Global IndianstoryYash Birla: A scion’s 20-year fitness journey

Yash Birla: A scion’s 20-year fitness journey

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(October 17, 2022) As a student at the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, a young Yashovardhan Birla set out one day to explore the gymnasium. Unlike his peers, the then 23-year-old was a teetotaller and definitely didn’t enjoy heading down to the bar every evening.

At the gym, however, the lively atmosphere, the positive vibes and seeing others sweating it out, left a lasting impression on his mind. “This is inspiration,” the youngster told himself and began working out with total dedication. Ten days later, he felt a difference in his physique.

Self-driven and passionate

“Once I start seeing something get better, I don’t like to regress. The intention was to be fit and healthy and also to look and feel good about myself. From there, it progressed into a lifelong passion. I kept working out and now, as I speak to you after all these years, I’m still doing the same thing,” smiles Yashovardhan ‘Yash’ Birla, the Chairman of the Yash Birla group, as he speaks to Global Indian.

Yash Birla is a leader, fitness enthusiast and an author.

Yash Birla needs no introduction. The diligent leader, fitness freak and author, who is known to spend most of his time in spiritual silence, has now come up with another book titled ‘Building The Perfect Body’ which takes its readers through his entire fitness journey.

“I have always admired people who are deeply passionate about fitness, just like me,” says the 55-year-old. “My source of inspiration has always come from within, since the very beginning. I am my own competition and have always worked hard to become a better version of myself,” remarks Yash.

Eight years in the making

The idea, he explains, emerged eight years ago, when his “friend, Ms Shobhaa De, suggested I write a book on my fitness journey.” When the writing began, “she realised there was so much more to my life that people should know about, apart from my fitness journey,” Yash says. The idea changed at that point and the book which came out of it was ‘On a Prayer’.

A partial photo shoot had been done, however – the pictures are in his book Building the Perfect Body. And so, the thought of writing a book on fitness persisted in his mind. Work commitments had also piled up for the scion of the Birla family and it was only about a year-and-half ago that he actually began working on the book.

Yash Birla is the author of Building The Perfect Body

Keep it simple: Discipline and a healthy diet

“Natural, vegetarian and healthy food has enough protein to help you reach your fitness goals and sustain your body,” Yash says. The industrialist tries to stay away from ‘Tamasic’ foods like meat, fish, onion, garlic and mushrooms, among other things. He sticks instead with a healthy, ‘Satvik’ diet. “One can also try Ashwagandha, which is a highly regarded herb in Ayurveda and contains around four grams of protein per 100 grams.

Dietary supplements and injections, however, are a strict no-no for Yash Birla. “People cannot maintain their bodies properly and are only inviting harm upon themselves,” he says. “I have been into fitness for over two decades now and consistency, dedication and a healthy diet routine are the pillars in my journey.”

Early influences and tragedy at 22

Yash was only 22 when tragedy struck the Birla family. His father Ashokvardhan Birla, mother Sunanda and sister Sujata died in a plane crash in Bengaluru in 1990. Yash married Avanti a year later. His grandmother, Gopi Birla, played a vital role in Yash’s life, starting from his early childhood. She continues to hold an important place in his life, even though she is no more.

“I grew up listening to a lot of stories from her, and they were all spiritual, religious, mythological, and even comical. To this day, I recall a lot of her stories and share them with my children as well,” says Yash.One of the stories that he fondly recalls is the one called “Jamai Raja,”(son-in-law). “I remember that it was a funny story, and I used to make her repeat it at least once a week. I really loved my story-time with her and we created some amazing memories.” Through his grandmother, Yash became a stickler for a strictly vegetarian diet. At one point, however, when Yash began eating eggs, she made her disappointment known.

Yash Birla is also a spiritual seeker

Life as the Birla scion

It’s no surprise that Yash’s exposure to business started very early in his life. “I admired my father and the work he did. I wanted to be like him,” says the industrialist, who believes in doing everything to the best of his ability, without attaching himself to an outcome. “The journey is beautiful and the destination is immaterial. I don’t agree with any position that is attributed to me, because the journey goes on and on.”

Despite the privileges of being born into one of India’s biggest business families, Yash has faced more than his fair share of challenges. “Every business has its ups and downs, just like life. There’s always something to take from failure and it’s up to us to learn from it and grow,” he says. These situations compel us to remorse and self-reflection and force us to seek creative solutions.

Running a business means it’s not “just about yourself,” says the business magnate. “You’re responsible for other people and affected by markets and the economy. You’re only one part of the whole thing and can affect everything else around you. You have to learn to take responsibility and move ahead.”

