Thursday, November 01, 2007

Interview: Vinod George Joseph


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Duration: 24m 2s
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ഹിച്ച്‌ഹൈക്കര്‍ എന്ന തന്റെ ആദ്യ കൃതിയിലൂടെ പ്രശസ്തിയാര്‍ജ്ജിച്ച എഴുത്തുകാരനാണ്‌ വിനോദ്‌ ജോര്‍ജ്ജ്‌ ജോസഫ്‌. കേരളത്തില്‍ ജനിച്ച്‌, തമിഴ്‌നാട്ടില്‍ വളര്‍ന്ന്‌ ഇന്ത്യയുടെ പല ഭാഗങ്ങളിലായി പഠിക്കുകയും ജോലി ചെയ്യുകയും ചെയ്തിട്ടുള്ള വിനോദ്‌ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ലണ്ടനില്‍ ഒരു ലോയറായി ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നു.

വിനോദിന്റെ രണ്ടാമത്‌ കൃതി, A taste of Kerala - Stories from Simhapara-യെ കുറിച്ചും, കേരളത്തെ കുറിച്ചും, മലയാളിയെ കുറിച്ചുമൊക്കെ വിനോദ്‌ നമ്മോട്‌ സംസാരിക്കുന്നു.
പശ്ചാത്തലത്തില്‍: ഒരേ കടലിലെ ഗാന ശകലങ്ങള്‍

എംപോഡിന്റെ തീം മ്യൂസിക്‌: അജിത്‌ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്ണന്‍

നിങ്ങളുടെ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളും നിര്‍ദ്ദേശങ്ങളും ചിന്തകളും അറിയിക്കുക: info@mpod.in


*******************

Vinod George Joseph is the author of Hitchhiker, a fiction that has been a hot topic of literary discussions in the online and offline media. Vinod's second work is a collection of short stories based on Kerala: A taste of Kerala - Stories from Simhappaara.

Vinod talks about Kerala, it's social and cultural nature, Malayalee etc. Vinod lives in Londond as a corporate lawyer.

Thanks to Vinod for his co-operation and support that made this interview happen.


Related Links:

Hitchhiker - Books for Change
Desi Critics Book Review

M-Pod Theme Music: Ajit Gopalakrishnan
Mail us your comments, suggestions and tips: info@mpod.in

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Interview: Mother Jane


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Duration: 40 mins, 4 secs.
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അഭിമുഖം: മദര്‍ജെയ്ന്‍ റോക്ക്‌ സംഗീത സംഘം

കൊച്ചിയില്‍ നിന്നു തുടങ്ങി ഇന്ന്‌ ലോകമൊട്ടുക്കുമുള്ള റോക്ക്‌ സംഗീത പ്രേമികളുടെ ഹരമായി മാറിയ മദര്‍ജെയ്നുമായുള്ള ഒരു അഭിമുഖ സംഭാഷണമാണ്‌ ഈ എപ്പിസോഡില്‍.

സംഭാഷണ വിഷയങ്ങള്‍:

1) മദര്‍ജെയ്ന്‍ എന്ന പേര്‌ എങ്ങനെ ഉടലെടുത്തു?
2) ബാന്‍ഡിന്റെ ഉത്ഭവം, അംഗങ്ങള്‍
3) റോക്ക്‌ സംഗീതത്തിന്റെ ഇന്ത്യയിലെ അവസ്ഥ.
4) റോക്ക്‌ സംഗീതത്തെ കുറിച്ച്‌ സമൂഹത്തിലുള്ള ധാരണകള്‍ (മദ്യത്തിന്റെയും മയക്കുമരുന്നിന്റെയും സ്വാധീനം തുടങ്ങിയവ)
5) ഇന്ത്യയില്‍ റോക്ക്‌ സംഗീതത്തിന്റെ ഭാവി
6) ബാന്‍ഡിന്റെ അന്താരാഷ്‌ട്ര പ്രശസ്തിയെ പറ്റി
7) പുതിയ ആല്‍ബത്തെ കുറിച്ച്‌

എം-പോടിന്റെ തീം മ്യൂസിക്‌: അജിത്‌ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്ണന്‍

********************

Attitude is what I like about Mother Jane. I had a chance to do an interview with Suraj Mani, the vocalist of the band Mother Jane, the rock band originally from Cochin and now making waves across national and international rock scene. I've enjoyed my conversation with Suraj and he seemed so down-to-earth and full of attitude and I hope you guys would also enjoy listening to this interview.

