Selection of recent 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 1.

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

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - DINESH SACHDEV

 

Dinesh Sachdev, the Executive Director of Toronto’s South Asian film festival, Filmi, tells us what’s on at the 12^th annual edition of the festival, September 30 to October 2. The festival is presenting premieres of feature films, documentaries, music videos and web episodes. He also talks about how more and more, the first time filmmakers who had their break in past years at Filmi, are now returning as established, successful filmmakers with worldwide reputations.

 

This conversation is from the October 1, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda". http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/01-10-2011/

Filmi Film Festival – www.filmi.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - CHELVA KANAGANAYAKAM

 

Chelva Kanaganayakam, a professor in the English Department at the University of Toronto, and a former Director of the University’s Centre for South Asian Studies, talks about the second Festival of South Asian Literature and the Arts, September 30 to October 2. As one of the organizers of the festival, he talks about the inclusion of participants who do not write in English, and how this is bringing writers of different South Asian backgrounds together. He also talks about some of the recent trends in South Asian literature, written in Canada, the U.S. and in South Asia.

 

This conversation is from the October 1, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda".http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/01-10-2011/

Festival of South Asian Literature and the Arts – www.fsala11.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - JOHN ROOK

 

I talk to John Rook, the Chair of the National Council of Welfare, an advisory group to the Canadian government. On September 28, 2011 the Council released a report called “The Dollars and Sense of Solving Poverty”. What’s particularly interesting about the report is that the Council is suggesting an investment approach, rather than a charity approach to dealing with poverty in Canada.

 

This conversation is from the October 1, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda". http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/01-10-2011/

National Council of Welfare – www.ncw.gc.ca

Dollars and Sense of Solving Poverty report – here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - HARI KRISHNAN

 

I talk to Hari Krishnan, the Artistic Director of inDANCE, a Toronto-based dance company which explores the roots of courtesan, devadasi dance. It presents the work not only in Canada, but in India as well. And it’s made the dance accessible to audiences in both countries. On October 1^st and 2^nd, inDANCE has its Canadian premiere of “Fallen Rain”. This presentation was originally commissioned by the current prince of Tanjavur, His Highness Babaji Bhosale and presented at the ancient Tanjavur palace where the dances were originally performed in the 19^th century. Hari Krishnan also talks about how the term devadasi has been associated with prostitution, even though, or because it challenged a woman’s place in society.

 

This conversation is in the September 24, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

 

inDANCE website – www.indance.ca

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - RIBHU DASGUPTA

 

I talk with filmmaker Ribhu Dasgupta. His first feature film, Michael, had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival a week ago. He talks about why the film premiered in Toronto, about the challenges of making a non Bollywood-style film. He also explains why he set the film in Kolkata, and chose veteran actor Naseerudin Shah to play the main role. And why he worked with producer Anurag Kashyap, one of the leaders in India’s independent cinema scene.

 

 

This conversation is in the September 24, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

 

Michael film trailer - http://bit.ly/MichaelSneak

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - STEPHEN BROWN

 

I talk to Stephen Brown, an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in the study of the politics of development and in particular, Canadian foreign aid. As you’ll hear he feels Canada’s reputation has suffered because of the changes to our aid programmes in the last few years.

 

This conversation is from the September 17, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

More information on Prof Stephen Brown - here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - MANDIPPAL

 

Singer-songwriter Mandippal talks about his poetic pop rock (and somewhat folk) songs, his musical influences growing up in Canada, and his determination to make it in the music industry. He’s about to come out with his second album, an EP of five songs.

 

This conversation is from the September 17, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

Mandippal music and info -  www.myspace.com/mandippal

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - BAL GUPTA

 

A conversation about grief. Every September 11th, Dr Bal Gupta feels the pain of losing a loved one. But his grief didn’t start in 2001. It started on June 23, 1985 when his wife died in Canada’s worst terrorist attack, the bombing of Air India Flight 182, which killed 329 passengers and crew. We’ll talk about the grief of terrorism victims like Dr Gupta, and the need for memorials.

 

This interview is originally from the September 10, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

Air India bombing dossier - here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - TONY BURMAN

 

I talk to veteran Canadian journalist, producer, and senior broadcast executive Tony Burman. He’s just come back to Canada after serving as the Managing Director of Al Jazeera’s English language television service and being its strategic advisor for North America. Before that, he had worked for Canada’s public broadcaster CBC for 35 years, the last years as the director of all news services at CBC. We talk about the state of journalism and news coverage in the world today, about the journalistic approach of Al Jazeera, and I ask him about the impact of 9/11 on journalism.