The spiritual seeker

Yash has a deeply spiritual side and has practiced many forms of meditation – transcendental, Kundalini and Sahaja Samadhi. “It’s not about luck, or destiny, but I’m a staunch believer in karma,” he says. “It’s a seed that must sprout. Our actions may not lead to decipherable results but every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” When we face the results of our actions, he says, we call it destiny.

“It’s not about a reward-and-punishment system, it is just a way of evolving, progressing and achieving more,” Yash maintains. “We might have to face the consequences of our actions but we can master the latter and attain something greater.”

Yash Birla is an industrialist who is into ayurveda and meditation

Expansion plans

There is always scope for something new, says the industrialist, although the Yash Birla group has a strong presence in varied segments, including steel and pipelines, education, health, Ayurveda and manufacturing tools.

“We always try to expand into new and innovative ways within our business and experiment as well. As a businessman, you need to be alert to new opportunities, have the passion to grab them and the creativity to make something of them,” he says.

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Published on 17, Oct 2022

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Afforestt: Shubhendu Sharma shows you how to grow a 100-year old forest in 10 years

(August 7, 2024) In 2010, Shubhendu Sharma decided to try something in his backyard. He cleared the grass from the 75-sq metre space, in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. Shubhendu began with the soil, making sure that it could hold moisture and nutrients. Then, he planted over 200 saplings, all of them native to the area, comprising around 19 species of shrubs and trees like timber, guava, and mulberry. In a couple of years, the shrubs and trees were growing tall and thick, the dead leaves would decompose into humus and convert to nutrients, as the forest became a single, living, breathing organism that can regenerate forever. This is the Miyawaki Method, named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, one of Shubhendu's teachers and his great inspiration. Now, as the founder of Afforestt, Shubhendu takes inspiration from the Miyawaki Method to grow mini forests in homes, schools, factories and open spaces, creating 75 forests in 25 cities across the world, including the USA, Netherlands, Singapore, Pakistan and India. [caption id="attachment_51553" align="aligncenter" width="745"] The forest in Shubhendu's backyard. Photo: Afforest[/caption] Afforestation is not as simple as planting a bunch of trees. A forest functions as a single organism made up of trees, shrubs, herbs, fungi

"745" height="453" /> The forest in Shubhendu's backyard. Photo: Afforest[/caption]

Afforestation is not as simple as planting a bunch of trees. A forest functions as a single organism made up of trees, shrubs, herbs, fungi and million sof other organisms, all of which interact with each other and their surroundings. But until 2009, Shubhendu Sharma had not thought about all these things. Growing up in Nainital, he loved machines and how they work, and wanted to be a engineer. He followed through on his dream, graduating with a degree in engineering and landing a job at the top company on his list - Toyota, where he specialised at making cars. He learned how to convert natural resources into products, how sap was dripped out of the acacia tree and converted to rubber to make tyres. "We separate elements from nature and convert them into an irreversible state. That's industrial production. Nature, on the other hand, works by bringing elements together, atom by atom."

Then, in 2009, Toyota invited Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki to plant a forest at their factory, Miyawaki's first forest in India. "I was so fascinated just by looking at pictures of his work in his presentation that I joined his team as a volunteer," says the Global Indian. "I learned the methodology and like any engineer, I wrote a standard operating procedure on how to make a forest." He volunteered at the afforestation of the Toyota factory, and for the next year and a half, observed, studied and wrote manuals on the Miyawaki Method.

The Miyawaki method: A deep dive

Miyawaki believed that if a land is deprived of human intervention, the forest will return to it. This begins with grasses, then small shrubs, trees that are pioneer species, usually soft wood that are fast growing, and finally slow growing trees like oak start to appear, Shubhendu explains.

[caption id="attachment_51555" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Shubhendu Sharma | Afforestt | Global Indian Visual credit: Shubhendu Sharma | TED[/caption]

"To make a forest, we start with soil. We touch, feel and even taste it to identify w hat it lacks." Soil that is too compact won't allow water to seep in and is mixed with locally available biomass, like peet, so the soil can absorb water and remain moist." Plants need water, sunlight and nutrition to grow. If the soil doesn't have nutrients, they don't just add them. Instead, they add micro organisms to the soil which feed on the biomass, multiply and produce nutrients for the soil.

The other important thing is to use only native species. "What existed before human intervention is native," Shubhendu explains. They survey national parks and reserves to find the last remains of a forest, the sacred grooves and forests around old temples. If they don't find anything they visit museums to identify the species that belong there. "Then we identify the layers - shrubs, sub-tree, tree and canopy." They sometimes make fruit bearing and flowering forests, those that attract a lot of birds and bees, or simply a native, wild evergreen forest. "We collect the trees and germinate the saplings and make sure the trees belonging to the same layer are not planted side by side or they will fight with each other for sunlight."