The topics we cover in this interview are the following:
  • How did the name Mother Jane come?
  • The formation of the band & the band members
  • Rock music in India
  • The band's musical influences, favorite bands and musicians
  • Why Rock music?
  • The myth about rock music (drugs, alcohol, pessimism) in the society
  • The future of rock music in India
  • The band's international exposure through international radio channels
  • About MJ's upcoming album

The achievements of the band:
  • Mother Jane's Insane Biography was chosen as the Best Indian Rock Album: 2002-03
  • Mother Jane's song Mindstreet was chosen for the Great Indian Rock Compilation Album 2003
  • Mindstreet was featured on US Radio along with Rush, Genesis etc.
  • Insane Biography became the only Indian Rock album to be featured in the Asian Rock Rising Festival in Japan on November, 2003.
  • The song Mindstreet is also an AirTel Hello Tune.


M-Pod Theme Music:
Ajit Gopalakrishnan

Mail us your comments, suggestions and tips: info@mpod.in
Image Courtesy: Motherjane.in

This interview is partly in English.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

M-Pod in Podcast User Magazine


The July issue of Podcast User Magazine has a mention about M-Pod in their article, Global Voices - Podcasts of India. You can download the PDF version of the magazine from here. Podcast User Magazine is a good place to know about very nice and interesting podcasts from around the world and will help you keep updated about the latest that happens in the podcasting world.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Bharathanjali - A self-reliant village

ഭരതാന്‍ജലി എന്ന സ്വയം പര്യാപ്ത ഗ്രാമം


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Duration: 18 mins, 1 sec.
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ഭരതാഞ്ജലി എന്ന സ്വയം പര്യാപ്ത ഗ്രാമം കോഴിക്കോടുള്ള കൃഷ്ണേട്ടന്റെ ആശയമാണ്‌. അഞ്ചാം ക്ളാസ്‌ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം മാത്രമുള്ള ഈ ഗാന്ധിയന്‍ ഭരതാഞ്ജലിയുടെ ഘടനയെ കുറിച്ചും, അതിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുമൊക്കെ നമ്മോട്‌ ഈ എപ്പിസോഡിലൂടെ സംസാരിക്കുന്നു. അതോടൊപ്പം ലോകമെങ്ങുമുള്ള ജനങ്ങള്‍ സഹവര്‍ത്തിത്തത്തോടും സ്നേഹത്തോടും ജീവിക്കേണ്ടതിന്റെ ആവശ്യകതയെ കുറിച്ചും അദ്ദേഹം സംസാരിക്കുന്നു.

കൂടുതല്‍ വിവരങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌: http://www.kris-sreekandath.com/bharathanjali.php

നന്ദി:ശ്രീ. ക്രിഷ്ണകുമാറിന്‌ -- ഈ അഭിമുക്ക സംഭാഷണത്തിനു വേണ്ട സഹായങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്തു തന്നതിന്‌...
Keralatips.org -- കൃഷ്ണേട്ടനെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള വിവരങ്ങള്‍ തന്നതിന്‌

എം പോഡിണ്റ്റെ തീം മ്യൂസിക്‌: അജിത്‌ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്ണന്‍
ചിത്രത്തിനു കടപ്പാട്‌: വെല്‍ക്കം കേരള മാഗസിന്‍

*******************

Bharathanjali, a self-reliant village is the dream child of Mr. K.V.Krishnan (fondly called as Krishnettan). Krishnettan, a Gandhian who is 65 now and have had education only till 5th standard, talks about the structure and functioning of Bharathanjali and also reminds us the importance of keeping up the harmony between the people around the globe irrespective of their color, race, language and regional barriers.

More Info: http://www.kris-sreekandath.com/bharathanjali.php

Thanks to:
- Sri. Krishnakumar for his help in setting up the interview
- Keralatips.org for the pointer

M-Pod Theme Music: Ajit Gopalakrishnan
Episode picture courtesy: Kris Sreekandath

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

M-Pod in Tehelka article





We at M-Pod found an interesting Tehelka article about Podcasting and it has mentioned M-Pod along with other podcasters in India like Kiruba, Kamla Bhatt and IndiCast.

