Chai with Rai

”Beauty is Evil” w/ Justice Jamal Jones

The final part with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones. Talking all things from New York's Grungy scene to cruising being a rite of passage and more.
In the episode we discuss: 
Activism and if there are any backlashes of being vocal about the "system".
Construct of beauty and attraction in Queer spaces.
Queerbaiting in pop culture such as Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles. 
If you remove the pillars- would you be who you are?
Who do you share the highs and lows with? 
Rites of passage for a queer person from cruising to dogging to stream room sex.
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/justicejamaljones/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://collab.sundance.org/people/Justice-Jamal-Jones-1614723424 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

”You can’t buy Confidence off the shelf” w/ Daniel Dresner

As we reflect on 2022 and enter 2023, the word that has been coming in my head a lot is Success- my relationship with it, where I stand on the highs and lows of it and what I will do with it in the next chapter (especially since in the last year feeling a bit down and like a failure almost).
This Wisdomist Chai clip comes from my conversation with Acting and Life Coach Daniel Dresner. It touches on the word "success" from a creative perspective. How it's not an Oscar, or a job but much more precious and individual.  p.s I also feel, that if you really break the messaging down you can transfer it to any aspect of your life. I hope you enjoy this one, Happy 2022 and see you in 2023. 
To listen the full interview: 
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/danieldresnercoaching/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai 
Guest: https://www.danieldresner.com/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

” Slide into my DM’s ” w/ Justice Jamal Jones

From romance & tenderness to skincare routines-- this is definitely a special one. Warm up your cuppas and let me know you're sipping as you listen to this episode. I hope you enjoy part 1 of 2 with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones.  
In the episode we discuss: 
Thoughts on gender and sexuality today?
The performance of sex and sexuality.
Discussing upcoming projects and looking into themes surrounding blackness, queerness and criminalisation. 
Exploring and researching kink for black and brown people.
How do you deal with the by-standards of sexuality and gender?
Where does the passion for Black Tender experience in their projects stem from and how they stylistically have come to be where they are at in their artistic practice for what they what they want to make and project to the audience. 
Viability of an Art indie projects vs  one of commercial/ mainstream. 
Hidden gems of “How To Raise A Black Boy” that no one knows or has seen. 
Breaking down two passages of “How to raise a Black Boy”. 
The process of creating a film (ref: Calvin Klien x Dazed Pearls in Spotlight,  MTV's My Black Alchemy) 
The challenges and joys of creating projects. 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/justicejamaljones/ 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://collab.sundance.org/people/Justice-Jamal-Jones-1614723424 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

”Why does Colourism Exist?” w/ Shweta Aggarwal

This week Wisdomist Chai Clip comes from my chat with author and creative director Shweta Agarwal from Episode 22 of Chai with Rai. In the episode we discuss shortly Shweta's thoughts on why colourism exists not only in the South Asian community but other cultures as well and gender rules surrounding colourism. 
To purchase Shweta's Book "The Black Rose": https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993232876?th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true
To watch the full episode:https://youtu.be/Uk_xs5R6nwE 
To listen to the full interview: 
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/theblackroseway/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai 
Guest: https://linktr.ee/theblackrosewriter & http://devandollie.com  
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

” I can’t do anything with a dick pic”w/ Mahatma Khandi

Part 2 with the one and only Mahatma Khandi
From talking about how drag holds a mirror to society to talking about fisting. This is a hot and juicy episode-- dare I cornfully say "Chai Spilling" episode. 
In the episode we discuss: 
The narratives surrounding drag and cabaret culture 
South Asian or Asian Culture representation in Drag Race or mainstream Drag culture
Sustainability of Drag
Global Majority Queer representation
Dating
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/mahatmakhandi/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai 
Guest: https://linktr.ee/Mahatmakhandi 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