Finally, on the surface of the soil goes a thick layer of mulch, so the soil can stay moist when it is cold, and remain protected from frost in the winter. Even while it's freezing outside, Shubhendu says, "the soil is so soft that roots can penetrate rapidly."

How does the forest grow?

In the first three months, roots reach a depth of 1 meter. These roots form a mesh, tightly holding the soil. Microbes and fungi live through this network of roots. “If nutrition is not available in the vicinity of a tree, these microbes will bring the nutrition to it.,” says Shubhendu. Whenever it rains, mushrooms appear overnight. This means that the soil below has a healthy fungal network. Once these roots are established, the forest grows on the surface.

[caption id="attachment_51554" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Shubhendu Sharma | Afforestt | Global Indian Shubhendu Sharma[/caption]

“As it grows, for the next two or three years, we water the forest,” he says. “We want to keep all the soil and nutrition only for the trees.” As the forest grows, it blocks the sunlight. Eventually, it becomes so dense that sunlight can't reach the ground anymore. Weeds cannot grow because they need sunlight too. At this stage, every drop of rainwater that falls into the forest doesn't evaporate back into the atmosphere. This dense forest condenses moist air and retains the moisture.

“Eventually, we stop watering the forest, and even without watering it, the floor stays moist, sometimes dark,” Shubhendu says. When a leaf falls on the forest floor and starts decaying, this decaying biomass forms humus, which is food for the forest. As the forest grows, more leaves fall, so that means more humus, more food, and the forest keeps growing exponentially. Once established, the forests will regenerate again and again, probably forever. In a natural forest like this, no management is the best management. “It's a tiny jungle party. This forest grows as a collective. If the same trees, the same species had been planted independently, it won't grow so fast. And this is how we create a 100-year-old forest in just 10 years.”

Learn more about Afforestt on their website.

Into the jungles with wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt

(March 30, 2024) In 2023, wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt was named the winner of the People's Vote Award in the wildlife category at the ReFocus Black & White Photo Contest for his image 'The Gentle Giant of Ambroseli', where he went up against entrants from 77 countries around the world. With numerous accolades to his name, and work featured in publications across the globe, the self-taught photographer's journey began at home, listening to his mother's stories of growing up in Mombasa and in his father's darkroom, where he watched films being developed and enlarged. He talks to Global Indian about what inspires him to travel to the world's most remote and challenging terrains to seek out some of the world's most exotic, dangerous and elusive wildlife, as well as toeing the line between respecting an animal in its habitat and getting the perfect shot. [caption id="attachment_50399" align="aligncenter" width="523"] The photo of the polar bear in Svalbard that won Parag Bhatt an honourable mention in 2022[/caption] The formative years Born, raised, and educated in Mumbai, Bhatt’s school days saw him keenly interested in science when he would make models and electrical toys from scratch. That interest saw him pursue electronic engineering.

onourable mention in 2022[/caption]

The formative years

Born, raised, and educated in Mumbai, Bhatt’s school days saw him keenly interested in science when he would make models and electrical toys from scratch. That interest saw him pursue electronic engineering. However, post his graduation, he moved to Powder Metallurgy where he worked on manufacturing diamond tools for the stone cutting industry. He worked in this industry for 40 years at the same time pursuing his hobby. “My father had a deep interest in photography. He had a darkroom at home where he would develop the film and enlarge prints. I used to love the way prints would come alive in a hypo solution in just a few minutes from white light falling on photo paper. So, I used to work with him in the darkroom and occasionally pick up his camera and shoot. That is how my interest was kindled in photography,” he reminisces.

Wild Ways

As far as his interest in wildlife was concerned, the contribution to this came from his mother who was born in Mombasa, Kenya since his grandfather had emigrated to Kenya. “She used to tell us stories of how she frequently encountered wildlife in Kenya when traveling from one place to the other by road or how the animals used to roam freely and were not confined to parks. Such stories brought in a lot of excitement within me as a young boy and ever since then, I wished to visit Kenya to view wildlife. Gladly this dream of mine came to fruition in 1994 when I first visited Kenya. My trip to Kenya plays an integral role in my journey as a wildlife photographer. It was on that trip that I for the very first time in my journey as a wildlife photographer shot wildlife,” he explains.

[caption id="attachment_50397" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt[/caption]

Lessons in the Wild

Wildlife behaviour is quite unpredictable, making it challenging to anticipate their actions and movements. Capturing the perfect shot often requires waiting for the right moment, sometimes for hours or even days. “Hence patience and persistence are mandatory qualities for a wildlife photographer. Moreover, many times the weather is not conducive, which can impact the quality of shots. In times like these, the photographer can either wait for the weather to change and become favourable for capturing shots or use the weather to his/her advantage,” he says.

