Global IndianstoryHanumankind: The Indian rapper taking global music scene by storm

Hanumankind: The Indian rapper taking global music scene by storm

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(August 24, 2024) The daredevils on motorbikes using centrifugal force to drive on the near-vertical walls of barrel-shaped structures is a popular stunt at carnivals in India. And it’s this very maut ka kuan (well of death) that forms the backdrop of the viral hit – Big Dawgs by Indian rapper Hanumankind. Within a month of its release, the single has caused a stir in the international music community with its groovy tunes and death-defying stunts. The Kerala-born rapper has rapidly risen to global fame, making his debut at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100. With over 54 million views on YouTube, the smashing hit surpassed Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us to grab the 11th spot on the Spotify Global Top 50 chart.

Responding to getting worldwide acclaim, he said in an interview, “It’s been crazy. But I’m just a rapper from India. I get it — I am from here. But I’m just someone that’s making art from a different side of the world. I have my own personal journey.”

Even Anand Mahindra is super impressed by the Indian rapper. He took to X to spotlight the artist, “Rap may not be for everyone, but this guy from Kerala & now Bengaluru via Texas is popping eyes across to US for his authentic sound & his extraordinary, raw videos.”

Have posted recently about astonishingly talented young women of Indian origin making waves in indigenous American music genres.

Now here’s Sooraj Cherukat, @Hanumankind1 @hanumankind (Insta) who’s rapping his way to global recognition.

Rap may not be for everyone, but this… pic.twitter.com/4udUHqSjHK

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 28, 2024

The 31-year-old breakthrough artist has gained international fame in no time, with his song being generously shared across TikTok, Instagram, and X. But pursuing music was never on the mind of Sooraj Cherukat, who goes by the stage name Hanumankind.

Global influence

Born in Kerala, Sooraj moved around Middle and Africa owing to his dad’s job at an oilfield company before settling in Houston, Texas, where he spent his formative years. It was here that he was introduced to Southern hip hop as he grew up listening to artists like TidexX, Three 6 Mafia, and Project Pat. Growing up in a traditional family that wanted him to study well, get a job, buy a home, get married, and have kids, he decided to chart his own path. He returned to India in 2012 to pursue a degree in Business Administration from PSG College in Coimbatore. He landed a job at Goldman Sachs, spending his 9-to-5 in the corporate world while moonlighting as Hanumankind. In 2019, he released his first single Daily Dose, a part of his debut EP Kalari.

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For the next five years, he kept belting out popular songs like Genghis, Skyline, Damnson, Southside, and Rush Hour, amassing a massive fan following in India. But it’s Big Dawgs that catapulted him into the international music scene for its beats and stunning video.

Big Dawgs – The song that changed it all

Shot in the coastal district of Ponnani – also known as the Mecca of Kerala, the video directed by Bijoy Shetty is a perfect blend of desi swagger and western beats. Talking about why he chose this location, Hanumankind told Rolling Stone, “A lot of things are happening in this video. But mainly, if you want something, take that risk, man, or else it won’t happen. Even if you fail, it’s still the act of doing. For me, even if this video didn’t work out, I get to tell my grandchildren that I actually sat inside the well of death and did this. At the very least, if nothing worked out, I’m happy about that.”

Interestingly, it was a Zoom call between Kalmi and Hanumankind that led to the birth of Big Dawgs. “We were just trying to build a habit of making music without any intention, without any weight behind it, and see what happens. It took some 30 minutes for us to put together the beat, I wrote, and it rolled out,” revealed Hanumankind, who calls himself spiritual.

Desi heart and soul

Revealing the inspiration behind his stage name, he said that Hanuman is a name that many people know. “It’s something that everyone can associate with being Indian. And mankind is the rest of the world. It was a combination of both things. To bring two things together in a way that ties into my purpose.”

Having lived in the US for a larger part, he is still considered an NRI. Though he has a thick American accent, Hanumankind is fluent in Malayalam, his mother tongue. “That’s something that’s helped me because I came here and built myself into the community.” He lived in Bangalore, attended university there for a while, and spent time traveling and immersing himself in life back home in India. At the end of 2012, he had the option to move back to the United States, but he chose to stay. “It’s now been 12 years since, and it’s been beautiful.”

It’s been five years since Hanumankind dropped his first single, and the artist calls hip-hop scene in India “absolutely thriving.” Since hip-hop is about telling a story, he finds many artists who have much to say and completely nailing the genre.

