Welcome back to Chai Time! Today we feature the one and only Shahrukh Khan. Never ever did I imagine myself getting starstruck, but on July 4th I was at the airport, saw a commotion, and in the next moment found myself face to face with THE SHAHRUKH KHAN! He held my hand and we walked together for a few steps. Still awe struck. Today’s chai is for you, Shahrukh.

SRK(Shahrukh Khan) Hit Songs - July 7, 2013

Qawwalis are folk songs mixed with devotional music performed in the Sufi Dargah. The Qawwali is one of the most popular genres in the Amir Khusrau tradition, and in a way it kept his fame alive throughout the years.

In today’s ChaiTime show we listen to famous Qawwalis from Hindi Movies.

Mehfil - E - Qawwali - March 17, 2013

Yash Chopra, well known Bollywood film producer, director and founder of the prolific movie production company Yash Raj Films, passed away on Oct 21, 2012. 

Yash Raj films have produced hits like Deewar, Trishul, Dar, Silsila, Kabhie-Kabhie, Veer Zara, Ek Tha Tiger, Dhoom to name a few. His last film as a director “Jab tak hai jaan" is scheduled to be released in November. In this Chai Time show we remember him by playing songs of the movies produced by him as well as directed by him. May his soul rest in peace.

Songs from Yash Raj Films - Oct 28, 2012

“Bharat Ratna” Lata Mangeshkar turned 83 on Sept 28th, 2012. In this show, we will listen to Lataji’s duet songs from the golden era of Hindi Music.

Thank you all for sending your requests to me.  

Part 2 - Afternoon with Lata Mangeshkar's songs - Oct 14, 2012

"Bharat Ratna" Lata Mangeshkar turned 83 on Sept 28th, 2012. In this show, we will listen to Lataji’s solo songs from the golden era of Hindi Music. Send me your request at www.facebook.com/chaitimeradio and I will play your song.

Next week we will listen to memorable duets by Lata Mangeshkar and other legends of that era.

Part 1 - Afternoon with Lata Mangeshkar's songs - Sept 30, 2012

Kishore Kumar is one of the legendary singers from Hindi cinema. Anyone who has grown with Hindi movie songs is bound to have moments in their life when Kishore Kumar’s voice and songs have touched the right cord.

 August 4th was his 84th birthday and in today’s Chaitime we celebrate the genius of Kishore Kumar and listen to some of his memorable songs.

Musafir Hoon Yaaron - An Afternoon with Kishore Kumar - Aug 18, 2013

Badtameez Dil - New Bollywood Songs - Sept 1, 2013

In this ChaiTime show we celebrate Asha Tai's 80th birthday and her journey of 65 years in Hindi music Industry. This show is inspired by an article by Shreya Sethuraman in Hindustan Times, in which Asha Tai shared her favorite songs and little background about each one of them.

Enjoy the melodious and mesmerizing voice of Asha Bhosle.

Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko - Asha Bhosle Special - Sept 15, 2013

In this Chaitime show, we listen to melodious voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Jiya Dhadak Dhadak - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Songs - Sept 22, 2013

Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli - Golden voice of Manna De

हम रहें या ना रहें कल, कल याद आएँगे ये पल
At Chai time radio today, we celebrate KK's legacy on ChaiTime with Vamsidhar, a prolific singer and prominent bay area voice. It is not just a regular episode but a heartfelt collaboration of two ardent, dedicated fans of KK. I hope you will like it and send your good wishes and blessings to our talented singer Vamsi.

Indian playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, who was fondly known as KK, died unexpectedly last year on May 31st. The untimely news of KK's demise shattered millions of fans, but the only solace is that he went doing what he did best - singing and winning millions of hearts. KK was one of the greatest playback singers of the modern era, and it is a humble effort to pay tribute to him through his songs sung by Vamsi.

