Desh Videsh Magazine India's Turn on World Stage June 2020 by Desh-Videsh

Co ntents For the People, By the People: Democracy in the US and India

JUNE 2020

Desh-Videsh

India is the world’s largest democracy. However, despite its Cover shared political system with the United States, India’s approach to human rights and foreign policy differs greatly from its Western counterparts. The following excerpt from Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World highlights

Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World by Alyssa Ayres

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 06 Article

For the People, By the People: Democracy in the US and India 16

In 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to ASEAN world leaders and said, “Our democratic values and an alert judicial system ensure the safety of your investments.

Don’t Lecture India: Look at Your Own Record

Europeans have a horrifying record regarding human rights violations. Germany is well known for an unprecedented, systematic holocaust of Jews and gypsies right in the middle of Europe only 80 years ago.

Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam in Your Living Room

Don’t Lecture India: Look at Your Own Record

Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam in Your Living Room 36

BAPS Pujari Recites Vedic Hindu Prayer on National Day of Prayer at the White House 62

Bollywood Today

Desi TV Duniya

This is your

Ayurveda is being accepted as an alternative medicine in the USA and in the Western world in general. Although it can be complex, some basic understanding of the science should allow us to begin applying some of the concepts. So, where

Know Yourself Through Ayurveda

When discussing percussion musicians in South Florida, there is one name that is synonymous with that of a humble unassuming persona - that of Sudhir Limaye. Born and raised in Pune, India, Limaye studied at the prestigious Fergusson

Know Yourself Through Ayurveda

Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World by Alyssa Ayres

Get to Know: Sudhir Limaye 46

In less than two weeks, Desh Videsh Media Group and Florida Fine arts came together to create a music series to alleviate some of anxiety and stress caused by the COVID-19 shutdown. Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam in Your Living

Get to Know: Sudhir Limaye

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Edito r’s View Dear Readers, With blessings from Almighty, we are almost out of COVID-19 Pandemic. I say almost because we still have to be careful and aware of this “invisible enemy.” We all still need to wear a mask in a public place, maintain physical social distance, and continue washing hands as frequently as possible. We also pray to the Almighty for peace all around the world. First, let me talk about the Vedic Hindu Prayer, Shanti Path (peace prayer) recited by BAPS Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt ji on the National Day of Prayer at the White House. He said, “It is a prayer that does not seek worldly riches, success, fame, nor is it a prayer for any desire for heaven. It is a beautiful Hindu prayer for peace, shanti. It is a Vedic prayer derived from the Yajur Veda.” Speaking of peace, as you may already know, Desh-Videsh Media Group in collaboration with Florida Fine Arts has started a project, Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam, which brings moments of pure bliss, peace and joy directly to you in your living room. We hope to brighten your days by bringing musical performances by talented artists from all over the world. We thank all the talented artists and overwhelming number of music lovers who have signed up for this project. Please read more about the artists who performed in May in this issue. One of the artists who performed in May was our very own soft spoken, talented tabla player, and committed teacher, South Floridian Sudhir Limaye. He agreed very graciously to conduct an interview with us so please be sure to read “Get to Know: Sudhir Limye, Percussionist” to learn more about his accomplishments. Now, on to one of my most favorite topics, India and its unprecedented progress. We have two articles for you to read and learn all about India’s past progress and its future. One article by Alyssa Ayers, a former Obama Administration member, leading scholar of Indian foreign policy, great friend of India, and prolific writer about India, discusses her latest book Our Time Has Come. For the second article, it is my privilege to present a review of Our Time Has Come. When I began reading her book, I was so impressed with her positive outlook on India that I could not put the book aside, and I finished it one sitting. I have not read such a positive, informative, and guiding book on India from a Non-native Indian ever before. And speaking of non-Indians who are friends of India and specifically of Hinduism, let me turn to Maria Wirth, a German who stopped in India on her way to Australia, and has now been living in India for the last forty years. She exposes hypocrisy of leading weastern countries in her article Don’t Lecture India: Look at Your Own Record. She is very outspoken against anyone who talks negatively against India or Hinduism in her blog and on social media. I have seen the hypocrisy of social media (under the pretense of political correctness) like tweeters and quora when they block her posts. Before I close my column, let me turn to an article by Chahna Tailor, our young and talented Yoga and Ayurveda teacher who is pursuing her PhD in Ayurveda. In this issue, her article “Know Yourself Through Ayurveda,” she talks about Ayurveda being accepted as an alternative medicine in the United States and the Western world. If you missed any of her previous articles, some of which talk about how to boost our immunity during COVID-19 and upcoming Flu season, read them on our website www.deshvidesh.com and select her name in the Author section. Until next time, Be safe and Be healthy!

Raj Shah Managing Editor

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ndia is the world’s largest democracy. However, despite its shared political system with the United States, India’s approach to human rights and foreign policy differs greatly from its Western counterparts.

The following excerpt from Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World highlights the key differences between the American and Indian democratic systems. In India’s national election of 2014, citizens cast more than half a billion ballots at more than nine hundred thousand polling stations— an awe-inspiring exercise of the democratic franchise. It was reportedly his admiration for the scale of India’s democracy that led former President George W. Bush to prioritize deepening ties. Like Americans, Indian citizens are proud of their democracy, one seen in

the early years of Indian independence as improbable given the great poverty and illiteracy in the country. Every election serves to cement the vision of India’s founders and their belief in a universal adult franchise, against the odds. But Americans sometimes mistakenly expect to see their own ideas of democracy promotion and interest in championing the liberal world order mirrored in India, anticipating that both countries see their political systems and its traditions in the same way. This misrecognition can lead, as with the misplaced assumptions of an alliance-type of relationship as the desired endpoint, to confusion and disappointment. India guards against perceived intrusions of sovereignty, stemming from its colonial experience. Nonintervention became a bedrock principle Nehru

worked to codify internationally through the Non-Aligned Movement. India sees active approaches toward democracy promotion, if not at the explicit request of the host country, as an intrusion on sovereignty. Indeed, to generalize, India sees the United States as too quick to “meddle” elsewhere in the name of democracy—as in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Syria. Indian officials remain deeply wary of international action aimed at ensuring transitions to democracy, which often appear to Indian eyes as hasty and without thought for what forces might fill a resulting void. India found little reason to support the United States during the Arab Spring, as former Indian permanent representative to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri had explained. (On the other hand, India welcomed the US role in Afghanistan, where it sees the US and international troop presence as having staved off the far worse alternative of rule by the Pakistan-backed Taliban.)

“Americans sometimes mistakenly expect to see their own ideas of democracy promotion and interest in championing the liberal world order mirrored in India.” 18

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If the limits to collaboration on democracy promotion in other countries stem from India’s sovereignty concerns, those concerns become even more pronounced when it comes to many of the liberal democratic norms that US foreign policy holds a special interest in upholding worldwide: freedom of expression, religious freedom, space for civil society, rule of law, human rights, supporting women’s empowerment, and many others. These emphases stem from an American focus on universal human rights and a belief that US policy tools can and should make a positive difference around the world. The American focus on human rights also serves as a symbol of “the values and principles on which the US stands.” These concerns are embedded into US foreign policy formulation in the executive branch and in Congressional oversight of

“Finding a way to collaborate more with India on democracy, in India’s comfort zone, does not mean abandoning a focus on the values so central to American foreign policy.”

the administration. Indeed, in the United States, Congress requires as a matter of law annual reports from the State Department on human rights around the world, trafficking in persons, and religious freedom. Congress also requires from the US Department of Labor

a separate report on child labor around the world. A congressionally mandated but independent US Commission on International Religious Freedom releases its own annual study on religious freedom worldwide. For the Indian government, these are matters of exclusive domestic jurisdiction; bringing them up impinges on national sovereignty. The Indian constitution enshrines human rights, women’s equality, freedom of religion, protection against discrimination, and others— but the Indian government sees these as purely domestic matters. With rare exceptions in the neighborhood, usually linked to a domestic voting group, India generally does not champion human rights outside its borders. Nor does it usually support single-country resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council. Human Rights Watch recently assessed India’s voting record on the Human Rights Council as “one of the states least supportive of the Council’s mandate to address country situations.” And that is for a UN agency of which India has been a member since its creation in 2007. India sees the United States, or any outside country, as lacking the legitimacy to pass judgment on the conditions within other countries’ borders. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs in 2015 upon the release of a US Commission on International Religious Freedom captures this perspective well: “We take no cognizance of this report.”