Wildlife photography involves using specialized gear, such as long lenses and sturdy tripods, which can be heavy and cumbersome to carry around. Mastering technical skills like exposure, focus techniques and composition principles are essential for capturing compelling wildlife images. “In wildlife photography, there is something very interesting called a ‘circle of fear’, which if crossed, will result in the animal fleeing." It's a fine line, he admits, between respecting the animal's space and natural habitat while still getting close enough for a good shot. But, he maintains, the well-being of animals is always top priority and disturbing them for the perfect shot is just not done. "Documenting wildlife can also raise awareness about conservation issues, but photographers must be mindful of their impact on fragile ecosystems and endangered species,” he adds.

Being Recognised

Bhatt won two honourable mentions and the People’s Choice Award in 2022 in the ReFocus B&W photo competition, something that has given him satisfaction and happiness. “I remember capturing the polar bear photograph less than two years ago in Svalbard. The whole idea behind capturing this shot was to portray the behaviour of the polar bear." The polar bear, he says, was dipping into the icy water to search for her kill, which had been carried adrift from the shore by the tide. For Bhatt, the challenge was to locate her everytime she surfaced, as she would dive in somewhere and resurface randomly elsewhere after about half a minute. The long and heavy lens, the choppy waters and the bobbing rubber boat only made the task more challenging.

[caption id="attachment_50403" align="aligncenter" width="433"] Wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt | Global Indian Photographer by Parag Bhatt[/caption]

Working on Himself

As self-taught wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt commenced his journey in wildlife photography during the days of the film by taking snapshots of animals in their habitat. For the first few years, he pursued this path and started documenting each exposure, trying to improve the next time. “Over the years, I realized that there was much more to it than what I had been doing. Hence, I started my quest to improve my skills. For this, I collected a lot of books on the art and science of photography and slowly learned the ropes of exposure, metering, focus techniques, and mainly the art of composing images,” he says.

In 2003, Bhatt bought his first digital camera which revolutionised the learning process. It shortened the learning curve for photographers everywhere, and Bhatt also began observing and learning from some of the best in the business. Seeing their work inspired him to strive for better photographs. "My journey has been slow and painstaking but I have reached a stage where I have the confidence to exhibit my work at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai,” he adds.

Conflict Cues

For a wildlife photographer documenting human wildlife conflict is an interesting yet challenging task. Balance plays a vital role in showcasing the human and the wild stories. “While documenting the human wildlife conflict I ensure I am capturing the beauty of the wildlife showcasing them as at ease in their natural habitat while coexisting with the human. I also try to show the complex relationship between humans and the wild through my photographs. For instance, I captured one such photograph in Masai Mara Kenya. The photograph portrays how the usage of plastic negatively impacts our ecosystem. The photograph showcased a lion cub chewing a plastic bottle while sitting beside its mother. Plastics pose a significant threat to the health and survival of wildlife globally and the photograph tried to get attention to the harmful effects plastic can have on animals. I wanted to convey the message that we should have effective waste management techniques to avoid such incidents and reduce the harmful effects of plastic pollution,” he says.

Wildlife photographer Parag Bhatt | Global Indian

Looking Ahead

Over the years he has learnt several lessons while pursuing his craft of capturing the wild. Patience, persistence and acceptance in nature are key because no matter how well-prepared one might be, nothing goes according to plan in the wild. "Things unfold in their own way," he says. "I have learned to embrace every moment in the wild as it comes. I enjoy being by nature and observing the animals in their natural habitat and there are a plethora of things I have learned while capturing each shot." Over the years, he has learned to understand animal behaviour better, and to approach every encounter with an open mind. "I accept nature’s unpredictability efficiently and always remain patient in the moment,” he says. For someone who always tries to push boundaries to capture amazing shots, he plans to publish a coffee table book soon. “I will also set strategies to mentor budding wildlife photographers by hand holding them and teaching them the techniques of shooting good wildlife images. I will be going to Kenya at the end of this month to shoot wildlife at night and rhinos up close and hopefully come up with some striking images,” he signs off.

