It's My Show With Dushyanth Sridhar | Date With Azhar

Episode Overview

Host Azhar speaks with scholar and speaker Dushyanth Sridhar about the Ramayana, faith, language, education and public figures. The conversation draws on questions from viewers as well as Azhar’s own.

Ramayana and Its Portrayal

Where Jatayu Fell

Sridhar says the Ramayana places Rama’s encounter with Jatayu near Nashik, Maharashtra, and identifies Thaket as the place associated with Jatayu’s final rites. He notes that other places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are also revered as sites where sages envisioned the scene again, like an “action replay.” He emphasizes Rama’s compassion in performing the rites for Jatayu.

Casting Rama

Asked who should play Rama in a film, Sridhar suggests that an unfamiliar performer might be a better choice because a famous actor’s persona can overshadow a sacred character. He also argues that Rama should be portrayed with a darker complexion, challenging the assumption that heroes must be fair-skinned.

“Black is a beautiful color,” he says, noting that many revered figures are traditionally depicted as dark.

Many Versions of the Epic

Sridhar objects to treating any one version or portrayal of the Ramayana as the only valid one, pointing out that the epic exists in many forms. He also encourages people who perform or write about it in Sanskrit to make it accessible in Tamil, saying audiences would be eager to see that.

Faith, Astrology and Karma

Sridhar advises people not to become preoccupied with black magic. Rather than obsessing over whether such forces exist, he says, people should focus on faith and confidence in God.

He regards astrology as part of Hindu tradition but cautions that constantly checking predictions can become anxiety-inducing. On karma, he argues that not every hardship can be explained by visible causes, citing the example of a child born with a serious condition.

Language and Education

Tamil and Sanskrit

Sridhar praises both Tamil and Sanskrit and says they should not be turned into rivals. Joking about familiar names—including several ending in “-nidhi”—with Sanskrit roots, he suggests that learning both languages is better than fueling social-media arguments about which is older.

He sums up his view with a “two eyes” comparison: Tamil is one eye and Sanskrit the other.

Studies and Spiritual Life

Alongside engineering studies and corporate work, Sridhar studied music, Sanskrit, Tamil, religious texts and philosophy. He has spent years giving discourses and creating Bharatanatyam productions. He also describes taking a comparative-religion course that introduced him to several Indian and Western traditions.

Temples and Public Figures

In a quick temple round, Sridhar names Thirukurungudi, near Tirunelveli, as a particularly beautiful, less-crowded temple worth visiting.

Looking at photos of public figures, he:

• Praises Jaya Kishori’s communication with young audiences.
• Credits Baba Ramdev with building a widely recognized brand.
• Says actor Vijay would face a huge task in challenging Tamil Nadu’s established political order and would need to work hard over time.
• Warmly recalls meeting A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, whom he describes as an inspiring role model.

People Featured

• Azhar — Host
• Dushyanth Sridhar — Guest

Other Personalities Discussed

• Jatayu, Lord Rama, Sita and Ravana
• Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Sai Pallavi
• Jaya Kishori, Baba Ramdev and Nithyananda
• Actor Vijay
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam