Testimonials
This is why we love doing what we do.
"I was very excited when the idea of The Peninsula Studios was shared with me in 2009. The studio had a vision to capture music and therefore culture from across the subcontinent and take them to distant lands. What a wonderful way to bring people together. A few years back they launched Brains Trust to record a history, again a very robust idea. They are a bunch of folks on a mission mode. They deserve every bit of support."
Late Vinay Sheel Oberoi
IAS
"Brains Trust is turning out to be a great platform which brings the best minds of the UK and India presenting a range of interesting subjects.
I expect the partnership between British High Commission and The Peninsula Studios will continue to attract the finest and help build bridges with knowledge."
Sir Dominic Asquith
Former British High Commissioner to India
I have always felt The Peninsula Studios is a great idea, I have been familiar with their work since they started. They have done pathbreaking work in preserving musical heritage of the subcontinent. Their efforts are laudable and their production standards are high. It is a privilege to have recorded an episode for their new initiative "Brains Trust". I wish the team all success."
Dr. S Y Quraishi
Chief Election Commissioner
Brains Trust is a visionary initiative, undertaken by the British High Commission in partnership with The Peninsula Studios to invite eminent dignitaries with a wide spectrum of experience to express and share their views on conceptual, intellectual, critical, and strategic, thought-provoking issues, with the aim to "Build Bridges with Knowledge ".
For me personally, it was an enriching and rewarding experience to interact with Subroto Chattopadhyay and his highly professional team at The Peninsula Studios, as they curated my talk into an excellent video presentation at their technologically advanced and well-equipped studio.
I wish Subroto and his entire team at The Peninsula Studios all success in their future endeavors.
Admiral Robin Dhowan
Chief of Naval Staff Indian Navy
"The Coke Studio movement has always been about the celebration of diversity in music, owned by a strong community of over 500 musicians and millions of music lovers. Today, after 5 years, we are immensely proud of the impact created by this unique platform is lending impetus to Independent music in the country, in turn allowing aspiring musicians to spread across the length and breadth of the country.
Now through Coke Studio Roots, we have attempted to further leverage the platform of Coke Studio in discovering and unearthing rich musical talent from deep pockets of Punjab. 1800 km travel through Punjab and a pool of 500 artists makes this a very serious effort.
Through the new compositions by Coke studio Roots, we intend to continue spreading happiness through the language of music.
The Peninsula Studios has been our partner in this journey, they have passionately crafted and produce
Venkatesh Kini
President India and South West Asia, Coca-Cola Company
"Outstanding stuff from folk musicians for Nokia Music Theatre. A wonderful ownable, sustainable property created by The Peninsula Studios".
Dolly Guleria
Artist
"Thanks so much for all the effort going into making this episode. All good wishes to the team."
Manosi Lahiri
Professional Geographer, IT entrepreneur, Founder of ML Infomap, Author of Mapping India
"I am so super proud and utterly inspired by the journey and work of the Peninsula Studios. I remember when it was being imagined, even then as a vision it seemed like such a powerful and visionary idea. Now just a few years down the road it's already nurturing, archiving, and recording the works of so many of Inda's best musicians and working with the best sound technicians, and building an amazing team.
This is a labor of love, that generations of not only Indians but people all over the world will be able to access and appreciate! Fantastic effort for the music and the musicians, for the industry and everyone who is connected to it, and for the world heritage.
God bless your progress."
Nadia Jamil
Actor
"If you are curious by nature, and eclectic in your interests, then Brains Trust is the perfect deep dive to whet your appetite for more. We have worked hard to put it together and I hope this labour of love comes through. "
Ambassador Rakesh Sood - IFS
Ambassador of India to Nepal and Afghanistan
"Brains Trust is a very interesting initiative to bring together people who have through experience and seen how probably different the world is from what it is assumed to be. This will magnify the impact of what Brains Trust has set out to do in a tremendous manner and I am sure that it will succeed."
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji - IFS
Ambassador of India to the United Nations
"Dear Subroto, what you and your team are doing is path-breaking and transformational in the field of rural Indian music. Giving unknown artists with exceptional talent in rural India a chance to showcase their talent to the world, you are preserving the history and heritage of rural Indian music for ages to come. I am proud of your visionary efforts and perseverance of Team TPS in bringing this concept to reality".
