On my pinboard: Manasi Prasad

Manasi Prasad is a well-known Carnatic vocalist and is the museum director of the Indian Music Experience - India’s first interactive music museum.

Having performed in more than six continents, Manasi also holds an MBA from IIM Bangalore and conducts workshops and lectures for corporate audiences on creativity and culture. She has been awarded the ‘Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

She is currently working on recording and documenting the compositions of Mysore T Chowdaiah, along with various other collaborations.

Rukmini Devi Arundale

Inspiration

Rukmini Devi Arundale

“I look up to Rukmini Arundale, the founder of Kalakshetra Foundation for she has created one of the best institutions of dance. I look up to artists who have gone beyond being just entertainers.

Women leaders like Indra Nooyi, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton also inspire me.

Kamal Haasan in Sagara Sangamam

Films

Sagara Sangamam

“I watch films occasionally. Aamir Khan is my all-time favourite. His films like ‘Dangal’, ‘PK’ and ‘Taare Zameen Par’ let us take away something, unlike other mundane entertainers. Other than that, my all-time favourite film will be Kamal Haasan’s ‘Sagara Sanganam’; I cry every time I watch it. I also watch many Hollywood films.”

Kodagu

Travel

Kodagu

“I go on a lot of family vacations, apart from travelling for work. Chile in South America and Tanzania in Africa are the two places I admire. I like Chile for its natural beauty and its balance of mountains and beaches. I like Africa for its connect with wildlife. In India, I like visiting Kerala often. Taking a break and unwinding and relaxing on a houseboat makes me feel great. For a quick weekend getaway, I choose Kodagu.”

Voleti Venkateswarulu

Music

Voleti Venkateswarulu

“I listen to a mix of Carnatic and Hindustani music. Voleti Venkateswarulu is my favourite musician. He sings traditional Carnatic music with traces of Hindustani; I try to incorporate this in my own renditions. Recently, I am hooked to the band ‘Agam’. Their renditions of classical music with new flavours is refreshing. I also love AR Rahman’s compositions; classical music with a touch of modern sound.”

Books

Gone with the wind

“ I used to be a voracious leader back in the days. ‘Gone with the wind’ by Margaret Mitchell is my all-time favourite. I also used to read Salman Rushdie while growing up. If I was in a mood for some murder mysteries, I would turn to Agatha Christie.”

Food

Dark chocolate

“I am a foodie. An ideal day for me would have a nice South Indian spread like Rava Idli or Set Dosa for breakfast, Italian for lunch and Mediterranean cuisine for dinner. For a good mid-morning meal, I prefer pasta with pesto. Since I have a big sweet tooth, I like munching on some dark chocolates. Dark chocolate with orange flavour is a classic combination; I like the bitter taste.”