ZENPod

Season-4, episode 3 of “ZENPod”, featuring Shri Amarjeet Singh Chawla-The Turban Traveller,  61 years young retired Garment Exporter turned Film maker and now a full time International Road Traveller known as “The Turban Traveller”.

His belief has always been, “No Journey is long when dreams are big and sky is the limit.”

Amarjeet is now onto a 7 continent road trip, covering 200,000 kms across 100 countries. In the first leg of his Spiritual Journey, he drove as a solo driver on the same car that used for his Delhi-London trip that covered over 44,000 kms.

“Spirituality means the preachings of my guru. I go by my first Guru’s lessons and teachings. If I can follow him for even .01%, then that is spirituality for me. Practising the teachings of my Guru is spirituality for me.”says Shri Amarjeet Singh Chawla, in his conversation with Venkatesh Mahadevan.

“For me, it’s a symbolic journey to spread his message of universal brotherhood to mankind, A message of equality, love and peace to the world which are very relevant at the present time”, says Shri Amarjeet Singh Chawla.

To fulfil his dream expedition, Amarjeet stared his journey in July of 2018 and drove from Delhi to London covering approx. 40,000 km across 30 countries in Asia & Europe, passing through Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Netherlands, Denmark and London) in Asia & Europe and finished a year later in July 2019.

Amarjeet is now onto a 7 continent road trip, covering 200,000 kms across 100 countries covering Asia , Europe, North & South America , Australia ,New Zealand Africa and Antarctica as a tribute to Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his 550th Birth Anniversary.

Amarjeet strongly believe that age is just a number and nothing can stop you to achieve and conquer what is yours.  He says, “Dreams are beautiful and one should not stop dreaming in spite of lots of negativity in the world”.

He ha plans to resume hisroad trip of 200,000 km, out of which he has already covered 84,000 kms across 36 countries. This journey will be telecasted on 3 TV channels of PTC Network daily worldwide.

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

Season - 4, episode 2 of “ZENPod”, continuing our conversation in Part 2 with Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan, Padma Bhushan awardee, Sangita Kalanidhi, ‘Kalaimamani’ – India’s foremost Carnatic Vocalist. Founder, Sudhaarnava Academy for Musical Excellence & “Samudhaaya” Foundation. A disciple of the legendary Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. ML Vasanthakumari, Sudha has evolved a style of her own.

“Spirituality is my surrender to a power that orchestrates everything that happens within the Universe. It is the path where I get to know who I am, where I am heading, what are my Goals, where did I come from, my goals what have I done for…..” – says Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan in her talk with Venkatesh Mahadevan

Sudha Ragunathan led the largest Carnatic band along with Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers to acquire a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Serving society

Her Sudhaarnava, Academy for Musical Excellence was launched on 14 April, 2017 with the objective of training senior level students and nurturing talent to produce high class performers.

She launched “Samudhaaya Foundation” in 1999, which has so far disbursed funds to the tune of over INR 50 million for various causes, focusing primarily on children - pediatric cancer care, pediatric heart surgeries, mentally challenged destitute children, abused children, the deaf blind children and towards palliative care.

Under Project Anugraha, Sudha has helped musicians who have lost their livelihood because of the pandemic, by giving them a monthly amount for sustenance for a period of three months

Awards

Sudha Ragunathan is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India, for the year 2015.  Some of her awards include :-

· Music Academy’s ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’

· State Government’s ‘Kalaimamani’, ‘Sangeetha Choodamani’, ‘Sangeetha Saraswathi’, ‘Sangeetha Visharaadh’, ‘Sangeetha Sampoorna’, to name a few,  &

· Lifetime Achievement Awards

· Conferred the “Aasthaana Vidwan” title from religious institutions such as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Ahobila Mutt, Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram & Sri Narayani Peedam

Sudha has enthralled packed audience at International Music Festivals and concerts held in the U.S., Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and several other countries globally.

Away from the mainstream

1. During the lockdown 2020, Sudha has conceptualized Expressions Espresso, a chat show with leading personalities.

2. Teaming with jazz wizard Amit Heri, she has toured the United States along with some memorable performances in India as well

3. Having sung some very popular numbers in Tamil and Malayalam films, she is currently into composing music for two Tamil films.

4. Sudha has walked the ramp as ambassador for the Parampara pattu, a customized brand of silk sarees, that has now culminated in the Parampara awards for recognizing outstanding performers in the field of art and culture

Websites: - www.sudharagunathan.com

www.samudhaayafoundation.org

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: Sudha Ragunathan – _Simply Sudha. Facebook: @sudha.ragunathan30

Instagram: sudha_ragunathan

Twitter: @RagunathanSudha

Season - 4, episode 1 of “ZENPod”, featuring Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan, Padma Bhushan awardee, Sangita Kalanidhi, ‘Kalaimamani’ – India’s foremost Carnatic Vocalist.  Founder, Sudhaarnava Academy for Musical Excellence & “Samudhaaya” Foundation.  A disciple of the legendary Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. ML Vasanthakumari, Sudha has evolved a style of her own.

