Shows
Shadow RealmThe Natural World of the RamayanaEnjoy the full conversation with the creator of Shadow Realm and the Arya Chronicle series, Reenita Malhotra, and the editor of Sanctuary Magazine and founder of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Bittu Sahgal, about the nature of the Ramayana, and what it has to teach us about the world and ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-01-1245 min
Shadow RealmThe Deep EndArya, Saara, and Kamaal stumble upon a mysterious fruit tree, but can they trust it? What seem like small choices propel Arya into chaos and his past. Will Arya escape the depths of his fear to save his friends or be consumed by the weight of the unknown? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-01-1115 minShadow RealmThe Illusion FallsArya reunites with Saara, and he sees her and the journey in a whole new light. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-01-0906 min
Shadow RealmThe Wrong WayMo's magnetic pull leads Arya down a dark path, where reality blurs and trust wavers. Where will Arya's choices lead him? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-01-0406 min
Shadow RealmThe Ones Left BehindSomething dark still haunts Saara and Pa; without Arya's protection, there's still more chaos yet to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-01-0206 min
Shadow RealmThe Natural World of the Ramayana (Teaser)Enjoy the first part of this conversation with the creator of Shadow Realm and the Arya Chronicle series, Reenita Malhotra, and the editor of Sanctuary Magazine and founder of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Bittu Sahgal, about the nature of the Ramayana, and what it has to teach us about the world and ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-2109 min
Shadow RealmThe ChoiceArya protects Kaamal from Pataal Lok's many dangers, but can he save himself? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-1909 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Vedic Martial ArtsGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-1404 min
Shadow RealmThe JourneyLoyalty is strong enough to bring a familiar face to Arya in Pataal Lok, but can it help them understand his destiny? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-1208 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Brahman ShaktiGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-0705 min
Shadow RealmThe Sunless Sky Arya follows Mahabali straight into a different plane of existence. Can he trust the path ahead? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-12-0508 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Banyan TreeGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-3004 min
Shadow RealmThe StorytellerArya returns to Onam. He finds out how much is at stake if the story of Onam changes. If the line between villain and hero blurs, then who can say what is order and what is chaos? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-2812 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: RakshasaGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-2305 min
Shadow RealmThe AnswersNature leads Arya right to the Medicine Woman, but Arya learns that his journey and obstacles are his own to decipher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-2113 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: WildwoodsGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-1703 min
Shadow RealmThe ParadeArya finds himself in the middle of a vibrant celebration. Will he find his anarchist in the crowds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-1410 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: RishijiOn this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-0906 min
Shadow RealmThe CouncilArya picks his anarchist and follows their trail to a whole new plane. Will he find what he's looking for? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-0708 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Thread CeremonyGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-0206 min
Shadow RealmThe Treta YugArya can't escape the visions of that angry, ax-wielding man. He needs to know this man's story and why it felt so tethered to his own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-3110 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: HanumanIn this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-2607 min
Shadow RealmThe PreserverRishi-ji takes Arya on the wave of time to show him the way. Can Arya find answers between the order and chaos? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-2412 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: RavanaIn this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-1907 min
Shadow RealmThe Wave of TimeArya tries to find space to think in the Marin Headlands, but he can't seem to stay in the moment. Who will show him the way? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-1709 min
Shadow RealmThe Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: RamayanaIn this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-1207 min
Shadow RealmThe WrongedArya visits Hamid in the police station to see if he holds the key to understanding the ominous black flowers, but will he figure it out in time to protect Saara? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-1010 min
