Chai with Rai

A Wisdomist Chai- ”I’m Still Surprised How Gay Asians in this country are so invisible”.

PRIDE special- Today's Wisdomist Chai comes from my chat with Sunil Gupta - who is a Photographer, Curator, Author and Activist. This is from Episode 17 of Chai with Rai. I wanted to put out something for pride and what better than some sections from my chat with Sunil. Now in the clips Sunil discuss lack of representation of Gay Asians in UK, how we have Black Pride and other movements but nothing for Asian or other communities. He got into how organisations such as Shakti were set up as a space of safe haven for young Asian men from a concept of chai and samosa’s in it’s early days. 
He talks how often you can be fetishised to being the poster child for Gay Asians at times because of his work. He also discusses activism and being queer in the 80’s— from section 28 and how today as a community of LGBTQ+ you have to continue the work and not be complacent.  
He also discussed being Asian in 80’s, being identified as Black and how the community felt about that. To recently the work of Indian Youths for Section 377.  This is a good one, I hope you enjoy and lets dive into this wise cuppa chai. 
To watch the full interview video:
https://youtu.be/pOLWk9Ehwcs 
To listen to the entire episode:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-17-in-conversation-with-sunil-gupta/id1602305867?i=1000546286641
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XjttwOO4fSzE7UYUChOgm?si=42d2b4aa64a143ac
Amazon/ Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d99d5499-92f5-49eb-a66b-6b3525a82c0b/episodes/8e72f306-8404-4d36-9959-26c4bbb09ef2/chai-with-rai-episode-17--in-conversation-with-sunil-gupta  Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3JhaW11aXRmdW0vZmVlZC54bWw/episode/cmFpbXVpdGZ1bS5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS9mMzIzOTIxNC0zYWFmLTM3N2UtOGNlMS1kN2NmMjMzZmJhZmM?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjomeHT9Jv3AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ  Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-np46w-1164cd0 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/sunilgupta7402/  
Websites
Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum
Guest: https://www.sunilgupta.net
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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”There’s such a science to Virality” w/ Mitali Dargani

With Mitali Dargani from the podcast Brown Game Strong and her illustration business Aunty Doodles. 
This was such a vulnerable episode because we really dove deep into conversations surrounding mental health, anxiety. How the digital space can affect our perspective on life. By chasing this version of perfection at times.
We get into how brands are built and the behind the scenes that no one ever gets to see. How to grow your brand and an intro into illustration/ podcasting.
We also discussed the South Asian dance space in UK is really like, in specific Bollywood dance industry. The good and the bad, what is lacking and what works.  We also discussed performative activism and how to own up to your wrong doings.
Mitali also works for Deloitte as a tech consultant-- So we get into how she balances that life with her businesses and dancing but also just being creative. My obsession with the Sindhi community is something that is slightly explained in the episode! So, it's quite a lot.
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/tB9p0ylsw-k 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/mitalidargani/ & https://www.instagram.com/browngamestrong/ & https://www.instagram.com/auntydoodles/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum
Guest: https://mdarg.co 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

A Wisdomist Chai- ”Turn your hobby into work”

A Wisdomist Chai- A New segment for Chai with Rai. Taking small sips of Wisdom from an episode and popping it into a new cuppa. 
This clip is from my chat with Guleraana Mir- Writer, Theatre practitioner and Educator. Who discusses ways to grow your community as a writer, advice for new writers and how to turn your hobby into work. I also feel, a lot of what she says can be transferred to any medium of life or any practice you are based in. 
To watch the full interview video:https://youtu.be/3XxSzBmwv-M 
To listen to the entire episode:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-in-conversation-with-guleraana-mir/id1602305867?i=1000546286672 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iVUOlUiHAiJw795TkkbpZ?si=E4qV-yg8SkSNBzxD6bp-3Q Amazon/ Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d99d5499-92f5-49eb-a66b-6b3525a82c0b/episodes/a82c6080-9b44-4f4e-9e82-ff5054247fae/chai-with-rai-episode-5--in-conversation-with-guleraana-mir Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3JhaW11aXRmdW0vZmVlZC54bWw/episode/cmFpbXVpdGZ1bS5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS9jMmQyNmM0OC04ZjMzLTM3YmEtYjkyZC0zYTcwMDNkNzQyNjE?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjY0dzzypP3AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xcxhf-115d878
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://twitter.com/g_ting 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Guest: https://linktr.ee/guleraana 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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Episode 29- In Conversation with Meghna Bhalla

