The Forgotten Essence

What we call “Indian classical dance” today is actually a deep blend of Yoga, Tantra, and many classical art forms. At its heart, Indian dance carries a journey - from beauty and aesthetics to dissolution.  This conversation goes beyond dance and enters the world of education, parenting, and living a rooted, holistic way of life.

Episode 7 of featuring Shree Ji.

In this conversation, Suhag Shukla shares her journey of connecting with her Hindu identity and culture as a first-generation immigrant. She reflects on the generational differences in understanding Hinduism, the challenges of cultural assimilation, and the founding of the Hindu American Foundation to address the needs of the community. 

What makes a culture endure across centuries? Dr. Sonal Mansingh speaks about Indian art forms and their transcendental nature. She shares her insights for the Indian diaspora and reminds us that culture is not an intellectual process but a lived experience.

Episode 4 featuring Prem Joshua

What is Baul? Far from being entertainment or folk music, Baul is a profound spiritual practice rooted in an ancient Bhakti Yoga parampara.  Listen to Sri Ramachandra speak about the various spiritual paths across Bharat, his life and journey into sadhana, and the sacred land upon which Sanatan Siddhashram has blossomed.

We sit down with Anish Khare—architect, urban planner, photographer, columnist, and blogger—to discuss the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela  and traditional architectural principles in both homes and temples. What challenges do NRIs face when moving abroad? How does Anish stay rooted in tradition while navigating a rapidly changing world? How does he cope with homesickness and maintain a connection to his...

How does a former “Gen-Z atheist” become the Heritage Fashion Icon of the Year?  Can our festivals, traditions, and the Bhagavad Gita find a place in the hearts of the next generation?  Meet Janhvi Singh (@janhvsingh), a 20-year-old content creator devoted to sharing our precious culture. Recently honored by PM @narendramodi ji, she is on a mission to reconnect today’s youth with our heritage.

The worship of the Divine Feminine was once widespread throughout the world across cultures and religions. Today, it is only in our culture that this vibrant tradition lives on in full exuberance. Sri V.V. Sridhar Guruji delves into the depth of Devi worship. He speaks about the differences between the various Goddesses, the Dasa Mahavidya (Ten Great Goddesses), and traditional practices followed...

What happens when a sweet, visually-impaired teenage girl from Germany discovers Indian music, leading her to an internal world of devotion, bliss, and ecstasy? A new journey begins! Meet CassMae — musical prodigy from Germany. Guided by intuition and devotion, her deep insights into our culture are so profound that they often amaze Indians with their accuracy. Moreover, for many, her sharings are...

Yakshagana is an ancient dance-drama tradition from coastal Karnataka. It is a unique blend of dance, music, song, dialogue, and vibrant costumes.  Beyond being a vibrant art form - like all of our traditions, it has deep roots in spirituality and ritual. Thus, each performance is not just a show but carries a profound Dharmic essence - the basis of our culture.

Storytelling is the spine of our culture. Our grandparents pass down their wisdom through stories. Our Gurus have long used them to elevate consciousness. Even physics finds expression in our grand epics and Puranas, where profound truths are personified in beautiful stories. In this episode, meet Shobha Viswanath, founder of Karadi Tales, and hear how she continues this tradition in a modern cont...

On the surface, Bali may seem like an exotic vacation destination. But beneath the touristy facade lies an extremely beautiful and mystical culture. Balinese Hinduism is a fusion of indigenous culture and Hindu traditions. Despite centuries of invasions and attempts at colonization, Bali has maintained its unique cultural identity. In fact, we Indian Hindus could learn a lot from them.  They are s...

During centuries of colonization, a vibrant process known simply as “Sanatana Dharma” began being perceived through the colonial lens of “religion.” Historical narratives were crafted to fit colonial agendas. And the rest, as they say, is “history.” 

But whose history do we really know today? What are the forgotten truths behind our roots? 

Join us on a journey of unlearning and seeking with Shr...

Nutritionist Neha Shah of Diaspora Nutrition speaks about traditional food and cooking practices that today have been sacrificed in the name of dieting and convenience. Food is traditionally seen not just as sustenance, but as a sacred process for healing and health.

Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan is the founder of the Svatantra Institute and The Renegade Method™. She integrates modern medicine, Yoga, nondual Tantra, Āyurveda, and Vedānta, guiding practitioners in applying these teachings for personal and professional development. In this episode, she discusses Srividya Upasana, a sacred system of Devi (feminine) worship. In today’s world, there’s a common misconcepti...

How do Hindu youth who are born and brought up outside India, retain a connection to their roots?  On this episode of “The Forgotten Essence,” we have YouTuber and educator Shawn Binda of Hindu Lifestyle Official. He speaks about the nuances behind teaching Hinduism to youth in the diaspora.  The episode also covers interesting anecdotes and insights from his identity as a Indo-Caribbean Hindu bas...

Explore the world of holistic strength training and the ancient art of Vyayam with Krishna Rajaganesan in the next episode of “The Forgotten Essence.” “Vyayam” comes from Sanskrit and means “to tame the inner breath.” It has been practiced for thousands of years and has spread in different forms across the world.  Learn more about how it can empower one to achieve wellbeing and alignment on the le...

Ever wondered what makes a space “sacred” (Theerthas) in India? Or about the reason behind a deity or Moorthy in a temple? On the next episode of “The Forgotten Essence,” we have Anuradha Goyal - founder of IndiTales sharing all this and more. But what is unique is, in this episode her answers are tailored for the Hindu diaspora and youth. She blends her immense research and insights with anecdote...

Vidya speaks with Dr. Ramanand. He is a social scientist, scholar, and director of the Abhinavagupta Institute of Advanced Studies in Vagamon, Kerala. In this episode, he de-bunks myths related to how Hinduism and Tantra are displayed in the media. Through anecdotes and personal stories, he sheds light on the profound connection between spiritual practices (sadhana) and self-discovery. His insight...

Vidya speaks with Sri Guru Rohit Arya - spiritual teacher and sadhaka. In this conversation, they delve into the nuances of living as a Hindu in the diaspora. The conversation eventually leads into aspects related to Hindu Gods or Devatas and their true power to transform a person’s life.  With his candid and characteristic approach, he cuts out the noise and gives his straightforward insights int...

Artist Lakshmi Ambady and host Vidya Warrier delve into the ancient science of Tantra, exploring its profound connection with sacred geometry and art. Lakshmi generously shares her transformative experiences in creating art related to the essence of the Divine Feminine - Devi.

Did you know there is a profound significance to the sounds in Indian languages? Curious to know the relevance of having a Sanskrit-based name? Listen to special guest Uday Shreyas explain all this and much more.