Let’s Talk: Recent Episodes
Let’s Talk with Sharaad Kuttan
Sharaad Kuttan takes a deeper look at events packed in this half hour show for wider knowledge, greater understanding and better comprehension of the news that matter to you. He rocks!
Time and a certain disposition of mind allows for self-reflection that is productive not just for the individual but for others as well. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kua Kia Soong, academic, activist and author of almost 40 books on his latest work, “The Malaysian Dilemma: My Memoir and Manifesto”.
We are what we eat said a German philosopher. Nothing could be more true. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chef Yin about her journey to a raw vegan diet.
Has our addiction to images and representations of food come through popular culture come at the cost of understanding our true relationship to food, food producers and our histories? Sharaad Kuttan speak to University of Brasilia professor in tourism, Taina Zaneti, and about her book “From Our Grandmother’s Pans to Haute Cuisine” and her critique of representations of food and structural problems in our food production systems.
Images and text can be a potent mix in story-telling. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to writer Lim Soon Heng & illustrator Tang Yeok Khang about their illustrated book, “A Hen-Made Tale” ostensibly for children, perhaps for the child in all of us.
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to ecologists Benjamin Ong, Applied Imagination Fellow, Center for Science & The Imagination and fellow member of Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) together with UBI’s Creative Director Siti Syuhada Sapno about their month-long programme ImagiNasi, created to help us rediscover Nature through Food.
Non-Fungible Token (NFT) art stole headlines for record breaking sales in crypto currencies. But are we applauding the money or the artistry? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to visual artist Visithra Manikam, whose sale of her work to musician Snoop Dogg, brought her to national prominence.
Can we redesign formerly exploitative relationships with the land and communities whose lives are intimately tied to it into relationships of respect and cooperation? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Daniel Teoh, Founder of Native Discovery, a social enterprise seeking to create what it describes as “impactful business opportunities with Orang Asli communities”.
Every year during the Ramadhan month, just like clockwork, the media raises the issue of food waste. But this is neither a problem unique to the fasting month nor to the Muslim community. Malaysia has a serious, year long problem with wasted food. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Syazwan Mokhtar, General Manager, The Lost Food Project.
Excavations of the past both personal and political are invaluable to developing a sense of what Malaysia is as a nation. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Peggy Loh, author of two volumes of “My Johor Stories”.
He describes himself as an introvert for whom the pandemic was an opportunity to express his inner emotions in images. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Yoss Yoseff, Johor-based visual artist who will be participating in CULT Gallery’s “6 Ways Of Seeing Show”.
What forms of inequality exist and why do they persist? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chandran Nair, founder & CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow about his new book “Dismantling Global White Privilege, Equity for A Post-Western World”.
In 2019 a group of Malaysian dancers travelled to the city of Prayagraj to witness and participate in one of the largest gatherings of humanity, the Kumbha Mela. The deeper culture connections between the Subcontinent and the Peninsular are evident if often silenced; so how can we creatively excavate and animate them for ourselves? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Chairman of Sutra Foundation about his book “The Kumbha Mela Prayagraj, Joined in Dance, A Malaysia-India Experience”.
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kee Thuan Chye about his book “Lim Kit Siang Malaysian First; Volume One: None But The Bold” about the veteran politician whose leadership of the Democratic Action Party has had a profound impact on the social and political landscape of post-Independence Malaysia.
Years spent working in commercial graphic design and generous mentors seem to have laid the foundations for his current success. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to one of Kuching best known muralist about his unmistakable painterly style, the realities of commissioned work and where he plans to take his art.
Two years after it’s establishment the environmental journalism portal Macaranga, it’s founders are looking for ways to sustain a project that’s filling a gap in our media landscape. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to co-founder Wong Siew Lyn and Natasha Zulaikha Zahirudin (a graduate student on a mentorship programme) about the challenges they are facing.
The CIMB Artober Hotel Art Fair 2021 was held from 4th to 7th November 2021 at the Element by Westin hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Ismail Ani Arope, Director, Group Corp Events, CIMB and artist Najib Bamadhaj about the event that brings some of the city’s leading galleries together.
Books - domestic or foreign - traditionally represent an important dimension of the intellectual life of society and the flow of ideas. How healthy is this trade in Malaysia? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Gerakbudaya Editor, William Than and Lit Books’ Fong Min Hun about their book “Paper & Text: The Trials and Trade of Malaysian literature”.
On this episode of Let’s Talk, Sharaad Kuttan speaks to novelist and academic Faisal Tehrani about his work, literature and culture in Malaysia.
On this episode of Let’s Talk, Sharaad Kuttan speaks to novelist and academic Faisal Tehrani about his work, literature and culture in Malaysia.