“Spirituality is my surrender to a power that orchestrates everything that happens within the Universe.  It is the path where I get to know who I am, where I am heading, what are my Goals, where did I come from, my goals what have I done for…..” – says Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan in her talk with Venkatesh Mahadevan

Sudha Ragunathan led the largest Carnatic band along with Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers to acquire a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sudha has the distinction of being the only Carnatic musician second to Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi, to have sung at the United Nations.  Louisville, Kentucky (United States) declared 19 May, 2019 as Sudha Ragunathan Day in recognition of her service to the field of arts for the past four decades.

Serving society

Her Sudhaarnava, Academy for Musical Excellence was launched on 14 April, 2017 with the objective of training senior level students and nurturing talent to produce high class performers.

She launched “Samudhaaya Foundation” in 1999, which has so far disbursed funds to the tune of over INR 50 million for various causes, focusing primarily on children - pediatric cancer care, pediatric heart surgeries, mentally challenged destitute children, abused children, the deaf blind children and towards palliative care.

Under Project Anugraha, Sudha has helped musicians who have lost their livelihood because of the pandemic, by giving them a monthly amount for sustenance for a period of three months

Awards

Sudha Ragunathan is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India, for the year 2015.  Some of her awards include :-

·  Music Academy’s  ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’

·  State Government’s ‘Kalaimamani’, ‘Sangeetha Choodamani’, ‘Sangeetha Saraswathi’, ‘Sangeetha Visharaadh’, ‘Sangeetha  Sampoorna’, to name a few,  &

·  Lifetime Achievement Awards

·  Conferred the “Aasthaana Vidwan” title from religious institutions such as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Ahobila Mutt, Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram & Sri Narayani Peedam

Away from the mainstream

1.  During the lockdown 2020, Sudha has conceptualized Expressions Espresso, a chat show with leading personalities.

2.  Teaming with jazz wizard Amit Heri, she has toured the United States along with some memorable performances in India as well

3.  Having sung some very popular numbers in Tamil and Malayalam films, she is currently into composing music for two Tamil films.

4.  Sudha has walked the ramp as ambassador for the Parampara pattu, a customized brand of silk sarees, that has now culminated in the Parampara awards for recognizing outstanding performers in the field of art and culture

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

ZENPod Curtain Raiser for Season-4, episode 1, featuring Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan, Padma Bhushan awardee, Sangita Kalanidhi, ‘Kalaimamani’ – India’s foremost Carnatic Vocalist. Founder, Sudhaarnava Academy for Musical Excellence & “Samudhaaya” Foundation.

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

“Spirituality is my surrender to a power that orchestrates everything that happens withvin the Universe. It is the path where I get to know who I am, where I am heading, what are my Goals, where did I come from, my goals what have I done for…..” – says Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan in her talk with Venkatesh Mahadevan

Yet another season of “ZENPod” completed.  What a journey it has been in this season too.  Meeting with such interesting people, engaging in enlightening conversations and continuing to learn!

Season 3 has also been an enriching experience, engaging with the stalwarts and masters of their respective Arts. Thank you to:-

Ms. Chetna Gala Sinha – An Acvitivist, Farmer & Banker

Ms. Maruhashi Hiromi San – Japanese winner of the Nihon Kairali Award

Ms. Jacqueline Shaw – Professional fashion designer, African fashion business coach

Shri Manjoor Khan – Folk musician, president of Sarwar Lok kala

Smt. Jayanti Kathale – Founder of ‘Purnabramha’, worlds largest Maharashtrian restaurant

Shri Gaurav Mazumdar – Grammy nominated musician, renowned sitar player, collaborator, Teacher, composer

Dr. Janki Santoke – Vedanta expert, Author, Founder of Vedanta institute

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 10, featuring Dr. Janki Santoke, a Vedanta Expert, Author, Management Trainer, Lecturer, Public Speaker. Founder of Vedanta Institute.  She has been into full time research and propogation of Vedanta for the last 30 years

“Spirituality is about reaching back to your own divine self. It is defined in Vedanta itself. Our journey to re-discover our own self!”.Relation comes from two latin words, Re-legare, which means to join again.”- says Dr. Janki Santoke in his conversation with Venkatesh Mahadevan

Janki Santoke, Ph. D. (Philosophy) is a lecturer, author, corporate resource, public speaker. She studied Vedanta at Swami Parthasarathy’s Vedanta Academy, which is the three-year full-time residential course.

https://janki.santoke.com

Her service to society in the field of Vedanta has taken the following forms:

· Delivers lectures in weekly classes on Vedanta and Gita

· Author of the book How Do You Know What You Know? urging us to Think! Because our lives depend on it! More details on the Facebook page

· Public Lectures and Webinars on Practical Vedantic topics

· YouTube –  The channel, Team Janki Santoke, has over 150 videos & is watched worldwide

· Articles in prominent Newspapers like Times of India, Speaking Tree, Dainik Bhaskar

· Management Training Programs for companies such as Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Gillette, Glaxo-Smithkline, Bharat Petroleum, Young Presidents Organization (YPO) among others

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 10, featuring Dr. Janki Santoke, a Vedanta Expert, Author, Management Trainer, Lecturer, Public Speaker.  Founder of Vedanta Institute.