You can listen to the complete songs and stay updated with Vamsi's singing at:
Youtube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@vamsimusic

Tribute to KK playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4brP8Gc9ag&list=PLTE0qBLi0A3zBagQcbfoOPW_EPhaTkjED&index=9

KK Forever - A Tribute to Hindi Playback Singer KK with Vamsi Dhar

Sonu Nigam is one of the very loved and respected singers  from Indian Movie Industry. In this show we play some of his hit songs and wish him all the best for his upcoming live performance at SAP center, San jose, CA on May 25th. This is a charity show to help Sankara Eye Foundation.

Suraj Hua Maddham - Sonu Nigam Hit Songs - May 25, 2014

In this show, we celebrate R D Burman's music with some of his most loved songs.

Rahul Dev Burman, affectionately known as R.D. Burman or Pancham da, was a trailblazing music composer who left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry. Born on June 27, 1939, he was the son of the legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman. R.D. Burman revolutionized Bollywood music with his unique and innovative compositions that seamlessly fused Indian classical and Western musical elements. His diverse repertoire encompassed soulful ballads and peppy rock numbers, earning him acclaim as one of India's foremost music directors. Despite his untimely demise on January 4, 1994, his timeless melodies continue to resonate deeply with audiences, ensuring his enduring legacy in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

Piya Tu Ab to Aaja - Celebrating R D Burman's Music  - July 5th, 2015

Abhi Gholap, with over 20 years in healthcare innovation, has co-founded successful startups and secured many patents. Currently he is leading OptraSCAN, an AI pathology platform, and serving as an investor at HealthFAX, focusing on Generative AI healthcare solutions. Abhijit is also a charter and board member of TiE Silicon Valley and founder of the Jiji-Bhau Foundation, supporting children with Leukemia in rural India. Beyond his professional achievements, Abhi is a renowned figure in the Marathi film industry. He has won स्वर्ण-कमळ national award for his first movie “देऊळ”. He founded NAFA to establish the Marathi film industry in the USAand is organizing the first American Marathi film festival on July, 27-28 July in San Jose.

Exclusive World Premiere of 4 movies at NAFA, America’s First Marathi Film Festival, in presence of director and actors on 27-28 July 2024 at San Jose, CA 
Book:- https://lnkd.in/gnHnEvb8

NAFA - Marathi Cinema American Dreams : In conversation with Filmmaker and Entrepreneur Abhi Gholap"

What an absolute pleasure it was to host Dr. Anna Bigelow and Ambika Sahay on Chaitime today! Click the link to enjoy our conversation about SALA 2024, a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity! 🎧✨

Ambika, Founder and Executive Director of the Art Forum, excels in innovative events, while Dr. Bigelow, Director of the Center for South Asia Global Studies at Stanford, specializes in Islamic Studies and South Asian religious traditions.

Don’t forget to buy your tickets and be part of this incredible cultural extravaganza!

SALAFestival 2024 - in conversation with Dr. Anna Bigelow and Ambika Sahay

What an incredible afternoon at KZSU Stanford with Rajeev Prakash, Aarti Prakash, and Shubhra Prakash. Tune into my Chaitime show to discover their fascinating journeys and insights.

We explore Shubhra Prakash's solo play Fontwala, a tribute to the remarkable life of Rajeev Prakash Khare, a pioneer in typography and calligraphy for Indian scripts. He designed the Anglo Nagari Keyboard, which enabled Indian scripts to be typed on a Latin keyboard.

Don't miss your chance to meet these inspiring artists at:
 An Evening of Performance and Calligraphy with Shubhra Prakash and Rajeev Prakash Khare, which is today, September 25, at 6 pm** at the San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB), 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103. 
👉 [Register here](https://tinyurl.com/yvehu46d)

#Fontwala #Chaitime #RajeevPrakash #ShubhraPrakash #KZSU #Typography #Art #Performance #Calligraphy #Inspiration

Fontwala - An exploration of language, scripts, technology and South Asian identity

In this episode of ChaiTime we enjoy all time hit love songs written by Gulzar. Gulzar is one of the most respected and influential lyricist, director and poet from Hindi film industry. Gulzar has been awarded with Padma Bhushan, Sahitya academy award,   Dada Saheb Phalke award and Academy award for best original song, Jai Ho. Along with these he has won numerous Filmfare and national awards.

