Season 3: From January 2017 to November 2017
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - November 2017
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Kaveri Bharath
Potter. Teacher. Starting with theatre more than 25 years ago, her path soon led to clay. To Kaveri, pottery is not just for function, but an immersive experience. The clay, the science and the art, all come together to create functional magic. Intimate art. Her bliss is to “share the joy of pottery, while raising awareness about tradition and the importance of working with one’s own hands”. Vidyuth Sreenivasan Textile Designer. Creative Seeker. He studied economics, dabbled in advertising, loves theatre and running, but he found ‘undiluted joy’ in creating signature block-print designs for his garment label Chaani. Yet Vidyuth believes he’s only tapped into 10 % of his creative potential! “I have so much more to explore. My bliss is to create without boundaries, inhibitions and limitations,” he says. Listening to Kaveri’s and Vidyuth’s amazing stories, you may well be inspired to follow your bliss! |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - October 2017
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Ragavan Manian
At every stage of his Life, as an avid Indian immigrant techie in the US, music drew him into its fold. A disciple of the revered Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna, Ragavan returned to India in 2011 for personal reasons. But he soon found his music drawing him to curate, research and perform. Presently, he’s immersed in the art form as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. He believes that his bliss is “to discover and perform novel forms of, and lesser-known compositions in, Indian classical music”. Drums Murali Not many know him as S.Murali Krishnan! His Life, like his name, is entwined with drums. He started learning percussion at the age of 10. And decided early on in his professional career that he would rather run a drums school than be an accountant! Murali’s Jus Drums is 15 years old today. His bliss is to “ensure that anyone with a passion for music, percussion and playing drums must have access to the instrument and to lessons.” Listen to Ragavan’s and Murali’s stories – you may well be inspired to follow your bliss! |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - September 2017
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Aishwarya Manivannan
Designer. Art Educator. Silambam Practitioner. She is the founder of MAISHA Studio and an international Silambam champion. Silambam to her is not just an ancient Indian martial art form but also a form of meditation; an expression of beauty and strength. Aishwarya’s bliss lies in “drawing connections through the aesthetics of Silambam and art.” Arun Karthik & Vikram Menon Both of them are sportspersons-turned-sportspreneurs. They gave up lucrative careers to do what they are doing because they genuinely believe that sports and fitness can transform lives and society. Their 4-year-old venture GetFit increases sports awareness and accessibility among students and corporates. Through their NGO “Life Is A Ball” they practice inclusiveness by taking sports to the have-nots in society. Their bliss is to build a “sustainable sports culture in India.” Listen to Aishwarya, Arun and Vikram. You will find their perspectives unputdownable and inspiring. |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - August 2017
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Janaki Sabesh:
Story-teller for children. Actor. Her Golpo Tales is a super-hit with kids and she’s known as the ‘Universal Amma’ in Tamil films, having been screen mother to most stars! And she also keeps a high-profile corporate job. She says her bliss lies in her “ability to manage all that she loves doing!” Akhila Krishnamurthy : Arts manager, writer and curator. She quit a predictable career in journalism five years ago to set up Aalaap, an arts management company, that collaborates with performing artists to showcase their creations globally. Her bliss is to “discover and present fascinating human stories from the art world”. Both ladies are from namma Chennai. And both of them have unique stories. Janaki’s is of being able to immerse herself in her multiple passions and Akhila’s is of an unusual path she’s taken – from journalism to arts management! Come, listen to them. You may then be inspired to follow your bliss! |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - July 2017
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Mahesh Venkateswaran:
Traveler. Photographer. Music-lover. In 2014, he quit his top draw job as EVP & MD, after close to two decades at Cognizant Technology Solutions managing over a billion dollars in business, to fulfil the 25-25-25 math he had derived for himself – 25 years to learn, 25 years to earn and 25 years to enjoy! He set up MADRasana at his Besant Nagar home-garden in 2016 to nurture classical art in a different setting for both artists and listeners. His bliss is to “celebrate the joy of being alive and to go see the world, while being immediately available to his family and community!” Ramnath Chandrasekhar : Conservation educator. Wildlife photographer and film-maker. During the last 15 years, 28-year-old Ram has traveled across India to capture inspirational stories that facilitate people’s understanding of our rich natural and cultural heritage. He has spearheaded nature and conservation education programs to reach out to thousands of students. Ram’s bliss is to “use visual storytelling to connect the younger generation to nature and conservation.” Two men. Two different generations. Two interesting journeys of following their bliss. Listen to them – you will leave inspired! |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - June 2017