Shadow RealmThe DwarfArya and Saara try to take a tranquil row boat ride in Golden State Park, but Arya can’t get the mark of Vishnu out of his mind, and it turns out danger isn’t far behind them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-0507 min
Shadow RealmThe Mark of VishnuArya's desperate search for answers pushes him to break the rules of his power. Will it be worth it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-10-0311 min
Shadow RealmThe Right MomentArya comforts Saara at the hospital while they wait to hear about Taa's condition. Overcome with guilt, Saara confides in Arya that what happened today wasn't the first sign of danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-09-2807 min
Shadow RealmThe Finish LineArya cheers Saara on as she runs Bay to Breakers, but with every mile she runs, Arya gets closer to the start of a dangerous journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-09-2611 minShadow RealmSeason 1 RecapWant a refresher on Season 1 of Shadow Realm before jumping into Arya's newest journey? Listen to this quick recap of the last season from the show's creator Reenita Malhotra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-09-2503 minShadow RealmSeason 2: Coming SoonArya's journey continues on 9/26. Will he overcome the divine's challenges or lose himself and his loved ones to the space between order and chaos? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-09-1400 min
Shadow RealmA New NormalArya has changed, seemingly overnight, as he returns to school the next day. He stands up to his bullies, no longer afraid or affected by their taunting. Pa is astounded at his son’s maturity, especially as they prepare to remove Ma from life support. Arya knows she is at peace in the backwaters, but Pa feels only emptiness and sadness. Arya knows what his father needs – deep medicine that lives in the pages of the Ramayana. Together, they begin a journey through the stories that Ma once told him as a boy. Stories and memories now etched in his...2022-04-1411 min
Shadow RealmJourneying HomeWith a new understanding of the power of the Ramayana, Arya finds closure as he says goodbye to his new friends in the Wild Woods and prepares to go home. He finds himself back in his home in San Francisco where he returns the Ramayana to its rightful place in Ma’s prayer room. As he lays in bed that night, he is at peace with whatever the next day will bring, knowing that the Ramayana will guide him forward.IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:59] Chimpu is healed by the Ramayana and the vanar the...2022-04-0712 min
Shadow RealmThe Backwaters—AgainWith Ravana defeated, Arya goes to visit the Medicine Woman one last time. He realizes it is Ma as her True Self. As they talk, many things become clear. The reason for his journey to the backwaters wasn’t to find Deep Medicine but to see his Ma, not as a helpless woman on life support, but here guiding him. The Deep Medicine he sought, was in the Ramayana the whole time. Just as Arya was key to the epic’s survival, the epic was also key to his survival. Its stories were real and powerful. With the power of th...2022-03-3109 min
Shadow RealmShadow Realm: Arya of Ravana's PassionIn a final fight, Arya comes face to face with the demon king, Ravana. Its’ 10 menacing heads manifest as demons from Arya’s life, and one appears as a mirror image of Arya himself. Shocked and confused, Arya is momentarily stunned. The demon continues to terrorize Arya as he stares at the Rakshasas-filled reflection of himself. But for the first time, the voices don’t phase him. Arya finally understands Rishiji’s many riddles and instructions. Arya knows who he is. He knows his true self and this shadow version standing in front of him was Ravana, not him. As the d...2022-03-1715 min
Shadow RealmHanumana!At first light, Arya and the vanaras begin their descent to the dark side. They reach the place where Arya has to plavang — jump, leap and fly, to get to the Ramayana. He is terrified but with the Rakshasas closing in he doesn’t have a choice. He digs deep into his being, seeking energy from Brahman Shakti, and before his own eyes, he is transformed into a powerful warrior. He leaps and soars from island to island, getting closer to the funeral pyre where the Ramayana is poised to burn. The vanaras follow, fighting the Rakshasas as they go...2022-03-0315 min
Shadow RealmTrue Fiction Project - Shadow Realm with Dr. Kanniks KannikeswaranWe interrupt our regularly scheduled Shadow Realm podcast to introduce you to my other podcast, True Fiction Project which is a podcast that explores the origins of fiction. This episode interview is with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, the composer and conductor of the Shadow Realm soundtrack. He is an internationally renowned music composer, educator, and scholar known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. We talk about his incredible work on the soundtrack of Shadow Realm, a podcast project based on a young adult fantasy fiction book that I wrote. Dr. Kanniks shares how his...2022-02-2444 min
