Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 5 CITY VIEWS May 22, 2026 A collection of Hindi plays explor- ing mystical themes and spiritual experiences drew an intimate audience May 9 during a cultural gathering hosted by the newly launched Heramba Art and Culture Cen- ter in collaboration with Prayog Natya Sanstha. Titled “Beyond Understanding,” the afternoon program featured dramatic readings of three original Hindi plays written by Ashok Vyas. The event was held under a tent at the Edison residence of Abhishek Mishra and attracted Hindi literature enthusiasts, artists and com- munity members. Rather than full theatrical produc- tions, the plays were presented through dramatic readings accompanied by interactive discussions with the audience after each performance. The common thread running through the three plays was the exploration of mystical events, divine inter- vention and extraordi- nary coincidences that influence human lives in unexpected ways. The first play, “Agyat Ka Bhay” (“Fear of the Unknown”), centered on a man battling despair and suicidal thoughts whose life changes following an unexpected visit with his wife to the Mishra home. The story examined the intersection of coincidence and faith through a series of unexplained spiritual experiences, includ- ing manifestations associated with Hindu deities. Abhishek and Namita Mishra portrayed themselves in the reading. The second play, “Mystical Chai,” blended spirituality with suspense and contemporary themes such as social media and artificial intelligence. The story focused on a young New Jersey resident devoted to the Mother Goddess and ex- plored questions surrounding faith, truth and divine possibility. The final presentation, “Chief Control- ler,” examined the relationship between technological advancement, artificial intelligence and human spirituality. Set around the founders of a multibillion-dol- lar technology company, the play explored themes of divine protection, faith and the preservation of human sensitivity amid rapid technological growth. Organizers said the event also marked the soft launch of the NewYork-based Heramba Art and Culture Center, an initiative associated with Vyas’ Heram- baStudio platform, which presents spiri- tual, dharmic and mental health-related programming. Vyas, a poet, Hindu priest and long- time television host, is known for more than 25 years of programming on ITV Gold. He also operates HerambaStudio, a YouTube platform focused on spirituality and Vedanta philoso- phy. Ameeya Mehta spoke about the journey of New Jersey-based Prayog Natya Sanstha during the event. Vineeta Khanna per- formed a bhajan by Sant Kabir and a ghazal for attendees. Among those pres- ent were Parveen Chopra, yoga teacher Vijay Trivedi, Pradeep Agarwal, Raj Mittal, Om Sharma and Ashok Ojha. The event concluded with remarks by Namita Mishra thanking the writers, artists and audience members. Guests later toured the Mishra residence to view what organizers described as unusual spiritual signs connected to the themes explored in the plays. T wo Indian-origin oncologists, Dr. Sundeep Grandhe and Dr. Urvi Shah, have been named to the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care’s “2026 Class of 40 Under 40 in Cancer,” the orga- nization announced May 13. The 40 honorees were selected from what the associ- ation described as an “outstanding and highly competi- tive” pool of approximately 2,800 nominees. Dr. Grandhe is a quadruple board-certified physi- cian-executive who completed dual Harvard-affiliated fellowships in hospice and palliative medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and in bioethics at the Harvard Center for Bioethics. Originally from India, Dr. Grandhe earned his medi- cal degree from Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute in Chennai before pursuing advanced training in the United States. The association noted that Grandhe has focused his practice on culturally responsive and compassionate care for medically underserved communities, par- ticularly patients facing serious illness and end-of-life decisions. Dr. Shah is an assistant attending physician with the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NewYork. She previously served as a fellow at Montefiore Health System in NewYork. A board-certified hematologist-oncologist, Shah specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of plasma cell disorders. In announcing the honorees, the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care said the recipients represent “excellence across research, clinical care, advocacy and beyond.” “Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees. We look forward to honoring your achievements and the impact you continue to make,” the association said in a statement. The winners are scheduled to be honored May 30 at the Palmer House in Chicago. Hindi Plays With Mystical Themes Draw Audience In New Jersey Indian-Origin Oncologists Honored In National ‘40 Under 40 In Cancer’ Awards PHOTO:COURTESY DR.SUNDEEP GRANDHE & DR.URVI SHAH VIA LINKEDIN By a StaffWriter By a StaffWriter Dr. Sundeep Grandhe, left, and Dr. Urvi Shah were named to the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care’s “2026 Class of 40 Under 40 in Cancer.” PHOTOS:ABISHEK MISHRA Host Abhishek Mishra and his wife are joined by Ashok Vyas, theater artists and guests during the “Beyond Understanding” dramatic reading event in Edison, N.J. Theater artists participate in a dramatic reading during the “Beyond Understanding” cultural program featuring original Hindi plays by Ashok Vyas in Edison, N.J. Abhishek Mishra shows Ashok Vyas images believed to depict manifestations of Lord Shiva at his Edison, N.J., residence during the “Beyond Understanding” cultural gathering.