a modern-day Malaysian Robin Hood. But what truth lies behind this image and how difficult was it to unearth the multiple narratives, public and private, of the man who was born Kalimuthu a/l Pakirisamy. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Suganthi Supramaniam author of “The Story Of Bentong Kali”.

While pursuing a postgraduate degree my guest embarked on an exploration of a man whose life of crime has become legend, a modern-day Malaysian Robin Hood. But what truth lies behind this image and how difficult was it to unearth the multiple narratives, public and private, of the man who was born Kalimuthu a/l Pakirisamy. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Suganthi Supramaniam author of “The Story Of Bentong Kali”.

Trained as an architect and working on the speculative end of “world-building” has brought our guests to an experiment in authorship and identity. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chuah Chong Yan about his exhibition “Fac3d: What If We Kissed At The Intersection Between Art, Writing And Technology” at The Backroom, Zhongshan Building.

Beginning with some early scientific explorations in the Malaya Peninsular, our guest sets out to entice us into an engagement with these two forms of knowledge. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Clarissa Lee, “Artscience, A Curious Education” about the structure of her book and its invitation to reconsider the relationship between art and science.

How should we think about what is often thought to be very different forms of intellectual activity. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Clarissa Lee, author of “Artscience, A Curious Education”, how she came to write a book about the relationship between artistic methodology and scientific knowledge.

With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.

With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.

With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.

This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin, about their formation as artists and the group.

This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre  and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin, about the show that brought them 3 awards at the recent Cameronian Arts Awards.

This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin about their upcoming album launch and immersive show.

Inspired in part by the 1971 book of biographical sketches of then contemporary Malaysian artists by Dolores Wharton, our guest sought to bring to life the lives of current contemporary artists. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.

How much of yourself do artists want to share with the public, and how much of their private lives or personal philosophy adequately explain their work. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.

What’s next in the lives of Malaysian artists do we need to explore and what medium might best bring these new narratives out? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.

Coming to Kuala Lumpur only as an adult, our guest tonight has deep roots in the Kelabit community, a community whose language is endangered. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in Kelabit and Kenyah, about her identity both ethnic and musical.

Once the province of men, the Sape is now championed by both men and women who have become trained in the tradition. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in Kelabit and Kenyah about her entry into the professional world of music, from a world where music was embedded in the community.

Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival had a profound influence on our young guest and today she is connected to the world through her music. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in the endangered languages of Kelabit and Kenyah.

Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.

Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.

Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.

From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.

From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.

From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.

This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and film-maker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).

This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and film-maker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).

This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and filmmaker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).

Sharaad Kuttan speaks to world-renowned Bangladeshi photographer, founder of the Drik Picture Library, the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and the Chobi Mela International Photography Festival on what the future holds.