Chai with Rai (Ep. 29)- In conversation with Meghna Bhalla where we sat and discussed the space of being a  freelancer photographer in India. Her approach and passion to movement photography,  how she found a speciality in dance. How her passion in life and approach to creativity as an artist has come to be?
We also discussed her content creation work and videography and dove into questions such as online media presence. Do Views and numbers matter? How she manages to gain work without having an official website. And the challenges she faces being a female in a male dominated industry.
We also got into her upbeat attitude and the lessons she has learnt from the industry. Where she sees herself in the future, her family and so much more. P.s we also got into discussing Bollywood and Marvel so... get your cuppas ready for that chat too.
A bit about Meghna
Megan is a photographer, videographer and content creator based in India. She has worked with the likes of Mohan Shakti, Rajat BAkshi, Melvin Louis, Lady Lolita, Svetna Kanwar, Yuko Harada, Jhanavi Shariff, Ayushi Amrute, marta szlach, Latonya Style, Famous Crew, Rohit Singh, Pia Sutaria, Gairik Dutta Paul , Eden Dolreich Pereira and Brinda Guha to name a few. 
She has photographed over 100 dancers, produced thousands of videos that have generated millions of views Online. She also does her own dance calendars featuring some of the most talented dancers India has to offer. 
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/dQ7rViPRTfI 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/meghnabhalla/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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Episode 28- In Conversation with Ramita Ravi and Vikas Arun

Chai with Rai (Ep.28)- In Conversation with Ramita Ravi and Vikas Arun from Project Convergence. We sat and discussed the creative space in US from a South Asian perspective, being a female and being queer. We also dove into conversations about South Asian Dance-- how the space can often be divided and separated. How South Asian dancers are only bought together for South Asian projects as oppose to our counterparts in the community. How Ramita and Vikas are creating heritage work but meshing it with other forms. Mentorship and sharing the South Asian dance space with other companies and uplifting each other. 
We also discussed their passions for balancing careers outside of the arts industry and how that functions with all of their business ventures. We obviously talked about the work they both create for Project Convergence and dance competitions. Their credits, dance journeys, their views on digital space and actualising that into work and so much more. 
A bit about Ramita: 
Ramita Ravi is a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, entrepreneur, and consultant:
As an Artist, she is signed bi-coastally with Bloc Talent Agency. She was the first South Asian to be featured on So You Think You Can Dance which launched a career of credits including SAG Feature Film Spinning Gold, John Oliver, TNT, Viceland, Hermès NYFW, Mystic India: The World Tour. I’ve choreographed for Lincoln Center, Raveena, KSHMR, Buzzfeed, Spotify; and taught at Broadway Dance Center, Columbia, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Alvin Ailey. I’m also on faculty with Groove Dance, Headliners, and Imagine Dance Challenge.
As a consultant, she has worked in UX Design, Product Strategy, Marketing, Program / Portfolio Management at companies like TEDMED, Tomorrow Health, Advice Coach, and Stage Door Connections.
As an Entrepreneur, Ramita is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artswrk: a professional network for artists and creatives. She also co-founded Project Convergence, a dance company incubated at the American Tap Dance Foundation. 
A bit about Vikas: 
Vikas is a sought-after dancer specializing in tap, contemporary, and Bollywood dance. He has had the pleasure of working with numerous prestigious choreographers including Emmy nominees Chloe Arnold and Anthony Morigerato, Jeff Award winner Jared Grimes, MacArthur Genius grant winner Michelle Dorrance, and many others. His performance credits include TV (Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance, Univsion), film (Breaking Brooklyn), commercials (J.Crew, Vogue), and musicals (42nd Street). He has performed for esteemed guests such as the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of India.
Vikas’ company Project Convergence, co-founded with Ramita Ravi, is the first company in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation dedicated to blending tap dance with Bharatanatyam, a classical from of Indian percussive dance. The company’s performance credits include Spotify, Buzzfeed, and Lincoln Center, with media coverage from WNYC (New York Public Radio), Dance Magazine, Columbia Magazine, and The Hindu. You can catch him in print as the first South Asian Ambassador for Capezio or as a teacher at Broadway Dance Center and Columbia University.
In addition to his dance work, Vikas’ is also an award winning engineer and a Robert Gartland Fellow at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School for Engineering and Applied Science. He travels the world teaching dance technique, dance pedagogy, financing for dancers, and personal growth coaching. He is a guest lecturer at Columbia University, a substitute faculty member at Broadway Dance Center, a regular guest on numerous podcasts, and a cited source for articles in major publications including The Guardian, The New York Times, and more.
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/G-aIVNHxenY 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ramita.ravi/ , https://www.instagram.com/vikas_arun_/ & https://www.instagram.com/project.convergence/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum
Guests: https://www.ramitaravi.com ,  https://www.vikasarun.com  https://www.projectconvergence.org  
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Episode 27- In conversation with Priyanka Chauhan