Click on the link given below to read the article:
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main29.asp?filename=hub050507Eargonomics.asp

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Interview with Maglene Peter - Part II


Interview with a social activist from the fishermen community - Part II (Part I here)


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I met Maglin Peter at a time when I had no respect towards the kind of feminism that doing the rounds. Maglin is a social activist from the fishing community of Trivandrum, south Kerala. And she has a thing or two to teach us about feminism and activism.

In this interview, she talks about the fishing community, her activities for the fishing community and her experiences in the Tsunami relief camps.

An English translation of this interview can be read at Desi Critics.

Part II will be followed in the next episode.

PS: Please excuse us about the sound quality of this episode; this was a telephonic interview.

Photo courtesy: 1000peacewomen.org

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Interview with Maglin Peter - Part I


Interview with a social activist from the fishermen community


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I met Maglin Peter at a time when I had no respect towards the kind of feminism that doing the rounds. Maglin is a social activist from the fishing community of Trivandrum, south Kerala. And she has a thing or two to teach us about feminism and activism.

In this interview, she talks about the fishing community, her activities for the fishing community and her experiences in the Tsunami relief camps.

An English translation of this interview can be read at Desi Critics.

Part II will be followed in the next episode.

PS: Please excuse us about the sound quality of this episode; this was a telephonic interview.

Photo courtesy: 1000peacewomen.org

Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Plachimada Story - Part II


All you wanted to know about Plachimada Anti-Coke protest (Part II)
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Duration: 30m 36s
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Robin is the coordinator of Keraleeyam magazine published from Thrissur. He took part in forming the Plachimada Protest Support Committee and now he is the convener of the Plachimada Study Committee. I wanted to know the truth behind the Plachimada anti-Coke protest in detail and wanted to know the motives behind the protest. This interview has cleared many of my concerns and I hope it does the same for the readers. Keraleeyam has been writing about the issue since 1998.

[Special thanks to JK for helping me to prepare the questions]

An English translation of this interview can be read at Desi Critics website.

The Plachimada Story


All you wanted to know about Plachimada Anti-Coke protest
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Duration: 30m 36s
Download this episode


Robin is the coordinator of Keraleeyam magazine published from Thrissur. He took part in forming the Plachimada Protest Support Committee and now he is the convener of the Plachimada Study Committee. I wanted to know the truth behind the Plachimada anti-Coke protest in detail and wanted to know the motives behind the protest. This interview has cleared many of my concerns and I hope it does the same for the readers. Keraleeyam has been writing about the issue since 1998.

[Special thanks to JK for helping me to prepare the questions]

An English translation of this interview can be read at Desi Critics website.

Seenai - An all-male self-help group from Vizhinjam


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Duration: 5m 29s

Seenai - An all-male self-help group from Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram. This episode was conceptualized and produced by Radio Alakal. Radio Alakal is a venture of www.indiadisasters.org. For any queries or questions, please contact Mr. L. Ajith at lajith_s@rediffmail.com or lajith_s@hotmail.com

When two singers met - Part 2

An interview with Gayatri by Pradip Somasundaram


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Duration: 26m 45s
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Two friends. Two wonderful singers. Came together for a chat for M-Pod. One of them interviewed the other. The "meri awaz suno" fame Pradip Somasundaran interviews state award winning singer Gayathri in this episode.

M-Pod has covered an interview with Pradip earlier and you're all familiar with him now. You know Gayathri through the songs like Thumbi kinnaaram from the movie Naran, Chaanchaadiyaadi from Makalkku, Enthe nee kanna (state award winning song), Deena dayaalo raama from Arayannangalude veedu etc. You also heard her singing in Maestero Ilaiyaraja's oratario Thiruvaasagam.

In this conversation they talk about:

  • Gayathri as a person
  • Her entry into the musical career
  • Advantages/disadvantages of learning Carnatic & Hindustani music for a singer
  • Different styles/schools in Hindustani music - With vocal examples
  • What makes a singer to stand apart from the other singers
  • Song from the movie Makalkku

Please let Pradip and Gayathri know your thoughts on the show and their singing. Let them know your wishes and prayers for them in the following email IDs:

Pradip: pradipsomasundaran(at)gmail(dot)com
Gayathri: gayathriasokan(at)yahoo(dot)com

PART II OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE FOLLOWED NEXT WEEK.

