Krupaya Dhyaan De

We've been away for a while, but we're back with a brand new podcast series for you! 'The Jātaka series,' in which we present Jataka stories from a different perspective. Stay tuned for this amazing ride. 

In the sixth episode of Krupaya Dhyaan De,  we asked fellow Xavierites to 'unmute' themselves and speak about their experience of this unusual academic year. Tune in to hear about various perspectives on this subject that unites us all. Note: The music and SFX used in this episode could be found here: file:///C:/Users/HP/Downloads/Music%20Credits%20(Ep%2006).pdf

In this episode, we present to you a dramatic reading of the story "The Adivasi Will Not Dance" by author Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar. This extraordinary tale is about a musician belonging to the Santhali indigenous group from Jharkhand and a daring confrontation. The aim of this episode is to shed light on the state of marginalized indigenous groups in India by bringing our Dhyaan to them. Note: The music and SFX used in this episode could be found here. 

This episode is all about the fascinating yet labyrinthine concept that is Art. In this artistic pursuit, we are joined by Prof. Dr. Radha Kumar, who is the Associate Professor of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology at St. Xavier’s College. Together, we discuss the meaning of art, the making of an artist and the universe that lies between the two.

For our second episode, we talked to Ms. Anjali Siroya, a proud transwoman and LGBTQIA+ activist, about the need to change the way we look at gender,  as well as the importance of passing the mic to people from the LGBTQIA+ community to bring their narratives to the forefront. Sharing her journey of self-discovery, Anjali talks about hardships, acceptance and above all – hope. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about sexual abuse, suicide and depiction of traumatic events. Listener's discretion is advised.  Note: All views expressed and the statistics shared in this episode are personal and those of the speaker.

"Hello, can you hear me? Wait... Is this thing working?" It's been over a month since online classes started, and you're sure to have heard this phrase countless times ever since. After all, it isn't easy to let go of the classrooms, the people, the places that we're so accustomed to. But, tough as we know it to be, this is our reality, at least for the time being... How well is that going for us, and especially, for our teachers? Well, that's a whole different story! Featuring Dr. Pranoti Chirmuley, Assitant Professor and the Head of the Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology and Dr. Agnelo Menezes, Associate Professor of Economics and former principal of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai; this episode talks about our transition towards virtual learning, the NEP, the digital divide in India, and much more! If you want to read about ideas/concepts discussed in the episode, click on the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13LW7E5IHnyiwV5yIL8ZJBWHLUeW6SVE1OMr2Tj-Ue4U/edit?usp=sharing

Welcome to Krupaya Dhyaan De – a podcast brought to you by the Department of Inter-Religious Studies of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. In an age where we barely have time for ourselves and one another, Krupaya Dhyaan De wishes to inculcate the value of empathy and a culture of listening, through diverse and engaging dialogues . With this endeavour, we seek to draw your attention, your 'Dhyaan' to stories and people worth listening to. Stay tuned for more!

In this episode, we contemplate as we explore the concept of rejuvenation in the context of India. In our quest, with our speaker Ashley Tellis we delve into mobilizing the youth and transitioning towards a greener economy. Next, we ponder the sectors in India that demand revitalization and a fresh leap into efficiency. The elusive idea of "global peace" takes center stage as we question its achievability and discuss whether it's a myth we should reluctantly let go. Our conversation then shifts to the role of culture in national rejuvenation, pondering the importance of a shared cultural identity in the face of cultural diversification. Lastly, we address India's commendable efforts in redeveloping neglected sites, questioning the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage and the imperative to modernize. Tune in for a compelling exploration of rejuvenation, culture, and the global landscape,where we navigate the possibilities of rejuvenating India in a rapidly evolving world.

"Drops of water makes an ocean” In this episode with Dr. Radha, we dive into the complexities of artistic expression. Art has never been fragile; over the course of time art is perhaps the only thing which has remained resilient. Resilient, yet not unchanged. Dr. Radha shares with us her thoughts on what expression through art means to her and also how it affects artists at large. She helps us ponder on the themes of discipline, meditation and self discovery, various platforms for art and more. This episode highlights the relationship between the body, soul and the regulation of them both through art. Small shifts in our habits make way for an eventual consequent shift in the perception of society at large. Let us explore artistic expression as a way of rejuvenation. Have a listen and enjoy!

Hello listeners, the DIRS podcast is back with the very first episode for this year. Keeping our theme of ‘Rejuvenation’ in mind, this episode will talk about food, more specifically food for the soul. Joining us is Chef Brinda. In this captivating episode chef Brinda and our host embark on a profound exploration of the intimate connection between what we eat and the well-being of our inner selves. Chef Brinda shares heartwarming stories of how certain dishes have shaped her life, from her first time Cooking khichdi to the traditional Bengali fish dish. Learn how mindful eating practices can help us connect with our inner selves, fostering a sense of balance and peace. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this episode will inspire you to savor every bite and savor life's precious moments.

Welcome to today's episode of the Jataka Series! In this episode, we will delve into the art of giving while revisiting the gift culture week, celebrated in the month of December. We have a group of exceptional students from DIRS who played pivotal roles in making the gift culture week a resounding success. These students, namely Suraj, Anjisha, Harshit, Riva, and Naomi, will be sharing their invaluable insights and experiences from the week. Join us on this podcast as we explore the importance of gifting and uncover the wisdom in ancient texts such as the Jatakas. Let us together celebrate the beauty of giving and discover how it can transform lives and make the world a better place.

In this episode of our podcast, we will explore the ancient wisdom of the Jataka tales and discuss the role of environment and animals in Jatakas with Prof. Jason Johns from St. Xavier's College. Prof. Jason Johns expertly compares the Jataka tales with the renowned Panchatantra collection, highlighting their similarities and differences. Furthermore, he shares his invaluable perspectives on fostering a harmonious and nature-friendly environment, shedding light on the ethical standpoint of human beings. Join us for this thought-provoking episode where we explore the timeless wisdom of Jataka tales and the importance of the animal in the human!

In this episode of our podcast, we will explore the ancient wisdom of the Jataka tales and discuss contemporary issues of peace and inclusion with student leaders from St. Xavier's College.  First, we delve into the story of Nandivisala Jataka, one of the popular tales from the Jataka collection. Later in the episode, we have an engaging conversation with student leaders from various organizations at St. Xavier's College. Ronit Shah from the Social Service League (SSL), Gauravi Pradhan from the Indian Music Group (IMG), Chhavi Singh from Xavier's Environmental Committee (XEC), and Jil Patel from the Department of Inter-Religious Studies (DIRS) join us to share their respective organization's initiatives towards creating a more inclusive and peaceful campus environment and the challenges they face in achieving these goals. Join us for this thought-provoking episode where we explore the timeless wisdom of Jataka tales and hear from inspiring student leaders who are making a difference in their communities.

Compassion towards fellow humans is something that can be practiced in its utmost purity through the selfless act of giving. We bring to you a discussion with the founder and as he refers to himself, the first volunteer of Team Everest, Mr. Karthee Vidya. 

In this episode we discuss the complexities of coming of age and adolescence with Dr. Katheryn McGuthry from Fullerton college and Ms. Aprit Gill from St. Xavier's College on various psychological and sociological angles to it.   

This episode discusses one of the DIRS' many passions: bringing people together through shared stories. Stories are universal, and our guest for this episode regards them as vital to one’s life. Deepa Balsavar is an educator, author, and illustrator of children's books. Together we talk about stories, childhood, her relentless journey of discovering new passions, experiences in teaching, and our shared love for our mother tongues.