Shows
The Blue StudioOn His Blindness - a recitalJohn Milton ranks as one the greatest English poets. He stands alongside Shakespeare in impact and fame. He is famous for composing the epic poem “Paradise Lost” in which he dramatizes the original sin – man’s first act of disobedience. But Paradise lost is about 10,000 lines long, and that is not what I’ll present now.
Instead, I would like to present a lovely sonnet called “On his blindness”. At the age of 48, while still in his prime, Milton lost his eyesight. For a wordsmith this was akin to death. He was angry, upset and greatly frustrated. His faith in G...2022-09-1802 min
LaymanologyThe sublime works of Saki In conversation with : Koushik KrishnanIn today's episode, Kavya and Koushik discuss one of the greatest short story writers. They also talk about the growing popularity of Audiobooks, and how whether the medium through which we consume content influences our perception of it. Tune in for more !2022-01-2032 min
The Blue StudioThe sublime Saki - a discussion on his short storiesH. H. Munro, writing under the pen name "Saki" is an acclaimed master of the short stories. He is known for his sharp wit, great command over the language and fondness for themes that are dark, macabre and satirical. He was the inspiration for later writers like P.G. Wodehouse.
In this episode, Kavya and Koushik discuss the writers works, what makes him special and a few passages from some of his famous stories.2022-01-1932 min
The Blue StudioHuman and virusIt is May 2021. A little over a year since Covid hit us. Thousands have lost their lives, struggling for something as basic as oxygen. It is also a little over a year, George Floyd died, struggling for oxygen…. And I can’t help seeing the connection.
This 2 min poem is my attempt to connect the twin horrors of racism and a rampant epidemic
Many a man was hit by the virus,
Many a black was hurt in the US.
Poison spread like smokey wreath
Many a man gasped, “I can’t breathe”!
Here’s a story of a woman infected,
Rushed to a hos...2021-05-0902 min
The Blue StudioTo a mouse - Robert Burns“The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry”. This line from a Robert Burns poem, is one of the most popular quotes in the English language.
In this poem, Burns describes a situation where he accidentally destroys the nest of a farm mouse while ploughing his land. He is greatly saddened by this act and feels repentant. He realizes the mouse had built the nest to survive the harsh winter. He then muses “the best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry”. The poem is rich with moral philosophy, metaphysics and contemplation.2021-02-0704 min
The Blue StudioBazaars of Hyderabad - a poem recitalBazaars of Hyderabad is a poem composed by Sarojini Naidu. She was one of the early Indian writers in the English language. She was an active member of the Indian freedom struggle. She was rightly called the “Nightingale of India because of voice and her lyrical poems. In this poem she captures the vibrance, color, sounds and sights of a bazaar in Hyderabad!2020-09-0802 min
The Blue StudioThe Owl and the Pussycat - poem recited by KanishkNot all poems are sad or serious. They can be funny and nonsensical too! They could have animals come to life.2020-08-2402 min
The Blue StudioConsecration on the birth of India.Exactly 73 years ago, on 14th August 1947, two new nations were born. India and Pakistan. The cities of Delhi, Lahore and Bombay were abuzz with preparations on this momentous occasion. Leaders were readying speeches and people celebrated on the streets.
But in the city of Calcutta, the air was heavy with dread. The community was on edge. It was the 1st anniversary of Direct -action-Day, one of the bloodiest communal clashes in the country which left more than 5,000 people dead. And this is where Mahatma Gandhi was to be found, cooling down tempers between Hindus and Muslims.
When asked why he...2020-08-1403 min
The Blue StudioPoetry - a discussionKavya interviews Koushik on what he thinks about poetry and it’s place in society. They cover form, nature, and the future of poetry. Koushik shares some tips on how to write poetry and his poetic journey.2020-07-2524 minThe Blue Studio“All the worlds a stage!”.The phrase “All the world’s a stage” and the monologue that follows about the seven ages of man is well known. They are from Shakespeare’s pastoral romance, “As you like it”. When you hear it, you’ll say, “Wow, Shakespeare puts it so well!”. He was indeed clever. But not original.
“All the world’s a stage” was a concept that predated Shakespeare by a comfortable 1,700 years. It was first popularised by the Roman poet Juvenal. Since then many people have made the reference. In fact, Shakespeare himself used this allegory in his earlier play “Merchant of Venice”.