Special thanks to Sri. Pradip Somasundaram and Ms. Gayatri for their un-conditional support.

When two singers met - Gayatri & Pradip

An interview with Gayatri by Pradip Somasundaram


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Duration: 26m 45s
Download this episode

Two friends. Two wonderful singers. Came together for a chat for M-Pod. One of them interviewed the other. The "meri awaz suno" fame Pradip Somasundaran interviews state award winning singer Gayathri in this episode.

M-Pod has covered an interview with Pradip earlier and you're all familiar with him now. You know Gayathri through the songs like Thumbi kinnaaram from the movie Naran, Chaanchaadiyaadi from Makalkku, Enthe nee kanna (state award winning song), Deena dayaalo raama from Arayannangalude veedu etc. You also heard her singing in Maestero Ilaiyaraja's oratario Thiruvaasagam.

In this conversation they talk about:

  • Gayathri as a person
  • Her entry into the musical career
  • Advantages/disadvantages of learning Carnatic & Hindustani music for a singer
  • Different styles/schools in Hindustani music - With vocal examples
  • What makes a singer to stand apart from the other singers
  • Song from the movie Makalkku

Please let Pradip and Gayathri know your thoughts on the show and their singing. Let them know your wishes and prayers for them in the following email IDs:

Pradip: pradipsomasundaran(at)gmail(dot)com
Gayathri: gayathriasokan(at)yahoo(dot)com

PART II OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE FOLLOWED NEXT WEEK.

Special thanks to Sri. Pradip Somasundaram and Ms. Gayatri for their un-conditional support.

Theyyam -- The Dravidian Resistance

About Theyyam, a temple ritual of the Dravidians


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Duration: 16m 13s

I had a trip to North Kerala to blogger Thulasi's homeland Kakkaatt, in Kasaragod district. It was to see Theyyams in its pure form. The ones you see in the television or in other towns in Kerala would be for the political processions or some cultural presentation packs offered to foreigners.

Theyyam is an artform of the Dravidians. And it has a revolutionary concept behind it since the Theyyam artists are from low-caste communities like Malayan, Vannaan etc. Even the high-caste people will have to worship the Gods come in the form of Theyyam, so we can say it was against the then caste-system in Kerala. But I cannot say it is completely free of caste system, because in the blessings time, Theyyam give special blessings to the people from the high-caste families and even call out their family names and Theyyam goes to them to give blessings. Anyways, it can be considered as the Dravidian/Tribal resistance against the Brahmin rule in Hinduism.

The costume is so colorful and I could see many theyyams like Vishnumurthy (Narasimham), Kaara Gulikan (Sivan), Chamundi, Attakkaatt Bhagavathy, Poomaaran etc. I also had the prasaadam oottu and it was so different and fun out there.

Theyyam is performed in Kavu (the small shrines) and the interesting thing I found was there is no idol in these kavus, but only a lamp lighted during the Theyyam season. In other times, there is no daily ritual happening here. In Kakkaatt, Theyyam is peformed once in every three years.

People seem to have less belief in Theyyam as God when I observed the crowd. Just like how you see in the Catholic churches. How many of the Catholics truly believe or respect the God that comes in the form of bread and wine? The one similarity I could see in Theyyam and Catholicism is this. Theyyam is the God that comes to earth and bless his/her devotees just like Catholics believe in Holy Communion.

Thanks to Blogger Thulasi for helping with the interview.

Please let us know your suggestions and comments. Email me at jocalling(at)gmail(dot)com.

Saanthwanam


An interviw with the joint secretary of Pain & Palliative Care Society, Thrissur branch. He talks about the society and its activities.

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Duration: 23m 9s

In this episode, you can can listen to an interviw with Mr. P. K. Muraleedharan Raja, Joint Secretary of Pain & Palliative Care Society, Thrissur branch. Pain & Palliative Care Society helps the patients who need medical, mental and financial support.

Pain & Palliative Care is a concept started by a social worker and a doctor Ms. Sicily Sonders in United Kingdom in 1965. Their operations begun in India around 25 years ago and 12 years ago their Kerala branch was also started. Their center in Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala has been approved by WHO for their demonstration program.