D Narain
President, Bayer India
"The Peninsula Studios is not only a powerful idea, but it is also a phenomenon that connects the souls within and beyond the Indian peninsula. Music has an aura of local and seasonal fruit, but when transported away from where it grows becomes a novelty and finds its place in recipes of many minds.
Our great Indian Peninsula has mighty rivers flowing from the highest mountain ranges of the world, these rivers blend into one another at many confluences such as Sangams and Triveni's. They pass through various cultures and traditions carrying every ritual and belief to the oceans of the world which covers two-thirds of the earth's surface. Peninsula Studios is an idea that not only enthralls the minds of an individual but also connects the souls of the Globe joined by the Universal Studios that partner with it.
We wish the team of the Peninsula Studios the very best, salute you and Subroto, our most revered friends".
Lt. General P J S Pannu
Indian Army
"Very important initiative by The Peninsula Studios who present the best from the subcontinent".
Syed Muazzem Ali
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India
"I am a lover of music, art, architecture. I love the idea of The Peninsula because the boundaries are regional & not restricted to a particular country. It is very difficult to draw rigid musical boundaries in the region or even the world. The Peninsula Studio is based in India but I know that the music will cover the entire subcontinent.
Spanish music, especially Flamenco was inspired by the rhythm & percussion & beat from our part of the world. Some aspects of our rhythm & music have traveled all the way from Africa or Spain. Music is a wonderful way to build bridges. All your musicians are loved in Pakistan & vice versa. It was through music that we met the entire Peninsula Studios fraternity."
Nusrat Jamil
Curator of Art and Culture
"I did view the video, always very hard for me because I cringe at seeing/hearing myself speak! It sounds coherent and passionate and I believe it hangs together well. So I am not suggesting any edits at all. Brains Trust series is a great idea, very well produced by The Peninsula Studios."
Abha Adams
Educationist
"Let me, however, before anything else, compliment you and your team for the manner in which you have put together the recordings. Great work and thoroughly professional."
Lt. General Satish Nambiar
Indian Army
"It was a privilege speaking at the Brains Trust on a subject that is critical to India's progress and the well-being of every citizen.
Great job of editing.
Congratulations to the team."
Jayanto Choudhury - IPS
Director General National Security Guards, DGP Assam
"I think Brains Trust is a brilliant idea. It must be spread to people across the globe. I wish the initiative all the best."
Lt. General Amit Sharma
Indian Army
"Just seen the naval stories. The 3 stories have been put together imaginatively. The photographs and maps are very relevant and bring the stories alive. Congratulations to the team that put the stories together. No corrections are needed. The stories and the visuals are perfect.
The naval stories have come out well. The audio-visual stories are perfect. I can imagine the amount of effort and research that must have been done to resurrect the newspaper articles, the photographs, and the map sketches that have made the story come alive.
Both the episodes have been very well done. Please accept my thanks and my congratulations.
Yes, the videos can be very useful at a time like this when presentations can be done virtually."
Major General Ian Cardozo
Indian Army
"What can I say? I recall the song where Waheeda is told, "Tere tasveer mein woh nahin jo tuj mein hai!". Except in this case, it is more like "Woh tuj mein nahin jo tere taveer mein ha". I will watch it one or two more times to see if there something I can contribute."
Debraj Mookerjee
Professor
"This is a superb job of illustration and editing, far better than my talk. Hats off! I was all set to say I would like to repeat it, but could not really find a flaw in the narrative. Thank you! In fact, I must say, I found myself quite hooked to the story, surprised that it was actually me who said those things! I must most of all compliment whoever put together the illustrations and photographs. They are so on the ball! This merits a party in better times! You have shown your extraordinary professionalism in this episode.
I can say I am satisfied. That is rare in itself.
You make the talk look much better than (I thought) it was and think you did well to stop it where you did."
Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya - IFS
Ambassador of India to Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar
"I think The Brains Trust is a terrific idea. It contributes to the whole national informed debate where there is very often a lack of information form domain specialist and domain experts. I think it is a great idea."
Colonel Ajai Shukla
Indian Army
"It is a great privilege to be a part of this excellent idea of Brains Trust, thought of by The Peninsula Studios and The British High Commission New Delhi."