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At the same time, India’s experience managing elections on a near-constant basis offers great potential for further partnership. Internationally, India champions democracy, stands ready to provide advice if requested, and has eagerly supported the UN Democracy

Fund and the Community of Democracies. With an eye toward this reality, the United States should partner with India to do more together on the electoral aspects of democracy, maintaining a focus on the elements that lie within New Delhi’s comfort zone.

Finally, finding a way to collaborate more with India on democracy, in India’s comfort zone, does not mean abandoning a focus on the values so central to American foreign policy, including in bilateral discussions of concerns. But our approach should adapt to acknowledge the struggles we continue to have domestically and to offer ourselves and what best practices we have learned— including the mistakes we have made—as part of an open conversation. This may prove challenging, particularly if a more nationalistic India becomes even more allergic to outside criticism. But we should not stop trying. Article reprinted the permission from University Press.

with Oxford

About Alyssa Ayres

Alyssa Ayres, former deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia from 2010 to 2013, in the Obama Administration, covered all issues across a dynamic region of 1.3 billion people (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and providing policy direction for four U.S. embassies and four consulates. She is a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). At CFR, her work focuses on Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in the world and on U.S. relations with South Asia. In 2015, she served as the project director for the CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force on U.S.-India Relations, and from 2014 to 2016, as the project director for an initiative on the new geopolitics of China, India, and Pakistan. She directs the U.S. Relations with South Asia roundtable series, blogs regularly for Asia 22

Unbound, and is a contributor to Forbes.com. Prior to serving in the Obama administration, Ayres was founding director of the India and South Asia practice at McLarty Associates from 2008 to 2010. Immediately prior, she served in the U.S. Department of State as special assistant to the undersecretary for political affairs as a CFR International Affairs fellow. Prior to that she worked in the nonprofit sector at the Center for the Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Asia Society in New York. Her book on nationalism, culture, and politics in Pakistan, Speaking Like a State, was published worldwide by Cambridge University Press in 2009, and received the American Institute of Pakistan Studies book prize for 2011 and 2012. She has co-edited three books on India and Indian foreign policy: Power Realignments in Asia, India Briefing: Takeoff at Last?, and India Briefing: Quickening the Pace of Change. Ayres has been awarded numerous fellowships and has received four group or individual Superior Honor Awards for work at the State Department. She received an AB magna cum laude from Harvard College, and an MA and PhD from the University of Chicago, where her dissertation was defended with distinction.

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Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World by Alyssa Ayres Book Review by Raj Shah, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh

n 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to ASEAN world leaders and said, “Our democratic values and an alert judicial system ensure the safety of your investments. Most of the ASEAN economies have done their bit for Asia’s resurgence. Now, it is India’s turn. And we know that our time has come.”

In the book Our Time Has Come, Ms. Alyssa Ayres, Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, writes about this speech and it seems like she used this as inspiration for her newest book title.

India is now on track to become the world’s third-largest economy at market exchange rates over the next fifteen years.

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Ayres, who has a very positive about India’s current economic condition, is also exceedingly bullish about the future of India. She goes on to make a bold statement in the book: India is now on track to become the world’s third-largest economy at market exchange rates over the next fifteen years. She adds: India’s middle class has grown by leaps and bounds, and the country’s sheer scale-its huge population and $2 trillion economymeans its actions will have a major global impact. From world trade to climate change to democratization, India now matters. In Our Time Has Come, Ayres presents a balanced and carefully researched analysis of India’s prospects where she documents India’s rise to global eminence over the past 25 years. Ayres covers India’s economic journey in eight chapters, which are divided into three parts: “Looking Back,” “Transition,” and “Looking Ahead.” The epilogue, and the most important section of the book in my opinion, has very specific and bold recommendations for United States and Indian policymakers alike. Ayres quotes her former boss, former under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and professor R. Nicholas Burns:

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“We can now see clearly that India, a great civilization with thousands of years of history and the self-confidence that comes with it, will pursue its own interest as a 21st century great power. We will not become formal treaty allies. We will align on many issues, but we will not be “aligned”.” Ayres’ use of her former boss’ quote suggests to US policymakers how the partnership between India and US can be strengthened even though India wants to be a non-aligned nation. She writes: India that seeks to be a ‘leading power’ rather than a ‘balancing power’, the present government no longer talks of ‘strategic autonomy’, and ‘non-alignment’ is a thing of the past, with Prime Minister Modi even skipping the NAM summit. She then reminds US policymakers of the relationship between the US and India during the Cold war era: Our [the United States’] relationship with democratic India—going from estrangement of the Cold War decades to partnership in the twenty-first century—as it emerges among the world’s great powers will likely stand as a defining policy shift, one that we missed in the twentieth century but have pursued in the twenty-first.

By 2040, India will be the third largest economy in the world after the US and China. The nation will have a powerful military, especially naval power, and she will emerge with a stronger manufacturing sector to complement its global services. Besides India’s economic leadership, Ayres also discusses past and present leadership in other areas such as Swami Vivekanand’s dominance at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, Chanakya’s Arthashastra, and International Day of Yoga. She writes about passing the resolution of International Day of Yoga at the United Nations: Indians Diplomats secured a formal general Assembly resolution on yoga, passed on December 11,2014, making June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. For the inaugural international observance the following year, Modi himself led Some thirty-five thousand people in a group yoga session in New Delhi. In this remarkable book, Ayres does not leave any stones unturned when it comes to Indian foreign policy. She discusses Pakistan-led terrorism and recommends: The United States should continue to pursue stronger security cooperation with India. While Washington should maintain its separate relationship with Pakistan, American officials should insist muchmore forcefully-as some members of congress have begun to do-that Pakistan take action against terrorists who are destroying its own society and damaging its relations with its neighbors. Should Pakistan refuse to take action against all terror groups-not 26

just those that threaten the Pakistan stateWashington should prepare to reevaluate its relations with Pakistan. Ayres concludes Our optimistic and bullish By 2040, India will be in the world after the will have a powerful power, and she will manufacturing sector services..

Time Has Come with an note about India’s future. the third largest economy US and China. The nation military, especially naval emerge with a stronger to complement its global

For more detailed information on this article or to view additional pictures, please visit deshvidesh.com/June2020 About Raj Shah A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of Hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US. Raj has served as a board member of South Florida Hindu Temple and Hindu University of America and Chairman of the Board of International Hindu University. Raj has written two books titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written six children's books, We love Diwali, Holi Hai, The Complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets, The Mahabharat in 100 Tweets, Coloring and Understanding Hindu Symbols and Welcome to my beautiful Mandir. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Don't Lecture India: Look at Your Own Record By Maria Wirth

uropeans have a horrifying record regarding human rights violations. Germany is well known for an unprecedented, systematic holocaust of Jews and gypsies right in the middle of Europe only 80 years ago. Yet Britain, France, Portugal and others were as brutal with equal or even higher numbers of humans killed in their colonies. Their victims count many millions and many of them were Indians. The Arabs, Turks and Mongols, too, have a horrifying record regarding human rights. The 28

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mercy remains unmoved….Oh Lord, these dogs have destroyed the diamond-like Hindustan.” The British colonial masters were not less brutal. Their disdain for the natives was incredible. Winston Churchill is on record saying that he “hated Indians” and considered them a “beastly people with a beastly religion”. Celebrities like Charles Dickens wanted the Indian race ‘exterminated’ and considered them vile savages and Max Mueller wanted them all converted to Christianity.

number of victims killed also goes into many millions, and many of them were Indians. The Muslims invaded India already over a thousand years ago and were as brutal as ISIS in our times. Unspeakable torture and beheadings were done on massive scale. Even the supposedly benign “Akbar the Great” slaughtered Hindus in huge numbers. The collective sacred threads of the Brahmins massacred by him is said to have weighed 200 kilogram. Can one even imagine such incredible injustice and brutality to civilians and priests? Thousands of temples were destroyed. Hindu women were sold into sex slavery. Hindus even had to open their mouth and receive gratefully the spittle by Muslims sitting on horses, and slaughtering cows was seen as “noblest deed” because it was so painful for Hindus, as recounted in “Legacy of Jihad” by Andrew Bostom.

