Spotlight with Sandhya

Chandana Bala Kalyan is an incredibly gifted singer, songwriter and composer. Her pure and simple joy while singing has made her a social media sensation. Chandana is known as a vocal gymnast for her ability to move effortlessly across scales, she talks to Sandhya Mendonca about how she has put her stamp on varied styles of music from Carnatic, Hindustani, Sufi to Jazz. Season 2 | Episode 21 |Spot...

In this candid conversation, Dr. Mukesh Batra talks to Sandhya Mendonca about what homeopathy can and can’t cure, and shares his learning in building a business and leading a well-balanced life. He shares snippets from his just published book: “The Nation’s Homeopath: How Dr Batra’s Became the World’s Largest Chain of Homeopathy Clinics.” Season 2 | Episode 20 |Spotlight with Sandhya Watch the vid...

From award winning ads to hit TV serials to short stories and novels, Sadiqa Peerbhoy captures the sweet and sour aspects of life. This multitasking Creative Director has written the longest running columns, for 25 straight years! Find out what inspires her and how she does what she does, in this conversation with Sandhya Mendonca Season 2 | Episode 19 |Spotlight with Sandhya Watch the Video here...

Love hormones & more! For World Breastfeeding Week, leading paediatrician and internationally renowned lactation expert, Dr. Asha Benakappa talks to Sandhya Mendonca about the right techniques of breastfeeding and answers questions about what and when to feed babies, bottles, breast pumps and more. A public service message in association with the Inner Wheel Club of Bangalore Orchards Season 2 | E...

These tips will help you take care of overworked and tired eyes. Dr. Sujatha Rathod, Director, Professor & Head of Community Ophthalmology, Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, talks to host Sandhya Mendonca about what you must stop doing and what your must do to reduce the strain on your eyes. She also talks about the special care one must give children during the pandemic, and the remarkable work being do...

National award winning music artist Bindhu Malini Narayanaswamyhas a unique voice and sensibility. She talks to host Sandhya Mendonca about finding her way home to music, her quest for manodharma and the bonds of music and love she shares with her husband Vasu Dixit. Season 2 Episode 16 | Spotlight with Sandhya #Bindhumalini #manodharma #love #thefamilyman #sethuman #kabir #saathsaathmusicproject...

Madhu Nataraj, Award winning Dancer & Director, Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography talks about a unique choreography course and the multidisciplinary approach to teaching. The aim is to equip students to become arts entrepreneurs , she tells host Sandhya Mendonca. Season 2 | Episode 15 | Spotlight with Sandhya#choreography #natyainstitute #madhunataraj, #kathak #music, #lighting, #stage, #ar...

Telecom entrepreneur, inventor, engineer and change maker Sam Pitroda enabled all Indians to use the basic telephone with the telecom revolution in the 90’s. Now he wants to redesign the world to fit the sea change in many areas of life. He answers questions about his political ideology, the think tank ACT for India, and tells Sandhya Mendonca why India needs to focus on creating a scientific temp...

Prashanth Prakash is a Venture Capitalist, and is an expert at choosing the right startups to back. Flipkart, BookMyShow, Ola and Swiggy have become household names. Prashanth is also a social evangelist and supports projects that impact education, environment, culture and gender. He talks to Sandhya Mendonca about the sectors that are poised for growth and offers tips to survive and thrive in the...

Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Sheela Krishnaswamy offers helpful tips on healthy foods and eating habits for people of all ages, from children to seniors. As the pandemic rolls on and live goes on, find out what are the foods that one must eat, what are the foods to avoid, what foods help you stay calm, sleep well & feel better; Sheela Krishnaswamy discusses all this and more with host San...

Season 2 | Episode 11  Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister, shares his experience on writing biographies of powerful and controversial people, the duty of a biographer, his views on Cancel Culture, the lessons of history and why he disagrees with Shashi Tharoor.  In this freewheeling chat with host Sandhya Mendonca,  Ramesh talks about his  fascination with...

Industry tycoon & Chairman of TTK Prestige Ltd TT Jagannathan reveals two new rules that have helped him and his company succeed. On the back of his company's stellar performance despite COVID-19, Jagannathan offers insights into resilience and forward-thinking, and holds out hope for businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. Episode 9 of this show focussed on 3 key rules that were...

