A selection of interviews from
"MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda".

At the end of the page, there's an alphabetical list of interviewees on this page. For interviews from other shows please see:
Conversations 4, Conversations 3, Conversations 2.

If you have questions or comments please don't hesitate to reach us at masala@rcinet.ca

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - ANITA LERCHE

 

Anita Lerche joins us for a wide ranging conversation. In 2006, the Danish singer came out with a Punjabi language album called Heer from Denmark. She’s had success in India and around the world since. We talk about how it all started, why she is so attracted by Punjabi music and culture, and about her upcoming third album.

 

This interview is in the June 4, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda " http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/04-06-2011/

 

Anita Lerche info and music – www.anitalerche.com FB fan page here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - NANCY PECKFORD

 

I talk to Nancy Peckford the Executive Director of Equal Voice an organization dedicated to electing more women politicians in Canada. With the federal election of May 2nd, the number of women Members of Parliament has risen to almost 25 per cent. Most of this thanks to the surprising election advances of Canada’s new Official Opposition Party – the NDP – the New Democratic Party. Many of the women elected are young. Nancy Peckford outlines the advances after the election for women, and the impact of so many younger women and men in Canada’s House of Commons.

 

This interview is in the June 4, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda " http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/04-06-2011/

Equal Voice website – www.equalvoice.ca

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - DENIS STAIRS

 

I talk to Denis Stairs, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Canada’s Dalhousie University. He is also a Senior Research fellow at the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute and a specialist in foreign affairs. We’ll talk about the new Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, about the future of Canada’s foreign affairs policies, and the tendency for foreign affairs decisions to come not from the foreign affairs ministers, but from the office of the Prime Minister.

 

This interview is in the May 28, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"  http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/28-05-2011/

 

Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute – www.cdfai.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SATHISH BALA

 

I talk to Sathish Bala, the CEO and Founder of desiFEST, the popular Toronto South Asian music festival gives us a rundown of some of the artists who will appear this Saturday, May 28^th, at the fifth annual edition of the festival. He also talks about the importance of mixing up-and-coming artists with established artists in the program.

 

This interview is in the May 28, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" www.rcinet.ca/masala

 

desiFEST website -  www.desifest.ca

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - PRITA CHHABRA

 

Toronto and Orlando based singer-songwriter Prita Chhabra joins us to talk about her upcoming album, and in particular her first single called “Roots”, a song that was a gamble, a risk she took to talk about an issue that she’s faced all her life: being of Indian origin and being Canadian.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the May 21, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/21-05-2011/

 

Prita Chhabra website - www.pritamusic.com

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - TIM UPPAL

 

I talk to Tim Uppal, a Member of Parliament from the western prairie city of Edmonton. As the new Minister of State for Democratic Reform he’s going to be promoting some of the Prime Minister’s key political parliamentary issues: voter representation, eliminating government subsidies for political parties, and reform of Canada’s Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament. We spoke on May 19, 2011, the day after the swearing in ceremony of the cabinet in Ottawa.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the May 21, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/21-05-2011/

 

Tim Uppal web page on parliamentary website - here  Personal website - here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SUKHI GHUMAN

 

I talk to Sukhi Ghuman, the director of the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration (VIBC) Society just before the VIBC wrapped up a nine day festival of music and dance with a competition on Saturday, May 14. This is the 7th annual edition of North America’s largest Bhangra festival, City of Bhangra.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the May 14, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/14-05-2011/

VIBC website -  www.vibc.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RASUL SOMJI

 

Comedian Rasul Somji talks about comedy, about some of the difficult choices he makes as a comedian when dealing with sensitive subjects such as the assassination of Osama bin Laden. He also talks about what he sees as the role of comedy in our lives.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the May 14, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/14-05-2011/

 

Rasul Somji website -  www.rasulsomji.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SUNIL RAO

 

Sunil Rao, the editor of the South Asian Focus newspaper, talks about the results of Canada’s May 2^nd federal election which re-elected the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a majority, and also had many in Toronto’s South Asian community helping in that victory.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the May 14, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/14-05-2011/

 

South Asian Focus newspaper website - www.southasianfocus.ca

 

For more ELECTION 2011 coverage please go here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RAGHAV

 