Britain looted and reduced the formerly wealthiest country of the world to painful poverty, where during their rule over 25 million people starved to death, 3 million as late as in 1943 in Bengal. The crimes of the British colonialists are, like those of the Muslim invaders, too numerous to list. They tied Indians to the mouth of canons and blew them up, hanged scores of them on trees, and even just after over one million Indian soldiers had helped Britain to be victorious in the First World War with many thousands sacrificing their lives, General Dyer gave orders to shoot at a peaceful gathering in Amritsar in 1919 where thousands died. An old coffee planter in Kodagu told me that even in the early 1950s there was a board in front of the club house in Madikeri. It read: “Dogs and Indians not allowed”. Can anyone imagine the pain those Indian generations went through, having arrogant, often uncouth ruffians looting their land and despising them as dogs?

The brutality experienced by Hindus was so horrendous that, even in independent India, they hardly dare to complain when they are subjected to cruel discrimination. It is painful to read comments whenever Hindus are killed or raped by Muslims: “This won’t make news, as the victim is only a Hindu”. It is so sad, but understandable after what they have gone through for over a thousand years. They had no way to get justice; had to bear their suffering silently. Guru Nanak cried out to the Supreme, and it is part of the Grant Sahib, “Having lifted Islam to its head, You have engulfed Hindustan in dread… Such cruelties they have inflicted and yet Your JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Anyone, who knows a little about history, knows that this is false and malicious. The structure of Hindu society into four varnas or categories is mentioned in the Vedas and depends on one’s aptitude and profession Brahmins, who memorise and teach the Vedas, Kshatriyas, who administer and defend society, Vaishyas who supply the society with goods and Shudras, who are the service sector. The varnas are not fixed by birth in texts like Bhagavad Gita or Manusmriti. But the British themselves cemented ‘castes’ (a Portuguese word) in their census and then turned around and accused Hindus of their birth-based, fixed caste system. How could Europeans and Arabs be so cruel to other human beings? The reason is that they saw themselves as superior and others not quite as human. Religion played a big role in making them feel superior. Both Christianity and Islam teach their members that only their religion is true and that the Creator will reward them with eternal heaven, but will severely punish all those who do not follow their ‘true’ religion. If God himself will torture them eternally in hellfire, why should his followers be good to them? Wouldn’t it mean siding with God’s enemies and betraying Him?

There was however one more category which the whole world has been told about and which is used to the hilt to despise Hinduism. They were the untouchables who do unclean work, like handling dead animals, cleaning sewers, etc. The fact that other varnas avoided touching them is still made a huge issue of in the West. In fact it is portrayed, as if this practice made Hindus the greatest violators of human rights and makes the

But on what basis do they consider only their religion as true and themselves as superior? The reason is that the respective founder of their religion allegedly said so. No other reason exists and no proof. On this flimsy basis, Christians and Muslims treated other human beings most inhumanly, believing they are destined for hell while they themselves are God’s favorites and will go to heaven. This brainwashing in the name of religion happens even in our times and its effect is still not questioned and analysed. Yet today, neither white Christians, nor Arab or Turkish Muslims are constantly reminded of those terrible crimes of their forefathers. “The present generation must not be held accountable for the sins of their fathers”, is however not applied to Hindus and especially not to Brahmins. Media keeps hitting out at them as if they had been the worst violators of human rights in the past. Hinduism is portrayed as the villain due to the “horrific and oppressive” caste system. 30

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West still makes a huge issue of the caste system and untouchables. Why? Was this the greatest crime the British could find against the “natives” and therefore exaggerated it tremendously?

millions tortured and killed by Christians and Muslims pale in comparison. Yet there is no proof that even one of those untouchables has been killed for doing unclean work. Higher castes may indeed have looked down or still look down on those whose job involves dirt, which is unfortunately a human trait in all societies. It has nothing to do with Hinduism. Most people are aware that such work also needs to be done. There is in all likelihood another angle regarding “untouchability”, which the British did not realize: Ayurveda knew already 3000 years ago that invisible germs can cause serious illness and those dealing with cadavers and dirt are more likely to carry and spread those. However, the British didn’t know about this fact till only some 150 years ago, when Louis Pasteur claimed that germs cause sickness. (By the way, Google describes this discovery as “crowning achievement of the French scientist”, and avoids mentioning India’s ancient Ayurveda).

This is not to say that people of higher castes didn’t or don’t look down on lower castes, but the demonization of Brahmins is most unwarranted, as Brahmins are least likely to harbour hatred for others due to their strict rules for sadhana which requires them to keep a very high standard of mental and physical purity. Yet evangelicals, NGOs, international media, Muslim organisations, they all are after them and Hindus in general. They attack them for “atrocities” which never even happened, while the unspeakable atrocities, which were perpetrated upon them, are ignored. It’s a classic case of noticing the speck in the brother’s eye, but not the beam of wood in one’s own eye. They got away with it for too long, because Hindus didn’t react. The meekness of Hindus was legendary. They were even called cowards. Yet in recent time, Hindus are becoming more assertive. They realize that the constant attacks on them are malicious, and that they are being fooled in the name of secularism because neither Christians nor Muslims can be secular. They are by nature communal because they need to make their community spread all over the world. It is time to call out this blatant insincerity. When a head of state, like Imran Khan, accuses the Modi government in a tweet of “moving towards Hindu Rashtra with its Hindutva Supremacist, fascist ideology”, he better looks at his own country and his own ideology. A Hindu

Now in today’s time of “social distancing” due to the Corona Virus, we know that not touching others is a precaution to prevent potential infection and has nothing to do with discrimination. The British could have given Hindus the benefit of doubt that they avoided physical contact with certain people due to caution. But since the British didn’t have the advanced knowledge about harmful germs they could not see the possible reason behind it. Since Independence, the caste system is officially abolished and discrimination against lower castes is a non-bailable offense. Yet the 32

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The complete The complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets Mahabharat in 100 Tweets Written by Raj Shah

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Rashtra with its inclusiveness and freedom are any time better than the exclusive, supremacist ideologies of Islam and Christianity, which force human beings into a strait-jacket of blind belief and several Muslim states threaten even today those who want to get out with death sentence.

About the Author Maria Wirth is a German who stopped in India (that’s at least what she thought) on her way to Australia after finishing her psychology studies at Hamburg University. She visited the Ardha Kumbha Mela in Haridwar in April 1980 where she met Sri Anandamayi Ma and Devaraha Baba, two renowned saints. With their blessing she continued to live in India and never went to Australia.

She dove into India’s spiritual tradition, sharing her insights with German readers through articles and books. For long, she was convinced that every Indian knows and treasures his great heritage. However, in recent years she noticed that there seemed to be a concerted effort to prevent even Indians (and the world) from knowing how valuable this ancient Indian heritage, so she began to point out the unique value of Indian tradition also in the English language and shared them via a blog. She is also the author of the book Thank you India – a German woman’s journey to the wisdom of yoga.

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n less than two weeks, Desh Videsh Media Group and Florida Fine arts came together to create a music series to alleviate some of anxiety and stress caused by the COVID-19 shutdown. Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam in Your Living room, a webbased music series, is a true community project, and we are grateful for the support from volunteers and viewers alike. The weekly performances include diverse Indian music genres such as Hindustani Classical, Semi-Classical, Bhajans, Ghazal and Gurmat Sangeet. Each week, the episode will each feature a different musician or a group of musicians presenting their vocal, instrumental or percussion talent. The first episode aired on April 18, 2020, and was a big success. Two weeks later, Sa Ni Dha Pa Carnatic Live launched. Both programs serve as a platform for a diverse group of musicians and provide the community with some muchneeded moments of joy. If you missed any of the episodes from either show, please visit www. SaNiDhaPaLive.org to watch past performances. Read below to learn more about the talented artists who performed in May 2020.

Alka Jupudi, Playback Singer

Deepti Pappusetty, Sitar

Hindustani Classical/ Semi Classical

Hindustani Classical/Semi Classical

Alka Jupudi is from Canton, Michigan. She has done playback singing for South Indian films along with singers like Hariharan, and she has rendered her voice for over 25 television serial title songs. She is a winner of the Telugu version of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa hosted by renowned playback singer S.P. Balasubramanyam. She also received the Best Female TV Singer Award in 2012 in India. She is also an accomplished classical dancer. She trains chilren and adults in classical music and dance and gives voice lessons for those wishing to sing Bollywood music. She recently finished working on her original music video in Hindi and is waiting for the release.