Donations to the Pain and Palliative Care Society are exempt from income tax under section 80(G) and can be sent to the following address:

P. K. Muraleedharan Raja,
Pain & Palliative Care Society,
District Hospital, Thrissur - 680001.
PH: 0487-3097775.
MOBILE: 9447002987

Website: www.painandpalliativecare.org/

Vayalamma

Some folk songs of Kerala
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Duration: 18m 4s
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In this episode, you can can listen to a few folk songs of Kerala, sung by a group called "Vayali" from Vadakkanchery, Thrissur.

The Singing Priest


An interview with Fr. Paul Poovathingal, a priest who is an M.Phil. in Carnatic music


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Duration: 53m 10s

"Music is the bridge between religions" - Says Fr. Paul Poovathingal CMI who has earned the name the "singing priest." Fr. Paul is a graduate in English and Psychology from Christ College, Bangalore. Though he had exposure to music at the age of 17, his seminary duties did not allow him much time to presume it. But after graduation the pull was too strong to resist and at the age of 31 he dedicated himself to the study of Carnatic music. But why was it so? It is not common for a Christian priest to take to classical Carnatic music! Says Fr. Paul, "as a priest my search was for reaching divinity; I felt that music was the best means to achieve the goal and realise divinity." He joined the Sangita Shironmani course at the University of Delhi where he also did and continued with his Masters and won a gold medal. While in Delhi he had learnt music from a few eminent artistes like T.R. Subramaniam. Later he pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Madras under the guidance of Prof. Karaikudi Subramaniam. In Chennai he found gurus in K. J. Yesudas and more recently Vaikom Jayachandran.

In this episode, Fr. Paul talks about the following things:

  • Carnatic music
  • Importance of literature in Carnatic music
  • His musical journey
  • Carnatic music and Kerala Christians
  • Carnatic music v/s the other tradional music systems
  • The new trend of learning traditional arts

He also sings the following Carnatic krithis in this interview:

  • Deva deva kalayaamithe
  • Vaathaapi ganapathim
  • Saama gaana priye

Links:

The Hindu Interview
Focus on Kerala article
The Hindu article

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Nattarivu

A talk show about the folk Knowledgebase of Kerala


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Duration: 33m 16s

In this week's episode, Dr. C. R. Rajagopal (Professor of Malayalam in Keralavarma College, Thrissur) talks about the folk knowledge of Kerala and the importance of knowing our culture and the knowledge that our ancestors had passed on to us.

Dr. Rajagopal is the director of Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, Thrissoor that accredited in the world intellectual property organisation, Geneva. The group is working and documenting the traditional knowledge systems. It has published 25 books.

And Dr C. R. Rajagopal received folklore academy award. The centre has folklore performances troupe and released 4 album of folk songs. His four video films were also presented in the universities and in Kaumudi Europe online reception. The first film is on Shamanism of Malayan tribes in Kerala.The 2nd is on musicians and dancers on serpent worship in Kerala. 3rd on the 'play' of consciousness in Mudiyettu / a folk theatre and the 4th on destination -A journey into 'Yi' tribal culture of south west China.

You can check for the "Nattarivu" articles in http://www.puzha.com for Malayalam articles and http://www.aboriginalproductions.com for English articles.

If you want to know more about "Naatarivu Padana Kendhram", please contact them in the below adddress:

Naattarivu Padana Kendram,
Kanimangalam P. O.
Thrissur - 680027
Ph: + 91 487 2448827

Or you can contact Mr. Rajagopal at rajagopalcr@yahoo.co.in

Interview with Pradip Somasundaran


An interview with the "Meri Awaz Suno" fame Pradip Somasundaran.

(After clicking the play button, please wait a bit for the audio file to load; or 'pause' right after you click 'play' and then wait for the audio to load and then click again on 'play' to stream the audio)

Duration: 50m 9s
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Pradip Somasundaran needs no introduction for people from Kerala and for those who have heard/seen the first of its kind musical program Meri Aawaaz Suno in Dooradarshan some years back. He won Lata Mangeshkar award for the best Male singer. And the best female singer was Sunidhi Chauhan. Now he sings for the movies and albums. A great singer and a cool and humble person.
In this episode,Pradip talks about the following:
  • About his musical career before Meri Awaz Suno
  • The truth behind his public image of a 'Hindi' singer
  • His relationship with Ravindran master, the music director
  • Life after Meri Awaaz Suno
  • His experiences as a play back singer
  • The first song he sung in a movie
  • The differences between Meri Awaz Suno and reality shows of our times