Follow Parag Bhatt on Instagram and on his website

Fame’s not a game for Anurag Shanker: His music restores folk music, & traditional riffs

(March 24, 2022) As he made music with his friends in high school, it was clear that Anurag Shanker had a special talent. It wasn’t as a glamorous frontman, or an even more glamorous lead guitarist. He knew early on that his gift lay in composition and arrangement, to take a song and turn it into something people would want to listen to. While ideas were abundant, good execution was not. “I have never just been a guitarist or a composer,” says Anurag Shanker, today a reputed composer and music supervisor for Netflix’s The Fame Game. For him, the excitement lay in meeting new artists, about taking a song and expanding it to an audio production perspective. “I want to arrange their music and produce their songs,” says Shanker to Global Indian. He was first approached by the OTT giant back in 2020, soon after the pandemic began. “It was to do music for one show - The Big Day,” he recalls. A series about six engaged couples, the show takes a look at India’s multibillion-dollar wedding industry. “They needed someone to handle Indian-centric stuff that was culturally accurate, and also contemporary,” he adds. The Fame Game allowed Anurag to “place

n-centric stuff that was culturally accurate, and also contemporary,” he adds. The Fame Game allowed Anurag to “place some really nice indie music,” and that makes him a happy camper. One example is singer-songwriter Kamakshi Khanna's 2021 single Duur, which was featured.

[caption id="attachment_21803" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Anurag Shanker[/caption]

This space is Anurag's forte, to create music that is “culturally relevant and which sounds cool,” he avers. A repertoire of prolific- acoustic, rock and folk music (he collaborated with the Manganiyars of Rajasthan, for instance), and a classical collaboration with sarod player Pratyush Bannerjee (among the foremost sarod exponents of our day) who played songs in eight ragas that Anurag produced with an electronic sound. “We have to bring in a new perspective without alienating either form,” says the classicist. Cross-culture collaborations are all the rage and the word fusion is, arguably, overdone. “Putting a raga together with a drumbeat is not fusion. You have to be sensitive about it,” says the traditionalist.

Keeping up with the 'times'

Anurag's sensibilities were shaped at home, expectedly, as the son of late Promod Shanker, former VP, Times Music. “Dad had a knack for discovering new artists. He discovered Indian Ocean and Jasbeer Jassi. That was very inspiring to me,” says the musician with an eclectic ear. Growing up, he would often find the biggest names sitting in his living room – he recalls Indian Ocean and the composer duo Ajay-Atul. “There were artists coming home to jam all the time,” he adds.

Having been in the thick of things often, he has lost his taste for jam sessions. “If I’m playing music or creating it, it has to be for the music. It can’t be an evening of frolic where the music is incidental,” he mulls. It also showed him, at an early age, what lies beyond the glitz of show business - he understood the hard work and determination that goes into life as a professional musician.

Training began early, and at age nine it was tabla lessons. “It’s the best age to learn an art form,” Anurag says. “Rhythm became very much ingrained in me. Also, Indian rhythms are so complex that after learning them, everything else is simple. If a jazz musician says to me, this is a 7/4 time signature, I’m unfazed by that,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_21779" align="aligncenter" width="707"] Live with Namit Das. Picture: Vaishnavi Suresh[/caption]

Bengaluru days

Those early years were routine, and the joy came later, when he began to jam with friends in high school. “I hit the ground running. I was making songs when someone who started along with me was still trying to figure out the instrument. That was a huge plus,” which led him to visiting studios with his father, watching people organise recording sessions and learning how to make artists comfortable.

When he came to Christ University in Bengaluru, Anurag joined the college's thriving cultural scene during his third year. And that enabled him to take his music more seriously. Slowly, work started - jingles and promos. He was also part of a band then, Caesar's Palace, which performed in Bengaluru. “It was just a fun idea which helped me discover myself,” and his talent for arrangement and composition was noticed, and suddenly creative decisions were under his aegis. The band did an EP too.

In 2009, the composer moved to Delhi to be with his parents but found his career stalling. “I decided the only place to get really fired up is Mumbai - such an exciting city,” he says. He left home in 2010, carrying precious wisdom from his father. “Don’t look for a break,” he said. It put paid to the idea of starstruck youth swarming tinsel town looking for fame. Instead, his father said, “That big break will never happen. The world just doesn't work like that. Learn not to depend on what is in the pipeline. Instead, have a good time, collaborate with people and make music,” lessons he took to heart, created a repertoire of diverse projects.

[caption id="attachment_21781" align="aligncenter" width="556"] The composer recording Kinnaram from Tamil Nadu[/caption]

Bombay's acoustic people

A chance meeting with a friend from college (2010), Arfaaz Kagalwala, led to the formation of Slow Down Clown, an alternative outfit. The duo explored film work, like in Amit Masurkar's Suleimani Keeda. “We sent in a couple of ideas and they liked them. That was our first experience as composers,” smiles the composer whose wit and humour endears him to all. A web series, some film songs later, Arfaaz left for France. Anurag remained in Bombay - classical, folk music to film scores, and indie songwriting.

In 2013, Anurag became one-half of the now-dormant guitar duo Bombay Acoustic People with Sankarshan 'Shanks' Kini, who was playing with Kailash Kher's ensemble at the time. Kini, he says, is an “all-round, holistic musician,” who was “so welcoming.” The Bombay Acoustic People toured India, entranced Shillong, also toured Europe. They began the warm and inclusive living room gigs long before they entered mainstream cultural discourse.