Dil Dhoondta Hai - Gulzar’s All Time Hit Love Songs - April 5, 2015

This Women's Day, we celebrate strength, leadership, and innovation by shining a spotlight on the North American Film Association (NAFA: https://northamericanfilmassociation.org), an organization where women don’t just have a seat at the table—they lead the way. With 95% of its top executives being female, NAFA stands as a true beacon of female leadership in the arts and entertainment industry. 

In this special episode of ChaiTime, we bring you an inspiring conversation with four extraordinary women—leaders, professionals, and passionate volunteers—who have seamlessly balanced careers, families, and a deep love for the arts. My heartfelt thanks to Arundhati Datye, NAFA Co-founder and Film Production Lead; Riya Thosar, NAFA Co-founder and Marketing Lead; Archana Saraf, this year’s Film Festival Lead; and Gauri Gholap, a dedicated donor, contributor, and volunteer. Together, they share their experiences, the challenges they have overcome, and their vision for a more inclusive and empowered future in film and leadership. Please click the link on the top to listen to this special episode as we celebrate the remarkable women shaping NAFA and paving the way for future generations. Their stories inspire us all to push boundaries, challenge norms, and embrace leadership with confidence and purpose.

The North American Film Association (NAFA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and advancing Marathi cinema and culture on a global stage, with a special emphasis on engaging audiences in North America. Through film production, distribution, festivals, screenings, and educational programs, NAFA provides a platform for local talent to share their stories in a global format, fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in Marathi filmmaking. By making Marathi cinema more accessible in mainstream theaters, curating masterclasses, and showcasing high-quality films, NAFA aims to preserve Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage, bridge cultural boundaries, and deepen the appreciation of regional Indian cinema worldwide.

Women's day special: Empowered Voices - NAFA Women in Leadership

What an absolute blissful afternoon it was at the Stanford campus, immersed in the vibrant world of Nautanki—the rich folk theater tradition of North India. It was an honor to spend time with not just great artists, but also remarkable human beings who are preserving and innovating this beautiful art form.
We had the privilege of engaging with Padma Shri Pandit Ram Dayal Sharma Ji, a living legend and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, whose dedication to keeping Nautanki alive is awe-inspiring. Adding to this enriching experience was his son, Professor Dr. Devendra Sharma, a prolific artist and scholar in his own right, and Shubhra Prakash, a familiar voice on Chai Time and a celebrated theater artist from the Bay Area, now making waves in New York.
Don’t miss this special episode of Chai Time, where we dive deep into the world of Nautanki, exploring its timeless charm, evolving narratives, and the passion that fuels these extraordinary artists.

Nautanki - The rich folk theater tradition of north India

The Vasu Dixit Collective is a vibrant ensemble that fuses folk traditions with contemporary sounds, creating a musical tapestry that resonates with both the heart and the soul. At its core is Vasu Dixit, renowned for his open-throated vocals and dynamic performances, whether with his band Swarathma or through his solo endeavors. His artistic journey is a celebration of life's nuances, blending his roles as a composer, musician, and filmmaker to craft music that transcends mere entertainment .​

Joining Vasu are Joel Sakkari and Manu Shrivastava, whose contributions are pivotal in shaping the Collective's evolving sound. Joel, with his expertise in synth and guitar, and Manu, skilled in keys and synth, bring a modern edge to the band's folktronica style.

The Vasu Dixit Collective's  repertoire includes original compositions and special renditions of poems by revered saint poets like Purandaradasa, Basavanna, and Kabir, sung in Kannada and Hindi. Their music serves as a conduit for community connection and compassion, inviting audiences into a shared experience that is both introspective and celebratory.