With a big hit to his name now, Hanumankind is not succumbing to the pressure of belting out another banger soon. “I want to push myself creatively, spiritually, mentally, everything. I want to develop my art and do it the way I want to. I know I can do better. There’s so much more I can do. This is not the peak of it all,” he said, adding, “I’m blessed to say that this happened, but these things come and go. I have goals and dreams and aspirations of being a version of myself.”

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Published on 24, Aug 2024

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In the chef’s domain: Exploring culinary tales with Ranveer Brar

(February 25, 2024) To say that he is one of the most celebrated chefs in India might be an understatement. Known to be India's youngest executive chef, Ranveer Brar is quite famous globally for his expertise in infusing traditional cuisines with a contemporary flair. But, would you believe it if I told you that this chef's first job wasn't at a five-star hotel, but at a roadside stall, where he worked on a lakdi ki bhatti (wood-fired oven)? And that the chef had to work really hard to prove himself. "Munir Ustad was my first mentor, he completely changed the way I approached food and cooking. I had noticed him often during my street food walks and secretly hoped he’d let me be his shagird (student) someday," shares the chef, as he connects with Global Indian, adding, "When I eventually joined him, it wasn’t easy to gain his trust! Ustad would not easily share his recipes with me. I used to crush the spices and haul sacks of coal up to the terrace to dry them. I had to patiently prove myself and learn. And even when he did start sharing, it wasn’t a break-down kind of teaching. You just

en I eventually joined him, it wasn’t easy to gain his trust! Ustad would not easily share his recipes with me. I used to crush the spices and haul sacks of coal up to the terrace to dry them. I had to patiently prove myself and learn. And even when he did start sharing, it wasn’t a break-down kind of teaching. You just had to observe and learn the nuances. In a lot of ways, it taught me the importance of believing in your intuition and interpretation of any dish and using recipes as guidelines."

A global culinary artist, Chef Brar is an honourary member of the James Beard Foundation, and has received recognition for his contribution to various cuisines from several institutions such as The American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) and Academy for International Culinary Art (AICA).

A young lad from Lucknow

Growing up in Lucknow, Chef Brar was always fascinated by the city’s street food. Almost every day, after school, a young Ranveer Brar would venture out on the streets of Lucknow with his friends to taste the mouth-watering street dishes. But unlike his friends, this young boy was not just fascinated by the food - but also the stories behind each dish. "It’s difficult to say what attracted me first - food stories or the food itself," shares the chef, adding, "Growing up in Lucknow, where they say – ek plate khana, ek pateela kisse (a plate of food served with an urn full of stories), I would like to think it’s more the former. I was especially fascinated by the kebab vendors. In a way, these jaunts were also a major contributor to my already growing interest in food."

Chef | Ranveer Brar | Global Indian

After about six months of training under Munir Ustad, Chef Brar decided to further his culinary education and enrolled at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Lucknow. Subsequently, he joined the Taj Group of Hotels, commencing his journey with one of their most esteemed establishments, Fort Aguada Beach Resort in Goa. Remarkably, during his initial assignment, the chef successfully inaugurated two restaurants within the hotel – Morisco and il Camino. In 2003, he made a move to the Radisson Blu Hotel in New Delhi, achieving the distinction of becoming the youngest executive chef in the country at the age of 25.

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"Thanks to my stint at the Taj during my days as an intern, I went on to open restaurants at various Taj establishments, the responsibility of opening and running a restaurant came early to me. I believe in taking everyone along my life/culinary path and that I feel has earned me a priceless wealth – human connections. I like to be logical when it comes to any task, list down the tasks, and tackle them systematically. Every restaurant I worked with, the lessons and lauds that came with them, paved the way for the next project I’d work on. And so life continued," shares the chef.

