Category: Interviews

The journalist in me kicks into action with the interviews I do. I have built this portfolio of interviews consisting of authors, filmmakers, performing artistes, publishers and social activists, both well-known and up and coming, carefully over time. With each one of them, I have felt as delighted as a child who has won for herself a delicious cotton candy! These interviews have been tremendous learning experiences, throwing the doors open to the many, many things that go on in this world and that keep the world going. These interactions are my pride and I will cherish them as some of the best things that have happened to me in my journey as a writer.

Arts More Crucial Than Ever

Dr.Anita Ratnam is a classical and contemporary dancer and choreographer. She is also the founder director of Arangham Trust, a cultural foundation that seeks to explore, enrich and promote the performing and visual arts of India and to contemporize the rich tapestry of Indian creativity for modern audiences. A Ph.D. in Women’s Studies, Anita lectures in various universities and museums overseas. She talks about the qualities and lessons she has learnt from her Gurus, what she drives as a Performance Mentor in her students and the relevance of arts in a highly mechanized world. Excerpts from the interview.

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Categories: Interviews

On Indian English Literature : Anita Nair

Anita Nair is the author of the bestsellers ‘The Better Man’, ‘Ladies Coupe’ and ‘Mistress’. She has also authored a non-fiction collection ‘Goodnight and God Bless’ published by Penguin in 2008. This interview is part of a series of interviews done with specialists in different fields relevant to India. I spoke to Anita Nair about Indian Writing in English.

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Categories: Interviews

On Indian Cinema : Hariharan Krishnan

Hariharan Krishnan is Director, L.V. Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai, where he also heads the department of direction. Hariharan, who is a graduate from FTII Pune, is the director of the National Award winning Tamil film, ‘Ezhavadhu Manidhan’. He also has many documentaries, children’s films and short features to his credit. Hariharan is a visiting faculty member at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. This interview is part of a series of interviews done with specialists in different fields relevant to India. I spoke to Hariharan Krishnan on Indian cinema.

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Categories: Interviews

On Indian Mythology : Devdutt Pattanaik

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is a medical doctor by education. Mythology is his passion. He is the author of the popular books ‘Myth = Mithya : A Handbook of Indian Mythology’ and ‘Book of Ram’, both published by Penguin India. His columns also appear in different magazines and newspapers. This interview is part of a series of interviews done with specialists in different fields relevant to India. I spoke to Devdutt Pattanaik on Indian mythology.

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Categories: Interviews

Believe in Your Dream : Rashmi Bansal

Rashmi Bansal is the author of the bestseller ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’ – the book featuring inspiring stories of 25 IIM Ahmedabad graduates who took to entrepreneurship. Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ that features inspiring stories of non-MBA entrepreneurs has been published recently. Rashmi writes on youth, entrepreneurship and careers and is also the author of the popular blog Youth Curry. In an interview to me, Rashmi talks at length about both her books, the Indian market and about JAM (Just Another Magazine) – the youth magazine of which she is co-founder and editor. Additionally, don’t miss out on her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs! Excerpts from the interview.

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Categories: Interviews

Film Making : A Learning Experience

Arun Vaidyanathan, filmmaker, is the director of the critically acclaimed Tamil feature film,’ Achchamundu! Achchamundu!’ (There’s fear! There’s fear!) that deals with the burning issue of child abuse. He also has many award-winning short films to his credit. Arun Vaidyanathan talks to me about his journey as a filmmaker – right from his inspirations, memories of his early filmmaking years and his stint in the Tamil television industry, to the making of ‘Achachamundu! Achchamundu!’ and memorable moments while directing his debut feature film.

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Categories: Interviews