” There’s a hole in everything” w/ Jay Jay Revlon

The final part of my chat with the one and only Jay Jay Revlon. From talking about Dirty Chai's to how a No, is not a No forever. This is a slightly motivational yet risky one. Hope you enjoy kids. But as a breakdown--
In the episode we discuss
How Queens and Young Kids entering the Ballroom scene are not immersed or educated on the culture but are already making statements. 
The difference a Kiki and Ballroom scene and a highlight / Challenge of them. 
Advice for someone coming to a ball as an attendee vs a new organiser.
What category Jay Jay started with and wants to do but hasn't yet. 
Something in the Ballroom culture Jay Jay has not done and would like to accomplish. 
Did he choose this path or he was chosen. 
What makes Jay Jay happy and who does he share his vulnerable moments with?
His relationships and outlook on life. How to deal with support or lack thereof.
Games Section Link: 
https://youtu.be/TT9jGMTLwDQ 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/jayjayrevlon/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai 
Guest: https://www.justjayjay.com 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

”Penis at the PS4 Party” w/ Cast of Sundown Kiki

Part 2 and final one with the cast of Sundown Kiki from Taking Part Productions at The Young Vic Theatre - Asa Haynes, Amani Revlon (Afi Hussen), Sarah-Angel Sharma, Jasper Ryan Cater, Tatenda Shami, Jay Lafayette Valentine and special guest Emanuel Vuso
Things we discussed: 
Queer relationships and romance
Perspective of queer culture on mid sexuality spectrum such as A-sexuality, pansexual or bisexual
The pro’s and con’s of being multi disciplinary creatives
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://www.instagram.com/amanicosmo/ , https://www.instagram.com/angelx19/ , https://www.instagram.com/asa_haynes/ , https://www.instagram.com/jasper.ryancater/ , https://www.instagram.com/laffytaffyette/ , https://www.instagram.com/tatendashamiso/ & https://www.instagram.com/emanuelvo/ 
Links:Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai 
Guest: https://www.youngvic.org/taking-part/participation/sundown-kiki-project , https://linktr.ee/jasperryancater & https://linktr.ee/tatendashamiso 
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 ”If you wan’t to learn Bhangra you should start by looking at the history of it”

W/ Ridaa Husain from Dance Bhangra and Mandeep Virk Randhawa from Dance with MVR. This is an acknowledgment episode of including and researching the origins of Bhangra and how often Pakistan is left out of that narrative. "
To watch the full interview video: 
Ridaa: https://youtu.be/K_89rYMM4mY  
Mandeep: https://youtu.be/gywOQiCgn-g  
 
To listen to the full interview: 
Ridaa: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio 
Mandeep: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio
Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest- https://www.instagram.com/dancebhangra/ & https://www.instagram.com/dancewith_mvr/  
Websites: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwitrai_Guest:  https://www.dance-bhangra.com/ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.
 

”Proud to have a Period!” w/ Natasha Kathi- Chandra

From talking about feminist sons to digitising theatre to the structure of the world that needs to be broken. This cuppa filled episode with Natasha Kathi- Chandra spills it all! 
In the episode we discuss: 
Highlights and challenges of projects and experiences such as: Om Shanti Fuck, Ingenium/ Namashkar, Tara Theatre, In a nutshell, Lion King and East is East.
Feminism and culture. 
Thoughts on South Asian Theatre and theatre in large in the UK. 
Digitising, playing with form and experimenting with programming in theatres.
Things the industry could do with and without. 
Mental health and confidence.
Directing and thoughts on being a female POC creative.
A bit about Natasha:
Natasha is an international theatre director, writer, dramaturg and facilitator based in London, UK and Hyderabad, India.
She most recently worked as the Associate Director on East is East at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, National and Chichester Festival Theatre.
In 2008 she founded a youth theatre company Ingenium Dramatics in Hyderabad to encourage young people to explore West End style theatre leading the company as Artistic Director for five years. In London, she founded an arts company Namashkar with the aim of challenging and changing roles for South Asian women both on and off stage and with her company wrote and directed The Infinite Line between Dating & Dying (White Bear & Etcetera Theatre) and Om Shanti F*ck ( Arcola, Battersea Arts Center, Camden People’s Theatre). She has also had her writing feature in Titola Dawudu x Tamasha Theatre’s Hear Me Now Monologues.
Alongside this, Natasha loves engaging with emerging artists, young people and the community. She has facilitated the Creative Learning Program at Park Theatre (2014-2021) and has worked with London College of Music, UAL and Fourth Monkey drama schools.
She is an Associate Director for Kali Theatre and has assistant directing credits from Stratford East, Royal Court and National.
 