Want to know more and connect with them, here is the link:
https://www.vasudixit.com

Chai with Vasu Dixit Collective - Live Music & Conversation with Vasu, Joel & Manu

This week on Chai Time, we sit down with Dr. Lalita du Perron — Associate Director of Stanford’s Center for South Asia — for a rich and honest conversation about her journey, research, and the stories that shape her work.

A scholar of Hindi poetry and performance, Lalita is the author of Thumri Lyrics and co-author of The Songs of Khyal. Her work spans courtesans, queer parenting, and questions of consent — always bold, deeply human, and full of heart. She also hosts SASSpod, giving voice to South Asia at Stanford.

Don’t miss this thoughtful exchange on identity, storytelling, and life at the intersection of academia and lived experience.

Dr. Lalita du Perron is the Associate Director of the Center for South Asia at Stanford University. She earned her PhD from the University of London and is the author of Hindi Poetry in a Musical Genre: Thumri Lyrics, and co-author of The Songs of Khyal. From thumri lyrics and courtesans to queer parenting and questions of consent, her work is bold, thoughtful, and deeply human. She’s also the host of SASSpod, a podcast that brings stories and voices from Stanford’s South Asian Studies community to life. Lalita brings both intellect and heart to everything she touches — and today, we have the privilege of learning from her journey.

ChaiTime with Dr. Lalita du Perron – Her Journey, Work & Life at Stanford’s Center for South Asia

It was such a joy to welcome back Ambika Sahay, the inspiring Founder and Executive Director of the South Asian Literature & Art Festival (SALA Festival), on Chaitime today. A year ago, she joined us to share her vision for this incredible festival. Today, she returned with powerful updates, fresh ideas, and a sneak peek into what’s coming next. From culture to creativity to community, you won’t want to miss this vibrant conversation (recording link coming soon). Mark your calendars for September 13 and 14, 2025 at Menlo College, Atherton, and be sure to grab your tickets at www.salafestival.org (http://www.salafestival.org/).
#Chaitime #SALA #SouthAsianVoices #CultureAndCommunity #StanfordRadio #BayAreaEvents #ArtsAndLiterature

Celebrating South Asian Voices: Ambika Sahay on SALA Festival 2025

In this special episode of ChaiTime Radio, we journey into the timeless ocean of knowledge — ज्ञानेश्वरी, the divine dialogue of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Centuries ago, at barely sixteen, Dnyandev poured the Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita into the lyrical rhythm of Marathi ovi, turning philosophy into poetry and wisdom into song.
As we celebrate the 750th birth anniversary of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, we present a modern echo of that spirit through Geet Dnyaneshwari — a remarkable musical project by Dr. Dinesh Katre and Paritosh Katre. With over seventy original compositions inspired by the Ovis of the Dnyaneshwari and the Abhangs of Sant Dnyaneshwar, their work bridges Hindustani ragas with Western harmonies, devotion with innovation.
About the Guests
Dr. Dinesh Katre — Scholar, composer, and former Senior Director at C-DAC, Pune, with a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction. He has devoted over two decades to interpreting the Dnyaneshwari through music, art, and calligraphy.
Paritosh Katre — Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer trained in both Western and Hindustani classical traditions. A Machine Learning Scientist at PayPal, Paritosh brings a contemporary soundscape to ancient wisdom.
Together, they have created Geet Dnyaneshwari — a living bridge between philosophy and melody, tradition and technology.
Tune in as we explore how timeless verses find new voice in today’s world.