Similarly, the different age...2020-07-1103 minThe Blue StudioThe Road not Taken - a narrationStanding at the crossroads is both good and difficult. Life gives us a choice, but it forces us to stop, think and decide. We have all been there, haven’t we? What course of study should I pick, should I marry A, or do I love B more, vanilla or butterscotch? Even if it looks hazy, we try to see down one road for clues. We speak with people who made that choice before us and walked that road. We listen to our hearts. Of course, we can’t stand at the crossroads forever, so we pick one road over anot...2020-06-2803 minThe Blue StudioHope is the thing with feathers - a recitalEmily Dickinson was an American poet of great repute. Her poems had abstract themes. She was influenced by Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson. In this poem, she uses a bird as a metaphor for Hope. It is a lyrical ballad which is childlike in its...2020-06-2101 min
The Blue StudioThe 2 minute economist - Matri-moneyIn this podcast, Kavya explores the connection between marriage and money. Is it a coincidence that Marriage and money both begin with M? Is it only emotion or also economics ? Economic well being is one of the unseen effects of marriage. Combined...2020-06-1602 min
The Blue StudioThe miller of the DeeKanishk narrates the popular Welsh poem - The miller of the Dee. It is about the simple yet content life that a miller leads by the River Dee. He sings the wonderful refrain, " I envy nobody, no, not I, Nobody envies me" !He is noticed by the local king...2020-06-1202 min
The Blue StudioThe 2 minute economist - InflationWelcome to this new segment on Blue Studio - The minute Economist. Get smart in three minutes.In the year 1946 Hungary experienced a situation of extreme price rise. The daily inflation rate was 200 %. Which meant that on Monday if a car cost 200...2020-06-0701 min
The Blue StudioOde to Autumn - a recitalIs there a perfect poem? Has anyone composed one that comes close to perfection? Ode to Autumn, by John Keats is widely regarded as the perfect short poem in the English language. The reason it is special is because while every other poet celebrates...2020-06-0203 min
The Blue StudioSong of the brookThis poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a firm favorite among children and adults alike. It narrates the journey of a brook from from its origin to the end where it joins a larger river. The poem has rhythm, movement and cadence which makes it beautiful to...2020-05-2903 min
The Blue StudioFrom a railway carriage - a recitalFrom a railway carriage is a poem by the famous Scottish poet and writer Robert Louis Stevenson. He is well known for the adventure story, Treasure Island. He composed this poem in 1885 and it was published in his anthology, A Child's garden of verses....2020-05-1301 min
The Blue StudioCharge of the Light Brigade - a recitalThe charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred Lord Tennyson. This poem was written in response to the Crimean war. In this battle, a British cavalry unit was ordered to charge against a Russian artillery unit. This order was suicidal. This poem talks...2020-03-2902 min
The Blue StudioStopping by the woods on a snowy evening - a recitalAlthough i have never walked in the woods of New Hampshire, I am sure i would have been captivated by the mesmerising beauty of nature. Perhaps this is what happened to Robert Frost, the great American poet, who was born and raised there. Surrounded by...2020-03-2802 min
The Blue StudioThe daffodils - a recitalThe daffodils is a poem by the famous English poet, William Wordsworth. Though it was composed more than 200 years ago, it is kept alive in school textbooks and various poetry recital competitions. While walking along a lake in Ullsworth, with his...2020-03-2201 min
The Blue StudioThe listeners - a poem readingThe listeners by Walter de La Mare. An English poet acclaimed for his subtle psychological stories, the listeners is one of his popular poems. Beautiful in its simplicity, this poems tells the story of a lone traveler knocking at a decrepit house on a...2020-03-1810 min
The Blue StudioOzymandias - poem readingHi friends, I am here with a wonderful sonnet, called Ozymandiaz. This was composed by the 18th century, English poet, Percy Shelley. In this poem, a traveller from the exotic lands, tells us the about the grand, but ruined statue of Ozymandias, in the...2020-02-2102 min
The Blue StudioCasino Royale - the 1st James Bond storyCasino Royale - the 1st James Bond story2020-01-1429 min
The Blue StudioRang De Basanti - A movie reviewKavya and I engage in a wide ranging discussion on the 2006 indian movie, Rang de Basanti. We cover a lot of ground - Indian history, cinema, Rakesh Mehras storytelling, how the movie is still relevant etc.2019-11-2628 minThe Blue StudioA movie review and discussion - The ClientMovie review - The Client (1994)2019-11-0931 minThe Blue StudioThe Wonderful Words - a reading by Kanishk KrishnanA recital of the poem, "The Wonderful Words".2019-11-0500 minThe Blue StudioMercy by William Shakespeare - a readingMercy by William Shakespeare - a reading2019-10-2402 minThe Blue StudioThe Blue Studio (Trailer)2019-10-2300 min