Dr. R. Rajaraman
Professor
"If you are not familiar with The Brains Trust in India, I suggest you do get familiar because this is an amazing resource for everybody to enjoy and I hope you will get a lot out of it."
Tom Tugendhat
M P UK
"The future for Brains Trust, the way I would see it is to take out of confines of capital city and confines of government to the rest of the country and there is a great deal of interest all over India with the complexities of foreign policies and the public policies and the more we engage with that opinion I think the most successful The Brains Trust would be."
Ambassador TCA Raghavan - IFS
High Commissioner of India to Islamabad
"I am delighted to be here today to talk to you as part of The Brains Trust Series on deepening the ties that bind the two great nations. I think The Brains Trust is a great innovation and a way of spreading ideas and thoughts between us. The Brains Trust has got great speakers on the whole series of topics and I recommend that you have a look at all of them."
Stephen Lovegrove
National Security Advisor - UK
"I am really grateful to the British High Commission and The Peninsula Studios for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Brains Trust project."
Angus Lapsley
Director General Strategy and International, UK Ministry of Defence
"I think The Brains Trust is a brilliant idea in today’s world where there is so much information overload and our attention spans are hugely compromised. The concept of specialized speakers talking through their experience of long years on a subject, which they are well versed with, in my view will interest large audiences and I congratulate the organizers and the conceivers who have thought about this and are in all probability going to enhance and increase its landscape or seascape should I say. Thank You."
Vice Admiral Anil Chopra
Indian Navy
" I am delighted to have recorded in the Maestros in Studio series at The Peninsula Studios. I was very happy with the quality of the recording and the professionalism of the team. I would recommend everyone watching their productions."
Mandolin Rajesh
Artist
"I am truly happy The Peninsula Studios makes a great effort to take artists to newer audiences. They treat the artists and their work with great respect. Its a pleasure producing music with them."
Jayanthi Kumaresh
Artist
"I have closely followed The Peninsula Studios from the time it was an idea to their productions today. It requires a lot of passion and courage to pursue curating and resourcing folk and classical music with lessor known exceptionally talented musicians and taking them to the world. They have just launched Brains Trust which seems to be a very exciting idea."
Late Narayan Rao
Vice chairman NDTV
"Brains Trust is a fascinating, and unique compilation of thoughts and perspectives from India and the UK. These issues are relevant to India. We often forget how much UK and India share beyond the English language and cricket, and how our interests overlap in this ever changing world. Good to be reminded sometimes."
Sree Kumar Nair
Military Historian, Author
"Having seen The Peninsula Studios productions I recorded an episode for Brains Trust. I have told the story of how the Indian constitution has provisions to distribute the revenues between the states and the centre by the Finance Commission. This helps bringing the federation together. Brains Trust is an excellent initiative."
Indira Rajaraman
Professor
“Masters in their technique, Many congratulations.”
Shujaat Khan
Artist
"I am so super proud and utterly inspired by the journey and work of the Peninsula Studios. I remember when it was being imagined, even then as a vision it seemed like such a powerful and visionary idea. Now just a few years down the road it's already nurturing, archiving, and recording the works of so many of Inda's best musicians and working with the best sound technicians, and building an amazing team. This is a labor of love, that generations of not only Indians but people all over the world will be able to access and appreciate! Fantastic effort for the music and the musicians, for the industry and everyone who is connected to it, and for the world heritage.
God bless your progress.
Nadia Jamil
Admiral
"I have closely followed The Peninsula Studios from the time it was an idea to their productions today. It requires a lot of passion and courage to pursue curating and resourcing folk and classical music with lessor known exceptionally talented musicians and taking them to the world. They have just launched Brains Trust which seems to be a very exciting idea."
Late Narayan Rao
Vice chairman NDTV
"I was very excited when the idea of The Peninsula Studios was shared with me in 2009. The studio had a vision to capture music and therefore culture from across the subcontinent and take them to distant lands. What a wonderful way to bring people together. A few years back they launched Brains Trust to record a history, again a very robust idea. They are a bunch of folks on a mission mode. They deserve every bit of support."
Late Vinay Sheel Oberoi
IAS