UK based, Canadian born, singer composer Raghav joins us to talk about ice hockey and cricket, his performance at the opening ceremonies of the IPL cricket tournament, his new single “Fire”, his new album Phoenix which will come out later this year, and his decision to focus on a rebirth of his career, and a return to Canada.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 30, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA

 

Raghav website - www.raghav.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SUKI GREWAL

 

Suki Grewal, Founder and President of Vancouver’s South Asian Family Association (SAFA), talks about a very special May 15^th event they’re organizing called "Mothers and Daughters: the Journey of a Woman". It will be an evening of poems, of songs, of food, and of sharing and learning among women in the South Asian community.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 30, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA

 

 

South Asian Family Association (SAFA) website - www.safa.ca

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - NAHEED NENSHI

 

We meet the mayor of one of Canada’s biggest cities Calgary, Mayor Naheed Nenshi who was elected only six months ago. Mayor Nenshi talks about using social media both before his election and after, about the challenges mayors in Canada face in keeping municipal services running with insufficient revenues, and about some of his plans for the future.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 23, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/23-04-2011/

 

Mayor Naheed Nenshi website - www.calgarymayor.ca

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - NANCY PECKFORD

 

A conversation with Nancy Peckford, the Executive Director of Equal Voice an organization dedicated to electing more women politicians in Canada. With one week left in Canada’s election campaign we’ll look at how our country compares with others in terms of female representation in our House of Commons, and talk about some of the challenges and obstacles facing women who decide to get into politics.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 23, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/23-04-2011/

 

Equal Voice website - www.equalvoice.ca

For more ELECTION 2011 coverage see here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SIVA VAIDYANATHAN

 

Siva Vaidyanathan is a professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. Just last month his new book was released: “The Googlization of Everything (And Why We Should Worry). In a wide ranging conversation Professor Vaidyanathan explains why Google is so effective as an Internet search tool. He says that this success should be questioned and examined, and suggests that it actually narrows our view and search results.

 

 

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 16, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/16-04-2011/

 

Googlization of Everything website - www.googlizationofeverything.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - KEN GEORGETTI

 

Ken Georgetti, the president of the Canadian Labour Congress which represents more than three million unionized workers, talks about organized labour’s involvement in politics and in this year’s election campaign. He also outlines the key issues for labour in the campaign.

 

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 16, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/16-04-2011/

 

Canadian Labour Congress Election page -  here

Other election coverage and information from MASALA CANADA - here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - FARZANA DOCTOR

 

Toronto author, psychotherapist and activist, Farzana Doctor talks about her just released new novel, “Six Metres of Pavement”. It’s about a middle aged South Asian man in Toronto, almost destroyed by tragedy, who finds his life changed by a Portuguese-Canadian widow, and a young queer South Asian woman, who’s the age of his dead daughter.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 9, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/09-04-2011/

 

Farzana Doctor website – www.farzanadoctor.com

Six Metres of Pavement webpage – here

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SUNIL RAO

 

I talk to newspaper editor Sunil Rao about Canada’s federal election campaign. Rao’s paper is the South Asian Focus, based in the city of Brampton, just west of Toronto, and home to one of the biggest South Asian communities in Canada.  The community is being wooed by Canadian politicians as they campaign to attract voters for the May 2^nd election. We talk about some of the issues to look for during the campaign, and their impact within the community.

 

This interview was broadcast in the April 2, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/02-04-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

South Asian Focus newspaper – www.southasianfocus.ca

 

More of MASALA CANADA's ELECTION 2011 coverage here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RAGHU DIXIT

 

In a fun and wide-ranging conversation, Bangalore-based singer musician Raghu Dixit talks about his first North American tour, jet lag, and Canada’s winter cold. He describes his success in mixing musical roots for his contemporary folk rock style, and how he uses the Internet to popularize his music.


 

This interview was broadcast in the March 19, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/26-03-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

Raghu Dixit music and info – www.raghudixit.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - EF-KHAN

 

Toronto singer and musician Ef-Khan has a rock music background, has just appeared at a Canadian Music Week special concert organized by the desiFEST Festival and is about to appear at the Juno Fest week this coming Friday, March 25, 2011. In addition, he’s coming out with a solo album in May. During the program we got a sneak listen to the new album, and heard about his commitment to exploring different musical styles.

