Sobriety; racism; spirituality in music; acceptance; the influence of his Indian heritage; his love of Indian mythology; and lots of humor.
Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project, Pitch Perfect, Barbershop: The Next Cut, Free Guy, Marry Me) is a professional actor, writer, rapper and musician. A South-Asian American of Indian descent, born in Maryland to immigrant parents who are both progressive scientists as well as quiet practitioners of prayer, Utkarsh possesses a unique perspective on spirituality and culture. He is also charming, funny, kind, quick-witted and thoughtful, which makes for a delightful and insightful episode between these two old friends (who met on the set of the film Rocket Science 15 years ago).
Utkarsh has done a great deal of positive self-reflection, and he speaks reverently about the spiritual growth and awareness he has achieved after giving up drugs and alcohol and articulating and accepting a loving God-force into his day-to-day. He speaks about the different religious worlds both in India and the U.S. that have been available to him throughout his upbringing, and yet somehow were never imposed upon him. He speaks about his love and proclivity for music and rhyme, what that meant to him growing up, and what it means to him today. And he also makes Nick laugh many times throughout the episode, the loudest of which probably came after he revealed to Nick what his quiet, loving God-voice said to him after his cable went down. It's a beautiful episode, and I hope you enjoy it.
Utkarsh is a successful and prolific independent musician, with two new albums set to drop in the next six months or so. Find him at the following link, or wherever you get your music:
Also, Utkarsh mentions how his grandmother is a practitioner of Jainism. Here's a link describing some of the basic tenets of the Jain belief system: Jainism at a Glance
Utkarsh's Instagram: @utktheinc
Utkarsh's Twitter: @utktheinc
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano
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