For more detailed information on this article or to view additional pictures, please visit www.sanidhapalive.org JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Dr. Deepti Pappusetty began playing sitar at the age of seven. She got her training under the guidance of Basheer Ahmed Khan ji, disciple of Vilayat Khan ji. She has won several national-level competitions in India and received a scholarship covering her entire educational expenses until her high school studies by IFFCO organization. She played for Hyderabad B radio station and Doordarshan TV channel regularly in India. She gave several concerts in different parts of India. Deepti is an FAU alumnus, having received her Ph.D. in Computer Science. She currently works as a Software Engineer for LexisNexis Risk Solutions. In Florida, she performed at events organized by FAU, PBIA and South Florida Hindu temples and also teaches Sitar. She thoroughly enjoys music, and she believes music has magic to be a great distraction from petty thoughts and bring happiness to you. 37

Sudhir Limaye, Tabla

Sudhir Limaye was born and raised in the culturally vibrant city of Pune, India. He received formal training in Delhi and Farukhabad gharana of tabla from Late Pandit Suresh Samant from Pune, India. Limaye is a versatile tabla player with the unique ability

Mamta Yadav, Vocal

Hindustani/Gurmat Sangeet

Motivated by her mother’s passion for teaching her music, Mamta Yadav received a “Sangeet Prabhakar” in vocal music, tabla, and Kathak dance before the age of 16. Prior to moving to the West, she was a television anchor on Doordarshan TV and a host on All India Radio. While living in Scotland for over a decade, she sought to bring Indian Subcontinental music and arts to Scottish communities, working as a policy coordinator for Indian arts and culture, and serving on the Ethnic Minority Arts Committee and the Dance and Mime Committee of the Scottish Arts Council for several years. She has also given a large number of 38

to accompany Hindustani classical, light Indian and fusion music formats. An active performer, he accompanies various Hindustani classical, semi classical and Bollywood artists who are visiting the United States. He has been actively collaborating with local Jazz artists in the area and was part of a “Metaphysical Jazz” ensemble that recently released a fusion album online called The Third Alignment. A resident of Boca Raton, Florida, since 2001, he has not only been actively performing at various local events, but has also been teaching tabla for over 15 years in the area. public performances as part of both solo and ensemble productions in virtually all the major theaters in Scotland, and in concerts in New York, New Jersey, and Oklahoma, where she currently lives. These have included opportunities to perform with Pandit Ravi Shankar, Allah Rakha, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Jagit Singh and Anup Jalota. She has been awarded numerous grants and awards by public bodies to bring Indian music, dances and performances to the public. Her career also includes two decades of teaching classical singing, harmonium, and tabla. In addition to music, she is a trained lawyer with an LL.B., and Masters degree in Oil and Gas Law from Oklahoma University. She loves writing and composing songs. In her spare time, she enjoys being a part of the vibrant South Asian community in Oklahoma and taking part in regular music evenings and competitions that keep excitement for Indian arts alive in the Midwest across different generations.

Dr. Monica Shah, Vocal Hindustani Classical/ Semi Classical

Dr. Monica Shah is a well known Hindustani Classical and Semi-Classical singer from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She is a prominent disciple of Thumri Queen Dr. Girija Devi, who earned a Padma Vibhushan, and Surmani Dr. Pradipta Ganguli. Dr. Shah has a Ph.D in Music and was first in her class. She is the founder and director of Aradhana Sangeet Academy, where more than 200 students are training under her guidance. Dr. Shah has performed in more than 1500 classical music and bhajan concerts. She has earned many awards including the Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar, coveted SURMANI, Sangeet Shiromani, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation award, Sangeet Ratna, among many others. Her 30 classical, semiclassical, bhajan and jain stavans CDs are highly appreciated by music lovers worldwide. She has also written “Sangeet Aradhana” in 7 parts in English and Gujarati for students and music lovers alike. Since 1980, Dr. Shah has been serving the music world with her melodious voice and gharana gayaki. Since 2005, she has been visiting the United States and Canada every year to conduct workshops, perform in concerts, and teach. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Rucha Muley Jambhekar, Vocal Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Rucha is a Sangeet Upantya Visharad who started obtaining training in Hindustani classical vocal at the age of 7 from Shri Parulekar of Gwalior Gharana. She later took taalim of the Kirana Gharana Gayaki from Shri Appa Indurkar, a Ganda Bandh Shishya of Ustad Aamir Khan and was fortunate to get brief guidance from Shri Vijay Koparkar. She has been under the tutelage of Vidushi Arati Ankalikar for the past 10 years. She recently recorded an original Marathi composition with Dr. Saleel Kulkarni, a well known music director. Rucha has performed at various places in the US and also had a successful India tour with six concerts in different cities.

Nisha Kulkarni, Vocal Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Mumbai Shri Shankaranarayanan, Mridangam Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Nisha Kulkarni began her Hindustani vocal training at five with Sri Manu Srivastava of Phoenix Gharana. She showed early promise and, at the age of 10, won the Swarganga Crescendo national competition in Atlanta for the age group 15 and under. Since then she has continued to learn from Manuji and has performed at many venues, including Pt. Kashinath Bodas Festival in Phoenix, Festival of Tabla in Los Angeles and Swarzhankar festival in India. She has completed her Visharad degree from the Indian Institute of Classical Music. She is a senior in high school. She is an advocate for educating and empowering women around the world, and is the president of Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the First organization at her school. She researches honey bee neurology at Arizona State University.

Mumbai Shankaranarayanan began his training under Guru Shri. Ramanathan. He continued his training under Karaikudi Shri R. Chandramouli of Shri Shanmukananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha. He has performed widely in India as well as abroad accompanying well known musicians. He has had the honor of performing at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of His Excellency President Shri. R. Venkataraman and at the Raj Bhavan, Mumbai in the presence of His Excellency Governor Shri. C. Subramanium accompanying Smt. Aruna Sairam.

A Desh Videsh Media Group and Florida Fine Arts Undertaking Sa Ni Dha Pa Live www.sanidhapalive.org www.deshvidesh.com JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Raj Shah Concept Creator & Producer

Sanjay Chandran Creative Director 39

Vignesh Shankarnarayana, Vocal Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Vignesh Shankarnarayanan began learning vocal music at a tender age of five under Guru Smt. Vidya Harikrishna. Currently, he is also undergoing training under Shri Delhi P Sunderrajan. Born to a family of musicians, he is the son of Mridangam Vidwan Mumbai Shri. Shankaranarayanan. He is a B-GRADE Artist of All India Radio (AIR), Akashvani, Prasar Bharati. He was featured by Sankara TV Channel as part of the Sangeethotsavam programme in July 2019. Vignesh was featured by Radio FM 93.5, along with his father to talk about Konnakol & Percussion in relation to melody.

Rohit Prasad, Mridangam Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Kavitha Jayaraman, Vocal and Veena

Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Kavitha was initiated into music at age five and since then has been on a relentless pursuit of this art form over the years. She trained under the Carnatic Classical style in both Vocal and Veena. She started her initial Veena tutelage from Smt Jayashree Aravind, Mumbai and currently under advance guidance from Smt. Meenakshi Somasundaram. She completed a Diploma in Vocal and Veena music under the aegis of Singapore Indian Fine Arts and was awarded the title ‘Sangeetha Visharad.’ Rohit Prasad started learning Mridangam under the tutelage of Guru Shri T.S. Nandakumar from Shri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetna Vidyalaya since 1995 until 2002. Later, he continued advanced training in mridangam under the same guru at TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre, Mumbai. He is a B HIGH grade artist in the All India Radio, Mumbai. He earned a Diploma in Carnatic Vocal Music (KVC) with A Grade un-

She has won several awards at various institutions for music and fine arts. She has performed extensively in Mumbai, Chennai and Singapore including prestigious venues like Music Academy - Chennai, Esplanade Singapore etc . She has also been part of the music ensemble for various dance productions. She was awarded the Cultural Talent Scholarship from Center for Cultural Resources & Training (Ministry Of Human Resources & Development, Govt. of India) for specialized training in Carnatic Music for 10 years. Kavitha was selected as an IndianRaga USA fellow 2018 and since then has been part of various collaborations with artists from across the country. She promotes and practices the concept of ‘Seva through Vidya’ or ‘Teach to Reach’ – by teaching Vocal/ Veena to raise funds for various social causes.

der the tutelage of Sangeeta Kala Acharya Guru Smt. Radha Nambhoodiri and Guru Smt. Susheela Mani from Shri Shanmukhananda Bharatiya Sangeetha Vidyalaya, which is affiliated to University of Mumbai. Currently he is undertaking advance training for vocal from Sangeeta Kala Acharya Guru Smt. Radha Namboodiri. He regularly performs and accompanies various artists for mridangam since 2000. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Dhwani Karthik, Vocal