Chai with Rai (Ep.27). In conversation with teacher, choreographer, dancer and dance/well being practitioner Priyanka Chauhan. Where we sat and discussed her work with marginalised groups including women in domestic violence refuges, autistic young people, older people living with dementia, people living with Parkinson’s and more. We discussed the importance of safeguarding and how that skill is transferrable in her goal which is to create an international program that utilises the benefits of dance for community and individual well-being. 
We also dove deep into her classical work from dancing with Pagrav Dance to what Kathak means to her. How she identifies as a creative and where she fits into the space. Her evolution as a dance artist and more. We also discussed the pro's and con's of teaching and facilitation. And of course we dipped our toes into the world that is Bollywood dance in the UK. 
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/esJIHfayHuA 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/priyankachauhan.x/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum 
Guest: https://www.priyankachauhan.co.uk 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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Karak Chai| Batch No.1

Karak Chai| Batch no.1 
Celebrating all things Theatre, Film, Series and Podcast. I have curated a collection of hidden gems to watch and listen to-- all whilst sipping on your first or fifth Karak Chai. This is batch No.1 of many more to come. I hope you enjoy and do let me know which one was your favourite and also, this is the the first time I am putting this type of episode out. So, please do give me some feedback innit. 
The Projects in the episode are as Follows: 
Theatre
An Adventure by Vinay Patel & Kash Arshad at Octagon Theatre
An Adventure follows three decades tale of a couple who meet in post-partition India in 1954, marry and move first to Nairobi then 1970s England. 
Cast: Esh Alladi, Saba Shiraz, Daon Broni & Jessica Kaur. 
Period Party by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan at Hampstead Theatre with Kali Theatre
Period party tells a story of a South Asian non-binary Queer teen. Who through this journey and celebration of a period party is going on a journey of discovering who they are.
Concha by Carly Fernandez & Manisha Sondhi at Brixton House
Concha is a semi-autobiographical show following our lead who is queer and trans, on discovering they have chlamydia,  and how they must now inform their recent sexual partners.
Cast: Carly Fernandez. 
10 Nights by Shahid Iqbal Khan & Kash Arshad at Bush Theatre with Tamasha Theatre
10 Nights about our lead character Yasser who decides to take part in itikaf,  which is sleeping and fasting in the mosque for the last ten nights of Ramadan. And how that experiences pushes him to deal with certain things in the past. 
Cast: Zaqi Ismail, Safyan Iqbal & Sumayya Si- Tayaeb. 
After The End by Dennis Kelly and Lyndsey Turner at Theatre Royal Stratford East
After The End tells a tale  about a city under attack from a nuclear blast. As the dust settles, Louise wakes to find herself in a fallout shelter with Mark, the colleague who has saved her life. They have enough water and food to last two weeks. Now they just need to find a way of surviving each other.  
Cast: Nick Blood & Amaka Okafor.
Our Streets by Beth Kapalia & co at Tara Theatre
Our Streets explores through film and live performance, a group of 14-18-year-old women and non-binary people of Wandsworth will take the audience on an adventure through the city, all while never leaving the theatre.  Delving into a variety of themes, including recent events and discussions around women’s safety in London, Our Streets will open up the conversation of what Wandsworth could and should look like if we all played a part in designing and imagining our local urban landscapes. 
Cast: Hania, Leona, Issy, Charly, Shania, Anousha, Violet, Daniella & Blu. 
The Hen-nah Party by Amani Saeed at Richmix
