Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the seventh episode/ story titled ”Professional Daydreamer” written and voiced by Afriya Jasmine Nylander.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Afriya: Afriya Nylander is a west London based actor, writer and...

Today’s melodic story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Riana Howarth and is called ”She’d Sit”.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Riana: Riana is an aspiring writer and illustrator with a curiosity for all/most things weird and wonderful. With a background in acting and experience in...

We are in the second half of the storytelling series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and today’s story is called Take My Picture by Soria Hamidi and voiced by Leila McQuaid  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Soria: Soria Hamidi is an Afghan playwright, prose fiction writer and dramaturg. Her work focuses on...

Halfway there and today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded of Threads is titled 38% by Ra’eesah. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Ra’eesah:  Ra’eesah is a multifaceted creative using the mediums of theatre, film, music and spoken word to tell stories, bring people together and effect positive...

Happy Third Day! Today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Bethany Gemmell and is called Catherine. Fun fact: it actually features Bethany’s mum Catherine.  About Bethany:  Bethany Henry Gemmell LLM (he/him) is a Northern non-binary artist in London, working as Production Coordinator for a multi-award-winning company. In 2022, he quit working as a teacher and dove into theatre and television full-time. Career highlights so far include: producing, directing and...

Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the second episode titled An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album written and performed by Yasmine Dankwah.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or...

Today’s episode marks the launch of a NEW series I am doing on Chai with Rai called Symphonies of Beaded Threads. This 8 episode short audio series, which I will dropping daily for the next 8 days !  Takes shape in different formats from poetry to spoken word to theatrical pieces, monologues  and more by 8 different writers/ creatives.  I will also be releasing interviews with each writer of the pieces soon so keep an eye out for that. However! Without further Adieu let’s dive into the...

The title says it all- I’m just saying 👀☕️.  Part 2 with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community)  Vinay Jobanputra.  From discussing Queerness- in specific within the South Asian Community to art influencing life to milky tea and more.  In the episode we talk about:  Dance Journey- Thoughts on the South Asian dance scene in the UK? How did they get involved ? Bollywood dancing at...

This had to be a 2-parter because we couldn’t stop the gup shup. So, grab a cuppa as we discuss things  such as;  gender identity, social norms around sexuality, Bollywood and how it’s impacted the South Asian experience, Bollywood Dance (in specific UK) and it’s constructs on gender/ sexuality, how choreography can be challenged with stereotyping, their BBC documentary and so much more! Joined in the chai room with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of...

Firstly, I am so flabbergasted to have Elias Jahshan on here. I remember reading his articles in Gaytimes and then his book This Arab is Queer, then for him to say YES to coming on the podcast and discuss journalism, today’s climate around politics, sensitivity, identity and then querrness, the book and so much more.  I am as the video goes ”VOW”!  So ermmm thank you Elias! In the episode we talk about:  His relationship with his husband- who said I Love you first? How did they meet? Who...

From discussing negotiating skills with a zombie during a zombiepocalypse to creating a South Asian Theatre company in the UK to Fringe culture. A banterful episode with the cast and crew of Nalini Theatre’s  show Woman. Life. Freedom.  A Massive thank you to Alicia Fernandes, Dhanush Giridhar, Bushra Baig, Adi Roy Bhattacharya and T’arah Inam-McDermott.  In the episode we talk about:  The need to launch a theatre company that is South Asian Led. Woman. Life. Freedon- The process of...

From Love to finding yourself and your alignment to comedy and writing. This episode is jam packed with writer/ poet Aamir Hassan and Cabaret/ Drag Artist Amir Dean (Lady Bushra). Was so lovely to welcome them into the chai room and talking about their podcast ”You Don’t Love Me Boys” and certain things like what they have learn about themselves through finding love and each other and how that has transferred into their being/ work.  In the episode we talk about: Inclination of becoming...

Sat down with the cast and creatives of Asian Girls in Therapy to talk all things playwriting, food and how trauma bonding can lead to creative juices flowing.  Thank you to Gurjot Dhaliwal, Megan Soho and Racks Nieto.  In the episode we talk about:  Process of playwriting for fringe.  Marketing, Culture and fundraising surrounding fringe. How sensitivity or care was handled in the room and in the playwriting process when discussing topics such as ”Therapy”. Dramaturgy support.  Diving...