“That started out in Sankarshan's room. We would bring speakers and debut material for some 25 guests,” and the shows were instant hits with fans offering their homes. Those intimate sessions call for the best in a musician, he believes, “One can play loud electric guitar to already loud music. Yet, if you're playing a real acoustic instrument in a small room where people are paying attention only to you, that’s the true test of your skill and personal peace.” In 2014, Namit Das + Anurag Shanker came to be, and still active though in the middle he was also a part of another alternative outfit, Last Remaining Light, in Mumbai.

That's all 'folk'

Working with folk artists is close to his heart. Accompanying his father to Mumbai's Western Outdoor studio in 2000, (now closed) where legends like Bhimsen Joshi and Abida Parveen would come in to record, he says, "Abida ji would walk into the studio and produce seven or eight hours of content at a shot. She just goes in and starts singing - Kabir for an hour, Punjabi folk for an hour. They were legends on the brink of something new. And simply to be in the presence of that spark - these are things that cannot be taught."

Producing at the core of his musicology - he has worked with the Manganiyar singers from Rajasthan including upcoming artist Peeru Khan, produced an album with sarod player Pratyush Bannerjee, the Urban Grooves Project series for Virgin EMI and a string of Indian music releases for a Bengaluru-label, Pragnya.

[caption id="attachment_21783" align="aligncenter" width="642"] Anurag with Manganiyar singer Peeru Khan[/caption]

At his home studio, he is busy working for an NGO, recording one folk song from every state of India. With 22 done, the collection will be presented on a website, where people can discover more about the song, its state of origin and the culture to which it belongs. “I have made so many friends and connections in the folk music community so this is my way of protecting our cultural heritage,” says the guy who can croon a mean tune.

The pandemic saw him long for the surrounds of Bengaluru, where he and his wife Malini currently live – an idyllic villa near Nandi Hills. “After living in cities all my life, I didn’t even realise this was something I needed,” he laughs.

Follow Anurag on Instagram and YouTube

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Indian filmmaker Dr Rajah Balakrishna: His film September 13 on Covid warriors out in Feb ’22

(January 18, 2022) When his father gifted him a still camera at the age of 15, Rajah knew deep down that his passion for photography will soon become a full-fledged career. “I don’t even remember what camera it was, but I ended up shooting a lot of photographs with it,” says Dr Rajah Balakrishna. A few years later, when he watched a Shivaji Ganesan film, he realised that he wanted to be an actor too. The man behind eight UNESCO films and many regional films has left a mark in Abu Dhabi where he worked as a film maker for over two decades. Then, his roots called out to him, and he came back to Bengaluru. He is now set to direct, act, edit and cinematograph his first multi-lingual feature film about Covid 19, honouring doctors and frontline workers September 13. An alumnus of St John’s High School (Bengaluru), Rajah completed BCom at Bangalore University, MA in mass communication and journalism at Bombay University in 1972, and a PhD in cinema from the UK. His thesis - comparing audience reaction and realisation in cinema across 15 countries – was to endow him with the tools to create a cine legacy.

e tools to create a cine legacy.

Indian filmmaker | Dr Rajah Balakrishna | Global Indian

His visual stories gave him multiple accolades - from UNESCO - recognition for documentaries on culture and heritage of the Gulf, the Karnataka State Udyog Award for creating public awareness films, the award for best traffic awareness film from the police department of Saudi Arabia. A recognition from the National Orthopaedic Council of India and Lions International for an innovative video about the human eye came in too.

“My documentaries usually capture real, existing culture, while my films are fantasy, though inspired by life. Both are different worlds, and I enjoy both,” says Dr Rajah Balakrishna in an exclusive with Global Indian.

Balakrishna’s grasp and intuitive eye has given him a unique perspective over the decades. He has done five films in Kannada, one in Malayalam, one in Tamil, one in Arabic (where he acted too). But it’s his documentaries for UNESCO – eight - where he shone with cinematography, direction and editing. Other documentaries, serials, 40 plus corporate ads - The list is long and impressive.

Middle East calling

After stints in Chennai and Bengaluru for a Karnataka trade publication, Rajah moved to Abu Dhabi in 1982. The Gulf expatriate was on song as he turned his passion into a career of cine magic. He joined the audio-visual department for Al Jazira Group, scripting, editing and directing documentary films. Recognising his creative potential, the government-run Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation invited him as the TV and film division producer in 1996. It was to be his home for the next two decades.