Inspired by the locals

In 2003, the chef moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he established Banq, a high-end Franco-Asian restaurant that garnered acclaim and multiple accolades. This was also around the same time that the world first tasted Chef Brar's signature dish, Dorra Kebab - a 200-year-old dish from Rampur, made with minced lamb, and marinated with over 30 rare herbs. "I created the Dorra Kebab in India, around 2003. It’s actually a classic dish that we just reinvented with a little panache and flair. The idea was to bring out the thought that Kebabs can be melt-in-the-mouth and celebrate the skill of Kebab-making too. And that’s what we took to the US," shares the chef.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhFryFd22U

But, while he has travelled across the globe, and tasted the flavours of most cuisines, the chef's favourite travel memory remains that of visiting a small Rajasthani village. "A dish and a memory that are quite close to my heart is a Raab that I sampled in Rajasthan. When I first met Shanti Devi in Khejarli village, Rajasthan, I wasn’t quite prepared for The Sustainable lunch she treated me to. Half the ingredients were preserved over from the previous season and a buttermilk-like dish she made from Bajra, the Raab, was chilled in an earthen indigenous ‘refrigerator’! Though we couldn’t fully understand each other’s language, I learnt a lot from her that day through the food she cooked for us. I have since recreated and reinvented what I ate that day in my cooking sessions across the world," he shares.

Beyond the kitchen

In 2015, upon returning to India, the chef crafted menus for several upscale restaurants, such as MTV India, Haute Chef, English Vinglish, and TAG GourmART Kitchen. But, the kitchen wasn't the only playground that he was interested in anymore. Chef Brar made his first appearance on Indian television, with MasterChef, and subsequently several other shows including Ranveer On The Road, The Great Indian Rasoi, Food Tripping, and Himalayas the Offbeat Adventure. While he certainly wasn't the first chef to appear on television, what set him apart was his unique storytelling style.

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In fact, the chef is gearing up another show, called The Family Table, where he hosts celebrities and their families for fun cook-offs. "In a country where our day begins with ‘aaj khane mein kya hai!’, food becomes the perfect conversation starter, especially in a household. There’s an entire genre of home cooking that lies in heirloom recipes from different families that need to come to the fore. With the Family Table, the idea is to bring those recipes, those conversations forward; and celebrate this aspect of our cuisine through the fun in and beauty of family cooking," he says.

But not just TV, the chef was recently seen in the six-episode anthology – Modern Love Mumbai – along with Pratik Gandhi and veteran actress Tanuja, which was directed by Hansal Mehta. "Honestly, I never thought I would act, though I always had a lot of respect for the craft. I debuted in mainstream television and I thought I would end up in the directing stream, as I direct a lot of food documentaries. So I wasn’t planning to become an actor, but the love for the medium and the ease of working with Pratik, Talat Aziz ji, and Hansal sir ticked all the boxes for me. And the role of Rajveer was truly endearing for me. My next was with Hansal ji again, The Buckingham Murders. It was a completely different role and an intriguing character experiment as well. I’m definitely on the lookout for the next interesting script," the chef expresses.

[caption id="attachment_39932" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Chef | Ranveer Brar | Global Indian Chef Ranveer Brar with actor Pratik Gandhi, during the shoot of Modern Love Mumbai[/caption]

Sharing his mantra for the upcoming generation of chefs, he shares, "Just remember three rules - get the basics rights, stick to the genre of food that you feel most connected to, and persevere with patience and focus. The trick is to keep it simple and play to your strengths. Instead of planning long menus, stick to the dishes you know you are experts in, and work on dishes that represent your culture and your personal connection with food better. ‘Less is more’ is the mantra that works."

Follow Chef Ranveer Brar on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and his website

Reading Time: 7 mins

East is East: Ashutosh Mehndiratta’s retelling of India’s 5,000-year history

(June 18, 2024) A decades-long quest to understand his own identity culminated, for Ashutosh Mehndiratta, in his debut book, India and Faraway Lands: 5,000 Years of Connected History. The magnum opus has been condensed into a 386-page, imminently readable history of India and the world. It was a journey that began when he first moved to the US in 1995 as a student, where he remained for the next decade or so. "When you're living in India, you don't think of yourself as Indian. When you step out of the country, you become very aware of your identity - you're Chinese, Sri Lankan, or Indian. It's a very simple but unique distinction Indians living in the country may not appreciate," Ashutosh tells Global Indian, as he connects with me from his home in Eastern Canada. Finding inspiration Growing up, Ashutosh Mehndiratta would listen to his father tell stories of the Partition - both his parents were born before in pre-Independence India, in what is now Pakistan. When the partition took place, his parents' families were among the millions who braved the bloodshed to travel to India, huddled in crowded trains, praying for their lives. "My mother was too young to remember but my

pre-Independence India, in what is now Pakistan. When the partition took place, his parents' families were among the millions who braved the bloodshed to travel to India, huddled in crowded trains, praying for their lives. "My mother was too young to remember but my father would tell me stories," he says.

