On how difficult it is to do both - to forgive and to forget. It is a whole journey and not a quick process. And during this process, can we give ourselves permission to fall back to our previous zakhmi emotional state without feeling guilty or angry at ourselves? Featuring Sahir Ludhinavi's Aap aaye to khyaal-e-dil-e-nashad aaya, and words of Gulzar, Majrooh Sultanpuri and E.M.Forster.

Revisiting this favorite episode of mine that features songs from three classic films portraying three strong female characters - Rajnigandha, Bandini and Guide. This episode takes a fresh look at #BreakTheBias, and opens a conversation on how we can celebrate our choices unapologetically, be it traditional or modern. #BreakTheBias #Yogesh #Shailendra #womensday #8March

In this episode, talking about love, intimacy, vulnerability, being lost, film Masoom, Shabana azmi, and Emma Thompson, and so much more with the very enigmatic and a hugely defining and brilliant director of all times. #ShekharKapur #shabanaAzmi #Whatslovegottodowithit #masoom #Gulzar #Nusratfatehalikhan

In this last episode of 2022, insights on ailing, crumbling friendships and connections, and why it is so hard to let them go. You may have different views – which I would love to hear. Featuring the classic Chalo Ik Baar Phir se, Pal do pal ka saath hamara and Mann re tu kaahe na dheer dhare by Sahir Ludhianvi, and words of Gulzar, John Steinback, and Oprah. #SahirLudhianvi #Gulzar #Oprah #AnandBakshisode

If you are condemned, or privileged, to feel this world and everything in it intensely, then this episode is tailor made for you as it makes a case for melancholy and for all types of Soz-e-dil. Danish philosopher/ poet Kierkegaard said that he felt bliss in melancholy and sadness. Melancholy is beautiful, it could be the only secret gateway to a fuller life, and indeed the only way to become music, a poem, dance, art and literature. Do you do melancholy? Featuring the poignant Jo humne...

A great city is like a great love (Maria Papova). In this episode, claiming the ever-flowing love that our cities have for us, but we mostly remain oblivious of it all. Sheharon ke paas latife bhi hai, marham bhi hain…can we be beholders of her love for us? Created in the lovely city of Brisbane, this episode features ‘Wadiyan mera daman’, Is mod se jaate hain, Dhan te nan, Solah Baras ki baali umar and Karoge Yaad to… #MajroohSultanpuri #Gulzar #WHAuden #EBWhite #Topophilia #wanderlust...

Revisiting Ep 13 (first published on 2 oct 2021) on how much to assimilate and how much to remain distinct as a migrant? This episode discusses the importance of drawing a delicate balance between the two in the context of our migrant experience. Featuring Anand Bakshi's 'Yahan Main Ajnabi Hoon', this episode explores the generative force hidden in feeling 'ajnabi' as a migrant, and the importance of 'striking roots into Unaccustomed Earth'..Share your stories. *Unaccustomed Earth - a...

This episode explores why it is not a certainty that we will get equal affection, love or respect in our social, romantic, creative relationships. A friend once said that when we seek friendship in someone, they might be looking for a totally different resume than yours. And that’s ok! How can we look at one-sided friendships, relationships differently, positively? Featuring ‘Phir se aayio badra bidesi’ by #Gulzar. Vandana Vishwas coevr youtube link:...

This episode explores why it is not a certainty that we will get equal affection, love or respect in our social, romantic, creative relationships. A friend once said that when we seek friendship in someone, they might be looking for a totally different resume than yours. And that’s ok! How can we look at one-sided friendships, relationships differently, positively? Featuring ‘Phir se aayio badra bidesi’ by #Gulzar, Maana teri nazar me by #NaqshLyallpuri, and ‘Tum agar mujhko na chaho’ by...

Often, we feel that sharing someone’s pain (sympathy) is the best help we can offer, that cheering someone in their dark moments is the best way to bring them out of their pain. However, most often than not, we only want our pain to be understood, acknowledged and heard without being talked out of it. Joining someone in their pain is much more healing than trying to cheer them up. Featuring ‘Tum apna ranj-o-gham’, ‘Agar mujhse mohhabat hai’, ‘Aa Meri Jaan’, and ‘Ye dil sun raha...

This episode is a humble reminder that we all are broken in some ways. Being broken (flawed, vulnerable, imperfect) is in the core of the human condition. Yet, we spend most of our wakeful hours hiding our brokeness – be it our professional or social interactions, hamari koshish yahi rahti hai ki hum competent, perfect, samajhdaar dikhen. Our obsession with productivity, perfection, power, prestige, paisa, permanence, allows little room for our brokenness to be embraced. Here, Alain...