Kavya Akkiraju,

Archit Suresh, Mridangam

Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Vocal and Flute

Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Dhwani is a 7th grader at Rice Middle School in Plano, Texas. She started learning Carnatic music at the age of four from her mother, Smt. Sarada Karthik, a performing carnatic vocalist and guru in Plano. Since the age of eight, Dhwani has won top prizes, in various competitions by Sivan Fine Arts, Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana. Dhwani has been an integral part of Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana production organized by Sivan Fine Arts over the last three years. She has been part of many productions and fundraisers as part of her music school including â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yuva Prathibaâ&#x20AC;? by IFAA DFW. She has sung two short concerts at the DFW Temple and for Saptami Foundation. She is passionate about all kinds of music. In addition to Carnatic vocal music, she pursues Carnatic violin and piano and plays saxophone in the school Wind Ensemble band. 42

Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Kavya Akkiraju is a 9th grade student from Pembroke Pines, Florida. At the age of 10, Kavya was initiated into Carnatic Flute by Guru Late Sri Chaitanya Kumar from Bangalore, who taught her well for four years. Kavya now continues to learn flute from Guru Sri Amit Nadig, Bangalore with whom she began learning last year. Guru Sri Sanjay Chandran, from Florida (Violin Vidwan), recently started mentoring Kavya coaching her in creative aspects of music. Kavya also learns Carnatic vocal music from Guru Sri Sanjay Subramanian in St Louis. Kavya has participated in Advanced Level Carnatic workshops conducted by eminent artists like Smt. Shantala Subramanium & Smt. Dr Sudha Raghunathan. Kavya has been participating in cultural programs conducted at the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Florida for the past 10 years.

Archit Suresh has been learning mridangam from his father Sri K Suresh since an early age. For the past three years, he has also been taking advanced mridangam training from Shri K.V.Gopalakrishnan, popularly known as KVG. Archit has been accompanying local artists on mridangam and kanjira for many years. He has also played kanjira for multiple dance arangetrams. Archit is the winner of the Atlanta Papanasam Sivan mridangam competition for the last two years, in the sub-senior and senior categories respectively. Archit is currently a sophomore at Parkview High School and has been a member of the school varsity tennis team since his freshman year.

We hope to brighten your days by bringing Sa Ni Dha Pa Live ur Sangam directly to you in your living room. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Harish Poojari, Saxophone Hindustani/Gurmat Sangeet

Harish Poojari began learning Carnatic Classical Saxophone under Udupi Alevoor Shri Sundar Sherigar, and then later from Madurai late Shri Sevucaperumal Pillai. He currently learns under the guidance of Smt. Prasanna Warier. He

has nearly 20 years of experience playing professional saxophone at special events and national venues such as Thiruvaiyaru Thyagarja Swamy Utsavam, Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple, Udupi Shri Krishna Mutt, Kollur Mookambika Temple, and more. He has also received various awards such as Puttaraja Gavai Yuva Puraskar 2009 in Gadag Karnataka, Vadya Naada Vaibhava by =by Saxophone Chakravarthy Padmashri Dr. Kadri Gopalnath. He also teaches Carnatic classical saxophone to students in Mumbai.

Abhishek Balakrishnan, Violinist Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Abhishek Balakrishnan is a Carnatic violinist who plays regularly in the U.S. and India. Abhishek is a disciple of violin/ vocal virtuoso Delhi Sri P. Sunder Rajan. Growing up in Houston, he was initiated into Carnatic violin by Sri Vittal Ramamurthy and Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat, and Sri Mahesh K. Iyer. From several years, Abhishek received training from AIR violinist Kalaimamani Smt. Usha Rajagopalan. Abhishek has been presenting concerts

Sindura Sridhar, Vocalist and Violinist Hindustani Classical/ Semi-Classical

Sindura Sridhar, is a 7th grader and was initiated into Carnatic music at a young age, by her mother and father, who are a vocalist and violinist respectively. She is currently taking Carnatic vocal training with Srimathi

in the Chennai December Music Season annually since December 2011. He has given over 300 violin performances around the world, both solo and accompaniment. In December 2014, Abhishek received the Lalgudi Jayaraman (Best Junior Violinist) Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha for his merit-worthy violin accompaniment. Abhishek was also selected to represent Carnatic music in a solo piece before 50,000 people and televised to the world as part of the 2019 Howdy Modi cultural show. Abhishek currently resides in Houston, TX, and teaches Carnatic music through his school Roopa Fine Arts. Under the auspices of his guru, Abhishek founded MaargaUSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Houston Chapter, which is dedicated to giving upcoming youth performers a platform to give quality concerts. Padma Sugavanam. Sindura has competed and placed in multiple competitions with organizations such as SAPTAMI, CMANA, Sivan Fine Arts, and the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival where she also participated in the Sustaining Sampradaya concert. Sindura is also pursuing Carnatic violin lessons with her father Dr. Gopalan Sridhar. Outside of Carnatic music, Sindura enjoys learning and performing western classical voice, violin and piano, as well as bharatanatyam. She also presides over a speech club at school. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Indian Classical Dance Ranjana Warier,

Dancers from Rhythms School of Dance

Indian Classical Dance Artist The sound of ghungroos ringing, feet stomping, and tabla beating are sounds that have been deeply ingrained in Ranjana Warier’s daily routine since she was six years old. Born in Thirunavaya, a small village situated on the northern bank of the Bharathapuzha (River Nila) in Kerala, Warier now resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she spreads the love of dance amongst her students and the broader community. Founder of Rhythms School of Dance, Warier brings the beauty and history of Indian classical dance to life for students and dance enthusiasts in much the same way her own gurus did for her at a young age. Warier grew up in an art-loving family, and she began taking Bharatanatyam lessons from her gurus Kalamandalam Devaki and Kalamandalam Indira at the age of six. When she was 10-yearsold, she also began learning Mohiniyattam. Under the guidance of her gurus, Warier performed at several festivals, which served to enhance her present commitment to promote the Indian culture and art forms. Warier credits her gurus for strengthening her passion, and over the years, she has progressed from an avid student sitting in her teacher’s lap to a teacher herself. “Because of the efforts of my gurus, I feel committed to promoting priceless artistic treasures of India, through traditional and cross-cultural collaborations,” reflects Warier. Warier is currently working on hosting an “International Dance Day” in association with the International Dance Council (at UNESCO) to educate and engage the community on our art forms. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Anupama Sunil

Arya Nair

Blessy Mannattuparampil

Eja Joseph

Kamna Nair

Miraa Shukla

Rishana Amar

Sahana Thayagabalu

Sionika Thayagabalu

Thangam Kuttiyani 45

Get to Know:

Sudhir Limaye Percussionist

hen discussing percussion musicians in South Florida, there is one name that is synonymous with that of a humble unassuming persona that of Sudhir Limaye. Born and raised in Pune, India, Limaye studied at the prestigious Fergusson College and earned his Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Physics

and Electronics from the University of Pune. His area of study helped him formulate his approach to rhythm as a time dependent medium as well as a rhythmic structure of sound, micro sounds and the complexity in algorithmic compositions. Growing up in India, many are immersed and drenched

in different genres of music as a normal part of life. For Limaye, listening to music was a constant in his formative years, but what set him apart is that he developed a very keen ear to the multiple layers of sound objects and its rhythmic structures. He would try to translate these sounds using tables, desks, empty containers and what not, much to the annoyance of his parents and siblings! Limayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse musical interest began to take root in Hindustani classical music and light sugam sangeet. Though he did not acknowledge it as a teenager, he equally enjoyed Street Folk, Bollywood, Jazz, and Western music. Being JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

exposed to these different genres and his intent listening contributed to the versatility in his style of playing the tabla. In fact, this ability to easily switch between styles is Sudhir’s unique skill making him the most sought-after accompanying artist in South Florida not only in Hindustani classical, and light classical music, but also in light Indian/ Bollywood music and Jazz ensemble concerts. After learning the tabla on his own for many years, Limaye began his formal training at the age of 21. While a student at Fergusson College, Limaye developed a friend circle around Bollywood music who encouraged him to develop his interest in tabla even further. Limaye quickly realized the tabla is one of the most

versatile instruments, which spoke to his diverse interest in music genres. Since moving with his family to Boca Raton, Florida, in 2001, Limaye has been an active member of the music community in the region. After many of his performances, parents would request Limaye to take on their children as shishyas. So in 2005, Limaye established Naada Brahma School of Tabla with two children and one father as his first students. Limaye continues to actively perform at various local events. Over the years, he has performed in more than 250 performances in various musical formats. Limaye performs fusion music in the South Florida area with Daryll Dobson, a guitarist and

composer, and he is a part of Daryll’s trio band Metaphysical Jazz. They have recently released a fusion album online called The Third Alignment with Dobson’s original compositions, and it was well-received in the Jazz world.