"We grew up reading Amar Chitra Katha and hearing stories about how India was IT - the golden bird. But today, we can see that other countries are far more developed and wealthier in many ways. If India had such a glorious past, when did it change," asks Ashutosh, as he joins me for a chat from his home in Canada, where he now lives with his wife. How did this change happen – was it gradual or sudden?

[caption id="attachment_36461" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Ashutosh Mehndiratta[/caption]

The identity question

When he left India, he became aware of his identity as an Indian, which left him with many questions. How did India rise to greatness and what led to its fall? Some experts suggest geography, others say religion - Ashutosh, who naively believed he could read a few books and find an answer, realised, through years of research, that there was no one clear reason. Countless influences act upon a country, from within and without, to determine its transition to wealth or poverty.

"Over the years, I gathered so many notes and books that I thought, 'Why don't I write a book of my own?' I started about six or seven years ago." He was living in New Zealand at the time and in this case, geography really was the answer. "Living outside India was a good thing - there were fewer distractions. I lived close enough to the office to walk home as well, so I had time on my hands."

Catching a break

Ashutosh Mehndiratta came back to India in 2017, where he headed Cisco’s Bengaluru’s account. In 2018, he attended the Bangalore Literature Festival, where the Lit Mart, a platform for aspiring authors to make pitches to major publishing houses, is a big draw. It can mean a big break for first-timers - "There is a 99.9 percent chance you won't hear back from a publisher unless you are an established academic or Bollywood star. A history enthusiast without a pedigree rarely stands a chance," Ashutosh admits.

Lit Mart did in fact open those doors for the techie-turned-historian, who met a representative from Manjul Publishing House. "I wrote to Rashmi and her editorial team liked the idea, so we began the editing process. That is a long journey - as a first-time author you don't know the scale of effort that goes into editing."

Ashutosh Mehndiratta | Indian and Faraway Lands

India: A History

The book gets off to a surprising start - it begins in the present and moves backwards. "History books begin in the past and move to the present but I personally feel it is not logical. The present is more familiar and relatable. I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, I saw history being made when India won the World Cup. That resonates more than the Indus Valley Civilisation." He wanted the subject to fascinate his reader as much as it did him, so he decided to go backwards, starting out with the 1930s, Independence and Partition.

"We have all grown up hearing that Gandhi's peaceful protests got us independence," Ashutosh remarks. "But the British empire itself had vanished - the country had gone bankrupt and London was destroyed. They had no will or resources to maintain a colony. In 1946, as Britain was left devastated by World War 2, came the Royal Indian Naval Mutiny. It was a failed insurrection but scared the British, nonetheless. For the first time, they realised the might of Indians bearing arms against them. The US had also come out of the Roaring Twenties and domination meant having to dismantle what was left of the Empire. The Japanese had also weakened the colonialists, forcing them to surrender in Singapore. Subhash Chandra Bose had also been running his propaganda war through a radio show he did from Germany.

Imagine there's no country

During his study of Indian historians, Ashutosh found they were all confined to the boundaries of India. "Their story begins in 1608, when the first ship landed in Gujarat. They don't ask why someone in a small island nation would get on a boat, go around Africa and travel 18,000 km to reach India. What was their motivation?" He discovered that a year earlier, in 1607, they had landed in Jamestown in America. "So, I thought, let's take a break from India and see what was happening in London at the time." He learned that London was a small city trying to enter the merchant trading business, attempting to compete with the Portuguese who had become rich through trade, bringing in silk from China and spices from India. He couldn't just study India in isolation, everything is linked to everything else.

What's more, when the British first arrived to trade with India, they were welcomed. "That was boom time," Ashutosh says. "Like Bangalore is now - big tech is pumping money into the city. Of course, it would be a different story if big tech took control of the government but until then, we all love the millions we receive!"

A story of interconnectedness

"I wanted to focus on the interconnectedness of history," Ashutosh says, adding that the cost was sacrificing depth to cover 5000 years in less than 300 pages. Instead, all his years of reading go into a voluminous bibliography. "The idea is to invoke curiosity in the reader," he says.