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 8, featuring Shri Gaurav Mazumdar, a Grammy nominated musician, Renowned Sitar player, A Teacher, Collaborator, Composer, Music conductor and an Educator. A Music composer for the Ballet “Siddhartha” based on the book by Nobel laureate, Herman Hesse.

“Spirituality is a ‘State of Mind’; Feeling or having a certain calm within you, feeling of sublime, feeling pure, feeling beautiful, feeling harmony, feeling everything is in sync with each other, feeling that everything in this world happens, not without a divine intervention, and we are all connected and part of that BIG plan!, and that we all co-exist, relate and belong to each other!”.- says Shri Gaurav Mazumdar in his conversation with Venkatesh Mahadevan

A Grammy Nominated musician, Gaurav Mazumdar is born to the illustrious Mazumdar family of Allahabad reaching the zenith of his music education with the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar. His initial Gurus were his father Dulal Mazumdar, Pt. Nandakishore Vishwakarma, cousins Kamala Bose and Jayashree Roy and Uncle J.D.Mazumdar.

An approved artiste of All India Radio and National Television and an empanelled artiste of ICCR (Ministry of External Affairs) for over 2 ó decades, Gaurav as a performer has appeared at premier festivals and venues across the globe, spanning the expanse of Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America.

This includes Scottish Symphony for BBC 2019, The Chicago Symphony Hall 1997 & 2018, Royal Albert Hall 2002, 2012 & 2017, Belt & Road Festival, China 2017, Kennedy Centre 2007, Bath Festival 2006, Menuhin Festival-Gstaad 2006, Acropolis for Greece Olympics 2004, Netaji Indoor Stadium 2004, Perth Festival 2004, Kijani Festival Kenya 2004, Music Academy Chennai 2000, Vatican 1999 and Tata Theatre Mumbai 1999 amongst others.

His performances include appearances with Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Philip Glass, The Royal Philharmonic, Britten Sinfonia, Shenzhen Symphony, Slovak Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Scottish Symphony Orchestra and others.  As a composer, Gaurav has composed music for the Ballet ‘Siddhartha’ – based on the book by Nobel Laureate Hermann Hesse, Ballet ‘Ritu Shringar’, ‘Woman Baring’. Gaurav has also composed music for the Film ‘Shwet’ and was, for a decade, the National Conductor for Britain’s Youth Orchestra, ‘SAMYO’.

Gaurav’s albums include, ‘Echoes from India’, ‘In Search of Peace’, 'Neemrana', 'Soul Strings', 'Grammy nominated' - 'East Meets West’, ‘Orion’(recorded live at the historic concert in the Acropolis in Greece to commemorate the 2004 Olympics), ‘Gaurav Mazumdar’, 'Offerings', ‘Strings in Harmony', ‘Walking Together', ‘Shambala’ (a historic sitaar/violin double concerto), 'Colours from the Rainbow’ (a composition for western orchestra), ‘Hesse’, ‘Afternoon Serenade’ and ‘Shringaar’. www.gauravmazumdar.com

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 8, featuring Shri Gaurav Mazumdar, a Grammy nominated musician, Renowned Sitar player, A Teacher, Collaborator, Composer, Music conductor and an Educator.  A Music composer for the Ballet “Siddhartha” based on the book by Nobel laureate, Herman Hesse.

“ZENPod” Season-3, episode 7(part 2), featuring Smt. Jayanti Kathale,

A TED-Ex Speaker , SEE Talk Speaker , SWAYAM - Speaker , Business Woman,  Founder & Managing Director Manaswini foods Pvt. Ltd and Brand owner of ‘Purnabramha’, the world’s largest Maharashtrian Restaurant, chain of all-veg restaurants specialising in authentic Marathi cuisine.

“Success means fulfilment of dreams, and the strength / perseverance to run after those dreams; this path is success.  My dream is to open 5000 Purnabramha centres across the globe”, - says Smt. Jayanti Kathale in her conversation with Venkatesh Mahadevan

Dreams do come true, if you have the desire and the determination to go after them, says Jayanti Kathale, founder of ‘Purnabramha’, the world’s largest Maharashtrian Restaurant, chain of all-veg restaurants specialising in authentic Marathi cuisine.

An erstwhile IT professional, and a mother who quit her high paying IT job for the sake of her dream, a dream to serve homemade delicious Maharashtrian food, now she is running over 14 restaurants successfully all over the world.

From the spice-laced Misal Pav, to Sabudana Wada, to the sweet Shrikhand Puri and Puran Poli, Jayanti’s restaurants offer a wide range of true Marathi flavour.  Jayanti is also the CEO of Purnabramha LLC in the United States of America.

“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.