You can listen to their beautiful compositions on:
https://www.youtube.com/@GeetDnyaneshwari

And you can get in touch with them and know about their latest productions through their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/geet.dnyaneshwari

Geet Dnyaneshwari Part 1: Turning Wisdom into Melody – with Dr. Dinesh Katre and Paritosh Katre

In this special episode of ChaiTime Radio, we continue our journey into the timeless ocean of knowledge — ज्ञानेश्वरी, the divine dialogue of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Centuries ago, at barely sixteen, Dnyandev poured the Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita into the lyrical rhythm of Marathi ovi, turning philosophy into poetry and wisdom into song.
As we celebrate the 750th birth anniversary of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, we present a modern echo of that spirit through Geet Dnyaneshwari — a remarkable musical project by Dr. Dinesh Katre and Paritosh Katre. With over seventy original compositions inspired by the Ovis of the Dnyaneshwari and the Abhangs of Sant Dnyaneshwar, their work bridges Hindustani ragas with Western harmonies, devotion with innovation.
About the Guests
Dr. Dinesh Katre — Scholar, composer, and former Senior Director at C-DAC, Pune, with a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction. He has devoted over two decades to interpreting the Dnyaneshwari through music, art, and calligraphy.
Paritosh Katre — Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer trained in both Western and Hindustani classical traditions. A Machine Learning Scientist at PayPal, Paritosh brings a contemporary soundscape to ancient wisdom.
Together, they have created Geet Dnyaneshwari — a living bridge between philosophy and melody, tradition and technology.
Tune in as we explore how timeless verses find new voice in today’s world.

You can listen to their beautiful compositions on:
https://www.youtube.com/@GeetDnyaneshwari

And you can get in touch with them and know about their latest productions through their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/geet.dnyaneshwari

Geet Dnyaneshwari Part 2: Turning Wisdom into Melody – with Dr. Dinesh Katre and Paritosh Katre

Happy new year and welcome to Chaitime. In this Chaitime show we relive the lyrical genius of famous shayar Kaifi Azmi Sahab through his poetry and songs from the golden era of Hindi music.


Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha - Remembering Kaifi Azmi - Jan 31, 2016

In this Chaitime we pay tribute  to great Indian poet Nida Fazli who has left a rich legacy of Hindi and Urdu poetry for his followers. He passed away on Feb. 8, 2016.  He  has a special place in the world of Urdu Ghazal's and some of his best work has been immortalized by late singer Jagjit Singh.

Hoshwalo Ko Khabar Kya - Tribute to Nida Fazli - Feb 14, 2016

In this Chaitime,  we celebrate the genius of famous Hindi/Urdu poet and lyricist, Javed Akhtar. We try to relive his life and struggles through his own autobiography and collection of his poems - Tarkash. We  weave this with some of the most popular Hindi movie songs penned by him. 

Javed Akhtar is a poet, lyricist and scriptwriter. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed. Akhtar continues to be a prominent figure in Bollywood and is one of the most popular and sought-after lyricists.

Javed Akhtar was awarded the Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 1999 and received the Padma Bhushan in 2007. Akhtar has also won the Filmfare Award fourteen times, seven times for Best Script, and eight times for Best Lyrics for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha... in 1942-A Love Story, Ghar Se Nikalte Hi... for Papa Kahte Hain, Sandese Aate Hain.... for Border, Panchhi Nadiyan Pawan Ke Jhonke... for Refugee, Radha Kaise Na Jale for Lagaan, Kal Ho Na Ho for Kal Ho Na Ho, Tere Liye... for Veer-Zaara and Jashn-e-Bahara for Jodhaa Akbar.

Akhtar has won the National Award five times. In 1996 he won for Best Lyricist for the film Saaz and in 1997 he won the National Award for Border. He again won the National Award in 1998 for Godmother. In 2000 he again won the National Award for the song Panchhi Nadiyan Pawan Ke Jonke... from the film Refugee and in 2001 for Radha Kaise Na Jale from Lagaan. 
He has won the 1995 and 1997 Screen Videocon Awards. He also won first Zee Award for Best Lyricist for Sandese Aate Hain from the film Border. He was awarded a Videocon Screen award as well as a Lux Zee Cine award for Panchhi Nadiyan Pawan Ke Jhonke... for Refugee.