The stories are remarkable - Ashutosh Mehndiratta tells a couple to appeal to the Bangalorean in me. For instance, "My job was Bangalored" is a common dotcom era joke in the US but there was another period of close ties between Bengaluru and America, back in the late 1700s, when Haider Ali, of all people, was a household name on the other side of the world. "The Americans were fighting the British, as were Ali and the French. The Anglo-Mysore wars made it to American newspapers and Haider Ali became "Haider Ally". They would talk about his son, Tipu, the prince using rockets in war."

When America won its freedom in 1783, it was a young country with lots of land and no money. "They sent their first ship to India," Ashutosh says. "The ship arrived in Pondicherry, had a flag and was called the 'United States'. That's how they began their trade and eventually grew into a superpower."

Drivers of progress

Could he identify trends that result in progress more than any other? "Any country that allows freedom of expression has progressed," he says. "If you can express, debate and critique freely, it brings out the best in people. Trade is also important and because of that, places near calm oceans or rivers tend to thrive."

Ashutosh Mehndiratta hopes his book, with all its fascinating anecdotes, will inspire his audience to read more, to learn about their Indian identity. "It's not something that Indians at home are aware of but it comes up when you're abroad," he says. Since his wife works for an immigrations company, even their dinner table talk is diverse and multicultural. "Meeting people from other cultures, compels you to learn about the world and yourself. Diversity really brings out the best in you."

Follow Ashutosh on LinkedIn.

Sakshin Niranjan: The Indian entrepreneur making New Zealanders’ everyday life easy

(July 7, 2022)Had he listened to his heart, Sakshin Niranjan would still be in the food delivery space. But it was his mind that told him it was "crowded" and nudged him to start something of his own. This led to the launch of NexDo in New Zealand during the pandemic. Dubbed as the "Uber for home services", it connects home services providers with customers via an app. That's not all, in less than two years, it already boasts of 10,000 customers and recently raised $2 million in funding. "We empower local businesses through our startup, and at the same time are solving an everyday problem faced by many New Zealanders," Forbes 30 Under 30 Sakshin tells Global Indian. Entrepreneurship in blood The Chennai-born and raised, who comes from a business background, dreamed of becoming a pilot. But like many childhood dreams, this didn't come to pass as he realised this wasn't the right path for him. That's when he enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration at SRM University. This led to a job at Amazon as an associate which helped him gain "experience in technology and how the market works." "Those two years at Amazon triggered an interest

or of Business Administration at SRM University. This led to a job at Amazon as an associate which helped him gain "experience in technology and how the market works."

Indian entrepreneur | Sakshin Niranjan | Global Indian

"Those two years at Amazon triggered an interest in business. In fact, my best friend at university and I decided to start our first company soon. But it didn't work out as he left for higher education, and I moved to Zomato in 2015." The high-growth environment and the workings of a startup turned out "pretty well" for Sakshin, who learnt a lot in the process. The stint helped him bag a position in Ola in 2016, but to climb up the ladder, he was told in various ways that MBA is a must. He chose Auckland University of Technology and flew almost 11000 km to start afresh in a new country.

"I did it out of peer pressure," laughs the 30-year-old who was surprised by the difference in the work culture. While he was studying full-time, he worked with Ola part time. "While India has a very hierarchical culture, where the down below is often suppressed, New Zealand has a flat culture. Everyone can speak to the CEO and present their ideas. Initially, it was a little challenging to adapt to this but it changed me as a person," adds Sakshin, one of the key members who helped launch Ola in New Zealand in 2018. Having worked in India for years, Sakshin was ready to bring the ride-sharing company in competition to Uber, but with his own set of challenges. "It was a different ball game in terms of market. I had to understand how the consumers work, understand the change in marketing and accordingly customise the product," says the entrepreneur who learnt a lot through trial and error. "Understanding what's local was the key, and helped me understand what I can bring to the table."

How pandemic became a boon

The pandemic nudged Sakshin to return to his dream of being an entrepreneur. "Seeing uncertainty in the market and people losing their jobs, I started questioning what I truly wanted to do. Though I had a job and was even getting better offers at such a time, this gave me enough confidence that things were certain for me even in such uncertain times. With no family to support and locked in the country for two years, I knew this was the best time to give it a shot," says Sakshin who launched NexDo in 2020.