Shadow RealmThe Dark SideArya wakes to find his friends, the vanaras, surrounding him. There is an army of monkeys with them, ready to fight the Rakshasas and save the Ramayana before it is destroyed, erasing the history that good ever existed. Arya and Chimpu form a Shakespearean plan inspired by Macbeth to distract the Rakshasas while Arya sneaks into the canyon to retrieve the book. Knowing the Rakshasas are blinded by the sunlight, Arya and his friends anxiously wait for the first signs of light to enact their plan. As Arya waits, he realizes that his path has been leading to this...2022-02-1708 min
Shadow RealmLevitating Over LankaArya was sure that he had failed his quest when he watched the Ramayana fall into the vast darkness. However, when Rishiji appears, Arya learns that all hope is not lost. Rishiji leads Arya into the sky and shows him a deep canyon filled with Rakshasas and much to Arya’s surprise, he sees the Ramayana intact perched on Ravana’s throne. With Rishiji’s instructions and the vanaras help, Arya may still have a chance to save the Ramayana. IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:41] Rishiji appears instructing Arya of his next steps
[2:03] Rishiji shows hi...2022-02-1010 min
Shadow RealmThe Avalanche of RakshasasArya is stumbling through the dark forest trying to find his friends, having just escaped the sinister vines that threatened to silence him. The moonlight reveals a silhouetted image of the Medicine Woman but her words are interrupted by an avalanche of rakshasas barrelling down a hillside towards Arya. He is outnumbered. With only a single arrow left, Arya aims and fires the asthra. The rakshasas are hit and scattered. Another narrow escape but then suddenly, the ground shifts and in an instant, he loses the one thing that has kept Ravana’s evil plan at bay. In slow mo...2022-02-0311 min
Shadow RealmThe Shape-shifting RakshasaArya wanders through the Coconut Grove looking for the non-medicinal plant as instructed by Medicine Woman. A beautiful spotted deer appears and Arya begins to follow it, thinking it has lost its mother. Arya follows it further and further into the dark forest and realizes too late that the fawn is a shape-shifting rakshasa sent by Ravana to stop his quest of saving the Ramayana. When the spell finally lifts, Arya is trapped and alone. In a moment of clarity, Arya finally understands the Medicine Woman’s riddle and the reason that Ravana is so desperate to stop him. Dr...2022-01-2712 min
Shadow RealmThe Medicine WomanUpon reaching the edge of the forest, Arya and his friends find themselves surrounded by a series of waterfalls. The sun glistens off the water and they see a woman standing near the edge of the stream. It’s the Medicine Woman. Arya is drawn magnetically towards her as if they have met before, though he can’t seem to place where or how. Arya is convinced she can read his mind because she knows so much about his life. Instead of giving Arya the Deep Medicine they need, the mysterious woman gives him another riddle. Racing against time, Arya...2022-01-2014 min
Shadow RealmPandu's InjuryThe aftermath of Arya’s recklessness leaves the vanaras homeless and Pandu badly burned. His wounds need Deep Medicine that is made by a mysterious Medicine Woman who lives further South on the outskirts of the Dark Side of the forest. Her exact location is unknown and dangerous. Desperate to help, Arya looks to the Ramayana to try to find the way. Using his imagination, he is able to interpret the story of Hanumana’s journey and find a path. Arya and his companions set out on a dangerous journey to find the Medicine Woman and bring back the deep...2022-01-1308 min
Shadow RealmBaalchorniWith his new weapon in hand, Arya is eager to fight but soon learns he may not be as ready as he thinks. While walking through the forest helping the vanaras search for food, Arya and his friends meet the hideous and evil Baalachorni. As she begins to threaten to harm a baby vanar, Arya becomes angry and retaliates. His reckless actions create devastating consequences to the innocent vanaras around him and cause him to doubt whether he could really rise up to be Arya the Protector. IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[02:00] Baal...2022-01-0610 min
Shadow RealmThe Divine Weapon of FireRishiji appears once more to instruct Arya in the ancient customs and history of their world. For many years, Rishiji and the vanaras have waited for a descendant of the Arya race to come and protect the Wild Woods from Ravana’s plot to erase their history. A detail in Arya’s family lineage confirms their prophecy and his name reveals his role in the Wild Woods’ fight against evil. His arrival is no mere coincidence. It finally clicks. Arya knows what he has to do and it’s a journey even larger than he ever would have believed. 2021-12-3012 min
Shadow RealmThe VanarsArya’s head spins with what he just heard: Ravana is alive? It can’t be! From the time he was a young boy, he had read stories of this demon’s defeat in the Ramayana. Yet the vanara tribe who have been threatened to near extinction and Rishiji, the wise sage he met earlier in the Wild Woods, all confirm it as the truth. For years, Ravana lay dormant but since his return, he has been seeking to destroy the Ramayana and rewrite history to prove that good never existed. The only thing keeping him from succeeding is now in...2021-12-2315 min
