Shadow Realm
Reenita Malhotra Hora | SpokenLayer
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A San Francisco teenager finds out he has magical powers after falling through a fault in the earth and into the lands of Vedic mythology, and in Season 2, he learns his journey is far from over. Can Arya save his friends, or will his power plunge them deeper into danger?
Available episodes
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Oldest first
1 day ago
S2E13: The Sunless Sky
Arya follows Mahabali straight into a different plane of existence. Can he trust the path ahead?
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6 days ago
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Banyan Tree
Get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Nov 28, 2023
S2E12: The Storyteller
Arya returns to Onam. He finds out how much is at stake if the story of Onam changes. If the line between villain and hero blurs, then who can say what is order and what is chaos?
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Nov 23, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Rakshasa
Get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Nov 21, 2023
S2E11: The Answers
Nature leads Arya right to the Medicine Woman, but Arya learns that his journey and obstacles are his own to decipher.
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Nov 17, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Wildwoods
Get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Nov 14, 2023
S2E10: The Parade
Arya finds himself in the middle of a vibrant celebration. Will he find his anarchist in the crowds?
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Nov 9, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Rishiji
On this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Nov 7, 2023
S2E9: The Council
Arya picks his anarchist and follows their trail to a whole new plane. Will he find what he's looking for?
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Nov 2, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Thread Ceremony
Get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Oct 31, 2023
S2E8: The Treta Yug
Arya can't escape the visions of that angry, ax-wielding man. He needs to know this man's story and why it felt so tethered to his own.
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Oct 26, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Hanuman
In this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Oct 24, 2023
S2E7: The Preserver
Rishi-ji takes Arya on the wave of time to show him the way. Can Arya find answers between the order and chaos?
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Oct 19, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Ravana
In this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Oct 17, 2023
S2E6: The Wave of Time
Arya tries to find space to think in the Marin Headlands, but he can't seem to stay in the moment. Who will show him the way?
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Oct 12, 2023
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Ramayana
In this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
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Oct 10, 2023
S2E5: The Wronged
Arya visits Hamid in the police station to see if he holds the key to understanding the ominous black flowers, but will he figure it out in time to protect Saara?
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Oct 5, 2023
S2E4: The Dwarf
Arya and Saara try to take a tranquil row boat ride in Golden State Park, but Arya can’t get the mark of Vishnu out of his mind, and it turns out danger isn’t far behind them.
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Oct 3, 2023
S2E3: The Mark of Vishnu
Arya's desperate search for answers pushes him to break the rules of his power. Will it be worth it?
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Sep 28, 2023
S2E2: The Right Moment
Arya comforts Saara at the hospital while they wait to hear about Taa's condition. Overcome with guilt, Saara confides in Arya that what happened today wasn't the first sign of danger.
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Sep 26, 2023
S2E1: The Finish Line
Arya cheers Saara on as she runs Bay to Breakers, but with every mile she runs, Arya gets closer to the start of a dangerous journey.
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Sep 25, 2023
Season 1 Recap
Want a refresher on Season 1 of Shadow Realm before jumping into Arya's newest journey? Listen to this quick recap of the last season from the show's creator Reenita Malhotra.
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Sep 14, 2023
Season 2: Coming Soon
Arya's journey continues on 9/26. Will he overcome the divine's challenges or lose himself and his loved ones to the space between order and chaos?
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Apr 14, 2022
S1E21: A New Normal
Arya has changed, seemingly overnight, as he returns to school the next day. He stands up to his bullies, no longer afraid or affected by their taunting. Pa is astounded at his son’s maturity, especially as they prepare to remove Ma from life support. Arya knows she is at peace in the backwaters, but Pa feels only emptiness and sadness. Arya knows what his father needs – deep medicine that lives in the pages of the Ramayana. Together, they begin a journey through the stories that Ma once told him as a boy. Stories and memories now etched in his heart.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:59] Confrontation with Athena
[01:25] The boys and the new mural
[04:05] Dinner with Pa
[05:01] Saying goodbye
[07:45] Arya reads the Ramayana to his Pa
SYNOPSIS:
Arya goes to school the next day. No longer afraid of his bullies, he bravely stands up to Athena and The Boys.
