NALLA MADRAS

Nandakumar Nayar

5.0 (2)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

Music, films, and the arts are the central subjects of these podcasts and blogs. The seed of these podcasts and blogs is nostalgia, a recall of what I have heard, read about, or experienced; from a bank of recollections spread over six decades, I am not exaggerating my memory or age.

04/28/2025

A.R. Rahman: The Alchemist of Modern Indian Music

He is known as the “Isai Puyal” (Musical Storm) in Tamil Nadu and the “Mozart of Madras” globally. Allah Rakha Rahman, or A.R. Rahman, is more than just a composer; he is a global musical phenomenon whose work effortlessly transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. His unique position in the world of music is underscored by accolades earned both in his homeland India, including the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, and on the international stage, where he has garnered Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award. Rahman’s singular contribution lies in his revolutionary redefinition of contemporary Indian music. He achieved this through an innovative and seamless alchemy, fusing diverse musical traditions. The intricate melodies and rhythms of Indian classical music (Carnatic and Hindustani), the earthiness of folk traditions, and the spiritual depth of Sufi Qawwali merge organically with the structures of Western classical music, the allure of pop, the energy of rock and jazz, and the futuristic soundscapes of electronic music. Equally pivotal has been his role as a technological pioneer, embracing synthesizers, MIDI, digital audio workstations, and advanced sound engineering techniques to craft his signature sound. For a deeper analysis, please go to my blog about him.

35 min
03/13/2025

Ilaiyaraaja’s Symphony ‘Valiant’ Rocks London: A Maestro’s Magic at Apollo!

Picture this: March 8, 2025, London’s Eventim Apollo theatre, all decked up, and our very own Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja dropping his first-ever western classical symphony, Valiant, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Bro, idhu nijamave oru periya vishayam! (Man, this is truly a big deal!) The 81-year-old legend took the stage—or rather, his music did—and gave the world a 45-minute symphony that’s got everyone talking. Add some of his mass film songs, and the concert stretched to a solid 90 minutes of pure goosebumps. For us Tamizh folks, it’s like seeing our Raaja Sir conquer the world, vera level da!

25 min
03/03/2025

Shiva, Shakti, and the Silicon Soul: A Modern Take on Ancient Energies

Ever wondered if Hindu Gods could explain your computer’s inner workings? In this blog, we’re diving into the cosmic dance of Shiva and Shakti, and how their eternal balance mirrors the relationship between your computer’s hardware and software. Spoiler: Shiva’s not just chilling in the Himalayas—he’s also the reason your laptop doesn’t just sit there looking pretty. Ready to see how mythology meets your MacBook? Click the link and let’s get started!

20 min
02/12/2025

The Ribhu Gita: The Ultimate Spiritual Shortcut

Ever felt like life is too complicated? The Ribhu Gita says—it’s not! In Chapter 26, which Ramana Maharishi called the most important, the message is clear: ✅ You are already Brahman. ✅ The world is an illusion. ✅ Stop overthinking and just BE. Think of it like waking up from a dream—once you realize it’s not real, all the problems vanish. No need for years of meditation or fancy rituals. Just recognize your true Self—pure Awareness. Ready to hit the cosmic “undo” button? Dive into this blog post for a modern, humorous take on one of the most powerful spiritual teachings ever!

26 min
02/06/2025

Ramana Maharishi vs Neville Goddard

Do we truly create our own reality, or is everything already written by fate? Neville Goddard teaches that we can manifest anything by embodying the feeling of already having it, while Ramana Maharshi insists that all is predetermined, making effort futile. At first glance, these views seem contradictory—but are they really? This podcast explores how manifestation and destiny might actually be two sides of the same coin, offering a deeper understanding of how we navigate life’s unfolding journey. Should we shape our reality or surrender to it? Perhaps the answer lies in balancing both.

7 min
01/27/2025

"Basically" - the crutch word for Indian-English speakers!

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of ‘NALLA MADRAS’—where we dive into everything from soulful bhajans to, well, the more creative ways Indians have conquered the English language. Today, we’re taking you on a laugh-out-loud journey with the blog post, ‘Basically Unarmed: A Hilarious Tale of Indian English Speakers.’ You know those moments when ‘prepone’ makes its way into sentences like it belongs in the Oxford dictionary? Or when ‘off the light’ isn’t a suggestion but a direct order? Yeah, this one’s for all of us who’ve experienced the glorious chaos of Indian English—where grammar takes a backseat, but personality takes the wheel. So, grab your filter coffee or chai, and let’s jump into this linguistic rollercoaster that proves English is ours now—we just use it better. Or at least, funnier

10 min
01/23/2025

Guru Dutt: The Visionary of Hindi Cinema

Guru Dutt, a name synonymous with poetic storytelling and cinematic brilliance, remains one of the most revered filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema. With timeless classics like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, he created a unique space for himself as a pioneer whose artistry transcended the boundaries of conventional filmmaking. Though his life was tragically short, his legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

22 min
01/18/2025

Shraranagati or Surrender to the Will

Have you ever wondered if life operates on some hidden algorithm, much like the ones YouTube and Facebook use to serve us cat videos and conspiracy theories? One minute, you’re innocently scrolling, and the next, you’re sucked into a rabbit hole of “10 Ways to Bake Banana Bread.” But what if our body-mind complex works on a similar system, curating our experiences based on our focus? And what if Hindu philosophy has been telling us this for millennia through concepts like sharanagati or surrender?

16 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Music, films, and the arts are the central subjects of these podcasts and blogs. The seed of these podcasts and blogs is nostalgia, a recall of what I have heard, read about, or experienced; from a bank of recollections spread over six decades, I am not exaggerating my memory or age.

Creator

Nandakumar Nayar
Years Active

2020 - 2025
Episodes

25
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Nandakumar Nayar
Show Website

NALLA MADRAS