 

This interview is originally from the September 10, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

 

Tony Burman - Ryerson University -  here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - JINNY SIMS

 

I talk to Jinny Sims, a Member of Parliament with Canada’s Official Opposition Party, the New Democratic Party (NDP). Last weekend, on August 27, there was a state funeral for the leader of the party, Jack Layton, and throughout this past week, Canadians of all political persuasions have offered tributes to him.  I talk to Jinny Sims about his leadership, about the future of the party (which made impressive inroads in the May federal election), and about the reaction to his death in the South Asian community.

 

This interview is originally from the September 3, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

Jinny Sims website – www.jinnysims.ndp.ca

Jack Layton letter – here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SANDEEP JUNNARKAR

 

I talk to Sandeep Junnarkar, journalist and Associate Professor of Journalism at the Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY). He’s also the Founder and Editorial Director of the “Family Life Behind Bars” Project. It’s a remarkable Internet project which helps people deal with the challenges of having a family member in prison.

 

This interview is originally from the September 3, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda"

 

Family Life Behind Bars website – www.prison.livesinfocus.org

 

 

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - VAISHALI TRIVEDI

 

Part of the Independence Day of India celebration organised by the High Commission of India in Ottawa on August 15, 2011, included a performance by India’s Kathak dance ensemble, Kadamb. I speak with the senior dancer and singer, and group leader, Vaishali Trivedi, about the contemporary approach of Kadamb. Founded by dancer and choreographer Kumudini Lakhia in 1967, the ensemble came at a time when there was a movement in India to express contemporary ideas.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 20, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/20-08-2011/

 

Kadamb website – www.kadamb.org

Vaishali Trivedi website - www.kathakvaishali.com

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - KARNA GUPTA

 

Just before he became President and Chief Executive Officer of ITAC, the Information Technology Association of Canada, I talk to Karna Gupta, a widely respected senior executive who’s worked in information communication technology in Canada and abroad. ITAC’s members account for much of Canada’s jobs, revenues, and research and development in the information technology industry. We talk about some of the Canadian successes and the challenges ahead for the industry.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 20, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/20-08-2011/

 

Information Technology Association of Canada – www.itac.ca

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - ANUJ RASTOGI

 

On August 11, 2011, I talked to Toronto musician, composer, producer Anuj Rastogi, who this past week created a spoken word video called “Dear London” after watching the rioting in the United Kingdom. He’ll talk about how and why he did it, and about some of the reaction in Canada’s South Asian community to the events of the last few days.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 13, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/13-08-2011/

Anuj Rastogi's "Dear London" video - here

Anuj Rastogi music and info - www.omnesia.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - GARY ANANDASANGAREE

 

I talk to Gary Anandasangaree, the legal counsel of the Canadian Tamil Congress, about a special event this past Thursday. The Congress organized a dinner in honour of fishermen from our Atlantic coast province of Newfoundland, who on August 11, 1986, saved 155 Tamil refugees in two lifeboats.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 13, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/13-08-2011/

Canadian Tamil Congress website - www.canadiantamilcongress.ca

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - JYOTI RANA

 

Jyoti Rana, the Director of Operations of Toronto’s South Asian arts and culture festival "Masala! Mehndi! Masti!", talks about the 11^th annual edition of the festival which starts this Friday, August 19. She talks about the inclusive approach of the festival, and the determined enthusiasm of the volunteers who make the festival such a success

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 13, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/13-08-2011/

Masala! Mehndi! Masti! festival website - www.masalamehndimasti.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - ALEX NEVE

 

I talk to Alex Neve, the Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, about Amnesty's concerns with the Canadian government's use of a list of 30 alleged war criminals to apprehend and deport them from Canada.

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 6, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/06-08-2011/

Amnesty International Canada - www.amnesty.ca

Amnesty International Canada letter - here

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SAEED MIRZA

 

Dr Saeed Mirza, professor emeritus of civil engineering at Montreal’s McGill University, talks about the failing road infrastructure in Montreal after a partial tunnel collapse only a few blocks from where we’re broadcasting. He talks about the urgent need for politicians, the public and engineers to take care of the maintenance of road infrastructures.

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 6, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/06-08-2011

Dr Saeed Mirza info - here

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - SHOBHA

 

Toronto singer-songwriter Shobha talks about her decision to participate in a contest organized by our public television broadcaster CBC TV called “Cover Me Canada” in which people are asked to do cover versions of four Canadian song classics. Shobha ended up choosing the Tom Cochrane song “Life is a Highway”. She also talks about her new sound and collaborations.

This interview was originally broadcast in the August 6, 2011 edition of "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/06-08-2011/

Shobha music and info – www.myspace.com/shobhamusic

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - KSHAMA METRE

 

Dr Kshama Metre will tell us about her transition 25 years ago from being a medical doctor taking care of children in Delhi, to working full time on rural development through the self help movement in India. As National Director of the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) she has helped thousands of Indians, in more than 550 villages. It’s done by talking to people at the grassroots, and listening to them.