The Hen-Nah Party is all of the joy of a henna night without the stress, gender norms, and aunties at the wedding.
Featured Artists: Amrit Kaur, Amani Saeed, Sanah Ahsan and Meral Alizada.
Rouge by Marion Motin by Rambert Dance
Rouge is about finding our real selves: our instinct and nature, rather than our culture. It’s about leaving the artificial world to just live, to connect with real bodies and real people
Cast: Daniel Davidson, Juan Gil, Liam Francis, Miguel Altunaga, Aishwarya Raut, Simone Damberg Würtz &Guillaume Quéau.
Film
Stalling it by Jemma Moore & Caroline Ward
Stalling It follows five toilet stalls, three bridesmaids, one pregnancy test, one nosey neighbour - zero ideas of what to do next. The 1980's an era of female independence, sexual freedom, experimentation, self expression and style. Sometimes. It's 1988, Sammy, Bethan and Jo are bridesmaids at their best friend's wedding. Their outfits are fabulous, their hair do's are huge, the nuptials have been made and the drinks are now flowing. We join our bridesmaids in the midst of the time honoured female tradition...the joint bathroom break.
Cast: Sophie Hopkin, Jemma Moore, Caroline Ward & Sacharissa Claxton.
Little Sky by Jess X Snow
Little Sky follows the journey of SKY, a Chinese-American pop star who returns to the city they were raised in to find their estranged immigrant father. Haunted by their childhood memories, SKY risks their non-binary identity to end the cycle of violence in their family. In the confrontation, SKY discovers something that changes how they feel about the people they love.
Cast: Wo Chan, Kyoko Takenaka, Fenton Li, Yiging Zhao, Austin Deng, Bruce Liu & Tao Qiu.
How To Raise a Black Boy by Justice Jamal Jones
How To Raise a Black Boy follows four boys as they journey through a fantastical world of black boyhood, queer identity, and fraternity in a modern reimagining of the fairy tale genre.
Cast: Maiya Blaney, Rodney Chrome, Christian Coston-Payne, Emperor Kaioyus, Eric Payne, Rayceen Pendarvis, Justin Smith, Nicklaus Vallie & Cory Walkers. 
Yaha Waha by Sarah Li
Yaha Waha follows a South Asian DJ and a performance artist use their platforms to celebrate their heritage.
Cast: Almas Badat, Anthony Pius (Bolly Illusion). 
Shams by Pauline Beugnies
Shams follows Eden, a 30-year-old Belgian woman, works in a cultural center a few thousand kilometers away from her home, in the bustling capital of Cairo. She makes a life-changing encounter with a young woman named Shams. One day, Shams brutally disappears. With the support and friendship of two valiant young Egyptians, Eden starts a fight against her own fears, denials and bias to find Shams.
Cast: Claire Beugnies, Amina El Banna, Reem El Maghraby, Zainab Magdy & Alaa Taha.
Baba by Adam Ali & Sam Arbor
Baba is about an unexpected discovery forces Britannia, a gay Libyan teenager, to question whether to stay or flee his beloved homeland.
Cast: Adam Ali, Mudar Abbar, Ahmed Elmusrati, Ali Gadema, Samar Abu Kaf, Elysia Kazinos, Colette Dala Tchantcho & Usaim Younnis. 
Beirut Dreams in Color by Michael Collins
Beirut Dreams in Color tells the stories of Masrou’ Leila, a Lebanese rock band with an outspoken gay singer, and Sarah Hegazy, an Egyptian activist. Both parties have experienced oppression because of their sexual orientation and beliefs. The short documentary shows what it’s like for the LGBTQIA+ community to be oppressed and threatened by the governments in the Middle East.
The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night by Fawzia Mirza & Kausar Mohammad 
The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night is about Pakistani Muslim woman brings her Puerto Rican girlfriend home for the first time on the family's annual game night. 
Cast: Kausar Mohammad, Vico Ortiz, Meera Rohit Kumbhani, Pia Shah & D'Lo. 
Meenakhsi Sundareshwar by Vivek Soni & Aarsh Vora 
Meenakhsi Sundareshwar is about a couple who are forced to live apart due to a unique job prospect. Follow along as the two newlyweds face the hassles, hiccups - and hilarity - that arise from their long distance marriage.
Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Abhimanyu Dasani , Shivkumar Subramaniam, Nivedita Bhargava, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Komal Chhabria, Manoj Mani Mathew, Archana Iyer, Ritika Shrotri, Kalp Shah, Mahesh Pillai, Sonali Sachdev, Varun Shashi Rao, Sukhesh Arora, Khuman Nongyai, Danish Sood & Guneet Wahan
Muhafiz by Pradipta Ray & Ashutosh Pathak
Muhafiz is set against a backdrop of sectarian violence, can a gay Hindu man find the courage to help a Muslim?
Cast: Jaydeep Ashra, Deepak Chunara, Rishabh Dhangra, Prerna Gandhi, Pradeep Kumar, Arfi Lamba, Prince Mahajan, Angel Modi, Kamiesh Rajendra Patil, Rohan Pujari, Sushant Sharma, Mukesh Shukla, Akash Sinha, Shiv Tandan & Neha Vyas. 
Series 
Delhi Crime by Richie Mehta.
Delhi Crime is based on the Nirbhaya case, Delhi Crime follows the Delhi Police investigation into the finding of the men who perpetrated this crime.
Cast: Shefali Shetty, Adil Hussain, Denzil Smith,  Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang · Yashaswini Dayama, Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Sagansky, Anurag Arora, Jaya Bhattacharya, Vinod, Sharawat, Gopal Datt, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Swati Bhatia, Gaurav Rana, Amitabh Acharya, Sanjay Bishnoi, Shobhna Bharadwaj, Mridul Sharma & Abhilasha Singh.
A Black Lady Sketch Show by Robin Thede.
A Black Lady Sketch Show is A half-hour sketch comedy written by and starring Robin Thede.
Cast: by Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Ashley Nicole Black, Quinta Brunson and Skye Townsend.
Yearly Departed by Linda Medoza & Amazon Prime
Yearly Departed is a comedy special that tackles some of the end of year highlights that people probably want to forget about. There is a 2020 show as well a 2021 instalment.
Cast: (2020) Phoebe Robinson featuring Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Patti Harrison, Natasha Leggero, Sarah Silverman, Christina Aguilera, Natasha Rothwell, and Ziwe. (2021) Yvonne Orji featuring Chelsea Peretti, Jane Fonda, Aparna Nancherla, Alessia Cara, Dulcé Sloan, Megan Stalter & X Mayo.
Special by Ryan O’Connel
Special follows A young gay man with cerebral palsy branches out from his insular existence in hopes of finally going after the life he wants.
Cast: Ryan O'Connell, Jessica Hecht, Punam Patel. Marla Mindelle, Augustus Prew, Patrick Fabian & Max Jenkins.
Sort Of by Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo
Sort Of follows a gender-fluid millennial who straddles various identities, exposing the identities and labels that are no longer applicable.
Cast: Bilal Baig , Gray Powell, Amanda Cordner, Ellora Patnaik, Grace Lynn Kung, Supinder Wraich, Alanna Bale & Kaya Kanashiro.
Chernobyl by Craig Mazin
Chernobyl is based on a true story where in April 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics becomes one of the world's worst man-made catastrophes.
Cast: Jared Harris,  Stellan Skarsgård, Paul Ritter, Jessie Buckley, Adam Nagaitis, Con O'Neill, Adrian Rawlins, Sam Troughton, Robert Emms, David Dencik, Nadia Clifford, Douggie McMeekin, Alan Williams, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter, Karl Davues, Michael Socha, Laura Elphinstone & Jan Riccia.
Q-Force by Gabe Liedman
Q- Force follows handsome secret agent and his team of LGBTQ superspies embark on extraordinary adventures.
Cast: Sean Hayes, Matt Rogers, Wanda Sykes, Patti Harrison, Gary Cole, David Harbour & Laurie Metcalf.
Honourable Mentions
Made in Heaven on Amazon Prime.
Four More Shots Please! On Amazon Prime.
Podcasts 
Las Culturistas by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.
Las Culturistas is a pop-culture and comedy podcast co-hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers,
Honourable Mentions 
No Thank You, Please 
Brown People We Know 
Talk Art
Bitten Peach Pod
I’m Still Standing
The Front Room 
Kiki In The Cronx
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

