Mukhtasar Si Baat with Shailja

Paas nahin hain, par nazdeek, bahut nazdeek, hamesha rahengi Lata ji...

The first episode of Season 2 is a tribute to that voice that feels like a part of my DNA! Sharing some of my most intimate connections with Lata ji's voice. This episode is also a playlist that you could call 'Shailja waali Lata Playlist' :)

#LataMangeshkar #LataPlaylist #Lataji #Retro #EternalLata

As I reflect on the metamorphosis of my manuscript to a published book, I was reminded of this episode. Here is a revisit.

This episode is all about my newly released book 'The Moonsmith Gulzar'. Hear what Gulzar Saab said about the book and what the book is about!

I am feeling a sense of timelessness with excitement and overwhelm, and this time also I am embracing his words to express myself - 'Kabhi Kabhi Sapna Lagta Hai, kabhi ye sab apna lagta hai'. Also featuring 'Phir Wahi Raat Hai' by Gulzar.

#Gulzar #TheMoonsmithGulzar #IndianLiteraryCriticism #Amazon

This Diwali, as I deep cleaned and decluttered, I pondered about the darkness and clutters of the mind. Our external and internal 'Diye' and their 'Roshni' - and their unsteadiness or endurance...

How was your Diwali?

#Gulzar #ParkerPalmer #CarlJung #innerlight #mindfulness

This episode explores 'the beauty and terror' of conversations. More often than not, the emotions and the energies behind our words do not reach the other person the way we intend to…but whatever the outcome 'baat kuchh ban hi jaati hai' right? Featuring Sahir's classic 'Jane kya tune kahi, jane kya maine suni, baat kuchh ban hi gayi...' 

#Sahir #Gulzar #MariaPapova #JaunElia #JigarMorarabadi #UrsulaKLeguin #Pyaasa #communication #conversations

A sequel to 'Yahan Main Ajnabi hoon' - exploring a different layer of the messy and complex subject of identity. Also, how the narratives and stories that we tell ourselves shape our identities.

#poocheJoKoiMeriNishaani #Gulzar #BashirBadr #AlanWatts #WilliamJames #AlanBaldwin #JhumpaLahiri #ThisIsUs

How much to assimilate and how much to remain distinct as a migrant? This episode discusses the importance of drawing a delicate balance between the two in the context of our migrant experience. Featuring Anand Bakshi's 'Yahan Main Ajnabi Hoon', this episode explores the generative force hidden in feeling 'ajnabi' as a migrant, and the importance of 'striking roots into Unaccustomed Earth'..Share your stories.

*Unaccustomed Earth - a breathtaking phrase and the title of Jhumpa Lahiri's short stories collection.

#Migrantstories #Diversity #DilHaiHindustani #Gulzar #AnandBakshi #multiculturalism #UnaccustomedEarth #JhumpaLahiri #NathanielHawthorn

Summing up insights from life, literature and retro songs - Mukhtasar si baat is about how some songs lend fresh insights about our fallacies and fulfilment, our despairs and desires, and our love and longings…those insights that speak to us individually, yet revealing our collective human condition. This podcast features handpicked retro songs from Hindi films and other loved ghazals.

Kaun bahna chahta hai tinke ki tarah? Our conscious thought, will-power, control are rewarded by the society. So, most of us do not want to ever relinquish our control. But what about that desirable state called the 'Flow' when we are joyous in letting go of our conscious control? Yes, some activities, tasks, projects can be so immersive that we loose track of time and ourselves. When we truly get out of our way! What is that immersive activity, task, craft, skill for you that brings you 'in the zone' - and in that celestial 'state of Flow'? Do share :)

#MihalyCsikszentmihalyi #Flow #WuWei #SHBihari #Gulzar #Osho #DevamaniPandey #EdwardSlingerland #OPNayyar #Ravan #RekhaBhardwaj #VishalBhardwaj #ARRahman

https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/04/21/trying-not-to-try-slingerland/

https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/wu-wei-doing-nothing/

This week - scratching the surface of the classic preoccupation of the human mind. Why should we go on living - Kis Liye Jeete hain hum? Why should we go on living, making money, making art, friends and enemies, loving and leaving this earth without a trace? A big question to have 'Mukhtasar Si Baat' on - but let's explore together some angles. #SahirLudhianvi #JaunElia #MirzaGhalib #CharlesBuskowski #TheSecretLifeOfWalterMitty #Purposeoflife #Gulzar #TahzeebHafi #Shailendra #OfHumanBondage #WSomersetMaugham