He is known as the “Isai Puyal” (Musical Storm) in Tamil Nadu and the “Mozart of Madras” globally. Allah Rakha Rahman, or A.R. Rahman, is more than just a composer; he is a global musical phenomenon whose work effortlessly transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. His unique position in the world of music is underscored by accolades earned both in his homeland India, including the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, and on the international stage, where he has garnered Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award.

Rahman’s singular contribution lies in his revolutionary redefinition of contemporary Indian music. He achieved this through an innovative and seamless alchemy, fusing diverse musical traditions. The intricate melodies and rhythms of Indian classical music (Carnatic and Hindustani), the earthiness of folk traditions, and the spiritual depth of Sufi Qawwali merge organically with the structures of Western classical music, the allure of pop, the energy of rock and jazz, and the futuristic soundscapes of electronic music. Equally pivotal has been his role as a technological pioneer, embracing synthesizers, MIDI, digital audio workstations, and advanced sound engineering techniques to craft his signature sound. For a deeper analysis, please go to my blog about him.

Picture this: March 8, 2025, London’s Eventim Apollo theatre, all decked up, and our very own Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja dropping his first-ever western classical symphony, Valiant, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Bro, idhu nijamave oru periya vishayam! (Man, this is truly a big deal!) The 81-year-old legend took the stage—or rather, his music did—and gave the world a 45-minute symphony that’s got everyone talking. Add some of his mass film songs, and the concert stretched to a solid 90 minutes of pure goosebumps. For us Tamizh folks, it’s like seeing our Raaja Sir conquer the world, vera level da!

Ever wondered if Hindu Gods could explain your computer’s inner workings? In this blog, we’re diving into the cosmic dance of Shiva and Shakti, and how their eternal balance mirrors the relationship between your computer’s hardware and software. Spoiler: Shiva’s not just chilling in the Himalayas—he’s also the reason your laptop doesn’t just sit there looking pretty. Ready to see how mythology meets your MacBook? Click the link and let’s get started!

Ever felt like life is too complicated? The Ribhu Gita says—it’s not! In Chapter 26, which Ramana Maharishi called the most important, the message is clear:

✅ You are already Brahman.

✅ The world is an illusion.

✅ Stop overthinking and just BE.

Think of it like waking up from a dream—once you realize it’s not real, all the problems vanish. No need for years of meditation or fancy rituals. Just recognize your true Self—pure Awareness.

Ready to hit the cosmic “undo” button? Dive into this blog post for a modern, humorous take on one of the most powerful spiritual teachings ever!

Do we truly create our own reality, or is everything already written by fate? Neville Goddard teaches that we can manifest anything by embodying the feeling of already having it, while Ramana Maharshi insists that all is predetermined, making effort futile. At first glance, these views seem contradictory—but are they really? This podcast explores how manifestation and destiny might actually be two sides of the same coin, offering a deeper understanding of how we navigate life’s unfolding journey. Should we shape our reality or surrender to it? Perhaps the answer lies in balancing both.

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of ‘NALLA MADRAS’—where we dive into everything from soulful bhajans to, well, the more creative ways Indians have conquered the English language. Today, we’re taking you on a laugh-out-loud journey with the blog post, ‘Basically Unarmed: A Hilarious Tale of Indian English Speakers.’

You know those moments when ‘prepone’ makes its way into sentences like it belongs in the Oxford dictionary? Or when ‘off the light’ isn’t a suggestion but a direct order? Yeah, this one’s for all of us who’ve experienced the glorious chaos of Indian English—where grammar takes a backseat, but personality takes the wheel.

So, grab your filter coffee or chai, and let’s jump into this linguistic rollercoaster that proves English is ours now—we just use it better. Or at least, funnier

Guru Dutt, a name synonymous with poetic storytelling and cinematic brilliance, remains one of the most revered filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema. With timeless classics like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, he created a unique space for himself as a pioneer whose artistry transcended the boundaries of conventional filmmaking. Though his life was tragically short, his legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

Have you ever wondered if life operates on some hidden algorithm, much like the ones YouTube and Facebook use to serve us cat videos and conspiracy theories? One minute, you’re innocently scrolling, and the next, you’re sucked into a rabbit hole of “10 Ways to Bake Banana Bread.” But what if our body-mind complex works on a similar system, curating our experiences based on our focus? And what if Hindu philosophy has been telling us this for millennia through concepts like sharanagati or surrender?

Infinity isn’t something to conquer; it’s something to marvel at. Inspired by the intriguing wisdom of the IIT Baba, this blog dives into the paradox of knowing what you know and what you don’t know—and whether that brings you closer to understanding the infinite. Spoiler: It’s all about embracing the journey, not the destination

An innovative Israeli company is pioneering the future of food by introducing 3D printed meat. Using state-of-the-art technology, they're crafting meat from either plant-based ingredients or animal cells. This approach promises numerous benefits including greater sustainability, improved animal welfare, unparalleled customization, and potential solutions to food security challenges. While the innovation has the potential to revolutionize our culinary landscape, it also faces challenges such as public acceptance and regulatory issues. This development not only showcases a technological marvel but also hints at a transformative shift in our relationship with food, positioning Israel at the helm of a possible global culinary revolution.

I was always decrying people who were vegetarians.

My line would always be, "Guys, you don't know what you are missing."

Then it happened.

The ones I derided are now doing target practice on me, but I can see a glimmer of admiration in their eyes!

While it is not easy to transition, there are plenty of resources to help you along, like cookbooks and videos.

However, some restaurants, holiday packages, cruises, and the like have few vegetarian options. So do your research before ending up at a location and realize all you have is a dish of spinach with bits of bacon picked out of it.

This tune was composed by Walter Kaufmann, a Jew, and played by violinist Mehli Mehta a Parsi, for a radio station first founded by Professor M V Gopalaswamy, who taught Psychology at Mysore University. Some of you must have guessed it by now. It is the signature tune of All India Radio.

Mehli Mehta, incidentally, is the father of composer-conductor Zubin Mehta.

Almost eight decades have passed since the composition of this piece is based on the raga Shivaranjini. However, the lilting violin notes played over a tambura still manage to evoke a sense of longing. The signature tune was followed immediately by Vande Mataram.

Antonio Xavier Vaz, better known as Chic Chocolate, was a popular jazz musician in Bombay. He also worked as a composer and trumpet player for Hindi film scores. 

Chic Chocolate and Chris Perry led a two-trumpet barrage at the Green's Hotel. Chic Chocolate was a nightclub performer for most of his career, but he was also a talented film composer, recording and arranging soundtracks for several films. 

Chic was a successful Bollywood music composer. In 1951, he worked as a music director for the first time on Nadaan. Aa Teri Tasvir Bana Lu by Talat Mahmood and Sari Duniya Ko Piichhe Chodkar by Lata Mangeshkar were two of Nadaan's most popular songs. Chic Chocolate was a part of C. Ramchandra's team. Two of Ramachandra's most popular Bollywood songs are Gore Gore O Banke Chore from Samadhi and Shola Jo Bhadke from Albela. Chic Chocolate is to be credited for these songs. Lata Mangeshkar sang the song Koi Dard Hamara Kya Samjhe in the 1952 film Rangili, on which they collaborated. He is remembered today for his collaboration with Madan Mohan and his work with Naasir in the 1956 film Kar Bhala. Chic worked as the film's assistant music director. 

The movie Albela featured him in a song sequence with his band dressed in frilly Latin-inspired costumes and a cameo appearance. Chic wore the costumes from the film for his subsequent live performances. 

Chic and his family, including his wife Martha and their children, lived in a Colaba apartment until he died in May 1967, at 51. Chetan Anand's Aakhri Khat was released shortly after. Several shots in the movie showed Chic Chocolate playing his trumpet from the bandstand during the blues song Rut Jawan.

