K. Balachander
As someone who has watched and tracked Tamil movies all her life, one of the things I notice is the fall of the heroine. There are exceptions, but by and large, Tamil films these days are hero oriented, action films with a thin storyline. Women play the love interest, or dance an item number, with Rajnikanth’s Linga being the latest example. What Tamil films need are strong directors who are fascinated with women like those directors in the 70s and 80s.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 – [...]
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 [...]
Year in Review
It is the time for "Year in Review." Spoke to Bryan Crump at Radio New Zealand here.
Bonda Soup, where the bowl matters: for Mint Lounge
Still bummed that I didn't go to Ayodhya in Mangalore for typical Mangalorean food. The bowl matters as much as the soup I grew up in a home where we ate on stainless-steel plates. My grandmother’s idea of a festive [...]