At what was to become the Abu Dhabi department of culture and tourism, Rajah set up a state-of-the-art film production unit and single-handedly shot and edited a dozen films highlighting the heritage of the Gulf, many made for UNESCO. “It is during these years that I learnt about a variety of new technologies. Today, my biggest learning from the Gulf has been the use of digital technologies for high-quality film-making,” he adds.

Indian filmmaker | Dr Rajah Balakrishna | Global Indian

He is happy to be back to his hometown, and lives with his wife, and has two daughters. Incidentally, Rajah’s brother – Rajah Vijay Kumar – a scientist, recently created a “scalene hypercharge Corona canon (SHYCO-CAN),” a device which pumps out large electrons in the air to potentially kill Covid virus in the air. The device is currently gaining global acceptance.

The ghar wapsi

After more than two decades, this film encyclopaedia, who had earned a name in the Middle East, returned to India (2018) to set up his own studio at his ancestral house in Bengaluru (Rata Communications). He has reinvented the craft, and today helps educate young enthusiasts in emerging techniques of phone photography and film-making. “My film-making endeavours give me the opportunity to interact with a lot of youngsters across various spheres and these interactions help me understand the changing world and stay relevant,” adds the avid cinema buff.

Indian filmmaker | Dr Rajah Balakrishna | Global Indian

It was only a matter of time before Sandalwood turned to Rajah to edit movies using state-of-the-art digital FX and techniques. Over the years, he has also acted in a few Arabic, Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada movies.

Direction, screenplay and editing

For this man for all seasons of cinema, the journey continued. In the second half of 2021, Rajah took on the task of writing the screenplay, editing and directing a full-length Kannada language feature film, September 13, with Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu versions, due to release in February 2022. Audiences will see Rajah acting in a pivotal role – in this story of a sister who becomes a nurse only to be welcomed rudely by the Covid-19 pandemic which spreads to her native village, and she tests positive. The film is a tribute to the relentless efforts of doctors and front-line staff with a tagline, “A film born out of the Covid experience.” Rajah says, “Nurses are true angels, who tirelessly work for the betterment of human health. This fact hugely attracted me towards taking up the September 13 project.”

Indian filmmaker | Dr Rajah Balakrishna | Global Indian

The irony

During the interview Rajah was quarantining after completing all his outdoor schedules. “Look at the irony. Four of my team members tested positive for Covid during our shooting. Thankfully, they are doing alright and all of us are looking forward to the film’s release soon,” says the man who juggles many roles.

The film was shot in rural Karnataka locations. “Rural folks are friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed shooting with them,” he adds. This may be the first of many cinematic ventures for Dr Rajah Balakrishna. His priorities remain steadfast - spreading the art and culture of cinema, and he is already crafting an online course in digital film making for budding film professionals.

Encouraging youngsters

Rajah personifies art. While his career is centered around editing, film making and acting, his hobbies include painting, with a hint of cooking, where he often tries to find artistic elements.

Rajah had conducted dozens of short and long workshops on digital film-making to educate and enthuse a generation of young people in the UAE. Having trained young and aspiring film-makers, he advices, “Every human being is creative. Just try thinking out-of-the-box, followed by hard work and dedication, this will bring satisfaction and success.”

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Reading Time: 7 min

On the world stage: Super host Nadia Hakani was the energy booster at FIFA

(December 26, 2022) When Nadia Hakani is on the stage, she leaves the world behind. The chaos backstage does not matter to her nor do the technical glitches which may end up snapping the sound, abruptly. Come what may, she remains upbeat. There is no other way to do it. The ace host and anchor have faced stage blackout many times but her experiences — loads of it — ensure she engages with the crowds anyway. Nadia has a knack like no other and she proved it for the umpteenth time at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup. [caption id="attachment_33190" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Nadia Hakani[/caption] “Every moment at FIFA was exhilarating. I was the only anchor hosting the blockbuster event for 30 days non-stop,” smiles Nadia Hakani, the ace host and anchor, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian, hours after her return from Qatar. She hosted the Al Khor fan zone which caters to fans north of Qatar. “Whatever the event, I can keep the crowds engaged. It is important to read the crowd’s mood before starting any energising activity,” says Nadia, who has hosted 1800 plus shows so far, which include over 100 international shows in nine countries. FIFA

d the Al Khor fan zone which caters to fans north of Qatar. “Whatever the event, I can keep the crowds engaged. It is important to read the crowd’s mood before starting any energising activity,” says Nadia, who has hosted 1800 plus shows so far, which include over 100 international shows in nine countries.