In this episode, the undesirable ‘ghar’ we unknowingly make – when we get stuck in our past or uncertainties of the future, in our body’s automated reactivity or in the habituated fears and negativity. Can we bulldoze those ‘ghar’ and become true ‘nomads’? Featuring Raah pe rehte hain, Musafir hoon yaron and Aane wala pal by #Gulzar and Aage bhi jaane na tu by #Sahir, and 'aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai' by #Shailendra

Ik nahin, sau baatein kar lo, sau baaton ka ik matlab hai...in this episode 'sau baatein' with Vibha Malhotra about the nature of love: love's mystique and intrigue, the foreboding and uncertainty it brings and everything in between...If love is that which can connect us with the infinity…neeche ishq hai…upar rab hai..then can we just sit at the edge of the world, and wonder about Ishq, just like we wondered about God…and stars…and the sun and the moon? Vibha and I did just that in this...

In this episode, the lauki, petha..and buttons and unicorns of our lives (listen to the podcast to know more :). Those 'currencies' that are beyond the measurements of productivity and efficiency, gains and losses. The simple little joys that are liberally scattered everywhere, yet so elusive. Why? Featuring 'Chhoti si kahani se' from Ijaazat, Dhadak Dhadak from Bunty aur Babli, 'Maine Tere Liye' from Anand and more...(the episode almost became Gulzar special!) The chocolate Ad YouTube...

When I recently met an ex-colleague from the bygone times - the times when I had a dream of writing my book but was stuck in a corporate job - I felt as though I was face to face with my old self from the past....the dreamer who had no inkling of how it will all unravel in due time. Sharing this episode that I recorded right after my dream, my book, The Moonsmith Gulzar's got released in Nov 2021. Get your copy of the book...

James Baldwin said, “Nothing is more unbearable, once one has it, than freedom.” In this episode, the paradox of choices - how having more choices may not always mean more happiness, contentment or freedom. Also, the two personality types - maximisers vs. satisficers - how do they react to 'lakhon' choices? #majroohrultanpuri #paradoxofchoices #decisions #lifechoices #freedom #choice #mindset #Ayersrock #JamesBaldwin

Reflections from the spiritual heart of Australia – Uluru… Reflections on why the allure of finding the missing piece or our soulmate is so innate in and irresistible to us humans. Featuring Main Ek Sadi Se from Lekin, and words of Gulzar, Rumi and Plato. Other songs featured - Main to kab se khadi is paar (Shailendra), Tumhe dekhti hoon to lagta hai aise (Naqsh Lyallpuri), Labon se choom lo (Gulzar), and Raabta (Amitabh Bhattacharya). #Uluru #Ayersrock #NorthernTerritory #Gulzar #Plato...

In this episode, expressing dissatisfaction about those who don't know how to become a beholder of other's art and their heart...baat unki jo apne gajre he har ik phool ki taareef to sun na chahte hain…lekin reciprocate nahin karna chahte.Featuring 'bura maan gaye' by Hasrat Jaipuri, 'Mana ho tum behad hasin' by Kaifi Azmi and 'Kisi ki Muskurahaton pe ho nisar' by Shailendra.#HasratJaipuri #KaifiAzmi #Shailendra #reciprocity #giving #connecting...

Dard Ki Tahein Reprised (now also featuring 'Aaj Bichhde Hain'). Revisiting this episode as I recently observed the second anniversary of that accident and was thinking that yes, time does create a distance between us and an incident - and rounds off the sharp, jarring edges of the pain, but it does that with a temporary covering of scar tissues, which never fully heals, never leaves us. 

Featuring songs from three films that featured strong female portrayals Rajnigandha, Bandini and Guide, this episode takes a fresh look at #BreakTheBias. Opening a conversation on how we can celebrate our choices unapologetically be it traditional or modern. #BreakTheBias #Yogesh #Shailendra #womensday

As millions of Ukrainians pack their life, hopes and desires, customs and culture in a suitcase, people from other countries are also feeling a sense of helplessness that increases with every new media story. In this episode, we visits the words of Yuval Noah Harari, John Steinbeck, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar and Sahir Ludhianvi for an understanding and catharsis of the escalating conflict in Ukraine. #RussiaUkraineConflict #YuvalNoahHarari #Gulzar #JavedAkhtar #SahirLudhianvi

Paas nahin hain, par nazdeek, bahut nazdeek, hamesha rahengi Lata ji... The first episode of Season 2 is a tribute to that voice that feels like a part of my DNA! Sharing some of my most intimate connections with Lata ji's voice. This episode is also a playlist that you could call 'Shailja waali Lata Playlist' :) #LataMangeshkar #LataPlaylist #Lataji #Retro #EternalLata

As I reflect on the metamorphosis of my manuscript to a published book, I was reminded of this episode. Here is a revisit.

This episode is all about my newly released book 'The Moonsmith Gulzar'. Hear what Gulzar Saab said about the book and what the book is about! I am feeling a sense of timelessness with excitement and overwhelm, and this time also I am embracing his words to express myself - 'Kabhi Kabhi Sapna Lagta Hai, kabhi ye sab apna lagta hai'. Also featuring 'Phir Wahi Raat Hai' by Gulzar. #Gulzar #TheMoonsmithGulzar #IndianLiteraryCriticism #Amazon