Indian entrepreneur | Sakshin Niranjan | Global Indian

"I always had a passion for solving a problem, and the idea of NexDo stemmed from a personal requirement. I realised that it took days to get an appointment, so I knew it was a space that I could explore for my startup. As many like me were feeling the heat, I took the plunge," says Sakshin but venturing into entrepreneurship came with its learnings. Like most startups, he started in a garage with just two-three people. "Each day I was waking up early to clean the place, search for funds, and learn how to run Facebook ads. I took a course on YouTube to learn design and make marketing campaigns. I knew I always wanted to do something of my own, but it did get overwhelming at times," says the entrepreneur whose team has now expanded to 15 members and also employs 150 contractors.

Making an impact

With NexDo, Sakshin is "empowering service professionals and turning them into entrepreneurs." "Most employees are exploited in terms of pay or work hours. What we are doing with NexDo is creating micro finances for free, where we give them training and guidance," says the man who made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He calls it "shocking" but is happy with the validation that he's on the right path. "There was a time I was cold-emailing so many people but now, right people are reaching out to us."

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Bringing a new idea to a new country has its advantages, and this "edge" helped Sakshin find footing in New Zealand's startup ecosystem with NexDo. "Had I started the same thing in India, it would have been easier to find funding with the kind of contacts and experience I possessed. Would I have succeeded? Maybe. But in New Zealand, it was a bit harder initially. However, the media helped in spreading the word. Since we were doing something unique for this market, the novelty struck the right chord with the customers and investors," says the entrepreneur."I started by borrowing money from family and friends. Within six months, local investors started showing interest and in these last two years, we have seen 200-300 percent growth."

Sakshin, who likes to unwind by spending time with friends and watching movies, has plans of expanding NexDo to Australia. The entrepreneur, who has now made a name for himself in New Zealand, says "there is no rule book to follow. You can be anywhere and make things happen if you have a vision."

Follow Sakshin Niranjan on LinkedIn and Instagram

Reading Time: 6 min

Behind the Oscars Curtain: Journey of the other Raj Kapoor in Hollywood

(January 22, 2024) Come March 2024, and the 96th edition of the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are scheduled to air. Los Angeles-based live television event producer Raj Kapoor has been selected as the executive producer and showrunner of the prestigious event. “Kapoor has worked on the show for the past seven years and most recently served as producer for the 95th Oscars. The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 10, 2024,” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in its press release. At 2023 Oscars, Kapoor earned praise for directing the stage performance of the Oscar-winning song Naatu Naatu from RRR. “The Naatu Naatu performance was a very personal one for me. A tribute to honour my late father who I lost in July and a celebration of Indian musicals and my birthplace,” Kapoor said after the event. [caption id="attachment_48464" align="aligncenter" width="579"] Raj Kapoor at Biden's White House Holiday Party[/caption] Turning heads with his name In a career spanning two and a half decades, Kapoor has garnered attention not only for his spectacular work in Hollywood but also for sharing a name with the most legendary showman of the Indian film industry –

e House Holiday Party[/caption]

Turning heads with his name

In a career spanning two and a half decades, Kapoor has garnered attention not only for his spectacular work in Hollywood but also for sharing a name with the most legendary showman of the Indian film industry – Raj Kapoor, one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema.

In fact, when the 90th Academy Awards had paid homage to the late Indian actors, Sridevi and Shashi Kapoor, celebrated Bollywood actor late Rishi Kapoor had tweeted, “Oscars. Thank you for remembering Shashi Kapoor and Sridevi. Thrilled to see the name Raj Kapoor as the executive producer of the show. We are on the threshold of world cinema!”

“I’ve watched the great actor’s movies and it’s nice to be associated with his name,” confessed Kapoor, the executive producer of the Oscars, during an interview. Beyond individuals of Indian origin, even people from diverse regions such as Russia and Afghanistan often draw parallels between his name and that of the legendary Indian showman when he visits those countries.

Making a name in Hollywood

The Indian-American showman has left an indelible mark through his exceptional contributions as a key member of the Oscars production team for seven consecutive years. Additionally, he has successfully steered various other live shows in Hollywood, showcasing his expertise in the entertainment industry.

When all eyes are set on the glitter and glamour of the shows, Kapoor and his production team toil backstage creating magic and romance of Hollywood, giving spectacular experiences to millions of audiences across the world on highly challenging live events where one cannot afford to go wrong. “Entertainment is a passion with me,” he remarked. Kapoor’s company Raj Kapoor Productions is a creative agency and production company that provides creative concepts, full-service event production and cutting-edge video design. The clientele consists of global organisations in the fields of fashion, music, and entertainment.

