Wings

“Much of my life I’ve fought stereotypes, rebelled against narrow definitions of gender identities and roles - only to experience a realm of existence beyond the binaries of right vs wrong, do’s vs don’ts, the oughts vs ought not’s. Though important to maintain societal structure & order, these are mere transitions, pit stops, pass through’s on the way to discover a transcendent state of being...

Curiosity is our constant companion. It inquires and triggers discoveries. Somewhere along the way it meets Imagination & Compassion. Attention & Intention join the party too. And, together they create a ‘Rainbow Connection’ to manifest realities that are hitherto non-existent or not available to our senses. As a perpetual cycle in motion, they have the power to create, connect, build, sha...

The idea of an ‘Inverted Telescope’ represents a shift in consciousness where observation is focused on an inner location which tries to see and comprehend the external world instead of looking at it as a distant object to be studied. For many, this idea manifests as a rich and impactful journey in professional career followed by a gradual transition to discover meaning and peace within. How does...

Transitions are rarely simple switches. They are profound processes of reorientation and follow a pattern involving three stages: Endings - involves letting go of an old identity / situation; Neutral Zone - marked by uncertainty where old realities get dismantled and new possibilities take shape; New Beginnings - where new identity, purpose and behaviours are embraced. What stories emerge in a 3x3...

"Take it to the next level" is an idiom that means - to significantly improve, expand a skill, business or relationship, making it more successful, advanced, or professional than it was before. This requires a vision, goal, focus, hard work, commitment and perseverance. It is however easier said than done. What self-doubts does this endeavour trigger? How does one navigate the path while...

Merriam-Websters dictionary defines ‘pilgrimage’ as a journey to a shrine or a sacred place with words such as travel, trek, journey, voyage being synonyms. In simple terms though it brings together a path, a traveller, a goal and a call to adventure. Many a discoveries await the one who responds to this call. For some - achieving the goal is significant whereas for some it’s the journey that matt...

" Today, life on wheels has become longer than one on the feet. An innocent, bubbling life of an 18 year old got constricted by shoulder down paralysis caused by a surprise accident, bringing it to a standstill. Freedom & joy got replaced by shock, helplessness, anger, agony and pain. How did I and my dear ones deal with this darkness? How did I find hope, meaning and purpose? ” a wave of...

“ She set out to do something that she never imagined she had the capacity to. Ended up achieving way more than what she had set out for. ” Personal stories seldom have these words as its opening line. One’s that do, have “Passion” as a sub-text that repeats in every chapter of the story. Along the way goals appear, journeys happen, new directions are taken, achievements accumulate. In all this th...

Fundamental human rights of justice, liberty and equality are enshrined in the Indian Constitution for all its citizens. Yet women of the country, across socio-economic divide, continue to experience discrimination and denial in their personal and social contexts. Over last few decades a lot has changed for 'her,' yet lot remains the same. Further, in today's technology-infested glo...

Indian music is said to have originated in ancient times as a confluence of three broad streams - music performed in temples for devotion, music performed in palaces and royal courts for entertainment and music that flowed freely in farms, fields and forests, for its own sake. At its core, it celebrates the Vyakti (individual, the part) and Samashti (collective, the whole) both fuelled by a primal...

Weddings are a significant indicator of Indian culture. Though centered around the bride and groom, this special event tacitly focuses on sustaining and strengthening the community, ‘jaat-biradari,’ as it is popularly termed in India. And, that’s how it has been for centuries. Add to it the pomp and glamour of - mehndi, haldi, sangeet, baarat, exquisite outfits & jewellery,  exotic destination...

Welcome to a conversation with Neeta Mittal , an innovative entrepreneur and co-founder of LXV Wine . This conversation takes us on a sensory journey from the vineyards of Paso Robles, California to the spice markets of India, exploring the art of human connection in a fast-paced digital world.  In this thought provoking podcast, Neeta weaves together three interconnected themes - Wisdom of the Vi...