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Liz Thottan:
Restaurateur. Surfer. Free Spirit. Two years ago, she kicked her corporate job, she walked out of a stagnant relationship, she set up her Café, Eli’s Kitchen, and took to the waves in Mahabalipuram. Her bliss is “to live fully, happily, with no regrets and without wasting even a minute!” Subadra Kalyanaraman and Balajee Ge: Subadra’s an artist and her soulmate Balajee is a writer. Both of them keep day jobs. But they dive deep daily into what they love doing. The world swoons over her wall-art and paintings! His humor blog ‘Local Tea Party’ and the scripts he writes for Put Chutney’s YouTube shows are insanely popular! The couple are in that beautiful zone where they are enjoying the best of two worlds! How do Liz, Subadra and Balajee manage to pack so much into their days; what makes them come alive? Listen to their journeys – you may be inspired to follow your own bliss! |
The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - May 2017
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“Poochi” Venkat:
He’s super okay with being called “Poochi” – insect! That’s S.Venkataraaman – a sound-engineer-turned photographer-turned entomophile! He finds the world of insects so deeply spiritual and inspiring, that he’s dedicated his Life to protecting them. His bliss is to encourage us humans “to stop squirming at the sight of insects and instead start loving them”! Arun Krishnamurthy: 83 and counting – that’s the number of lakes that Arun’s Environmentalist Foundation of India has helped clean and conserve across 6 states in India!!! In 2011, he quit his job at Google to deep dive into environmental activism. His bliss is “to invite people like us to partner and participate in programs to protect our endangered ecosystem”! Two purposeful men, two powerful stories –– listen to them, you may be inspired to follow your own bliss! 
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The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - April 2017
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Zakir Hussain: A Bharatanatyam Dancer, Thirupaavai Upanyasam Expert and Founder of SriPaadham Academy of Dance, Zakir describes his bliss thus: “to inspire audiences to soak in the beauty of Andal’s Life and the message of Vaishnavism while promoting secularism.”
Balu Pandiyan: Master Sommelier and an Oenophile. He has given “all that he has” to educate himself on wines. His bliss is “to get people to appreciate the magic and beauty of wine, one sip at a time!” Two wonderful people following their life journeys, one spiritual and one spirited! 
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The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - March 2017
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Kirthi Jayakumar: Women’s Rights Activist. A survivor of abuse herself, she founded the Red Elephant Foundation in 2013 to make the world a better, safer place for women. Her bliss is “to help women across the world be empowered so that they are not silently suffering abuse, bullying, judgment, inequity or lack of education.”
Indu Divya: Master Story-teller. Founder, The Narrative. Indu found her own voice through a cathartic personal experience. She healed through story-telling. Her bliss lies in “empowering lives by harnessing the power of stories: to help people communicate and connect better - with themselves and with others.” Two wonderful young ladies, two inspiring journeys, listen to them –– you may be inspired to follow your own bliss! 
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The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - February 2017
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Freddy Koikkaran: A true Bonzer (Australian slang for a jolly good fella)! Born for the stage! 26 years on it and counting. A stage and film actor, theatre director, singer and voiceover artist who runs Stagefright Productions, Chennai’s blockbuster theatre company. A behavioural trainer who uses theatre to help people be more authentic in their interactions. His bliss is ‘helping people communicate more effectively and celebrate themselves through theatre and entertainment’.
Shyam Renganathan: The ‘Runaway’ RJ at Fever 91.9 FM. Had the courage to stop being that goody-goody kid at home and to literally run away from engineering school! Actor and Dreamer. His bliss is doing ‘what his heart tells him to do and what makes him happiest’ – which is, going out there and entertaining people 
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The Bliss Catchers™ - Season 3 - January 2017
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Pradeep Chakravarthy: London School of Economics alumnus. McKinsey-consultant turned Historian, Heritage Expert and Author. Lives his bliss inspiring people to deep dive into the exotic world of traditional music, food, art and culture from Tamil Nadu.
Pradeep John: a.k.a The Tamil Nadu Weatherman. Pluviophile. (Google the meaning – you’ll get to know the man in a nanosecond!) Computer Engineer. Works for a quasi-government firm on urban infrastructure project planning. His bliss is losing himself while chasing the rains! 
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