This is the last story from our storytelling series Symphonies of beaded threads. I have loved working on this project, bringing you something more than just an interview or a chat on the podcast and also just flexing that producing/ directing skill in the audio world. I have also appreciated your messages, you sharing each episode, tagging chai with rai and the artists involved. Now If you haven’t done so make sure to check out the previous 7 stories- comment, share and subscribe.

P.s this is also the 99th episode of Chai with Rai and I am going to be celebrating the 100th episode on IG LIVe on 28th Dec,23 7PM UK TIME co-hosted by some special guests. Make sure to check that out and you can also send through a question you would like myself or the guests to answer.

But without further adieu, lets warm up that delicious cuppa and let’s dive into today’s story titled "Chemo in the Summer" written and voiced by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan.

Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the seventh episode/ story titled "Professional Daydreamer" written and voiced by Afriya-Jasmine Nylander. 

Today's melodic story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Riana Howarth and is called "She'd Sit".

We are in the second half of the storytelling series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and today's story is called Take My Picture by Soria Hamidi and voiced by Leila McQuaid .

Halfway there and today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded of Threads is titled 38% by Ra’eesah.

Happy Third Day!

Today's story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Bethany Gemmell and is called Catherine. Fun fact: it actually features Bethany's mum Catherine.

Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the second episode titled An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album written and performed by Yasmine Dankwah.

Today's episode marks the launch of a NEW series I am doing on Chai with Rai called Symphonies of Beaded Threads.

This 8 episode short audio series, which I will dropping daily for the next 8 days !  Takes shape in different formats from poetry to spoken word to theatrical pieces, monologues  and more by 8 different writers/ creatives.  I will also be releasing interviews with each writer of the pieces soon so keep an eye out for that.

However! Without further Adieu let's dive into the first story called Brainfreeze by Carmina Bernhardt.  

The title says it all- I'm just saying 👀☕️.

Part 2 with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community) Vinay Jobanputra.

From discussing Queerness- in specific within the South Asian Community to art influencing life to milky tea and more.

This had to be a 2-parter because we couldn't stop the gup shup. So, grab a cuppa as we discuss things  such as;  gender identity, social norms around sexuality, Bollywood and how it's impacted the South Asian experience, Bollywood Dance (in specific UK) and it's constructs on gender/ sexuality, how choreography can be challenged with stereotyping, their BBC documentary and so much more!

Joined in the chai room with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community)  Vinay Jobanputra. 

Firstly, I am so flabbergasted to have Elias Jahshan on here. I remember reading his articles in Gaytimes and then his book This Arab is Queer .  Then for him to say YES to coming on the podcast and discuss journalism, today's climate around politics, sensitivity, identity and then querrness, the book and so much more. 

I am as the video goes "VOW"! 

So ermmm thank you Elias!

From discussing negotiating skills with a zombie during a zombiepocalypse to creating a South Asian Theatre company in the UK to Fringe culture. A banterful episode with the cast and crew of Nalini Theatre's  show Woman. Life. Freedom. 

A Massive thank you to Alicia Fernandes, Dhanush Giridhar, Bushra Baig, Adi Roy Bhattacharya and T’arah Inam-McDermott. 

From Love to finding yourself and your alignment to comedy and writing. This episode is jam packed with writer/ poet Aamir Hassan and Cabaret/ Drag Artist Amir Dean (Lady Bushra). Was so lovely to welcome them into the chai room and talking about their podcast "You Don't Love Me Boys" and certain things like what they have learn about themselves through finding love and each other and how that has transferred into their being/ work.

Sat down with the cast and creatives of Asian Girls in Therapy to talk all things playwriting, food and how trauma bonding can lead to creative juices flowing. 

Thank you to Gurjot Dhaliwal, Megan Soho and Racks Nieto. 

I have looked at Dhruv's profile at least a hundred times and have gotten so much inspiration about not only embracing and diving into fashion but also how to live my life more authentically.

Super excited for you all to listen to this episode as we talk ethics on tech, identity through saree's and what would one do if you were stuck in a Rickshaw with Rekha and Pretty Zinta?

The artwork alone of this episode should be sellable is all I am saying. 

I had such a wonderful time carrying on my chat with Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. We get into it from dating to dipping. 

p.s- we did have a dance section to the games which I will edit and release soon on YouTube so keep an eye out for that. 

Back with Banter, Chai and Deep Chats.

Kicking off the new batch of episodes I sat down with The dynamic Duo: Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community.

This is part 1 and part 2 will be out next week.

Through several hair and beard styles, 80 plus episodes, close to 100 guests, a digital South Asian Arts Archive, Collaborations, Series, A residency at WeWork, self produced and self funded ! Chai with Rai is my baby...My business I have built over the last 3 years and I am so grateful for all the guests and this community. Thank you for it all and to 3 years, a sip to you all and to more that is to come :).