 

 

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the July 2, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/02-07-2011/

 

Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) – www.cordusa.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - MOBINA JAFFER

 

I talk to Senator Mobina Jaffer, a member of Canada’s upper chamber the Senate, who last weekend, along with her colleagues, had to decide what to do with legislation that would force thousands of postal workers back to work. We talk about their debate on the legislation, the work of senators, and the differences between the appointed Senate and the elected Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.

 

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the July 2, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/02-07-2011/

 

Senator Mobina Jaffer website - http://mjaffer.sencanada.ca/en/

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - DJ VICIOUS

 

Vishal Urva, better known as DJ Vicious, of the Montreal trio The Bilz and Kashif talks about how he, Master D and Kashif have developed a unique sound of urban pop. He talks about the importance of live concerts, the years of getting to where they are now, and finally getting some rotation from MTV India for their videos.

 

 

 

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the July 2, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/02-07-2011/

 

The Bilz & Kashif music and info – www.thebilz.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - MALIK SIRAJ AKBAR

 

Malik Siraj Akbar, a Pakistani journalist who is the editor and founder of The Baloch Hal, talks about the challenges of running an online newspaper about Pakistan’s biggest province Balochistan, even though it’s blocked by the Pakistani authorities. He talks about the importance of social media, of using the Internet, and the interactivity that the Internet offers.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the June 25, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/25-06-2011/

 

The Baloch Hal online newspaper - www.thebalochhal.com

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - JIGAR MEHTA

 

I talk to Jigar Mehta, the president of SAJA – the South Asian Journalists Association. Formed 17 years ago, SAJA held its 12^th annual convention this past weekend in New York City. Made up of media executives, journalists and journalism students, the association has a number of scholarship and fellowship grants. We’ll hear about the association’s goals, and the president’s plans for the future.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the June 25, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/25-06-2011/

 

South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) website - www.saja.org

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - FARIDA AKHTER

 

I talk to Farida Akhter, the Executive Director of a policy and action research organization in Bangladesh formed in 1984. It’s acronym is UBINIG – in English, the organisation is called Policy Research for Development Alternative. A week ago she was in Ottawa participating in a workshop organized by Canada’s IDRC – the International Development Research Centre. The workshop focused on alternatives for tobacco farmers in a number of countries. I talked to Farida Akhter about the impact of tobacco farming in Bangladesh.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the June 18, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/18-06-2011/

 

UBINIG website – www.ubinig.org

 

 

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - FAWZIA KOOFI

 

A conversation about a remarkable book and with a remarkable author. Fawzia Koofi was first elected a Member of Parliament in Afghanistan in 2005. She was re-elected last year. She was the first woman deputy speaker. She has also been the target of numerous assassination attempts. At a certain point, fearing she would be killed, she started writing letters to her young daughters. Now they are part of a just released book “Letters to My Daughters”, which is both a collection of those letters and a memoir of her life. It is both her history and that of Afghanistan. And despite the tragedies and losses in her life, her politician father’s assassination, the death of her husband of tuberculosis after imprisonment, the story she tells is presented almost serenely. It’s a story of determination, and a belief in a better future for Afghanistan. It’s a story which ends (in this book) with her election to parliament, and her preparations to probably run for president in 2014.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the June 11, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/11-06-2011/

MASALA CANADA website www.rcinet.ca/masala

 

Letters to My Daughters - http://www.dmpibooks.com/author/fawzia-koofi

Fawzia Koofi info – www.fawziakoofi.org

Wojtek Gwiazda in conversation with - ROACH KILLA

 

And then I talk to Toronto singer Roach Killa. Of Pakistani origin, he was born in Libya, then came to Canada and has been producing music since his teens. His roots and his new home have contributed to a mix of rap, Punjabi and reggae music that talks of love and social realities. He'll be releasing a new EP album this summer, and talks about enjoying both the process of studio recording and being on stage in live concerts.

 

This interview was originally broadcast in the June 11, 2011 edition of  "MASALA CANADA with Wojtek Gwiazda" http://www.rcinet.ca/english/program/masala-canada/home/date/11-06-2011/

 

Roach Killa music and info – www.roachkilla.com

 

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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:

( For archived conversations here )

MALIK SIRAJ AKBAR

GARY ANADASANGAREE

FARIDA AKHTER

STEPHEN BROWN

TONY BURMAN

RIBHU DASGUPTA

MOBINA JAFFER

SANDEEP JUNNARKAR

BAL GUPTA

KARNA GUPTA

CHELVA KANAGANAYAKAM

ROACH KILLA

FAWZIA KOOFI

HARI KRISHNAN

MANDIPPAL

JIGAR MEHTA

KSHAMA METRE

SAEED MIRZA

ALEX NEVE

JYOTI RANA

ANUJ RASTOGI

JOHN ROOK

DINESH SACHDEV

SHOBHA

JINNY SIMS

VAISHALI TRIVEDI

DJ VICIOUS