Learn more about Sudhir Limaye in our interview with him.

Who is your Guru (teacher) now and when you started? Back in the 1990s, a good friend of mine (a tabla player) suggested I approach one the most renowned tabla teachers, Pandit Suresh Samant, in Pune, India.

Limaye’s diverse musical interest began to take root in Hindustani classical music and light sugam sangeet. Though he did not acknowledge it as a teenager, he equally enjoyed Street Folk, Bollywood, Jazz, and Western music.

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Pandit Samant was extremely strict and would only accept students who had a keen interest and commitment toward learning the instrument. He was known to send the student home if he had not mastered the previous lesson, did not play well, or even if he was late to come to the class. After a lot of scrutiny, I was finally admitted to the class and my formal training started.

How long was your training? I completed five years of rigorous training in Delhi and Farrukhabad gharanas. Delhi gharana is mostly known for its ‘bandabaaja’ (closed sound playing) type of playing. This Gharana gave importance to playing on Chaati with two fingers and was also called as “Do Ungliyon Ka Baaj” playing the instrument merely using two fingers. Farukhabad Gharana is a blend of Delhi, Purab and Lucknow style of playing and has a pakhawaj (one

horizontal piece of instrument) like resonance as well as speed and Chaati use like in Delhi Gharana. Learning Tabla with this teacher gave me an opportunity to learn both styles thebandabaaj and Khulabaaj (open sound playing) style of playing.

Tell us more about your first public performance. I began performing in Intercollegiate classical and light Indian music events while I was doing my Masters. My group of friends and I would travel to various places in India performing at different venues, and we collected a few awards in some interstate music competitions. I still clearly remember my first performance at the University of Calcutta, where there was a crowd of about 300 college graduates watching the show. The energy and enthusiasm was palpable in this highly

competitive event. I remember thinking my rapid heartbeat would be heard louder than my tabla! We ended up winning the first prize in the orchestra and semiclassical section. The entire college physically took his team out on the streets dancing to celebrate their success! There has been no looking back, and I have since given over 250 public performances in India and the U.S.

Who do you consider to be a mentor and why? Apart from my Guru, the Late Pandit Suresh Samant, I attribute my success to the many, many masters that I cannot even begin to name. It is my firm belief that all the music I have listened to, the musicians, music composers, and lyricists, all are my mentors as they were all my first teachers. Among

Limaye performs fusion music in the South Florida area with Daryll Dobson, a guitarist and composer, and he is a part of Daryll’s trio band Metaphysical Jazz.

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worries and see a smile on their face gives me the greatest satisfaction and a feeling of success.

What do you think is the secret behind your success?

Bollywood music composers, I admire R. D. Burman and Madan Mohan and have learned a lot from their compositions especially for their lilting melodies and the rhythmic structuring and use of instruments.

What advice do you have for young Indian Americans who wish to pursue a career in music or the performing arts? Single minded devotion and commitment to worshipping art form, whatever it may be, is the most important aspect that cannot be stressed enough. It is a lifetime commitment to sadhana, which has a very deep meaning – spiritual exertion towards an intended goal. One has to completely immerse the self in the riyaaz, that is the disciplined practice ritual. 52

The younger generation is extremely fortunate to have many resources of technology to learn an art form. But they can get caught up with instant gratification and the trap of social media. They have to constantly push themselves, work hard by setting goals to compete with their own selves. Be open to criticism, be a keen listener, constantly think about something creative and unique, understand and accept your limitations-- try to work hard to overcome those are my golden words for aspiring artists.

Success means different things to different people? What does it mean to you and how would you define it? Anything that I can do to help people come out of their

Success in any field is a product of one’s natural abilities through the genes, the environment and most importantly the dedicated hard work that is input. My grandfather was a sitar player, and I remember intently listening to him play, even at a young age of five. Other than that, we did not have a musical family. I was fortunate enough to find the right Guru, who was so strict that it forced me into hours of riyaaz, much more than I would have played out of sheer love for the instrument! But in the end, nothing succeeds like the hard work and hours of practice input.

An American colleague once asked me an interesting question: “Why are Indians in the US at the forefront of a variety of fields?” What do you think? The sheer population in India encourages competitiveness from a very young age. It instills a strong desire to succeed and do better than the best. Also the conditions in India are unpredictable and uncertain, so the people there learn quickly to think on their feet, adapt to the changing circumstances and improvise their response. The tolerance JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

level to frustration is very high and therefore they never give up. The stable family structures with very close-knit relationships with relatives and cousins make them confident and secure. Most families raise their kids with a strict upbringing with the utmost importance on higher education. Favorite Quote: Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein Favorite Book: Agony and Ecstasy by Irving Stone, a biography of Michaelangelo. The message of this book emphasizes that adversity brings out the best in you if you dont allow it to crush you. Favorite Indian Movie: Ijazat and Water as these movies make you wonder if art follows life or vice versa. Favorite Non-Indian Movie: The Godfather

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Know Yourself Through Ayurveda By Chahna Tailor

yurveda is being accepted as an alternative medicine in the USA and in the Western world in general. Although it can be complex, some basic understanding of the science should allow us to begin applying some of the concepts. So, where do we start? Understanding our body type is fundamental so let’s start there. Ayurveda recognizes that the universe and our bodies are created through combinations of five elements. The panchamahabhuta (five great elements) fuse to create three doshas, or humors - vata, a combination of akash (ether)

& vayu (air), pitta, combined from tejas/agni (fire) & jal/aap (water), and kapha, which is the mixture of water & prithvi (earth). Everyone has all three doshas in the body, but the prominence of each can be as individual as a fingerprint. There are seven prakritis (constitutions): Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata Pitta, Vata Kapha, Pitta Kapha, or Tridoshic (VPK). Let’s detail the three doshas.

Vata is “that which moves things” and can be translated as wind. It is considered to be one of the most influential doshas. It moves everything

Ayurveda recognizes that the universe and our bodies are created through combinations of five elements.

'' JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

from the food through the digestive process to the air you breathe. It is one of the easiest doshas to come out of balance and can even push other doshas out of balance. Vata has characteristics such as: dry, hard, rough, light, flowing, sharp, clear, subtle, mobile, and cold. A person that has a primarily vata constitution can have dry skin/hair, brittle nails, is characterized by irregularity in features and mentality (can have pitta and kapha features), become cold easily, rough skin, light on their feet, have low endurance, does not sweat much, smaller eyes, prone to constipation, thin but prone to gain weight around the midsection, and can be either super short or very tall. They are creative, innovative, prone to anxiety, an overthinker,

Everyone has all three doshas in the body, but the prominence of each can be as individual as a fingerprint.

restless, have an active mind, procrastinate, are airy, and live in a dream land.

Pitta is â&#x20AC;&#x153;that which digestsâ&#x20AC;? and can be translated as to shine. Pitta has to do with digestive function, chemical and metabolic transformations in the body, and heat promotion. Characteristics that are associated with pitta are hot, light, flowing, sharp, clear, subtle, mobile, smooth, soft, and wet. A person that has primarily pitta dosha is of medium frame, has sharp, penetrating eyes

JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

For more detailed information on this article or to view additional pictures, please visit deshvidesh.com/June2020 and features; sweats easily, likes cold weather, will gain weight evenly over the body, prone to balding and early graying, and athletic. They have a sharp way of speaking, are direct, competitive even with themselves, focused, driven, disciplined, a thrill-seeker, prone to anger outbursts, the life of the party, and can be a workaholic.

Kapha is â&#x20AC;&#x153;that which holds things togetherâ&#x20AC;? and translates to mucus/phlegm. It can be seen as that which provides structure to the body. Characteristics associated with kapha are heavy, gross, dense, static, dull, cloudy, smooth, soft, wet, and cold. Persons with kapha dosha have soft skin, generally on the heavier side, gain weight in the hips and thighs, have luscious hair, big eyes, soft features, rounded nose, full lips, small but wide hands, are very strong, have thick skin, are cool to the touch, can sweat a lot, can be prone to sluggish digestion, and can go without a meal with no problems. They like to chill, enjoy routine, could eat the same thing every day, can be prone to

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depression, are grounded, stable, can be lethargic, lazy, are the most loving out of all doshas, nurturing, helpful, and prone to allergies.