In 2001 Akhtar received the National Integration Award from the All India Anti-Terrorist Association and the Avadh Ratan from the U.P. Government. He also won the 2003 Hakim Khan Sur Sammaan Award from the Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur.

Tarkash - Celebrating Javed Akhtar’s Poetry and his Popular Lyrics

Today, we will take a step back in time to appreciate an icon of his era. A poet of melancholy, spirituality, pain, and divine love - Sahir Ludhiyanvi was a true genius. Each of his songs is a gem and it is impossible to capture his poetry in a one hour show और फ़िर ये sports season है तो मुझे पता भी नहीं था कि show होना है या नहीं तो ये episode वैसा है कि जो दिल में आया कह दिया, जो सुनना चाहा वो सुन लिया types, एकदम impromptu पर साहिर साहब के लिखे गाने हैं, अच्छे ही लगेंगे आपको। समय की पाबंदी की वजह से कुछ बेहतरीन गीत रह गए लेकिन अगली बार...

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein - An afternoon with Sahir Ludhiyanvi Songs

Devanand is considered one of the greates and most successful actors in the Indian film industry. In this Chaitime we celebrate his legacy with some of his popular songs.

Gata Rahe Mera Dil - Chaitime with Devanand Songs

In this Chaitime we listen to the famous bhajan  "Chadariya Jheene Re Jheene" written by  15th-century Indian mystic poet, Sufi and saint, Kabir whose writings influenced basic Indian spirituality in the voice of some of the well known folk, classical and modern singers. We hear the same bhajan sung in their unique way by Prahlad Tipaniya, Kumar Gandharva, Mukhtiyar Ali, Pandit Jasraj, Indian Ocean and Kabir Cafe. This show captures the power of Kabir's bhajan and the versatility of Indian music.

Chadariya Jheene Re Jheene - One Kabir bhajan in various musical forms

In today's Chaitime we talk to the famous Hindi/Urdu poet and lyricist, Javed Akhtar. It was an incredible honor and experience talking to Javed Akhtar Saheb and listen to him talk about his incredible journey, and life lessons.

Jee le zara - In conversation with Javed Akhtar Sahab

Welcome to the new season of ChaiTimeRadio. COVID-19 has changed the way we live and in this episode we explore various facets of life with the help of some of the most loved songs from Hindi Film music. We wish all our listeners to stay safe, and stay healthy.

Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli

Mohd. Rafi is one of the legends of Indian Film Music. He had an illustrious career spanning 40 years and during this time he sung more than 12000 songs in Urdu,Hindi,Konkani, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu, Maghi, Maithili and Assamese.

 July 31st is his death anniversary In this show we remember him and his music.

Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukaar - Remembering Mohd. Rafi

In this Chaitime we celebrate India's independence day and the desire of humanity to be independent and live one's life with dignity.
Hindi songs
Hindi poetry

सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है  - Celebrating Independence Day

ओ जाने वाले हो सके तो लौट के आना
बचपन के तेरे मीत तेरे संग के सहारे
ढूँढेंगे तुझे गली-गली सब ये गम के मारे
ढूंढेगी हर निगाह कल तेरा ठिकाना

ओ जाने वाले…

When we lose someone, they are gone but their memories stay with us forever. In this ChaiTime show, we pay a tribute to them and to the great masters whose music from 50s and 60s is still alive and is cherished. I was introduced to this great music by my Dad and this program is dedicated to him.

Shraddhanjali, A Tribute - Hindi Songs from 50s and 60s - May 5, 2013

Chai Time is a weekly program in Hindi and English, on Stanford Radio, KSZU 90.1 FM. The program explores current events and issues relevant to South Asian literature, culture and music. The program is hosted by Pranjali Sirasao who teaches in Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies, UC Berkeley. In the past she has taught in Stanford University and UC Davis. The program is heard in more than 100 countries around the world.

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