Desiland Masala

Enjoy an audio visit to Madhya Pradesh, India's second largest state by area, yet with no international border and no coastline.

The audio tour of India with a visit to seven very small states in the far northeast of India that are collectively known as the Seven Sisters. In alphabetical order, the states are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura. Three of the states have a Christian majority.

The audio tour of India continues north along the east coast of India to visit the state of West Bengal. West Bengal is well-known for its massive capital city of Kolkata and for Mother Teresa.

Learn about the eighth-largest Indian state by area and the 11th-most populous, Odisha (formerly Orissa). Odisha has a largely rural population, and Odisha's cuisine is known as India's best-kept secret.

If you want to know about the number #1 city for producing IT workers to North America and how one state became two in 2014, be sure to listen to Episode 21 as Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states.

If you want to know why Desis from Tamil Nadu may be "bothered" when another Desi speaks indi to them, be sure to listen to Episode 20 as Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states with a focus on the state at the southern tip of India.

Indian states are normally identified by the main language spoken, but within each state there is a masala of cultures, festivals, foods, communities, and religious practices. Episode 19 of Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states with a focus on the southwestern state that has the highest literacy rate, longest life expectancy, and 360 miles of beaches, Kerala.

Indian states are normally identified by the main language spoken, but within each state there is a masala of cultures, festivals, foods, communities, and religious practices. Episode 18 of Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states with a focus on India's smallest state by area, Goa

Indian states are normally identified by the main language spoken, but within each state there is a masala of cultures, festivals, foods, communities, and religious practices. Episode 17 of Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states with a focus on the southwestern state of Karnataka, home to India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru.

India has 28 states. Indian states are normally identified by the main language spoken, but within each state there is a masala of cultures, festivals, foods, communities, and religious practices. Episode 16 of Desiland Masala continues its virtual audio tour of India's states with a focus on the second most populous state, Maharashtra.

India has 28 states. Indian states are normally identified by the main language spoken, but within each state there is a masala of cultures, festivals, foods, communities, and religious practices. With this episode, Desiland Masala begins an audio tour of the states most likely to be represented by Desis in North America. Episode 15 begins in Gujarat.

Have you ever wondered if you should be impressed if your Desi friend tells you s/he graduated from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras or Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad? Have you ever wondered what it means when your Desi friend tells you his daughter is in 4th Standard? Episode 14 looks at India's education system, from lower primary to university level.

Have you ever heard Desis say "Do the needful" or "I need to prepone my visit" or "My manager threw a googly by giving us Friday off."? Episode 13 will cover a variety of idiomatic expressions commonly used by Desis.

Learn what it means to be in someone's "inner circle" and why your Desi friend's inner circle is so large. Learn why Desi weddings are attended by several thousand people and and what it means to be a friend.

A look at the various festivals celebrated by our Desi neighbors.

A look a how Desi friends say goodbye.

Indians recently celebrated Indian Independence Day (August 15, 1947), and the day is marked by pride in the accomplishments and sucess of Indian Americans such as Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet (Google). Other prominant Indian Americans include Creator of pentium chip: Vinod Dahm., Creator of HDTV: Arun Netravalli. Creator of Hotmail: Sabeer Bhatia. Episode 9 covers sources of pride for Desis.

A "words-eye" view of congregational Hinduisms.

Learn about the diversity and popularity in North America of Hindu Sampradayas ("denominations") such as BAPS Swaminarayan.

A look at the diversity of beliefs and practices in Hinduism.

An in-depth look at the diversity of religious expressions in Indian and in North America.

Part two of a look into Desi food.

A look at Desi food.

A look at the variety of languages in the Desi population.

Join Andy as he shares what this podcast will be about and his journey to be an Alongsider.