Understanding your dosha and prakriti, one can use Ayurveda to bring about balance.

This list of qualities is not exhaustive but definitely a start to getting to know the doshas and yourself. Understanding your dosha & prakriti, one can use Ayurveda to bring about balance. Any issues you find such as sluggish digestion, endurance, memory, etc., can be addressed through Ayurveda so you can feel your best. For a detailed assessment and specific recommendations, feel free to reach out!

About the Author

Ayurveda Doshas

Chahna Tailor is a Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Health Counselor with a background in occupational therapy. Chahna completed her yoga training in Rishikesh and recently completed an Ayurveda internship in Kannur, Kerala. Chahnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company, Namaskar To You provides yoga, pranayama,meditation, and Ayurveda services. . She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Ayurvedic Medicine. 60

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BAPS Pujari Recites Vedic Hindu Prayer on National Day of Prayer at the White House

On May 7, 2020, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha was invited to participate in the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C. The National Day of Prayer is an annual event formally enacted in 1952 celebrating faith and prayer in the nation’s life. Today’s commemoration was all-the-more solemn due to the COVID-19 crisis affecting the nation. The event allowed the country to join together to offer prayers for those affected, our brave frontline workers and healthcare workers and for the recovery of our country. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence offered their prayers followed by prayers from religious leaders representing four of the major faith traditions – Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) was invited by the White House to participate. Harish Brahmbhatt, a pujari of BAPS, was recognized at the prayer meeting, and he shared a Hindu prayer of peace from the Vedas. Speaking at the prayer meeting he said, “In these troubled times of COVID-19, social distancing and the lockdown, it’s not unusual for people to feel anxious or not at

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) was invited by the White House to participate. Harish Brahmbhatt, a pujari of BAPS, was recognized at the prayer meeting, and he shared a Hindu prayer of peace from the Vedas.

JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

peace. The Shanti Path or the peace prayer, is a prayer that does not seek worldly riches, success, fame, nor is it a prayer for any desire for heaven. It is a beautiful Hindu prayer for peace, shanti. It is a Vedic prayer derived from the Yajur Veda.” This prayer was specially chosen due to the overarching theme that in all circumstances we should always pray for peace above all things. In conjunction with prayers during these trying times, BAPS, and its nondenominational, humanitarian arm, BAPS Charities, have responded to the coronavirus pandemic with a spirit of selfless service. To date, in addition to other global efforts, BAPS Charities in the US has supported hospitals and frontline workers by providing over 96,000 PPE and over 35,000 food and care packages. BAPS Charities has also provided financial support for equipment to hospitals around the country. For more details, visit https://www. bapscharities.org/covid-19. BAPS continues to provide spiritual support through counseling, online religious services and ceremonies and, most importantly, regular prayer for those affected, our all healthcare workers, scientists and researchers, our leaders, and for all of humanity as we rise to face this challenge. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

PRAYE R

ú Îì²¢ñ: à¢¢ç‹¼Ú‹¼çÚÿ¢æ à¢¢ç‹¼: Ðëçƒ±è à¢¢ç‹¼Ú¢Ð: à¢¢ç‹¼Ú¢ï¯{²: à¢¢ç‹¼: J ±ÝSÐ¼²: à¢¢ç‹¼<±à±ïÎï±¢: à¢¢ç‹¼Ï¢íü¤}¢ à¢¢ç‹¼: „±Z à¢¢ç‹¼: à¢¢ç‹¼Úï± à¢¢ç‹¼: „¢ }¢¢ à¢¢ç‹¼Úïç{ JJ ú à¢¢ç‹¼: à¢¢ç‹¼: à¢¢ç‹¼: JJ TRA NSLATION May there be peace in the skies. Peace in space. May there be peace on Earth. Peace across the waters. May peace flow from herbs, plants and trees. May all the celestial beings bring peace. May peace pervade all quarters of the universe. May that peace come to all of us as well. MAY THERE BE PEACE PEACE PEACE.

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Tapsee’s Game Over Throwback Picture Taught Her to Live for the Moment not just survive. We suppose those folks out on the road hiking hundreds of miles to get back to their villages will sure appreciate and take this advice to their heart.

he picture Tapsee shared from the Game Over movie, supposedly made her stop and examine her life and appreciate the importance of living in the moment. We hope she is having a good time during the lockdown. Her blurb for the picture states: “We all have 2 lives, the second one starts when you have only one left” and her statement is a brilliant deduction or simple math. However, Tapsee attributes that the said statement was written on the envelope in which the picture was contained. That line hit her hard and she possibly saw stars and realized that living in the moment matters so much.

She did not realize Game Over was to have such a deep impact on her. Her opinion is that Game Over is more than just a movie and story for her and those who understood the underlying significance. Life, she said, is what you are going to make it. You should have the will power to live and

The papers had good things to say about Pannu’s hysterically distraught role in the said film. Vinodhini Vaidyanathan plays a caretaker and is warm which makes the film feel real, if temperature measurement is your kind of thing. Anyway the film is not from the Bollywood stables but it is Telugu Tamil lineage…so, it has its share of blood, screams, hysterics, gore and tears. Given this, you ought to live for the moment.

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Generational Gap Gulabo Sitabo Comedy Trailer Starring Ayushmann and Amitabh

he lockdown is not dampening movie releases. Instead of multiplexes the releases are slated to go online on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, which is the case with the much awaited Gulabo Sitabo comedy.

The Shoojit Sircar directed flick features two top actors. One is of this age, Ayushmann Khurana. The other is yesterday’s angry young man, hopefully ripened into a sweet old man. It is Amitabh Bachchan. How do the two face off in this comedy? The trailer is now released and you can find out for yourself. Lucknow, the city of tehzeeb, is the backdrop to the story. Bachchan is the landlord who owns a haveli in which you have Ayushman as the tenant. Wit is generated as the two sandpaper each other amid sarcasm. Amitabh, understandably wants his tenant to leave and the tenant, understandably, does not wish to vacate the premises. It is a standoff. The film also features Brijendra Kala and Vijay Raaz among others. Whether the movie will have you rolling in the aisles is one thing. However, it is a vehicle that brings together Amitabh, Ayushman, writer Juhi, producer Ronnie, Cinematographer Abhik Mukhopadhyay and music director Shantanu Moitra. Shoojit claims everyone knows everyone and that makes for fluid production. Amazon Prime will stream the move from 12th June onwards. Meanwhile watch the official trailer. JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

Time When Sussanne Khan Could Not Imagine Life without Hrithik

here is a Spanish saying that with time, love passes and with love time passes. This happens to illustrate the case of Sussanne Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Right up to 2013 it seemed life was a sweet bed of roses for the two and then up popped a divorce, separating the two. However, they promised to be “good friends”. This is a trip down memory lane when Sussanne got vocal about her kachche dhage ties with Hrithik. The time is 2005. It is a chat show with Karan Johar. Sussanne is heard saying that if Hrithik was not by her side she simply could not move on in life. She, at that point in time, could not imagine a life without Hrithik because she was so deeply attached. Her talk mature wisdom in that she said Hrithik’s dalliances would not affect their relationship because they were friends and lovers too. So, it was until 2013 when the two parted ways and now, in 2020, they have come together during the lockdown to fulfill parenting responsibilities. Hrithik Instagrammed to the state, saying that Sussanne had popped over to enable the kids to enjoy company of both parents He thanked her for moving in with him and for being so supportive and understanding. From what can be seen, the two are making the most of an enforced holiday together by lunching and having quality time with the kids and probably with Hrithik. After all he still retains charm. 65

Alia Bhatt Thinks Jaideep Ahlawat is Simply Outstanding in Paatal Lok

Coronavirus Lands in Boney Kapoor’s Home, Household Help Test Positive

his one did not fly over the cuckooo’s nest. COVID-19 jumped right into Boney Kapoor’s home and had a go at their household help. They tested positive. Thankfully, he and his daughters Khushi and Janhvi tested negative. Maybe the virus could not get through or found them to be more than a handful.

lia Bhatt, probably with lots of time on her hands during the lockdown, took to watching the Anushka Sharma web series Paatal Lok in which you have Jaideep Ahlawat who, once upon a time, costarred with Alia in Raazi. After watching Paatal Lok Alia Bhatt took to Instagram and went gushy with a vengeance. “Jaideep Ahlawat you are outstanding! Means no words, and the full cast I can go on and on fan girling hard right now…” she gushed. Now, if she were gushing oil and Ahlawat was an oil prospector he would be mighty pleased about striking black gold. That, essentially, among other things, is what you get from Paatal, if we know it right. Anyway the series Paatal Lok premiered on Amazon Prime and has won critical acclaim for addressing hot topics like class, gender and religious equations. Jaideep said in an interview to Pinkvilla that he remembered Alia from her first film, Student of the year and that she has been growing with each film she makes and that she is a hardworking actor. He claimed she was pure, whatever that meant. The honesty, he states, comes from within her so we take it that her praise is straight from the heart. Jaideep was interested by the story and felt he fit the role well. So, if Alia goes all cross and starry eyed, it is understandable. Let’s hope she too gets a meaty role and comes up with a stellar performance.

