mango masala

by GVRNZ & Halima

News Commentary Society & Culture

Season 1

Meghan & Harry drama / Discussing all things food w/ Shweta Sidana

GVRNZ, Simran & Halima are joined by Shweta Sidana from Natural Nutrition. They start off by discussing Meghan Markle's treatment by the UK press, ahead of her Oprah interview. Shweta then tells us about her new business, why we should be knowledgeable about what we eat, and the importance of cultural diets. We then engage in a debate about whether South Asian cuisine is the best, and if so, which specific one? The episode finishes with us taking a British food quiz to find out if we're more Northern or Southern, and a fierce debate as to where these geographical boundaries lie.

Shamima Begum & managing lockdown easing expectations / Arji Manuelpillai on poetry in British education

GVRNZ, Simran & Halima discuss the recent Supreme Court decision to not allow Shamima Begum to return to the UK to fight her British citizenship case. They also talk about the confirmed roadmap out of lockdown, whether we should be getting our hopes up so soon, and what plans they have for post-lockdown life. We finish the episode with an interview carried out by Sakshi Karanjkar with Arji Manuelpillai, a poet, performer and education artist. They discuss his past in hip-hop and transition to poetry, his work with refugees, the problematic way in which poetry is covered in British education, the problem with a lack of South Asian representation in school literature and more.

Working in finance as a WOC and how to start your own creative project w/ Ashveen Kohli

This episode, GVRNZ, Simran & Halima are joined by Ashveen Kohli of the Hear Me Roar Podcast. Her project aims to create a safe space for individuals from minority backgrounds can talk about their disciplines and aspirations, free of judgement. We begin by talking about the ongoing maltreatment of Uighur Muslims in China, before Ashveen tells us about working in finance and what it's like being the only WOC on her team. She then tells us how she started her own podcast, and offers advice for any listeners who might be wanting to follow suit.

Valentine's Day 2021

The full mango masala gang get involved for this Valentine's Day special. In one of our most candid and funniest episodes yet, GVRNZ, Halima, Simran, Sakshi and Ben discuss all things, love, relationships, cultural barriers - the full works!

Activism and preserving your mental health, the Reddit stock market incident & 'It's a Sin' w/ Krissy Gill / Sarathy Korwar on being a South Asian jazz musician and living through a pandemic

Krissy Gill from Blasian Radio joins GVRNZ and Simran to discuss recent events in India and how whilst activism is essential, you should also make sure to preserve your own mental health. We also cover the recent Reddit stock market incident and the new Channel 4 Series 'It's a Sin'. The episode concludes with an interview with jazz musician Sarathy Korwar by Sakshi Karanjkar, who talks to him about his journey as a South Asian jazz musician in the UK and how the pandemic has affected his work.

Why do we protest? / Hana Malik talking about her new single 'Woke Up'

In light of recent protests in India and Poland, regarding farmer rights and abortion respectively, we discuss what's going on in these two countries. We then delve deeper into why we protest, what we're trying to achieve when we do such, and whether it's worth it. We finish the episode with a chat with Manchester singer Hana Malik, who's new single 'Woke Up' comes out on February 11th.

Freezy & Joash talk new single 'Be Mine'

Manchester artists Freezy and Joash tell us how their new single 'Be Mine' came about, what it's like being Asian in the music industry, and what the rest of 2021 has in store for them. GVRNZ and Ben also start the episode off by covering the latest news, including freak weather in Manchester, the Biden-Harris US Presidential victory, and Priti Patel's latest comments on the reason for high UK COVID rates.

Private vs public education & navigating white academic spaces

GVRNZ & Halima discuss the pros and cons of private education, and whether such should exist. They also reflect on their own past experiences of navigating white academic spaces as BAME individuals, such as school and university in the UK.

How much, if at all, should we talk to white people about race?

In light of a recent debate in a mango masala meeting and Reni Eddo-Lodge's bestseller, 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race', GVRNZ and Halima delve deep into this controversial issue; as people of colour, should we talk to white people about race? If so, how much?

South Asian representation

GVRNZ, Ben & Simran discuss the representation of South Asians in various industries, including radio, music, film, fashion and sport. We also cover recent news topics, including Brexit, the death penalty, and Yasmeen's freedom from Geoff on Corrie!

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