FIFA fever

She has been an anchor, emcee, corporate team-building coach, presenter, and conference crowd motivator for the last 12 years. So how did FIFA happen? “Well, there was no way I would have refused the offer (to host a FIFA fan zone) which came my way. The entire staff did a great job and made the mega event a huge success,” says the host, who has a natural ability to keep the crowd engaged for durations of up to two hours, without a moment of break.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

Back from FIFA, she headed straight to host a Corporate Team building Drums Interactive show. Just like she does for all events, Nadia did thorough homework before stepping on the stage at FIFA as well. “I go into a lot of details about the crowd that is attending, their age groups, and the general mood. I mold my events accordingly,” says the host, who did all it takes to keep the crowd, comprising three lakh people, engaged. “Sharing the stage with stars like Jimmy Felix, Abhinanda Sarkar, Tajinder Singh, and Awez Darbar at FIFA was an amazing experience.”

Born to shine

The Hyderabad-born host comes from a big joint family of 13 members. When Nadia was eight, her elder brother, Saleem made a makeshift radio for her from an old compass box and a curling brush. “Both would start hosting fake talk shows for fun. It eventually led to a successful career,” says the host, who did her schooling at Diamond Jubilee High School and completed her MBA from Shadan college, Hyderabad.

She grew up in a conservative family and it took a lot of convincing to allow her to anchor shows. “Now, things are different and my entire family comes to my events and enjoys them,” informs the host, who even used to sneak out of her house to do shows earlier.” While she has made Mumbai her home, the Hakani family resides in Hyderabad.

[caption id="attachment_33192" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian Nadia with actress Dia Mirza[/caption]

In her growing-up years, public speaking was a farfetched idea until a sangeet event of an event manager friend changed everything. “I was given the entire stage to get the crowd together and I received a lot of accolades for the job,” says Nadia of how that particular instance triggered a passion for hosting and anchoring events.

Over the years, the ace host has worked with people of all age groups, ethnicity, and gender and makes sure that all her crowd engagement activities are inclusive. “A show is not a single artist’s work it is a teamwork of many components. Once on stage, an anchor is representing the entire team,” says the host, who has perfected the art of being a crowd and game energiser. “I have successfully handled massive crowds. Anchoring runs in my blood now,” smiles Nadia.

She is so much into her job that once when she dozed off on a long flight, she started dreaming about the show she was going to anchor. “I started emceeing the show while asleep and it is only when fellow passengers started giggling, I woke up,” she recalls.

Owning the stage

Over the last 10 years, she has single-handedly conducted on-site and off-site team-building events at Google, TCS, Deloitte, Accenture, Cognizant, Amazon, and Oracle among others. “I love the travelling that comes with each event and the people I meet. It’s a highly rewarding career, which teaches something new every time,” says the Hyderabadi host, who attended Clown workshops by actor-director Rupesh Tillu.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

She has hosted movie launches, product introductions, and team-building events. From the dance reality show ‘Dancing Star’ to Afro T 20 cricket league to hosting IPL “Ek India Happy Wala live” — the host has done it all, including red carpet events. Along her journey, she met several Bollywood A-listers including Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh among others. “I have done 1800 shows so far and looking forward to hitting 2,000 soon,” says the super host, who played a role as a reporter in the film Collar Bomb which was released on Hotstar, an experience she describes as amazing.

She has also participated in life planning courses by Mind valley and All Ulfat (National School of Drama fame). “I am awaiting a World tour with actors which is also in pipeline. My theatre guru has offered the main role in a series to me which will soon be revealed,” the host says. Presently, she is learning Boomwhackers and Drums jamming by Dr. Sham Rock.

[caption id="attachment_33194" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian Hadia with actor Ranveer Singh, during an event[/caption]

Anchoring, she says, lets her wear many hats. “I have performed music jams, been a games jockey, worked on theatre concept, and even danced with the participants and I loved it all,” says Nadia, who has completed certification in World Leadership Training by World Human Development centre and Land Mark Forum Level 1. The host was also honoured with the title of World Peace Ambassador in 2021.

Doing some of the biggest events around the globe, she says there are two things that anchor dreads the most — a stage blackout (when the mic is working but everything else abruptly stops) and a ghost (when even the mic stops). “For one boomwhackers event in Dubai, a ghost happened. I then used my trademark vocals to keep up the crowd's energy,” she recalls. Among the most memorable events of her career is hosting 50 consecutive shows in Dubai, which went on for close to two months. But she is desperate to host more. “My Dream is to work with Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan in an event and be a guest on the Kapil Sharma show,” the host says.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

Nadia is looking to do more sports events including Olympics, F1 Racing, and Red carpet events such as IIFA, Filmfare, and Femina. “I am currently in talks with Femina India for a Boomwackers Show,” informs Nadia who is looking forward to continuing with her acting forte. “Stepping up on stage is like entering an unknown territory each time,” Nadia says when asked about the challenges she faced during her journey.

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Reading Time: 5 mins