During a routine test, one member of the domestic household help staff was tested and found positive. Therefore, all other staff members and family members had to undergo the test. All proved asymptomatic, except for two hired help who tested positive. Those who tested positive are quarantined. Boney, Janhvi and Khushi are under self-imposed home quarantine at the moment of writing. We will know within a fortnight how they passed time. In what can only be termed as commendable, Boney is paying attention to his staff and is making sure they all receive treatment. That is his humanitarian side, one to be appreciated as there are thousands who have let go their domestic help.

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Shantanu Maheshwari’s Interesting Caption for Nia Sharma’s Personality Shantanu Maheshwari opens up about how he was quick to judge “childhood buddy/ close friend” Nia Sharma’s exuberance at first! The TV Industry has always appreciated actress Nia Sharma’s talent and hard work and the actress has a flawless acting track record. The gorgeous lady captured the admiration of many with her versatility, and she has played everything from a domesticated baahu to a fantastical serpent woman or a bubbly girl next door. She is also well known for her role in the serial Ek Hazaron mein Meri Behna Hai. Incidentally, Nia is a fun loving girl outside the arc of the camera too.

in this post and said that his first meeting with the actress left him bemused as it’s easy to misunderstand a fearless female. He reminisced about the day the duo explored Madrid. Shantanu says that Nia inspires him to believe in his causes and stand by them and he loves her clarity and devil may care attitude. Maheshwari quoted that the TV industry is

full of hypocrites but Nia isn’t one of them. As of now, Nia will appear in Naagin–Bhagya ka Zehreela Khel where she plays the lead Brinda. The serial also stars Vijayendra Kumeria and though it’s his first collaboration with Nia, their chemistry on screen is the talk of tinsel town. The show has got good TRP’s specially with Raashmi Desai’s entry (she plays Nayantara).

Her Nach Baliye rival Shantanu Maheshwari said that he once judged Nia for her outspokenness and fiery attitude, but later realized that it was a misinterpretation. He also wrote a special post for the Jamai Raja star saying that she was a volcano in a bottle and her infectious energy has always inspired him. Shantanu walked down memory lane 68

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Big Boss 13 Winner Mahira Sharma Set to Star in Music Video

Mahira Sharma became famous after her Big Boss victory, though she has her own legion of fame in the genre of music videos. She has claimed millions of followers in many music videos and her hit “Lehenga” got a lot of approval. Speculations about Mahira Sharma are on the rise after Akhil (famed Punjabi singer) expressed an interest in working with her amidst the COVID-induced lockdown. Akhil’s song “Duniya” from the movie Luka Chuppi (Kartik Aryan Kriti Sanon) was a mega hit. The singer-actors were found collaborating on video calls and live chats, and Akhil actually confirmed the news to his fans. Mahira is over the moon with this unexpected bounty as she hadn’t actively reached out for the project. Akhil went on to share some lines from his upcoming song to his fans on social media. Right after the chats, messages poured in for the stars. Mahira was visibly excited and she said that she was really happy that Akhil chose to seal the collaboration via a live event on social media and publicly confirmed the news. Mahira gushed about Akhil being her favorite star and praised his recent songs and videos. She said that Akhil was a fantastic singer and she looked forward to shooting with him. Mahira loved the lyrics that Akhil shared with her on the chat.

Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai and Ishq Subhan Allah Discontinued Due to COVID Lockdown Lockdown and the COVID pandemic have wrecked the entertainment industry. So many television shows have been shutdown while movie releases are pushed forward. Sony TV has already announced the news that three of its well-known shows will be discontinued - Patiala Babes, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Beyhadh 2. Star Plus has also announced that it will stop three of its famous shows - Nazar, Dadi Amma Maan Jao, and Dil Jaise Dhadke Dhadakne Do. There were also speculations about Zee TV serials, Ishq Subhan Allah and Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai coming off air. Rohit Suchanti, the lead of Dil Yeeh Ziddi Hai denied speculations about his show being discontinued. However, no one from the Ishq Subhan Allah team confirmed or denied rumors. The channel has however conveyed that both shows will be discontinued as the COVID-19 crisis has put a lot of pressure on the television industry. The channel said that actors and producers of the show have been informed about the proceedings. Megha Ray stars in Dil yeh Ziddi Hai opposite Rohit Suchanti while Tunisha Sharma and Adnan Khan star in the leading roles in Ishq Subhan Allah. Actors and the production team were not available for comment.

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Divyanka Tripathi Commands Attention with Candid Pictures

Devoleena Comments on BFF Rashmi-Siddharth Tea Spat

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in India and lockdown has restricted movements of citizens. In these depressing and fearful times, norms of social distancing and limited movements have to be followed diligently. For many, staying at home is the new normal now and everyone is using virtual communication to maintain contact with each other. TV celebrities like Divyanka Tripathi (Yeh hai Mohhabatein fame) are no exception. The beautiful lady keeps sharing pictures and videos of herself and her family with fans via social media. Messages, updates, and inspirational posts cement her bond with fans and wellwishers. Divyanka has participated in many AMA sessions to resolve concerns and questions posed by fans. The actress was last seen on Intezaar and has many fans on different social media platforms. Recently, Divyanka shared a nice picture of herself in which she wore a light brown t-shirt and was staring contemplatively at the horizon. The caption ( in Hindi) was quite poetic and a fair translation would be “the first page of a new book.” Divyanka has managed to gain a lot of popularity from her posts and this picture has already gained massive appreciation. Many of Divyanka’s posts after marriage revolve around PDA sessions with her husband Vivek Dahiya. The two are seen light heartedly goofing around and indulging in romantic moments and the public laps up these posts. Divyanka married Vivek in 2016, and they are partnering well even in lockdown times. They grocery shop, cook, and clean together and share these posts on social media. The couple also reminds fans to maintain social distancing norms. Divyanka’s most popular TV show is Yeh Hai Mohabattein in which her chemistry with co-star Karan Patel was much appreciated. This Ekta Kapoor serial also starred Vivek Dahiya (for a short time). Divyanka also made her digital debut in 2018 with a web series. 70

Big Boss 13 was full of controversies and rumors. Big Boss delivered a healthy dose of all emotional boomerangs like action, love, laughter, drama and romance but it was the fights and spats of Big Boss that brought the most attention. All through the season, verbal arguments, fights and sparring happened between the contestants. Almost all participants fought with each other. However, one fight was uglier than most and even put off Salman Khan (the star is known for high spat tolerance level). Most Big Boss viewers would have guessed that the topic here is Rashami Desai and Siddharth Shukla’s disgusting tea fight. In the Weekend ka Vaar episodes, the Dil se Dil tak co-stars engaged in a horrible fight with each other that stunned host Salman Khan. The fight happened after Siddharth called Rashami “Aisi Ladki.” The argument snowballed after Rashami demanded an explanation of the ugly comments Siddharth made about her. She also gave some counter insults that further complicated things. The icing on the cake was when Rashmi splashed tea at Siddharth making him furious. The two starlets showed their worst sides to the public in this ugly public spat. Recently, Devoleena Bhattacharjee made a cunning comment to Rashmi on social media when she tweeted “happy international tea day Rashmi Desai.” The incident happened in May when Devoleena tweeted with many emojis, and Rashmi responded with laughter emojis. Fans of Siddhartha and Rashmi were reminded of the incident and they started commenting! JUNE 2020 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM

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Desh Videsh Magazine India's Turn on World Stage June 2020

Articles inside

Bollywood Today

Don’t Lecture India: Look at Your Own Record

Sa Ni Dha Pa Live - Sur Sangam in Your Living Room

Get to Know: Sudhir Limaye

Know Yourself Through Ayurveda

Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World by Alyssa Ayres

For the People, By the People: Democracy in the US and India

BAPS Pujari Recites Vedic Hindu Prayer on National Day of Prayer at the White House