Monday Muse
Monday Muse
Interview: Presenter Anita Rani
Interview
Anita Rani
Interview
Anita Rani
Anita Rani hosted her first radio show aged just 14 – then a student at Bradford Girls Grammar School. The acclaimed, award-winning presenter has since worked for every major broadcaster, hosting TV and radio shows at Sky Arts, Channel 4 and the BBC, working on everything from a documentary on the Bronte sisters to Saturday morning cricket. She is a woman of many talents: in 2015, she made it to the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing, and her 2021 memoir made the Sunday Times Bestseller list, a moving account that also revisits her upbringing in Yorkshire in Hindu Sikh family. She is also a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador and has an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Leeds, her alma mater. Rani has been a presenter of the legendary Woman’s Hour since 2021. We caught up with the effervescent, unstoppable Rani to hear more about her incredible journey, her new YouTube channel, and the stories she believes are worth telling.
THE WICK: What does a typical Monday morning look like for you?
ANITA RANI: There is no typical anything in my life. Which keeps it exciting and works for me. Generally I like to get up early, drink a big glass of warm water and if I can, get my exercise out of the way first thing. I love running, only ever solo. It clears my head and I can have a good think. A lot of ideas are incubated on those runs and weather is no obstacle to me getting out. Tomorrow morning is filled with various things that need doing for my new podcast, which I’m producing myself. Setting up a production company has been on my mind for the last 10 years but I firmly believe in timing and now is that time. So lots of meetings and then I’m getting a train to Devon to film Countryfile on Tuesday morning.
TW:
Hosting Woman’s Hour places you at the centre of national and cultural conversation, what is the most important one that you’ve had?
AR:
The ultimate conversation is on going, that of what it means to be a woman on earth, how we move through life. It’s a programme that tackles every subject through the lens of being a woman. Outside of being on the radio. I’ve been lucky enough to make a variety of global documentaries as well as being a UNHCR goodwill ambassador. And quite frankly women around the world are facing similar challenges.
TW:
In an increasingly fractious world what are the key three factors which help you decide what cultural and creative stories deserve to be told, not just as an antidote to geopolitical moments?
AR:
The more stories we tell the better. As someone who grew up in a Britain where I rarely, if ever, saw my experience, I’m hyper aware of the need to platform different voices with different perspectives. We have a brilliant small army of producers on the programme who make sure we cover everything from politics to business to health, we need to be part of the national conversation and make sure we are speaking to our audience, who are broad and happen to be 50/50 men and women. Personally the arts is where I feel we can cover the widest variety of stories and as an arty farty type I love interviews around film, music, exhibitions, books, dance….my inner wanna be artist gets a good hit.
TW: Which female voice do you see as shifting our cultural landscape right now?
AR:
I had the great pleasure if interviewing Miriam Margoyles in front of an audience of 2500 people, Miriam is a rock star. I hugely admire her ability to speak truthfully and not self censor. Its liberating and empowering as a woman to spend time in her company. She made me want to be more fearless. She’s smart and hilarious and does not care one bit what anyone thinks of her. We more Miriam’s. A fearless warrior queen.
TW:
You’ve just created a new YouTube channel. What is your goal and how do you see digital platforms and new voices changing the way we view culture?
AR:
It’s time. As well as the podcast I’ve launched Anita Rani explores. A place to do whatever I want. I don’t have to wait for anyone to give me permission. I can make my own editorial decisions and if i want to do it I can. Utterly liberating. I’m very excited about reaching a global audience and working with people I want to. I have the freedom to commission any mini series exploring everything from my travels around the world and at home, I seem to be carving a nice little niche in the travel space. Plus my other interests of wellness, beauty, food, fashion….I’m currently thinking of a series about Pubs! And I’m open to and very excited by who I can collaborate with. Come find me.
“The more stories we tell the better. As someone who grew up in a Britain where I rarely, if ever, saw my experience, I’m hyper aware of the need to platform different voices with different perspectives.”
TW: As a South Asian female of artistic influence, is there someone – Asian artist or creative – you would like to spotlight?
AR: So many of my brown sisters. I always say NEVER underestimate the Asian woman in the room. What it has taken just for her to be there in the first place puts her in a different league. Arooj Aftab, Nadine Shah, Bharti Kher, Anoushka Shankar, Nikita Gill, Amrit Kaur, Mona Arshi, Anjana Vasan, Ambika Mod, Chila Burman…..so many.
TW: What is your favourite culturally curious spot in Bradford or London to spend time when you are off?
AR:
I’ve lived in London for 25 years and love the Barbican, the Southbank centre BUT I must spotlight where I hung out as a kid and where my eyes were opened to the beauty of the arts. Salts Mill in Saltaire, an extraordinary space, which takes you back in time but also is as contemporary as it gets. Stunning Hockney collection on my doorstep. Also the National Science and Media Museum which has reopened after a refurb. I used to pretend to go to the library but was actually looking at photography exhibitions next door. I must also give the Bronte Parsonage museum a shout out. Plus the university of Bradford… I am the Chancellor.
TW: What role does art or culture play in your day-to-day life?
AR: It’s everything. Always has been. I can’t live without music, always have at least 3 books on the go, I try and watch as many plays and films and concerts as I can. Not to mention trying to get to exhibitions. It’s why I LOVE London. I use it. I just need more time…
TW:
Is there an exhibition, performance or cultural moment that has stayed with you?
AR: The best person I saw play was at the end of last year. Camille o’Sullivan. Beautiful concert called Love letters, singing the greats – her friends Sinéad O’Connor and Shane Macgowan. As well as other greats like Nick cave and Tom Waits. I basically fell in love with Camille. She was back performing in January and it was the first show i saw this year. I’ve made a promise to visit her in Dublin.
TW: What would be the best piece of advice you have received and would pass on?
AR: Just focus on your own game. Don’t be envious, admire, don’t be jealous, inspire. And as my Dad said, if you can’t afford a round don’t go to the pub. Ultimately my integrity and values are all I have.
TW: Who is your ultimate Monday Muse and why?
AR: Annie Lennox for everything she represents from the beginning of her career until now, using her voice and platform as an activist. Her purpose is clear. Such integrity. AND all those amazing songs, that stunning androgynous look, so strong. AND THE VOICE – oof. I saw Annie at the Royal Albert Hall last year. That’s what you call a true performer. Her presence filled the entire building before she’d even sung a note. Electric.