This interview was broadcast in the March 19, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/19-03-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

Ef-Khan website – www.ef-khan.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - KAVITA N. RAMDAS

 

Up until last year Kavita N. Ramdas was the President and CEO of the Global Fund for women, the world’s largest public foundation helping women’s rights groups. She is now a Senior Advisor with the Fund. As well she’s a visiting scholar at Stanford University in California. We talk about women’s rights, worker rights, and the future as we mark the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

 

 

This interview was broadcast in the March 12, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/12-03-2011/

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

Global Fund for Women – www.globalfundforwomen.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - LOUIE PALU

 

Louie Palu is an award winning Canadian photojournalist. He's been published by such publications as The New Yorker, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Canada’s Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, and many others. For the past five years, he’s been working on a photo project documenting the reality of war in Afghanistan. This May in Toronto he’ll have the first retrospective of this work from Afghanistan.

 

This interview was broadcast in the March 5, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/05-03-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

Louie Palu website www.louiepalu.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RAJ GIRN

 

 

Raj Girn, the founder and CEO of the ANOKHI Media group talks about celebrating the eighth anniversary of ANOKHI magazine with a Gala Night on Friday, February 4. A gala with guests from Canada, India, the UK and the U.S. We’ll talk about the beginnings of this glossy magazine which focuses on lifestyle, entertainment and fashion.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the February 5, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/05-02-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

Website for ANOKHI Magazine - www.anokhimagazine.com

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - BRYAN ADAMS

 

In a wide ranging conversation Bryan Adams talks about why he’s going on a concert tour to India and Nepal. He has greetings for our listeners in India and Nepal. He talks about his just released acoustic live album “Bare Bones”. And yes, we’ll get to hear three songs from the new album.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This interview was broadcast in the January 29, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/29-01-2011/

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

Website for Bryan Adams - www.bryanadams.com

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - ANAND GIRIDHARADAS

 

Columnist and author Anand Giridharadas and I talk about the book he’s just come out with,  a book a lot of people are talking about: “India Calling – An Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking”. It’s his story of discovery of a new India as the American born son of parents who decided to make the U.S. their home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This interview was broadcast in the January 29, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/29-01-2011/

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

Anand Giridharadas website – www.anand.ly

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - VIJAY IYER

 

New York City jazz pianist Vijay Iyer is back on the program. Last year we talked about his "Solo" album. This time we talk about a totally different sound and approach as he’s joined by guitarist and vocalist Prasanna, and Nitin Mitta on tabla. The album is called “Tirtha”, was released March 8, 2011, and presents a mix of jazz, Carnatic and Hindustani music.

 

 

This interview along with music from the new album TIRTHA was broadcast in the January 29, 2011 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/15-01-2011/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

Website for Vijay Iyer www.vijay-iyer.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RAGHAV

 

May 23, 2009 on the show I featured an interview with Canadian-born UK-based singer Raghav about how he started his music career and his exclusive performance at Toronto's all day music festival RBC desiFEST, on May 30^th.

 

March 25, 2011 he's performing at the JUNOFest in Toronto, part of the Canadian music industry's biggest week.

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

Raghav website  - www.raghav.com

 

 

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RAJ PATEL

 

I talk to scholar and activist Raj Patel about his book “The Value of Nothing” subtitled “Why Everything Costs So Much More Than We Think”.  We look at the real price of products and services, the impact of the free market, his suggestions of an alternative way at looking at not the price, but the value of things, and his belief that people can change the direction of decision making.

 

This interview was broadcast in the February 6, 2010 edition of MASALA CANADA http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/06-02-2010/

 

MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

 

Raj Patel website – www.rajpatel.org

 

 

 

 

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MASALA CANADA is an eclectic Canadian radio program with a South Asian flavour hosted and produced by Wojtek Gwiazda at Radio Canada International. rcinet.ca/masala

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Interviewees in alphabetical order (more to come soon):

BRYAN ADAMS

SATHISH BALA

PRITA CHHABRA

RAGHU DIXIT

FARZANA DOCTOR

ANAND GIRIDHARADAS

KEN GEORGETTI

RAJ GIRN

SUKI GREWAL

SUKHI GHUMAN

RAGHAV

RASUL SOMJI

TIM UPPAL

SIVA VAIDYANATHAN