A heart to heart interview based exclusive show started in 2011 on Rajya Sabha TV. Guftagoo is an explorative-inquisitive and intimate conversation with celebrated personalities from various fields of Cinema, Theatre, Visual Arts, Literature and Culture.
The show focuses on the life experiences, emotional conflicts, inspirations, struggles that brought out the the real self in them and shaped the way they perceived the world.
Show’s host is Syed Mohd Irfan.
Irfan is an industry veteran with a rich media experience of over three decades. He has been associated with all forms of media from print, radio, television to the digital media.
As a host and media personality Irfan has been the marvelous communicator and and bridge builder known for his knowledge, precision and compassion, as a television host his appeal exists from art and culture doyen to all people together, evolved.
Guftagoo is an attempt to put together the guest’s concerns, ideas, passions towards his/her fields and reflections on existing time and society. Interspersed with relevant visuals/songs/video clips and inputs from person’s work.
Podcast | Listen with Irfan
I have compiled a collection of carefully chosen recordings from my extensive collection of sounds, encompassing various aspects of people, places, and cultural studies. Additionally, I have included snippets from my personal music archive, which I have painstakingly gathered through immense dedication and hard work. Throughout the podcast, I will also intersperse readings from classical and contemporary literature, as well as other relevant texts. I am thrilled to create and produce new podcast series, and I eagerly await your feedback in the upcomin
Contact on email: ramrotiaaloo@gmail.com
Recorded on 16th March 2008 in New Delhi.
Pankaj Srivastava came to University of Allahabad at thesame time I did. It was this shared sense of alienation and curiosity thatturned us into friends—a friendship that continues to this day.
Two lost souls, wide-eyed and restless, thrown together byfate. It was that shared sense of being out of place, that hunger to figure outwho we were, that wove our lives into a friendship so deep it’s carried usthrough all these years. I can still feel the warmth of it, like a fire thatnever dims.
Pankaj, my friend from Raebareli, was a force of nature. Hewasn’t just one thing—he was everything. I’d watch him light up the stage withDasta, our university’s legendary theater troupe, pouring his heart into everyline. We’d stand shoulder to shoulder in student protests, voices hoarse fromshouting for what we believed in. Late nights on Univesity Road, UniversityLawns in study circles, we’d argue and dream, and for a while, we even shared acramped little roof—our sanctuary. Those days feel so close, like I could reachout and touch them, even now.
Seventeen years back, I stole half a day from him, and whata treasure it was. After recording we sat at Mandi House, cradling cups of tealike they were gold, talking until our words tripped over each other. Welaughed, we reminisced, we tossed around praise and gentle jabs for the friendswho couldn’t join us. Back then, blogs were our obsession, but not forPankaj—he’d throw his head back, let out that big, booming laugh, and swear hischarm was in not being a blogger. “Pay me,” he’d say, grinning, “and maybeI’ll read yours.” That was him—unapologetic, real, and so damn alive.
I wanted to tell you about his days as a journalist, thestories he chased and the truths he uncovered, but our chat took a turn, as italways did with him. Instead, three songs spilled out—melodies from his soul.You’ll hear them at the end of this Guftagoo, songs he used to sing with us,his voice ringing out bold and free in those wild, active days. Pankaj isn’tjust a friend; he is a speaker who could move a crowd, a student leader we alllooked up to, fearless and fierce.
There’s so much more to say, but I’ll let his voice tell therest. Listen close—it’s all there, the man he is, the friend I’ll always holddear.
Cover Image: Featuring Bearded Irfan and Pankaj from 1992-93 probably / Representational
Cover Art: Irfan