I have looked at Dhruv’s profile at least a hundred times and have gotten so much inspiration about not only embracing and diving into fashion but also how to live my life more authentically.  Super excited for you all to listen to this episode as we talk ethics on tech, identity through saree’s and what would one do if you were stuck in a Rickshaw with Rekha and Pretty Zinta?  A massive thank you to the talent that is Dhruv Dhody.  In the episode we talk about:  Dhruv’s feature in the...

The artwork alone of this episode should be sellable is all I am saying.  I had such a wonderful time carrying on my chat with Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. We get into it from dating to dipping.  p.s- we did have a dance section to the games which I will edit and release soon on YouTube so keep an eye out for that.  In the episode we talk about:  Queer Trauma it shaping the outlook we have. Being...

Back with Banter, Chai and Deep Chats. Kicking off the new batch of episodes I sat down with The dynamic Duo: Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. This is part 1 and part 2 will be out next week. In the episode we discuss: Hair and Hair Tips. How did Muz & Alia find their path to Ballroom? The highs and lows of personal lived experience in Ballroom and how to reflect on that.  Finding yourself through the...

Through several hair and beard styles, 80 plus episodes, close to 100 guests, a digital South Asian Arts Archive, Collaborations, Series, A residency at WeWork, self produced and self funded ! Chai with Rai is my baby...My business I have built over the last 3 years and I am so grateful for all the guests and this community. Thank you for it all and to 3 years. Highlight Reel: https://youtu.be/OF401vzTM0Q  South Asian Archive: https://www.raimuitfum.com/its-about-chai-time To subscribe...

5 or 5 from the Creative Series.  Have really enjoyed making this series and reflecting on the mindset and culture of being a creative.  I hope you enjoy this week’s episode as I share my reflections on practicing  Joy and Gratitude as a Creative and ask how you practice it? What your relationship with it is?  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ &...

4 or 5 from the Creative Series. Again really enjoying these short episodes and this specific series.  This week diving into the topic ”Core of being a Creative”. I will say this is a personal one, where there is no snippet but rather just pure reflection of my experiences and thoughts recently.  So, enjoy it with your cuppa and let me know what you thought of it in the comments.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself:...

Continuing with the shorter episodes and making this ”Creative Series”.  This specific snippet and episode is touching on my conversation with actor and coach Daniel O’Meara. In which we discuss doing the work as a creative and though Daniel talks about it from an acting and coaching perspective- I really think if you break or direct his message and put it into your own practice you’ll be able to relate to somethings.  I often go back to this specific episode with Daniel because he really...

As we take a break from our full length episode I wanted to bring some snippets from previous episodes I enjoy.  This specific snippet is from my conversation with filmmaker and actor Dr.Parvinder Shergill diving into the mindset of being a creative. Especially if you are someone who like me creates work, beyond their role as a performer  and in the process questions, how do we deal with the mindset of rejection, collaboration, our ego/vanity, this metric of success and perfection we have...

As we take a break from our full length episode I wanted to bring some snippets from previous episodes on the mentality around success as a creative.  What our versions of success should be, look and feel like?  I have been really questioning what success means recently; what is the viability of being a creative? How do we navigate our mindsets during the times where we are super busy and feel wanted but then also what to work with when we are not auditioning as much or producing work? I...

Sitting down with 3 brilliant writers Ruth D’Silva, Ruby Kitching and Jaswinder Blackwell-Pal to dive into Theatre form writing, how to write nuanced stories and the scope of South Asian Theatre. In the episode we talk about:  The recent passing of Tara Theatre’s Artistic Director Abdul Shayek and discuss how his impact on the theatre world at large but also our personal experiences with him.  Țara Theatre and its impact.  How to write smarter and nuanced stories. As writers how do we set...

Welcoming into the Chai room the cast & Team of the Sold out show Brown Girls Noise.  Joined by Neetu Singh, Kaya Uppal, Kerena Jagpal, Misha Domadia and Amber Zarya.  In the episode we talk about:  Fringe Culture Being Sold out and the pro’s con’s of that  Being conscious as a South Asian Creative and having a conversation about doing South Asian work or doing just work you want to do as an artist Approaching the world of the story as a director, writer and actor- What tools and...

Part 2 with Natasha Beghi & Nikkita Beghi from Two Chickpeas in a Podcast.  In the episode we talk about:  Insecurities and finding resolutions through mindset and actions The business behind creating a podcast in specific Two Chickpeas in a podcast Growth in self through the podcast- A perception that has been challenged and changed or something that was proven right and now has remained.  Playing a Rapid round of Games ”Sippa Chai or Play with Rai” To subscribe to Patreon and become...