All things are possible for those who believe. This is however easier said than done. Beliefs get tested, some quite severely and some over a long period of time leaving a deep mark on our psyche. How do we hold firm in our beliefs and yet be flexible? How can we shift the needle from ‘Can I?’ to ‘I Can.'? What are the ensuing struggles? What role does a support system play here? What intangi...

Fear has been a constant companion of human race since hunter-gatherer days. It is a powerful force that creates as well as destroys. Unlike the animal kingdom, however, humans have an innate gift to understand fear in all its entirety. How does fear manifest in everyday life? What about moments of crisis that shakes our very being? How does it trigger an inevitable chain reaction of dysfunctional...

Much of who we are is shaped by our personal, work and social roles which evolve in a given context and over a period of time. These roles feed on each other and are further influenced by our choices and compulsions. How does this process manifest in the early stages of life? How does married life and parenthood impact the role matrix? What if this involves a geographical and cultural transition?...

Today, music & dance are an integral part of weddings, corporate events, nightlife or private celebrations with professional DJs at the centre stage. They know exactly how to get everyone swaying to their beats, keeping energy high on the dance floor and to provide non-stop entertainment! What goes into being a DJ? What is the art, craft & drama that needs to be mastered? How does a DJ bui...

Finding one’s way through the forest, metaphorically and physically, happens to a chosen few. Every step calls for curiosity, courage, experimentation, openness to learn and constant adaptation. What if this is one’s calling in life? What world’s does it open up? How does a ‘beginner’s mind’ respond to such a calling? What does it mean to be a self-made ‘naturalist’? How does one build a professio...

An unwavering commitment to the ideals of ‘ rasa nishpatti' has ensured survival and growth of ancient Indian art forms much beyond an artist’s life and times. This however has necessitated democratisation, modernisation & institutionalisation of art through structures, systems and processes guided by principles and values. How does an artist partake in this process to experience and expa...

Raga framework in Indian Classical Music is said to be an ocean replete with mysteries & treasures. A Sangeet Saadhak (student of music) committed to a triad of Taalim (disciplined lessons), Riyaaz (diligent practice) & Adaakaari (authentic performance) gets a chance to experience these mysteries and treasures to bring them forth to their listeners. What is the relationship between Ragas a...

Human context is imbued with certain timeless themes that need periodic revisit, reexamination and renewal. Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) is one such theme. This would include gender and identity, neurodiversity, social and professional diversity, cultural and ethnic diversity etc. How do we navigate this maze? What role does power inequities play in DEI context? What micro and macro p...

It is said that lot happens in a forest. While the focus could be more on all that is seen at the eye level, there’s lot that goes on above and below this plane. It takes a lot of patience, sensitivity and understanding to comprehend a forest, skills that are equally important in the world of photography. What if one’s work includes wild life as well as photography? What experiences and insights a...

It is said that dance is an artform that frees human spirit. Through movements in space & time the dancer aims to break the shackles of earthly existence. What is the mystical space one discovers as one moves with the accompanying melody & rhythm? What really happens when our feet, knowingly or unknowingly, start tapping to the beats of music? How does this bring alive the healer within to...

The world of self-help, personal growth books is ever expanding. At one end are books with simple insights, offering easy steps as ‘chota recharge’ to daily life. While at other end are books with profound answers to deeper questions, offering steps that may be life transforming. In a post-truth world with shortening attention spans, the ‘everyday recharge option’ seems more pragmatic for many. Ho...

Musicians, vocalists or instrumentalists, dwell simultaneously in two worlds - an external world of practice and performance and an internal world of self doubts, dilemmas, contentment and possible bliss. The canvas becomes intense if the context is Indian classical music - Khyal or Carnatic. How does a musician navigate these worlds while staying focused on the art & craft? What are the joys...

It is said that human mind is fuelled by an intricate triad of thoughts, emotions and actions. Further, research has pointed to primacy of emotions in this triad as the cause as well as consequence of our realities. What are emotions, what do they do to us? Why do we need a rich emotional vocabulary to examine our everyday experiences? What is the ‘disorder-development continuum’ in the field of M...