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The British novelist, Rajeev Balasubramanyam, now a somewhat unlikely Instagram influencer, joins us on Pause with Nandini to explore the difficult questions of the psyche, and of our times. We speak of the spiritual and the political, mental health, wounded narcissism, a personal journey through sex, drugs and alcohol to a healing through self-enquiry, and the reasons for a re-engagement with the political.

We speak of the woundedness of young men, the angry patriarchal masculinity on one hand and the rising discourse about toxic masculinity on the other - and a generation of young men caught between the two. We speak of how there can be a third way, rooted in masculine vulnerability, in the ability to cry, and the need to heal.

This is an important conversation in our fractured times, that goes beyond the what, deeply into the why, and through a story of an examined life, it takes us to into a path of possibilities, redemption, and ultimately of hope.

You can follow him on Rajeevwriter on Instagram.

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Giri Sivaraman, Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, spoke with Nandini Sen Mehra about the larger questions of racism in Australia, the institutions and structures that need an overhaul, and the genuine concerns and issues that everyday Australians are facing, across communities and ethnicities.

He talks about the critical need to implement the anti Racism Framework that includes the establishment of the Anti Racism Taskforce with representation from government, institutions and civil society, something we at NRI Affairs have been championing as well.

In addressing concerns over the targeting of the Indian diaspora in inflammatory fliers being circulated by anti-immigration campaigners, he offers his perspective on preventive measures, the role of law enforcement in building trust in community, and what he considers of primary concern should a racist attack occur.

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When Rabbi Shergill says, ‘write the truest line you know,’ he isn’t only quoting Hemingway. In a way, he is capturing a lifetime’s quest for authenticity.
In word, in artistic expression , and in navigating a life that didn't always fit into neat boxes.
In this soulful conversation, he speaks of the awakening of his passion for Panjabi, which for him is the language of love, of his grandmother’s sweet phrases, of poetry rooted in everyday life.
He says art comes from an intimate corner of your being and to connect with Delhi is to connect with Delhi’s poetry.
He speaks of Tolstoy, of Bulleh Shah, Santana, Abida Parveen, of Shiv Batalvi, of Baba Farid.
He speaks of his father, an oriental scholar and the only true blue genius that he knew first hand.
He says today we don’t have artists, we have craftsmen, we have algorithms.
We speak of many things in a little over an hour, and in the end, I wonder: do we know Rabbi, the artist and the man any better than we did before?
In some ways, yes, we get a glimpse behind the veil, but yet, much of the enigma remains.
And in a way, I’m thankful for it.

Listen, like, share, subscribe. And perhaps take a moment to revisit the magic and memories of Rabbi Shergill's music.

Thank you for listening! Watch all episodes of Pause with Nandini on https://youtube.com/c/NRIAffairs