Kapoor has secured six Emmy Award nominations and clinched a win for his role as an executive producer in the Outstanding Variety Special (pre-recorded) category for ‘Adele: One Night Only.’ Beyond his involvement in seven Oscars broadcasts, he has an extensive list of credits, including events like The Grammy Awards, ACM Awards, American Music Awards (AMA), Latin Grammy, American Idol, The Beatles Grammy Special, Billboards, Country Music Association Awards (CMA), iHeart Radio Music Awards, Radio Disney Music Awards (RDMA), Sinatra 100 Grammy Special, The Emmy Awards, as well as specials shows like The Disney Family Singalong, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter, Dancing with The Stars, Disneyland 60, The Voice, XFactor and XQ Super School Live among others.

[caption id="attachment_48466" align="aligncenter" width="681"] Indians in USA | Raj Kapoor | Global Indian Raj Kapoor (executive producer and showrunner) with Katy Mullan (executive producer) of the 96th Oscars[/caption]

“Utilising the latest technology and visuals, we design spectacular and beautiful three-dimensional theatrical experiences that celebrate the power of unforgettable entertainment,” he said. “The thing I love most about my job is being creative and seeing my visions come to life.”

Kapoor has also been the director and producer of Las Vegas residencies for acclaimed artists like Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey and John Fogerty. He has successfully executed numerous large-scale tours for a diverse range of artists and events including American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Jonas Brothers, Jason Aldean, Jewel, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Juanes, Demi Lovato, OneRepublic, Rascal Flatts, So You Think You Can Dance, Shania Twain, and Carrie Underwood. Among the corporate clients that he has served are Disney, Gallo, GM, Skechers, Tesla. UAE, the United Nations.

Early life

Born in New Delhi to two teachers, Kapoor moved to Canada with his parents at a young age. Raised in Alberta, he loved immersing himself in music videos, telecasts of dance and award shows, and all kinds of films including Bollywood movies, while growing up. He had love for arts and a talent for dancing.

After finishing up his education in English and drama at the University of Alberta, Kapoor moved to Los Angeles, California in search of opportunities and started out as a dancer and assistant choreographer in Hollywood.

Owing to his talent and hard work, he has ascended to the roles of producer and director for prestigious events such as the Oscars and the Grammys over the years.

[caption id="attachment_48468" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Indians in USA | Raj Kapoor | Global Indian Raj Kapoor at a Grammys After Party, few years back[/caption]

“I never had other plans, and always wanted to be in entertainment industry,” he shared. His career breaks came with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. His production company has been designing screen content working with some of the most talented and famous people in the showbiz.

Love for India

Kapoor would love to share his talent in his country of origin. “I would definitely love the experience when given an opportunity,” he shared.

Despite migrating from India at a young age, his native country holds a special place in his heart. Last year, Kapoor travelled to Haridwar after his father passed away in July 2023 “My mom and I travelled half way around the world to bring my father’s ashes back to his homeland. We arrived in Delhi, India - where my mother was married and I was born,” he shared on social media expressing gratitude for the beautiful experience and support of relatives in India during the visit.

[caption id="attachment_48470" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Indians in USA | Raj Kapoor | Global Indian Raj Kapoor with his mother and relatives at Pilibhit House, Haridwar[/caption]

“We reconnected with all my family in India some of whom we had not seen in years. Prayers and blessings were performed on the banks of the holy Ganges River. I immersed my father’s ashes and watched the marigolds slowly float away. He joined his mother, father and two brothers in the exact same location. The day was filled with so much colour, life, emotion and history,” Kapoor concluded his message with a heartfelt ‘shukriya’ (thankyou).

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Theatre director Dipankar Mukherjee is amplifying the voices of the marginalised

(September 14, 2023) In a dazzling debut on the U.S. stage, "Returning to Haifa," a play adapted from the 1969 novella by the late Palestinian author and activist Ghassan Kanafani, took the audience by storm, earning thunderous standing ovations and critical acclaim. At the helm of this theatrical triumph stands Dipankar Mukherjee, the visionary Indian American director. As the co-founder and artistic director of the renowned Pangea World Theater, a Minneapolis-based international hub for art and dialogue, Dipankar's creative journey is deeply intertwined with his unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, and profound spirituality. These pillars, together with his keen political insights, serve as the cornerstone of his artistic endeavors. With an impressive directorial portfolio spanning across India, England, Canada, and the United States, Dipankar Mukherjee is not only a luminary in the world of theater but also a recipient of the esteemed Humphrey Institute Fellowship to Salzburg, solidifying his impact on the global stage. "I am truly committed to telling stories from multiple perspectives and highlighting those voices who have been unjustly vilified, marginalised, displaced, erased, or ignored," said the director, who is also a Ford Foundation delegate to India and Lebanon. Artistic brilliance Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) the

e. "I am truly committed to telling stories from multiple perspectives and highlighting those voices who have been unjustly vilified, marginalised, displaced, erased, or ignored," said the director, who is also a Ford Foundation delegate to India and Lebanon.