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://twitter.com/KNatashaChandra 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/3756 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

”High Calibre Original Story Lines” w/ Sharmila Chauhan & Satinder Chohan

From discussions on Tiger Balms to South Asian Theatre, this was a funny and educational episode. The Double Bill that is THE SC SAGA. We need a night of that please Theatres! 
With the incredibly talented peeps Dr. Sharmila Chauhan and Satinder Chohan. 
In the episode we discuss: 
Safeguarding yourself from topics when researching or diving into the world of your play/script as a writer
Who do you share the vulnerability of you as a creative with? What outlet do you use to de zone or connect?
The idea of success and progression as a creative
Thoughts on South Asian Theatre- it’s past, present and future. 
South Asian Theatre companies such as Tara, Kali, Tamasha and Rifco and new organisations such as Hungama, Diet Paratha and Daytimers
Digital Footprint and brand building.
The Authenticity and representation of your play to be reflected in the cast and the creative team 
POC Dramaturgy and support for writers
3 things this industry could do with and without
What do you feel like you lack or can work on in your storytelling and what is your Beacon of light. Something you know you do extremely well and no one ever will come close to that. 
If you know what you know now about the industry would you have entered it or worked the way you did up until now. 
What was your biggest expectation from your career. That you have accomplished  and also let go of
A bit about Sharmila:
Sharmila is a screenwriter, playwright and prose writer: Her work is often a transgressive meditation on love, sex and an exploration of the diasporic experience. She is particularly interested in the intersection of sex, power and gender.
She has had two short films produced and written two features: Most recently, her short film Oysters – an exploration of desire in the face of grief – was commissioned by Film London (2016) and her feature Mother Land – is currently being developed by Cinestan International and has been long-listed for the Sundance Writers’ Lab.
Her plays include: The Husbands (an exploration of polyandry and matriarchy in India) which toured nationally and completed its run at London’s Soho theatre (Kali and Pentabus Theatre), Born Again/Purnajanam (Southwark Playhouse (exploring class, religion and female power), Kali Theatre, Jan 2012) and well as 10 Women (body image and women with Bethan Dear, Avignon Festival, France, 2014)).
Shortlisted for the Asian New Writer award (2009 and 2012), Sharmila’s short stories have been published widely in print and online. She is also currently working on her novel Seven Mirrors.
Sharmila also has a degree in pharmacy and a PhD in clinical pharmacology from University College London. She lives in London with her husband, children and cat Tashi.
A bit about Satinder:
Satinder is a journalist turned playwright who grew up in Southall and graduated with an MA in English from Yale University. Her plays have been produced across the UK including UK tours of ZAMEEN with Kalí Theatre and KABADDI-KABADDI-KABADDI with Pursued By A Bear. She won the 2013 Adopt A Playwright Award to develop her play MADE IN INDIA, which completed a UK tour in 2017 with Tamasha and Belgrade Theatre in association with Pilot Theatre, directed by Katie Posner. The tour received great acclaim including an OffWestEnd award nomination and the Best Production Award at the Eastern Eye Awards. Tamasha also commissioned HALF OF ME, a large cast youth theatre piece, to tour in concert with MADE IN INDIA, which premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith in July 2016. In 2018 she co-adapted GULLIVER’S TRAVELS for the Bolton Octagon with Mike Kenny and the following year she wrote an adaptation of the novel GIRL OF INK AND STARS for Spark Arts which toured libraries and continues to be utilised in school’s content. Satinder has previously had work presented by The Finborough and Paines Plough for the Vibrant Festival and Come To Where I’m From respectively and she has completed the Emerging Writer’s Residency at the Traverse Theatre, won the Kalí Futures Writer Award, took part in the Kudos-Court scheme 2016 and was on attachment at the Hampstead Theatre. Satinder is one of 15 writers chosen to take part in Sphinx 30, a landmark programme for female playwrights launched to mark Sphinx’s 30th anniversary, in partnership with Kalí. She is developing further plays, audio content and working on her first novel.
Social:Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ Guest: https://twitter.com/sharmilawrites 
Links:Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://sharmilathewriter.com & https://www.berlinassociates.com/clients/satinder-chohan/ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.
To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.