Shadow RealmRishijiArya discovers that he has landed in the Wild Woods, the mythical jungles described in the Ramayana. But how this came to be, is a mystery to him. Soon after Arya arrives, he meets a forest hermit known as the Rishiji, who speaks in riddles. He sets Arya forward on a journey through the Wild Woods to accomplish urgent tasks before he can go home to heal his sick mother. Before parting, the Rishiji gives Arya his first task which is to protect the last copy of the Ramayana that he holds in his hands. Arya is even more c...2021-12-1612 min
Shadow RealmTunnellingUnable to sleep, Arya is startled when his bed begins to violently shake and the floorboards tilt and crack. Arya is used to earthquakes but this was no ordinary quake. Suddenly, a large fault opens in the middle of his room and he can’t resist the strong magnetic force that keeps pulling him further and further into a black unfamiliar abyss. Arya finds himself in a beautiful yet completely unfamiliar place. It’s clear he’s no longer in San Francisco but where is he, and how did he get there? IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:0...2021-12-0906 min
Shadow RealmThe World Turned Upside DownIn a matter of moments, Arya’s world is turned upside down. A car crash, where Arya was driving, leaves Ma severely injured and in a coma. Weeks pass without any improvement, Arya and his Pa grapple with the reality that she may be gone forever. Unwilling to say goodbye, Arya begins to search the ancient text of the Ramayana. There he finds meaning and hope, but will it be enough to heal Ma? IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] A car crash leaves Ma in a coma
[01:50] Weeks pass without Ma showing any im...2021-12-0215 min
Shadow RealmRite of PassageAs Arya nears his 16th birthday, his parents decide it’s time to have his Thread ceremony, a sacred right of passage for boys in their culture. They also plan to invite his friends from school. Arya can’t believe this. It will ruin everything. He just recently stopped being bullied, but his parents just don’t understand. When Arya tries to convince them that other families don’t live like them and don’t care about their traditions, Arya becomes even more upset. Blinded by his anger and frustration, he lashes out at his parents, leaves the house, and finds...2021-11-2506 min
Shadow Realm03 - Dangerous ChoicesDesperate to earn the respect of the popular kids at school, Arya is willing to do whatever it takes to fit in – no matter how dangerous. He begins lying to his parents about his reckless behavior, convinced they wouldn’t understand why it’s so important to be popular. Ma tries to connect with him through the only common ground remaining: The Ramayana. Will its ancient lessons be powerful enough to help Arya, or will he continue to ignore his mom and her warnings? IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] Arya goes to a party...2021-11-1813 min
Shadow Realm02 - Culture SchmultureArya is fed up with his family’s South Asian traditions being the reason he is bullied at school. He just wants to fit in. His Ma tries to help by giving him their family’s copy of the Ramayana, India’s ancient history text. Arya begrudgingly opens it and finds himself enraptured by the stories filled with powerful gods, heroes, demons, and epic battles. He is also reminded of his recent dreams of the demon king, Ravana and what the connection may be between his dreams and his mom giving him the Ramayana. Despite the feelings of clar...2021-11-0412 min
Shadow Realm01 - Arya Bin LadenArya’s parents could have chosen any other school for him to attend but they chose the one place with no other South Asian kids. The bullies are relentless and anything to do with his ethnicity has become the building block of unpleasant school experiences. He knows better than to react with violence but today he just can’t take it anymore. IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:19] Arya responds to bullies at school
[04:00] Arya finds himself in the headmaster’s office
[05:49] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[06:00] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS: 2021-11-0408 min
Shadow RealmPrologue - Arya’s DreamAs a child, Arya’s dreams were haunted by Ravana, the demon king of the Ramayana, India’s ancient story of Rama’s battle against demons. It’s been years since he thought of Ravana. His dreams are now filled with monstrous interpretations of real-life bullies from school. Tonight’s dream, however, ends differently. Arya finds himself trapped in the dark lair of Ravana, with no hope of escape. Why had Ravana chosen to come back now? What did he want? Whatever it was, it was clear Arya didn’t stand a chance against him. IN THIS EPISODE:
...2021-10-2804 min
Shadow RealmIntroducing Shadow RealmShadow Realm is the magical, coming-of-age tale of Arya, a fifteen-year-old boy who is tormented by demons. Anything to do with his ethnicity, food, traditions or the fascinating mythological stories he has been raised with, has become the building block of unpleasant school experiences. In the wake of an accident that confines his once-vibrant mother to a hospital ward, kept alive by tubes and machines, Arya clings to the only remnant of their bond: an old, battered copy of the Ramayana, India’s ancient epic story of Rama’s battle against demons. One night, Arya falls through a fault in t...2021-10-0503 min