Theme: Start With Why

Most people start with WHAT because it's the easiest thing to communicate. Then they may discuss the HOW, but rarely the WHY. The "why" stands to signify the inquisitive nature of sentient beings. “Why are we here?” “Why is everything growing monumentally?” “Why me?” While these questions go unanswered, the reality is, they find their own answers. Every person faces the pertinent question of starting with a why at some point in their lives. So, have you cracked your WHY yet? This new year, fire up to get inspired by miscellaneous masters-of-their-crafts and come one step closer to the fons et origo of your story. TEDx Hansraj presents a string of events, featuring big-names ranging across fields to talk about their journeys and guide you to the light across the tunnel, beginning from WHY.

Hansraj College
Hansraj College Mahatma Hansraj Marg, University of Delhi, Delhi, India 110007
New Delhi, Delhi, 110007
India

Baba Kutani

Hailing from the hills of Uttarakhand we are being imparted with a pearl named Sumit Kutani. He was actually born in Pauri, Srinagar with a mesmerising and melodious voice which is pretty appealing. Moreover , when tourists listened to him while playing Handpan they all got fascinated towards the ups and downs of his tone .Eventually he was nomenclatured by Britishers as" Baba Kutani". Apart from it, his intense interest in Handpan made him yearn to stream in Indonesia for the sake of better learning. As soon as he got efficient in playing the instruments, numerous tourists and visitors had to stop themselves from moving. It had been the dream of Baba Kutani to make Indians to inculcate themselves into the art of Handpan. He has an ardent desire to even inaugurate an academy in order to impart the basics of Handpan to the Indian people. The gigantic cost of Handpan motivated him to formulate it in India itself so that it can be easily accessible.

Mame Khan

Folk Singer

In his kaleidoscopic Rajasthani turban, pruned moustache, and that warm smile which radiates instant comfort, Mame Khan exhibits an alluring demeanour. Needless to say, it’s his voice, saturated with the vitality and verve of western Rajasthan—especially Jaisalmer and Barmer—that resonates with us the most, and that has made us diehard fans of his. He has featured in such songs as “Baawre” from Luck By Chance (2009); “Aitbaar” from Nobody Killed Jessica (2011); and “Chakora” from Mirzya (2016). And you doubtless have seen him on the widely popular second season of Coke Studio@MTV, singing “Chaudhary,” conducted and arranged by Amit Trivedi.

Nishant Jain

IAS | Author | UPSC Topper

Mr Nishant Jain is an lAS officer from the batch of 2016. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh he has done his M.Phil in Hindi Literature from Delhi University . He gave the UPSC examination in Hindi going on to secure the amazing rank of AIR 13 and is currently posted as the Director of Rajasthan Tourism. Not only this, he has also written a couple of books and his latest "Ruk Jaana Nahin" is a must read for all UPSC aspirants.

Pankaj Bhadouria

Masterchef - Restaurateur

She was a teacher for 16 years, her love and passion for cooking led her to to join the inaugural season of MasterChef. In 2010, she became the winner of Masterchef India. In 2016, she won chef of the year by Brand Impact and OSM Kitchen King/Queen of the Year Award by the Outlook Magazine. She was also felicitated by the President of India, Shri R.N Kovindji as one of the ‘First Ladies’ of India, an award constituted by the Union Ministry of Women & Child Welfare, in a ceremony at the President Bhawan.

Pankaj Udhas

Singer | Padma Shri Awardee

Pankaj Udhas is an Indian ghazal and playback singer. He gave his maiden stage performance at the time of crisis during the Indian-Sino war. Since his interest was in singing ghazals, he learned Urdu and spent a lot of time in the US and Canada and did various Ghazal concerts. His confidence was sky high when he returned. He started his career with a release of a ghazal album titled Aahat in 1980 and subsequently recorded many hits like Mukarar in 1981, Tarrannum in 1982, Mehfil in 1983, Pankaj Udhas Live at Royal Albert Hall in 1984, Nayaab in 1985 and Aafreen in 1986.