In this classic study of ideas our guest looks to the writing of political and community leaders, literary figures as well as the religious elite to discern the ways in which the problem of development or lack of it is understood. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Shaharuddin Maaruf, author of “Malay Ideas on Development: From Feudal Lord To Capitalist” first published in 1988.
In this classic study of ideas our guest looks to the writing of political and community leaders, literary figures as well as the religious elite to discern the ways in which the problem of development or lack of it is understood. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Shaharuddin Maaruf, author of “Malay Ideas on Development: From Feudal Lord To Capitalist” first published in 1988.
Undaunted by the small and potentially shrinking pool of avid readers, Svara also publishes exclusively in Malay. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.
A broad thematic canvas allows for the unexpected, along with sharp story-telling and an attractive layout. Where next for this quarterly? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.
The persistence of older analogue forms is a reminder of what is sometimes lost in the transition to digital formats, exemplified in the literary journal. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to the editorial team of Svara, a Malay-language literary journal, Hafiz Hamzah (Chief Editor), Badrul Hisham Ismail (Content Editor), Nazir Harith Fadzillah (Digital & Marketing) at Tintabudi Bookstore, Zhongshan Building, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.
While pursuing a postgraduate degree my guest embarked on an exploration of a man whose life of crime has become legend, a modern-day Malaysian Robin Hood. But what truth lies behind this image and how difficult was it to unearth the multiple narratives, public and private, of the man who was born Kalimuthu a/l Pakirisamy. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Suganthi Supramaniam author of “The Story Of Bentong Kali”.
While pursuing a postgraduate degree my guest embarked on an exploration of a man whose life of crime has become legend, a modern-day Malaysian Robin Hood. But what truth lies behind this image and how difficult was it to unearth the multiple narratives, public and private, of the man who was born Kalimuthu a/l Pakirisamy. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Suganthi Supramaniam author of “The Story Of Bentong Kali”.
Trained as an architect and working on the speculative end of “world-building” has brought our guests to an experiment in authorship and identity.
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Chuah Chong Yan about his exhibition “Fac3d: What If We Kissed At The Intersection Between Art, Writing And Technology” at The Backroom, Zhongshan Building.
Beginning with some early scientific explorations in the Malaya Peninsular, our guest sets out to entice us into an engagement with these two forms of knowledge. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Clarissa Lee, “Artscience, A Curious Education” about the structure of her book and its invitation to reconsider the relationship between art and science.
How should we think about what is often thought to be very different forms of intellectual activity. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Clarissa Lee, author of “Artscience, A Curious Education”, how she came to write a book about the relationship between artistic methodology and scientific knowledge.
With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.
With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.
With many venues closed and audiences to anxious to return, what should arts and cultural practitioners be reconsidering about how they work? Sharaad Kuttan speak to Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, CEO Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) and Koggelavani Muniandy, Director, Goodkids Malaysia.
This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin, about their formation as artists and the group.
This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin, about the show that brought them 3 awards at the recent Cameronian Arts Awards.
This week Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Leow Sze Yee, Co-founder & Music Director of Orang Orang Drum Theatre and group member Syamil bin Norzalahuddin about their upcoming album launch and immersive show.
Inspired in part by the 1971 book of biographical sketches of then contemporary Malaysian artists by Dolores Wharton, our guest sought to bring to life the lives of current contemporary artists. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.
How much of yourself do artists want to share with the public, and how much of their private lives or personal philosophy adequately explain their work. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.
What’s next in the lives of Malaysian artists do we need to explore and what medium might best bring these new narratives out? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Emelia Ong, author of "Living Art", and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, an artist featured in the book.
Coming to Kuala Lumpur only as an adult, our guest tonight has deep roots in the Kelabit community, a community whose language is endangered. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in Kelabit and Kenyah, about her identity both ethnic and musical.
Once the province of men, the Sape is now championed by both men and women who have become trained in the tradition. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in Kelabit and Kenyah about her entry into the professional world of music, from a world where music was embedded in the community.
Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival had a profound influence on our young guest and today she is connected to the world through her music. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Alena Murang is a Borneo-born Dayak-European Sape-player who sings in the endangered languages of Kelabit and Kenyah.
Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.
Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.
Delayed by the MCO, Roh (Soul) finally opened on 6 August, giving audiences a fresh, local take on the horror genre. #LetsTalk with Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kuman Picture founder Amir Muhammad, director Emir Ezwan & actress Farah Ahmad about the film’s aesthetics and deeper meaning.
From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.
From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.