The art of divination is a skill that has been practiced for ages.  The various ways are by something as gory as checking the entrails of a bird, which was the form practiced by the ancient Romans.  Thank goodness, it is not so messy these days!  However, most practitioners are still stuck in a time warp, meaning they are not in touch with reality.  Many of the cures for a bad time in your life involves cures that are worse than the problem in terms of expense and effort.  Nehaa Goyal, of Nehaa Goyal Shreem Reading, is what one would call a modern-day divinatory.  In addition, she is a mindset coach, Tarot reader, numerologist, and NLP Coach.  With around 15 years of experience in a corporate environment, she knows what reality is out there.

An unrestricted conversation with Jim Rajan.  Jim is an empath and an intuitive, distant healer.   "My mentors Jiddu Krishnamurti, Kahlil Gibran, Rabindranath Tagore, Deepak Chopra walk with me through a universe that I hold gracefully within my own hand. And, I’m honored to have their words by my side" says Jim.   "In the past 25 years I’ve studied shamanic healing, reiki, buddhism, daoism, mindfulness and the curative arts to bring about my own growth and healing and that of those around me. But when I learnt the art of visualisation, life literally took off and underwent a profound expansion. It is the key to the future. To your future. But you have to know what you are doing and do it right from the start.  As an empath and intuitive healer I’ve learnt to master my own mind and energetic body, to be the protagonist not the victim. And when I took the decision to work on myself, amazing and wonderful things emerged. We are all intuitive, we all have the capacity to feel everything and our work will open that door for you, too.  For me sound is an incredible healing medium. As a composer and musician I’ve searched for sounds that bring about expansion in consciousness. I play drums to the earths’ rhythm not my own. And the bansuri flute, a traditional north Indian folk instrument that transports you directly to your source. My poetry is deeply meditative and purely from my heart. And, when I put all these resources together with these teachings, this work just sprang mystically into existence.   Our followers have said it instills ‘feelings like flying’ and ‘floating through dreams in space’. The presence it brings about in you has been called ‘mystifying, spiritually enriching’. And, others called them ‘vivid magical journeys’. And, I’m filled with gratitude for such words about my work." says he.

Kalaimamani Smt. Priya Murle, is a senior disciple of Padmashree Prof. Sudharani Ragupathy and was a senior teacher at Shree Bharatalaya, prior to founding Shri Silambam Academy of Fine Arts. Intense training and commitment to the art form have marked Priya's career in Bharatanatyam. Priya has a multi- dimensional approach to dance. A versatile performer, choreographer and teacher, she also has a keen interest in Music, Nattuvangam and Sanskrit.

She has done research in the field of aesthetics and has worked on the Rasa Theory as part of her M.Phil. Dissertation. She has numerous performances to her credit and is particularly well known for her powerful rendering of Jathis. She has performed in all the major Sabhas of Chennai and other places in India. She performs regularly in both solo and group presentations. She has travelled extensively to Spain, Russia, United States, Canada, Switzerland and Norway, giving performances, lectures, demonstrations and conducting dance workshops. She is also been to the Reunion Islands as a Jury of Bharathanatyam examination and given

Priya was also part of the editorial team of Shree Bharatalaya and assisted in bringing out the Handbook on Bharatanatyam, titled “LaghuBharatham”: Volumes I, II and III. Priya was the convenor for Natyadharshan conference (2018 and 2019) conducted annually by Karthik Fine Arts. Titled “Kadamba”, the flowering path, the conferences received rave reviews in its first year. The Government of Tamilnadu has awarded Priya Murle the title “Kalaimamani” for the year 2017, for her tremendous contribution to the classical dance field. She has also received senior scholarship for dance awarded by the Department of Culture (Govt. of India), Bharat Kala Ratna Award by Trinity Fine Arts of India, Narthaki award by Brahma Gana Sabha, Yuva Kala Bharathi title by Bharath Kalachar, Nadanamamani title and Shriram

Award of Excellence by Sri Kartik Fine Arts amongst many the awards and accolades. Priya also serves as the Vice President of ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India).

