My Diwali

Sashikumar Cheliah, the 2018 champion of Australian MasterChef, shares his Diwali tips and traditions with Dilpreet Taggar and Preeti Jabbal in this episode of 'My Diwali.' Sashi has a diverse background, having grown up in Singapore with roots in Tamil Nadu, India. In this discussion, we will explore his journey since his remarkable win, as well as his memories of celebrating Diwali with family and friends.

For Pallavi Sharda, Diwali is more than just rituals and celebrations; it has always been a gateway to her heritage. As the first Australian-born actress of Indian heritage to lead in Bollywood films, Pallavi has navigated multiple worlds, and the essence of Vedic festivals like Diwali continually grounds her. In this episode, she shares with Dilpreet her deep connection to the spirituality of her roots and, in a world full of online noise and distractions, encourages us all to pause, reflect, and look inward this Diwali.

For Fuzz Ali, Diwali transcends mere celebration; it’s a cultural tapestry woven into the fabric of life in Fiji. Growing up in Suva, where the festival is a national holiday, Fuzz reflects on how these traditions shape his identity as an Indo-Fijian artist now living in Australia. With a festive backdrop of fireworks, colourful sarees, and community spirit, Fuzz shares his journey of embracing his dual heritage and advocating for South Asian visibility. Join us on My Diwali with hosts Dilpreet Kaur Taggar and Preeti Jabbal as we explore what Diwali means through Fuzz’s unique lens.

Diwali brought more than light into Ananya Anand’s life – it brought love. During Melbourne’s lockdown in 2020, Ananya found herself unexpectedly staying longer, discovering a connection that led to her now-husband. Since then, she’s blended her traditions with new ones, celebrating Diwali with fusion dishes like butter chicken pies and paneer tikka tacos. Listen in as Ananya shares her story of love, food, and a Melbourne Diwali that brings together everything she cherishes, on My Diwali with Dilpreet Kaur Taggar and Preeti Jabbal.

Div Pillay, CEO of MindTribes and Co-Founder of Culturally Diverse Women shares her Diwali spirit with Dilpreet Taggar and Preeti Jabbal in this episode of 'My Diwali'. Div discusses how the true spirit of the festival is rooted in caring, sharing, and spreading happiness. We also explore what an inclusive celebration of Diwali looks like, its commercial benefits in Australia, and strategies for workplaces to embrace diversity and equity.

Lisa Sthalekar kicks off this season of My Diwali with hosts Dilpreet Taggar and Preeti Jabbal. Lisa is an Indian-born Australian cricket commentator, as well as a former cricketer and captain of the Australian women's national cricket team. Find out what Lisa's favourite Diwali food is, and hear how she celebrates the holiday with her family and friends.

Join host Raksha Burman in conversation with Anupam Sharma, film director and advocate for diversity in Australian media. Anupam shares childhood memories of Diwali sights, sounds and smells, and talks about how they've influenced his contemporary celebrations.

Join host Raksha Burman in conversation with Priya Gakhar who shares the story of her journey from semi professional soccer player to professional dhol player following a life threatening health condition. Discover her favourite Diwali food and the joy of playing the Dhol for her community.

Rohit Bhargava, co-founder of One Future Future Football, joins host Raksha Burman in conversation about how he celebrates Diwali with his friends and family, and his mission to represent Indian sport on a global scale.

Join host Raksha Burman in conversation with Mitu Bhowmick Lange, a Melbourne based film distributor, producer and festival director of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Hear about Mitu’s Bengali roots and celebration of Durga puja, a popular festival celebrated in Eastern India in the lead up to Diwali.

From Masterchef kitchens in Australia to her home kitchen in Newcastle, the love for her culture is the secret ingredient behind Depinder Chibber’s many creative recipes. This Diwali, she is looking forward to teaching her daughter how to make mithai and creating rangoli with her. Join host Raksha Burman in conversation with Depinder about how she celebrates Diwali.

My Diwali features well known South Asian personalities and everyday Australians sharing their experiences of celebrating Diwali. Join host Raksha Burman and guests as they discuss favourite foods and traditions, explore childhood memories, and how Diwali intersects with belonging and identity.