Contributors

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Host

Pratyaksh Pai

Born a 2nd generation Indian American, I consider myself fortunate to have such a strong connection to my heritage, religion, and music. Growing up I loved watching Bollywood movies so one part of me is a performing Bollywood karaoke singer. The other part of me is that of a spiritual seeker. My Guru (& paternal grandfather) Sadguru Sant Keshavadas, traveled globally 30+ times, preaching the profound teachings found in the ancient Vedic scriptures and other world religions. Thanks to his influence and my parents maintaining strong Indian traditions, I always had a natural fascination towards the Hindu epics and deities. This lead me to reading the Bhagavad-Gita which was a life transforming experience. Inspired by various spiritual sources, I decided to share this great wisdom through this podcast. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with like-minded friends/co-hosts Kristianne and Vikrum for this spiritually introspective and progressive project. Hari Om! 🙏🏽 

https://youtube.com/@pratpai?si=qmSF9tPJFWRx2M5H
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Co-host

Kristianne Schotzinger

Hi, I’m Kristianne, or Chaya. And I’m sure like most of you, I’m striving to live a

purposeful, joyful and ethical life. A longtime student of philosophy and theology,

my true passion is Jewish studies. Believing that no one faith has a monopoly on

truth or meaning, I’m excited to learn more about the Vedic tradition and its

wellspring of wisdom. When I’m not traveling, I spend most of my time in Florida,

U.S.A. and Colombia, South America.

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Co-host

Vikrum Mathur

Vikrum Mathur has been a lifelong Washington DC area resident with deep interests in spirituality, film, theater and politics. 

He has served as an actor, film critic and radio host, working with personalities such as Amol Palekar, Sandhya Gokhale Pooja Batra and Omi Vaidya. He has also interviewed Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Nitish Bharadwaj, Anupam Kher, and Prem Sagar among others. He has had projects screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and DC South Asian Film Festival, and has performed at the Kennedy Center.

He is driven by the peace, connection with the divine and solutions spirituality offers to make one a better person and content with life’s trajectory.

Guests

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Guest

Janardana Dasa

Janardana Dasa is a black American practicing Vaishnavaite Hindu of the Madhwacharya Sampradaya. 

At the age of 27 he was bestowed with the spiritual name of Janardana Dasa by his Guru, Sant Bhadragiri Keshavadas, and was initiated into mantra yoga by him in the Gharwal Himalayas at the remote BADRINATH shrine in August of 1990. 

Janardana Dasa has served in the United States Air Force for 20 years (four years active duty, and 16 years reserve) retiring in 2008.  

Janardana Dasa has lived a healthy vegetarian lifestyle since 1981 @ the age of 19.  

in August of 1990, he made the trek to BADRINATH temple deep in the Himalayan foothills near Tibet, & to Rameswar temple on the very southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula (this is known as the Badri-Rameswar Yatra).  He thus became one of the 1st Black American, non Indian adherents of the Hindu faith to complete this scripturally prescribed pilgrimage.

https://www.instagram.com/urban_vaishnav?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Guest

Smitha Raj

Smitha Rajaram is a Project Manager with the Social Security Administration in Maryland, where she brings precision, leadership, and over two decades of experience living and working in the United States. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Smitha’s journey blends professional excellence with deep cultural and spiritual roots.

A classically trained singer, she is passionate about music and plays a variety of instruments, including the keyboard, mouth organ, melodica, guitar, and ukulele. Active on social media, she shares her love for art, culture, and connection with a broad audience.

Her spiritual path began in childhood through her involvement with Chinmaya Bala Vihar, where she received awards for chanting and recitation, including honors from His Holiness Shri Chinmayanandaji himself. An ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, Smitha believes that every God is simply a different form guiding us toward the same light of enlightenment.

https://www.instagram.com/indian_musical_world_of_smiths/

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