In 2016, the International Olympic Committee announced that Sport Climbing would be a medal sport in the 2020 Summer Olympics which was to be held in Tokyo.

On this episode, I talk to Bharath Pereira and Lokesh Rajan, two national level climbers who are gunning to represent India at the Olympics. Climbing since they were in primary school, Bharath and Lokesh have literally grown up with the climbing ecosystem in India and have had an immersive view of the trials and triumphs the sport and its participants have been through over the years. 

What you'll take away from this episode:

1. India's chances at the Olympics
2. The opportunities to improve the climbing ecosystem in India
3. What's needed to get started as a climber
4. Living the climbing lifestyle in India
5. What makes climbing so addictive and so much fun!

In this episode I talk to Preveen Pandita, one of the highest booked mentalists and magicians in India. Here's some of the stuff we talk about:

- How magicians and organisations manipulate the human mind
- The technical stuff that goes into creating a magical illusion
- The difference between tricks and magic 
- How Hitler supposedly employed a mentalist
- Why sleight of hand is the fundamental skill for a magician
- Anecdotes from Preveen's journey as a mentalist

In this episode, I learn about the art and craft of custom guitar building from one of India's foremost luthiers. We talk about everything from what goes into building a great guitar - technically, sonically and philosophically - to the rise in popularity of custom guitars in India and abroad. 

About Karan Singh: Under the brand name BigFoot guitars, he hand crafts bespoke guitars which are considered among the best around the world, and have been used by musicians like 2-time Grammy winner Amrit Sond, and Bob Weir- founding member of The Grateful Dead. Having apprenticed under world renowned luthier Jason Kostal, this former HR professional now builds top-notch guitars out of locally sourced woods from his workshop in Goa.

You should listen if:
1. You're a guitarist and you've considered getting a custom guitar for yourself
2. You've wondered what goes into building quality guitars with great tone 
3.  You'd like to know what it's like being a luthier building out of India