Chai-Side Chats

S3E2: Navigating Motherhood, Dance Education, & Privilege as Bharatanatyam Dancers in the Diaspora, featuring Surabhi Bharadwaj and Nitya Narasimhan

In this first interview episode of Chai-Side Chats Season 3, our host Aishwarya is in conversation with Bharatanatyam dancers Surabhi Bharadwaj and Nitya Narasimhan about their experiences with balancing motherhood and their artistry, their approaches to teaching dance in the diaspora, and navigating privilege as practitioners of an appropriated art form. The episode concludes with a reflective experiential activity that takes the guest artists and viewers/listeners into an exploration of their internal worlds.
Originally premiered on YouTubeWatch full video episode on YouTube here
Follow Chai-Side Chats on social media!
IG: @chaisidechatsFB: @chaisidechats
About the Guest Artists:
Surabhi Bharadwajhttps://www.surabhibharadwaj.com IG: @surabhi.bharadwajYouTube: @Surabhi Bharadwaj
Nitya Narasimhanhttps://nityanarasimhan.comIG: @nittuwit YouTube: @Nitya Narasimhan
About Aishwaryahttps://www.aishwaryasubramanian.com

S3E1: Finding Freedom in the Creative Process Part 1 - Getting Unstuck

In this first solo episode of Chai-Side Chats Season 3, Aishwarya talks about the process of finding freedom in creativity and artistic practice. Using metaphors and experiential activities as offerings for listeners to expand their definitions and experiences of creativity, the episode outlines some tips and tricks for acknowledging resistance and overcoming stuckness, which is the first step towards finding freedom in creative expression.
About Aishwarya
Aishwarya is an interdisciplinary practitioner, artist, mental health therapist, expressive arts healer, and podcast/talk show host. You can learn more about her work and offerings on her website.
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E8: Trend vs. Tehraav, Aging, and the Spiritual Journey of Dancing | DC Dancers Roundatble

In this season 2 finale episode of Chai-Side Chats, our host Aishwarya is joined by co-host and special guest Shobha Subramanian along with guest artists Daya Ravi, Lakshmi Swaminathan, Deepti Mukund, and Lakshmi Babu to discuss trend vs. tehraav, aging as Indian classical dancers, and their spiritual journeys of dancing. 
Originally premiered on YouTube on May 7, 2022
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About our co-host:
Shobha SubramanianJayamangala School of Music and Dancewww.jayamangala.orgIG: @jayamangala1991
About our guest artists:
Daya RaviNatraj School of Dance
Lakshmi SwaminathanNatananjali School of DanceWebsiteFB: @natananjali
Deepti MukundNatyabhoomi School of DanceWebsite
Lakshmi BabuKuchipudi Dance AcademyIG: @kdacademyFB: @kuchipudidanceacademy1
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E7: Intersections between Physical Healing, Injury Prevention, and Mental Well-Being, featuring Dr. Divya Raghavan and Dr. Sneha Gazi

Join the host Aishwarya Subramanian in conversation with two dancers and physical therapists - Dr. Divya Raghavan and Dr. Sneha Gazi - about the intersections between physical healing and recovery, injury prevention, and mental-emotional well-being, along with their own personal stories of healing and journeys into this work. They specifically talk about their processes and approaches in treating physical injuries for artists, dancers, performers, and athletes. 
Originally premiered on YouTube on March 12, 2022
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Dr. Divya RaghavanWebsiteIG: @rightstackpt
Dr. Sneha GaziWebsiteIG: @snehaphysicaltherapy
 
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E6: On DJing, Dancing, Mashups, and Burnout in Music Production, featuring Dr. Srimix and Sidd Kelam

In this episode, our host Aishwarya Subramanian chats with DJs and music producers Srihari Sritharan aka Dr. Srimix and Sidd Kelam about their journey and experiences in music and dance, the Desi Dance Network scene, collaborations, and managing burnout as creatives. This episode also features a special experiential exercise where listeners can get a glimpse into the live mashup-making talents of our guest artists! 
Originally premiered on YouTube on February 12, 2022
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Srihari Sritharan / Dr. SrimixLinktreeIG: @sriharipotter
Sidd KelamSoundcloudIG: @siddkel
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E5: Seeking Refuge, Purification, and Peace through Devotional Music, featuring Aks and Lakshmi

Join Aishwarya Subramanian in a deep and reflective conversation with Aks and Lakshmi of Eclipse Nirvana as they discuss their journey and process of finding their niche as artists in electronic Bhakti music, creating and releasing intentional content on YouTube, and seeking refuge, purification, and inner peace through their creative and artistic practice. 
Originally premiered on YouTube on January 29, 2022
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Eclipse Nirvana by Aks and LakshmiWebsiteYouTube ChannelIG: @eclipsenirvana
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E4: Roundtable on Tradition, Cultural Torchbearing, and Solo vs. Group Work in Indian Dance, featuring Sonali Skandan, Preeti Vasudevan, and Nadhi Thekkek

In this special roundtable episode of Chai-Side Chats, our host Aishwarya is in conversation with three prolific Indian dancers based in the United States - Sonali Skandan from Jiva Dance, Preeti Vasudevan from Thresh Dance, and Nadhi Thekkek from Nava Dance Theater. Tune in for a reflective conversation on all things related to tradition, cultural torchbearing, and solo vs. group work in Indian dance spaces. 
Originally premiered on YouTube on January 8, 2022
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Sonali SkandanWebsiteIG: @sonaliskandan
Preeti VasudevanWebsiteIG: @vasudevan.preeti
Nadhi ThekkekWebsiteIG: @navadancesf
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E3: Mental Health, Mythology, and Meaning-Making, featuring Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy and Dr. Sarika Persaud

In this episode of Chai-Side Chats, our host Aishwarya is in conversation with mental health therapists and artists Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy and Dr. Sarika Persaud on the intersections of psychology, spirituality, and philosophy, including how mythology and meaning-making intersect with mental health, archetypes, personal growth, and creating one's life story.
Originally premiered on YouTube on December 11, 2021
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Dr. Aparna RamaswamyWebsite
Dr. Sarika PersaudWebsiteIG: @doctor.samosa
Follow Chai-Side Chats on social media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E2: Creativity and Self-Inquiry in the Process of Writing, featuring Shilpa Agarwal and Madhavi Reddi

In this episode of Chai-Side Chats, our host Aishwarya engages in dynamic conversations with guest artists Shilpa Agarwal and Madhavi Reddi about the creative process of writing, including their ways of coping with self-doubt and using arts and healing experiences for self-inquiry and self-knowledge.
Originally premiered on YouTube on November 13, 2021
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Shilpa AgarwalWebsite
Madhavi ReddiWebsite
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats

S2E1: Teaching Indian Classical Arts in the Diaspora, featuring Jayamangala School of Music and Dance

Kicking off season 2 with a bang, this special roundtable episode, in partnership with Jayamangala School of Music and Dance, features our host Aishwarya in conversation with Jaya Bala (vocal music teacher), Shobha Subramanian (dance director of Jayamangala), Sandhya Srinath (violinist), and Srinath Bala (mridangam artist) about teaching Indian classical arts in the diaspora and Jayamangala's upcoming 30-year anniversary celebrations.
Originally premiered on YouTube on October 16, 2021
Watch and listen to full episode on YouTube here
About the guest artists
Jayamangala School of Music and DanceWebsite
Srinath BalaWebsite
Sandhya SrinathWebsite
Follow Chai-Side Chats on Social Media!
IG: @chaisidechats
FB: @chaisidechats