Episode 26- In conversation with Brinda Guha

Chai with Rai (Ep.26). In conversation with Brinda Guha where we sat and discussed the lineage and history of Classical Indian Dance, from her journey of Kathak to Manipuri to Flamenco. We discussed Brinda's work, the codifying of Classical Dance, Culture Appropriation and her thoughts on Activism. 
We had to rush this episode and fit a lot of topics in but I am grateful to have Brinda on here to share her perspective and educate on so many things. I hope you enjoy this Cuppa Filled episode. 
A bit about Brinda:
Brinda is a Dancer, Actress, model, Choreographer, Curator (WiseFruit) and Artistic Director ( Kalamandir School of Dance) based in America. Her Background in Dance began from the North Indian Classical Dance style Kathak under the tutelage of her mother Smt. Malabika Guha. Alongside that Learning Flamenco from Dionisia Garcia of Flamenco NYC. She also studied other forms of Classical Indian dance, including Manipuri East Indian Classical dance from Smt. Kalavati Devi and her daughter, Bimbavati Devi.
Brinda currently dances with Soles of Duende, a multicultural percussive trio rooted in the rhythms of Tap (Amanda Castro), Flamenco (Arielle Rosales), and Kathak (Guha). She is also the artistic director of Kalamandir Dance Company, main faculty of Kalamandir School of Dance Inc., curator at Wise Fruit NYC,  which has had over 10 showcases and raised money for Plant Parenthood and Action fund. And is also an administrator at Dance/NYC. 
Her choreographic works have been showcased at Brooklyn Dance Festival, NYCDA Dance Festival, Young Choreographer's Festival, Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester Showcase, Gowanus Arts Center, Secret Theater, Dixon Place, Grounds for Sculpture, George St. Playhouse, NJ State Theater, Funktion Dance Complex, The Knockdown Center, Hammerstein Ballroom, Madison Square Garden, and much more. he has set work with Andy Blankenbuehler, Justin Conte, Phil Orsano, Derek Mitchell, Neil Schwartz, Ashle Dawson, Kumari Suraj, Lauren Cox, Carlos Neto, Omari Mizrahi, Myriam Gadri, Ginger Cox & Subhasis Das. 
Brinda's acting credits include “Pagla Ghora”, directed by celebrated Bollywood filmmaker, Amol Palekar. She later debuted a lead role at the South Asian Theater Festival’s staging of “Red Oleanders” and “The Little Clay Cart” (2009, 2010). Brinda has performed in small theater productions since, including the lead in Gargi Mukherjee's "Our Voices", as well as in a segment directed by Subhasis Das for 2015's South Asian Theater Festival's Theater In Break installment of "Ami Chitragada", which ultimately traveled to five venues over the course of 2017. 
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/d-xuQGS6_6E 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/brindaguha/ & https://www.instagram.com/kalamandirdanceco/ & https://www.instagram.com/wisefruitnyc/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum 
Guest: https://www.brindaguha.com/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

Episode 25- In Conversation with Ishita Mili

Chai with Rai (Ep.25). In conversation with Ishita Mili where we sat and discussed the dance space in the U.S from a South Asian perspective and just as an Artist. 
We discussed Ishita's view on the Indian Classical industry, her family and of course her company IMGE Dance. We dived deep into conversations about cultural appropriation, the joys and consequences of creating experimental work. The digital space and its progression, what that has done to the arts industry. Her vocabulary and voice as an artist. 
He works from performing at Lincoln Centre to Seattle International Dance Festival. We also discussed DDCON, a question I have been questioning myself -- that should South Asian dancers in the industry have a fundamental knowledge in our culture and our dances? And how we are often boxed as either Classical dancers or Bollywood dancers. 
So much we dove into and we talked that I can barely cover. This was a long one but definitely a juicy episode. 
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/d-xuQGS6_6E 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ishitamili/ & https://www.instagram.com/imgedance/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum 
Guest: htthttps://linktr.ee/ishitamili 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Episode 24- In Conversation with Daniel O’Meara

Chai with Rai (Ep.24). In conversation with Daniel O'Meara where we sat and discussed his tremendous 25+ career in acting and over 40 movies. For films such as "Here Lies" with Christian McKay,  award wining film "Under the Skin" with Samantha Morton, "Deadly famous" with Eric Roberts "Ironclad" starring Brian Cox, Jason Flemync and Paul Giamatti,. Daniel is truly a mesmerising actor to watch and a great director to be around.
 
Daniel also coaches and directs and focuses his 40 years of experience into Actors Crib. Actors Crib are drop-in workshops. Designed to develop, challenge and inspire actors. These classes will improve an actor to their full potential. To be fighting fit for auditions, and confident in a range of roles. 'To be the best they can be'. PS they are global too. Daniel also works on Zoom with students Internationally and in person for classes and workshops in London. So wherever, you are I would say give Daniel a line. 
 
We discussed all things industry from his credentials, to acting methodologies such as Meisner, Grotowski, Alexander, to the business of the industry, the nepotism that surrounds the industry, our egos, the digital space and so much more.
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/gaIyxvdiViI 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://instagram.com/actorscrib & https://www.instagram.com/daniel_omeara_/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum 
Guest: https://www.actorscrib.co.uk  
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
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