From February to November 2019, Seni Tiga was held on every fourth Saturday of the month at KongsiKL, an arts space in Jalan Klang Lama, hosting Seni Tiga was a multidisciplinary collaborative performances series, which picked up numerous awards at Cameronians. Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mah Jun Yi, a trained architect, who was Seni Tiga assistant producer and Kongsi KL curator and Justin Lee Kar Wai who won for Best Set Design at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.
This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and filmmaker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).
This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and film-maker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).
This is the third edition of a film festival that began in 2016, Pesta Filem Kita 2020, seeks to help young people find their voice. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Victoria Cheng (Festival Director, Manager, Projek Dialog) and film-maker Muzzamer Rahman (Festival Curator).
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to world-renowned Bangladeshi photographer, founder of the Drik Picture Library, the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and the Chobi Mela International Photography Festival on what the future holds.
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to world-renowned Bangladeshi photographer, founder of the Drik Picture Library, the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and the Chobi Mela International Photography Festival on the launch of his latest book "The Tide Will Turn".
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to world-renowned Bangladeshi photographer, founder of the Drik Picture Library, the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and the Chobi Mela International Photography Festival on the launch of his newest book "The Tide Will Turn".
Does the tool matter in crafting a story? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to TV host Baki Zainal and content creator Chong Jia Wai, winners of the GoPro 1 Million Dollar Challenge.
What can we discover if we start to look at the fluidity of personal and collective identities? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Dietrich Jung, Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies, University of Southern Denmark.
Overcoming depression or illness often requires more than medication. Indeed some claim that medication becomes a problem itself. Sharaad Kuttan asks organisers Zena Choo and Dominic Aw for their thoughts on the meaning of wellness.
What can readers of local comics look forward to in the coming year? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Amir Hafizi, Maple Comics co-founder and writer of Nafiri, an upcoming fantasy light-novel.
Why do some kids never grow out of reading comics? And is it only for children? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Amir Hafizi, Maple Comics co-founder and writer of Nafiri, an upcoming fantasy light-novel.
How do you create an alternative world and what would be your material? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Amir Hafizi, Maple Comics co-founder and writer of Nafiri (together with illustrator Zamzami M Zain) an upcoming fantasy light-novel.
Film making can be expensive but film-makers are called to use their creativity to work within constraints. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to director Jeremy Jecky and producer, Joeline Wong of "Kelinguh", a short-film expected to be completed in March this year.
Refusing to merely work with the "crumbs" left by professional historians, Mumbai-based artist Baptist Coelho seeks to make his own contribution. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to him.
Sharaad Kuttan speak to Guitarist-Composer-Educator, Az Samad who has performed in the United States, Europe and Asia. Known as The Malaysian guitar hero, he is a talented and well respected educator in all aspects of the guitar.
Art comes in many forms - sculpting, painting, drawing, architecture, etc. - each of which brings out a story to connect one another. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Zanita Anuar, Director, Media & Art Development Division, National Art Gallery
Domestic Bliss is the resulting exhibition of the second edition of 'Pollination', a programme driven by the need to create critically active and supportive artist-curator-community networks within Southeast Asia. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Kat Rahmat and Le Thuan Uyen, the curators of Domestic Bliss.
Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Abdennour Bidar, French philosopher, public figure and part of Ministry of Education. He published several books including; “Self-Islam” and “Islam without submission”.
October 24: Concerts by international musicians and singers plug the country into global entertainment network. But there have been roadblocks to this flourishing business that are rooted in cultural conflicts. We speak to members of Arts, Live Festival and Events Association. Brian Johnson Lowe and Para Rajagopal let us know what's going on.
Twice the winners of the World Crafts Council Award for Excellence in Handicraft in 2014 and 2016, Tanoti must struggle to stay relevant to the wider world. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to founder Jacqueline Fong, who just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where weavers performed their craft.
What does Redemption mean in different religious traditions and what can it mean for many who are seeking to fill a void in their inner lives. Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Michael Sugich about his latest book, "Heart Turn - Sinners, Seekers, Saints and the Road to Redemption" as well as his earlier work, "Signs of the Horizon: Meetings with Men of Knowledge and Illumination".
Sarawak has decided to return to the policy of teaching maths and science in English. Is this both pedagogically sound and an aspiration that can be delivered in the short-term? Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Ganakumaran Subramaniam from the School of Education, Nottingham University Malaysia and President of the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA).
The PM in his address to the nation yesterday spoke of the achievements of his government in terms of women's empowerment. Melisa Idris (The Future is Female) and Rizal Zulkapli (AWANI Global) join me in a look at the top news stories of the week.
If the police were handmaidens of authoritarian governance, how will they chart a new path?