Distilled wisdom from TT Jagannathan who turned around a debt-ridden company and made it hugely profitable upholding values of honesty and hard work. 'Disrupt & Conquer- how TTK Prestige became a billion dollar company' is the story of riches to debts and the impressive turn around. On the 3rd anniversary of the book's publication, co-author Sandhya Mendonca reads out excerpts and presents the...

Season 2 | Episode 8 | Spotlight with Sandhya offers insights into issues that form current public discourse. Pranay Kotasthane, the deputy director of the Takshashila Institution, is an expert on public policy, international relations and public finance. He answers questions about vaccines - strategy, diplomacy, and funding, and whether the pandemic has affected India's position in the world. Cri...

Season 2 | Episode 7 | Spotlight with Sandhya focuses on the private hospitals in Bangalore and if they are focusing on how they are dealing with COVID-19. Private hospitals are criticised for not giving beds, and for charging exorbitant prices for treatment. Is this time to look at profits? Dr. HM Prasanna, President of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes’ Association (PHANA), answers questio...

Season 2 | Episode 6 | Spotlight with Sandhya features award winning singer-composer, actor and director MD Pallavi. She talks about the feminist and democratic values that are at the core of her work, using art to make political statements and speaking up for what matters. “How you express your political opinions through art defines you as an artist”, says Pallavi in this interview with Sandhya M...

Episode 5, Season 2 of Spotlight with Sandhya India's Tech Capital is sending out an SOS : it needs political leadership, its officers need freedom to work AND it needs its tech billionaires & millionaires to step up and come to its aid. Mumbai and its Municipal Commissioner have shown that the second wave of COVID-19 can be controlled, and Bengaluru can do the same, says former BBMP Commissio...

Dr. Parakala Prabhakar talks about the relentless march of the BJP. He tells Sandhya Mendonca that the BJP's losses in the recent Assembly elections in Bengal, Kerala & Tamil Nadu have to be read the right away. Despite losing, it has gained much political ground. In a comparative analysis, the political economist draws a clear picture of the BJP's game plan and how it's scripting the narrativ...

In Part 1 of a two part interview, Dr. Parakala Prabhakar, political economist and the host of Midweek Matters, talks to Sandhya Mendonca about putting lives before livelihood, and why he believes in speaking truth to power and sets aside family and personal considerations. His wife is the Union finance Minister but that doesn't stop him from asking hard questions about the dire economic and socia...

Season 2, Episode 3 Spotlight with Sandhya features contemporary artist Shan Re. There’s a certain aura of mystery about Shan Re. A versatile and prolific artist, her work is commercially successful which she attributes as much to talent as to hard work and focus. In this free wheeling conversation with Sandhya Mendonca, the artist talks about her journey as an artist, challenges and inspirations,...

Women who live in villages are on the path to prosperity, with several of them successful in running more than one micro enterprise. These are the champions of the women self help groups that have been set up as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission. With skill training and financial planning, 99 percent of women repay their loans. In Season 2, Episode 2 of Spotlight with Sandhya, IAS offi...

Featuring in Season 2, Episode 1 of Spotlight with Sandhya is the 'Self-owned & Sensual' Prathibha Prahlad. In this free-wheeling chat with host Sandhya Mendonca, the dancer and cultural visionary minces no words while answering questions about the rebirth of erotica in classical dance, navigating patriarchy and the survival of arts organisations. She is purposeful and powerful. A renowned cla...

Can dance go beyond aesthetics and be an agent of social good? Odissi dancer & choreographer Sharmila Mukerjee talks to Sandhya Mendonca about dance and finding new meaning and purpose, in this episode of Spotlight with Sandhya You can watch the video of this interview here on the Raintree Media YouTube channel. Check out  Hubhopper Studio

This episode features maverick Indian alcobev maker, Desmond Nazareth, who talks to show host Sandhya Mendonca about his campaign to take to the international market a beverage made from the Mahua flower. Having previously made a tequila-like drink locally at 1/10th the cost, the new Mahua based drink Desmondji has set a high bar for itself and has piqued the interest of connoisseurs. Watch the vi...

The Art of Communications can be learnt scientifically. Prof. Rakesh Godhwani, communications expert, offers a primer on communications that tells you who should learn to communicate better and why. Dr. Godhwani is the Founder of the School of Meaningful Experiences and former Adjunct Faculty of Communication at IIM Bangalore and IIM Udaipur. He talks to Sandhya Mendonca about how anyone can learn...