Column: The Good Life: for Mint Lounge
Vimala Rangachar
Welcome to the Sanskrit Podcast where the ideas of ancient India meet the modern world. Vimala Rangachar has been associated with fine arts and performing arts conservation movement of Karnataka for many years. She holds multiple positions of Chairperson of the Craft Council of Karanataka, Founder Member and President of M.E.S Institutions, President of the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, President of the M.E.W.S Ladies Club, Malleshwaram, Bangalore, heading M.E.S Kalavedi, President of the Seva Sadan Orphanage, Hon. Secretary of the ADA Rangamandira, Committee Member, Gandhi Center for Science and Human Values- Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. In this episode, she [...]
Video of me speaking about culture and aesthetics
The email below led to this video of me here and pasted below. She had me at Alarmel Valli!! Dear Shoba Hope all is well. Not sure you remember me but we met at the Festival of Sacred Music two/three years ago. I now have a performing arts' company called Aalaap and under the banner of Aalaap, I edit and publish a performing arts magazine. Will send you a few copies if you give me your snail mail address. I'm writing to you on behalf of Ahalya, an exclusive, high-end jewellery brand, whose creator is a very intelligent and insightful [...]
The best gifting ideas from 2014: for Mint Lounge
It is just before Christmas. You are probably in the throes of figuring out what to buy for family, friends and co-workers. Here is a list of objects that you could consider buying for your near and dear. The logic of choosing these objects was simply this: I saw them during the course of this past year and they stuck in my head—because they are unique, innovatively designed, and beautiful. Shoba Narayan plans to buy a lovely teapot this Christmas season.
Kalidasa for 21st century
Fantastic exposition of why Kalidasa is huge in ancient Indian literature. Thank you, Mani Rao, for sharing this with us. Watch the episode here
Carnatic Instrumentalism
The future of Carnatic instrumental music requires both a stroke of genius and a paradigm shift. How do you end the supremacy of lyrics in what is being performed today? As a listener, even I know and love the lyrics. Why then would l listen to only instruments? For that, several things need to happen. A genius composer needs to write for instruments—either a concerto format with multiple instruments or a song with a long instrumental riff like in Hotel California, where the guitar becomes the melody at the end.
At work, women don’t need to play by the same rules as men: for The National Abu Dhabi
At work, women don’t need to play by the same rules as men Indian politician and novelist Shashi Tharoor. (David Levenson / Getty Images) At work, women don’t need to play by the same rules as men Shoba Narayan December 8, 2014 Updated: December 8, 2014 09:30 AM My grandparents had four sons and one daughter: my mother. My grandmother’s favourite son was her eldest. He was always smiling, had a sweet word for everyone and sent my grandmother photos from faraway England with lines of Tamil poetry as captions. Her third son lived in the same town as she [...]
Why your girl should go to a women’s college: for Mint Lounge
My view—from personal experience and from watching other adolescent girls—is that women have many voices in their heads that tell them how to behave. They have a mortal fear of being judged. They hate confrontation. A good teacher can drown these voices. A good college can alleviate the desire for approval that women have; the self-correction that they engage in all the time. Through role play and encouragement, faculty and staff teach young women to be assertive, to speak up; to stop second-guessing their thoughts and opinions.
An all-women’s college changed my life: for The National Abu Dhabi
Inspired by the visit of Sonya Stephens of Mount Holyoke, I began thinking about women's colleges. An all-women’s college changed my life Shoba Narayan November 29, 2014 Updated: November 29, 2014 05:48 PM Those involved in higher education – and I say this as the daughter of a college professor – sometimes forget just what an impact they can make on a young student’s life. Think about it. If you are over 40, you probably don’t remember who you met last week. But you do remember those teachers whose classes you enjoyed and the teachers who shaped your mind, [...]
Raga Connection show
I will be doing a workshop "The Raga Connection" along with a friend and fabulous singer, Chitra Srikrishna, at the Times of India literary festival this Sunday on the 7th of December (details below) If you have kids who would be interested in attending the workshop or other friends in Mumbai, please let them know. Details here http://timeslitfest.com/schedule-7-dec.php
Year in Review
It is the time for "Year in Review." Spoke to Bryan Crump at Radio New Zealand here.