We ask Ivy Josiah who served on the 2004 Police RCI, and advocate and solicitor New Sin Yew.
What must the PH government do over the next 4 years to deliver the promised reforms and what could be the pitfalls?
We speak to N. Surendran, PKR Vice-President (2010-2014) and Political Bureau & Supreme council member (2010-2018). He also Advisor to the NGO - Lawyers for Liberty.
In the age of Netflix and Go-Studio - alternative ways of financing film, and with exhaustion over nationalist slogans like "Filem Kita, Wajah Kita", what is the role of government in film-making?
We speak to Hans Isaac (Chairperson, FINAS Board) and Kamil Othman (CEO FINAS, 2014 to 2016).
Detention without trial is one of the legacies of both colonial and Barisan Nasional-era Malaysia. How do we understand that legacy in Malaysia Baharu?
We speak to Ray Langenbach (artist and lecturer), Hishamuddin Rais (author, Surah-Surah Terlarang) and art historian Simon Soon (Universiti Malaya).
The momentous break-through that the 14th General Election represents get scrutinised by some of the city's witties minds. We speak to Jo Kukathas, Kam Raslan, Naa Murad and Zalfian Fuzi.
From markets to political will to an acceptance of diversity (and a reduction of censorship) what is the future of the Malaysian music and entertainmen industry and its billion-dollar potential?
We speak to KL Jamm's Festival Director, Norman Abdul Halim.
From markets to political will to an acceptance of diversity (and a reduction of censorship) what is the future of the Malaysian music and entertainmen industry and its billion-dollar potential?
We speak to KL Jamm's Festival Director, Norman Abdul Halim.
How can human rights values and perspectives be added to the curriculum and do teachers have the capacity and training to do so?
Today we speak Suhakam Commissioner Datuk Lok Yim Pheng.
Over 65% of first wives were unaware of their husband’s marriage; 45% of husbands did not submit applications to court; and 60% of children of polygamous marriages are involved in drug abuse and truancy.
These are just some of the results of a new study on the phenomenon.
We speak to Shareena Sheriff (Sisters in Islam), Dr Wan Zumusni Wan Mustapha (UiTM Negeri Sembilan) and Dr Sharifah Syahirah (Political analyst).
Let's Talk - A show that brings you into the most important conversations of the day. On this episode, Sharad brings three people from Institut Onn Jaafar discussing on what can we do on this Deepavali to help those in need.
The future's not ours to see but has the Finance Minister plotted the right path to weather the economic storm of 2019? November 3: Let's Talk with Sharaad Kuttan drills into the various provisions of 2019 with Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng.
We explore the New Malaysia through the prism of persistent calls for the Sedition Act to be used, and the paradoxes of institutional reform.
On this episode Let's Talk with Sharaad Kuttan looks at legal reforms spurred by moves for greater openness, transparency in the new Malaysia, but hurdles abound.
October 30: Historical literacy in Malaysia is being given a boost through the efforts of Imagined Malaysia which seeks to create interest and awareness on past events in an inclusive manner.
We look back at the week that was with Malaysiakini Journalist, Annabelle Lee and Editor-in-chief at Cilisos.my, Chak Onn Lau, for their take on the ways the media framed the world for us.
Kedah continues its history of longest unbroken royal ruling lineage. On Let's Talk with Sharaad Kuttan tonight we talk to former professor and activist, Syed Husin Ali, historian Dr Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian together with Astro AWANI's Rizal Zulkapli.
Let’s Talk With Sharaad Kuttan brings you the most important conversations for the week just ended with focus on the media. From the gruesome murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to what's being highlighted in the media and whether investigative journalism requires institutional support, money and time.
Let's Talk sees Sharaad Kuttan in festive spirits. He talks to Bernice Chauly, Director of George Town Literary Festival, Susie Kukathas, Curator of Think City’s Confluence Festival and Umapagan Ampikaipakan of the Cooler Lumpur Festival on the impact on society and economy from this penchant to make merry.
Let's Talk with Sharaad Khuttan takes a look at the local creative industry, the challenges it faces and how the government can help in propelling the industry beyond our borders.
18 Oct 2018, 6:21 am
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Let's Talk With Sharaad Kuttan brings you the most important conversations of the day. Reflecting on the Khazanah Research Institute's Household Report and public opinion polling, have in the studio Merdeka Centre's Ben Suffian and Committe Member of Bantah 1050, Arul Chelvam, from Parti Sosialis Malaysia.
1:40 - Governing Malaysia - What Matters Most
12:00 - Do We Need More Datuks?
21:59 - Heading to the Budget
30:51 - Bantah 1050 - What Do Protestors Want?