A QISSAA with Ishika

About A QISSAA with Ishika

Join performer and storyteller Ishika Muchhal as she interviews and tells the Quintessential and Inspiring Stories of South Asian Artists, the trailblazers who have paved their own path in the visual and performing arts in America. A new guest, a new episode every week, Sundays at 12 p.m. PST.

Publisher

Ishika Muchhal

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Mar 2021

Latest episode

23 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Aug 2026

   A QISSAA with Ishika: Avneet Kaur

   Welcome to the 41st episode of A QISSAA with Ishika! My guest today is Avneet Kaur (https://www.linkedin.com/in/avneet-kaur-009bb25/), Head of Characters & Technical Animation and Head of Workflow-Pipeline at Walt Disney Animation Studios! She has worked in animation for over 20 years. Since joining Disney in 2004, she has worked as Simulation Supervisor, Department Craft Leader, and Head of Characters and Technical Animation. Avneet has worked on multi-million dollar animated feature films including Bolt, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen 2, Wish, and the Academy Award®-winning films Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Encanto. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Birla Institute of Technology (India) and a Master’s in Visualization Sciences from Texas A&M University. Avneet also serves as a mentor and actively develops talent at Walt Disney Animation Studios through speaking engagements, publications, and presentations at international conferences. She is also involved with organizations like Women in Animation, Women in Technology, Girls Who Code, ASIFA, Rise Up Animation, ABAI (India), and her alma mater. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

2. 

   23 Aug 2026

   A QISSAA with Ishika: Reshma Gajjar

   Welcome to the 40th episode of A QISSAA with Ishika! My guest today is Reshma Gajjar (https://www.reshmagajjar.com/about), a first-generation American actress, interdisciplinary performing artist, and creative collaborator! She has acted on camera for visionary directors Spike Jonze, Sam Mendes, Kathryn Bigelow, and Damien Chazelle, recognized for opening the Oscar-winning film La La Land. As a member of the original cast of Life And Trust in New York City - from the producers of Sleep No More - Reshma devised, co-choreographed, and originated a role in this genre-defying theatrical work. She continues to choreograph work for theater and film, including the upcoming Broadway musical The Lunchbox. She has toured the world with Madonna and Ricky Martin; dancing on stage and screen with the likes of Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa, Charlie XCX, and Adele. Reshma bridges the commercial and art worlds, known for her theatrical storytelling that centers humanity.

3. 

   23 Aug 2026

   A QISSAA with Ishika: Minila Shah

   Welcome to the 39th episode of A QISSAA with Ishika! My guest today is choreographer, performer, and arts educator Minila Shah! (https://ajnadance.com/about/) For over 25 years, Minila Shah has shaped the landscape of Indian dance. Her expertise spans Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Bollywood, Semi-Classical, Garba/Raas, and Bhangra, showcasing her versatility and deep-rooted knowledge of South Asian dance. Since founding Ajna Dance Company in 2013, Minila Shah has been driven by a passion to share authentic Indian dance and culture in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. Today, her vision for Ajna centers on creating innovative and relevant works for her dancers while expanding the company's reach to schools, communities, and cultural spaces, harnessing the power of dance and music to educate and connect through assemblies, residencies, and more. Minila’s choreography has been featured in film, TV, music videos, and theater in London and New York. She has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC, BBC, Sky1, and ITV’s Dancing on Ice. When she’s not dancing, she’s passionate about yoga, vegetarian food, and exploring life in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, with her husband and two daughters.

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

46

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

27

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.