Prof. Dr. T. Unnikrishnan is a well known Vocalist and Internationally reputed voice trainer. He is a multifaceted personality as a Researcher, Administrator and Performer. He has done intensive study and research in Voice Modulation and developed many rare techniques to increase the quality of voice and also to eliminate various voice related problems. He has developed many rare techniques and exercises to prepare singers with increased range and a flexible voice. He is regularly invited in seminars of otolaryngology associations and ENT departments to deliver lectures on voice issues and ways for natural cure for functional voice disorders.

A large number of singers from 16 countries have received online training through his website www.voicecultureindia.com which includes professional vocalists, teachers and playback singers.

He is holding Ganabhuhanam & Sangeet Vidwan Diplomas in Vocal Music, M.A in English Literature, Clinical Psychology and Doctorate in Music. Presently he is Senior Professor, Music Faculty at Indira Kala Sangit University, Khairagarh. He has also served the University as Registrar and Vice Chancellor. He is an expert member for UGC and many Universities. He is a visiting voice expert in ITC Sangeet Reearch Academy, Kolkata for the scholars of Hindustani Music. He has also served in Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Indian High Commission, Mauritius as a faculty on deputation by Govt. of India. Unnikrishnan has also guided many scholars pursuing their Ph D in music, voice modulation and related topics.

He has widely travelled in India & many countries for vocal performances and workshops. He has sung for few South Indian movies. He is author of two books ‘The Singing Voice’ & ‘Institutionalized Teaching system of Carnatic Music’ and many articles. He is recipient of many awards like ‘NavarasaSangitaChakravarthy’ from Varanasi, Tagore Memorial’ award from Chattisgarh and ‘Sangeetha Bhaskara’ award from New Delhi.

Kalaimamani Gopika Varma - a brief description

Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Kalaimamani award, Nritya Choodamani award from Krishna Gana Sabha - a student of Guru Kalayna Kutti Amma,  Guru Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, and Kavalam Narayana Panicker - not to mention the training she received from Smt. Girija and Smt. Chandrika Kurup, both senior students of Smt. Kalyani Kuttyamma, and also from Kalyani Kutti Amma's daughter Smt. Sreedevi Rajan.

She is married to Prince Poorurttathi Thirunal Marthanda Varma ,descendent of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of the ancient Travancore family, that is very well known for patronage of the arts.  Maharaja Swathi Thirunal is deemed to have resurrected Mohiniattam and restored the wonderful art form to its right place.

She considers every dance of hers as an offering to the divine; Sri Padmanbhaswamy, the tutelary deity of the Travancore Royal family.

She runs a school called Dasyam, in Chennai, India.

Fif Fernandes, in her own words:

"As director and founder of MeDiClown Academy (a registered activity of the Auroville Foundation) , I ignite the power of human potential, sparking well being through laughter, love, joy and play. I design and implement retreats, courses, seminars and workshops in healthcare, hospitals, education and organizations to alleviate mental illness and stress. We focus on happiness and relaxation to enhance productivity, creativity and gain a greater sense of inner and outer peace.

I have been a Specialist Advisor, Trainer and Examiner for Physicians, Medical Students and Foreign Trained Physicians for 28 years. I have worked in paediatric and adult acute, urgent care settings as a Therapeutic / Medical Clown with children and adults in Oncology, Emergency, Intensive Care, Palliative, and other inpatient and outpatient wards. My specialized work and avant garde approach in the hospitals has led to invitations to present keynote addresses and workshops at international conferences.

I have received my BFA (Drama) Specializing in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Calgary, holds certificates as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Certified Yoga Teacher and I am a Humor Academy Graduate (HAG) from the Association of Applied Therapeutic Humor in the USA. Also, as a television and stage director, producer, writer and actor, I received over a dozen national and international awards; most recently "Friends of India Brand India" globally in the field of Heath and Fitness and "YES! i am the CHANGE" - YES Bank Foundation."