Artistic brilliance

Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) the director has a deep connection to his historic dramaturgical roots that extend thousands of years back. After finishing his education, Dipankar started working with various dancers and choreographers in India, the director expanded his wings to work in USA, Canada, and England.

"I've had the privilege of collaborating with talented dancers to craft cross-cultural performances, drawing upon my expertise in Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial arts discipline. Throughout my journey, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with skilled choreographers/dancers hailing from India, the United States, and Canada, assuming the role of a director in these creative partnerships. My artistic vision has evolved organically, shaped by a steadfast dedication to principles of social justice, equity, and profound spirituality. These foundational values, intertwined with a keen sensitivity to contemporary political currents, serve as the guiding pillars of my creative work," the director said in an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWhkT_l-7uk

Quite early in his career, the Global Indian won the prestigious Twin Cities International Citizens Award from the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for contributions in the area of human rights and international cooperation. It was around this time in 1995 that he was also involved in establishing the Pangea World Theater, along with his wife Meena Natarajan, who is also quite a well-known artist. "Our theater is shaped by the stories forged by artists who dared to speak their truth and blessed by our elders from multiple communities. We renew our commitment to the artists who are architects of our collective imagination and whose courage has been a part of the skein that created Pangea," the director said during an interview, adding, "We commit to a world of equity for the next 25 years and beyond."

The world's a stage

Eventually, Pangea evolved to become not just another theatre in America, but a platform for suppressed and unheard voices. "I always wonder why The Ordway, The Guthrie, and other famous Drama centers all over America would invite artists the world over including England, but they would never reach out to provide a helping hand to the struggling Native American artists, the Latina, the LGBTQ artists who are trying to change this world one street theater at a time, one play in the park at a time,” the director shared.

[caption id="attachment_44914" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Director | Dipankar Mukherjee | Global Indian A scene from the play Returning to Haifa[/caption]

And this is precisely what inspired their commitment to offering a nurturing artistic haven for those who needed it most. Pangea's extensive repertoire brims with creative expressions from artists of diverse backgrounds: people of color, Native Americans, African Americans, immigrant artists, and members of the LGBTQ community, all working towards positive change. In a recent conversation, the director emphasized the significance of this choice, both in dismantling systemic racism and in fostering more compassionate interactions among us all.

Giving back to the community

Amidst the endeavour of creating a globally renowned drama company, the theatre director remained deeply connected to his Indian roots. Pangea collaborates closely with local Indian organisations, including the India Association of Minnesota and the Hindu Temple. These partnerships have given rise to intriguing dynamics and interactions within the community. "To leave a different world for the next generation and be able to face them with integrity, we must take accountability. We must know our own history and acknowledge the debt we, as immigrants from India, owe to the Civil Rights movement as it’s because of this that we have the privilege of being on this land," shared the director.

Throughout the years, the director has partnered with various organisations, including SEWA, to shed light on pressing issues within the community, particularly domestic violence awareness. In 2017, the theatre produced a powerful play titled '5 Weeks,' a collaborative effort involving individuals from the local South Asian community. This production delved into the multifaceted narratives that constitute the often-overlooked history of the Partition of India in 1947. It eloquently portrayed stories of heartbreak, shattered identities, yearning, and memories of home during the turbulent period following the establishment of India and Pakistan's borders.

[caption id="attachment_44915" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Director | Dipankar Mukherjee | Global Indian Dipankar Mukherjee and Meena Natarajan of Pangea World Theater[/caption]

"We have also organised gatherings to raise our voice and take strong action against islamophobia, homophobia, racist attitudes, colorism, patriarchy, and domestic violence within our communities. Reaching out and standing in solidarity with the Black community and indigenous community is our duty and understanding that we are a part of this ecosystem called America," the director said.

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