Someone, Arya believes Rishiji, painted and added an Asian boy to the mural outside…
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Apr 7, 2022
S1E20: Journeying Home
With a new understanding of the power of the Ramayana, Arya finds closure as he says goodbye to his new friends in the Wild Woods and prepares to go home. He finds himself back in his home in San Francisco where he returns the Ramayana to its rightful place in Ma’s prayer room. As he lays in bed that night, he is at peace with whatever the next day will bring, knowing that the Ramayana will guide him forward.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:59] Chimpu is healed by the Ramayana and the vanar the details of the battle against Ravana
[01:48] Rishiji and Arya talk about Rishiji’s past before becoming a sage
[04:47] Arya says goodbye and prepares to return home
[06:36] Arya returns home to San Francisco with the Ramayana in hand
[09:58] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[10:15] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya returns to the vanaras after visiting the Backwaters and seeing his Ma and the power of the Ramayana helps to heal Chimpu’…
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Mar 31, 2022
S1E19: The Backwaters—Again
With Ravana defeated, Arya goes to visit the Medicine Woman one last time. He realizes it is Ma as her True Self. As they talk, many things become clear. The reason for his journey to the backwaters wasn’t to find Deep Medicine but to see his Ma, not as a helpless woman on life support, but here guiding him. The Deep Medicine he sought, was in the Ramayana the whole time. Just as Arya was key to the epic’s survival, the epic was also key to his survival. Its stories were real and powerful. With the power of the Ramayana in his hands, he could finally say goodbye to Ma.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:30] Arya goes to visit the Medicine Woman
[02:17] Arya sees his Ma as her True Self
[03:06] Arya and his Ma talk about the power of the Ramayana
[04:25] Arya receives a blessing from his Ma and says goodbye
[07:02] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[07:17] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya travels to the backwaters once more to v…
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Mar 17, 2022
S1E18: Shadow Realm: Arya of Ravana's Passion
In a final fight, Arya comes face to face with the demon king, Ravana. Its’ 10 menacing heads manifest as demons from Arya’s life, and one appears as a mirror image of Arya himself. Shocked and confused, Arya is momentarily stunned. The demon continues to terrorize Arya as he stares at the Rakshasas-filled reflection of himself. But for the first time, the voices don’t phase him. Arya finally understands Rishiji’s many riddles and instructions. Arya knows who he is. He knows his true self and this shadow version standing in front of him was Ravana, not him. As the demon advances, Arya shoots his remaining golden arrow at the demon; his last effort to defeat Ravana and save the Ramayana. IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:26] Ravana terrorizes Arya with 10 demon manifestations from his life
[03:03] The last demon appears as a mirror image of Arya himself
[04:19] Rishiji appears to help Arya
[05:19] Arya isn’t phased by Ravana’s tricks
[06:30] R…
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Mar 3, 2022
S1E17: Hanumana!
At first light, Arya and the vanaras begin their descent to the dark side. They reach the place where Arya has to plavang — jump, leap and fly, to get to the Ramayana. He is terrified but with the Rakshasas closing in he doesn’t have a choice. He digs deep into his being, seeking energy from Brahman Shakti, and before his own eyes, he is transformed into a powerful warrior. He leaps and soars from island to island, getting closer to the funeral pyre where the Ramayana is poised to burn. The vanaras follow, fighting the Rakshasas as they go. As soon as Arya lands near the book, the pyre beneath him erupts in flames, set by none other than Ravana. Arya had fallen perfectly into Ravana’s trap.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:31] At first light, they begin their journey to the canyon
[03:58] Arya transformed into a powerful warrior
[05:08] Arya leaps and soars from island to island
[06:44] The army of vanaras and monkeys descend upon the Rakshasas
[08…
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Feb 24, 2022
True Fiction Project - Shadow Realm with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran
We interrupt our regularly scheduled Shadow Realm podcast to introduce you to my other podcast, True Fiction Project which is a podcast that explores the origins of fiction. This episode interview is with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, the composer and conductor of the Shadow Realm soundtrack. He is an internationally renowned music composer, educator, and scholar known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. We talk about his incredible work on the soundtrack of Shadow Realm, a podcast project based on a young adult fantasy fiction book that I wrote. Dr. Kanniks shares how his imagination was instantly captivated by the vivid literary descriptions and how he utilized Sanskrit chants, an ancient language of India, to musically portray different characters. We also talk about the inspiration he found from his travels to the ancient village of Hampi, India. The latter part of the episode showcases Dr. Kanniks’ work as we listen to Episode 8 of Shadow Re…
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Feb 17, 2022
S1E16: The Dark Side
Arya wakes to find his friends, the vanaras, surrounding him. There is an army of monkeys with them, ready to fight the Rakshasas and save the Ramayana before it is destroyed, erasing the history that good ever existed. Arya and Chimpu form a Shakespearean plan inspired by Macbeth to distract the Rakshasas while Arya sneaks into the canyon to retrieve the book. Knowing the Rakshasas are blinded by the sunlight, Arya and his friends anxiously wait for the first signs of light to enact their plan. As Arya waits, he realizes that his path has been leading to this moment all along: meeting face to face with Ravana himself.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:24] The vanaras wake Arya
[03:48] They form a Shakespearean plan
[05:55] Arya rests before the great battle
[06:42] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[07:00] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Chimpu gathers an army of vanaras and monkeys
They wake Arya from his slee…
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Feb 10, 2022
S1E15: Levitating Over Lanka
Arya was sure that he had failed his quest when he watched the Ramayana fall into the vast darkness. However, when Rishiji appears, Arya learns that all hope is not lost. Rishiji leads Arya into the sky and shows him a deep canyon filled with Rakshasas and much to Arya’s surprise, he sees the Ramayana intact perched on Ravana’s throne. With Rishiji’s instructions and the vanaras help, Arya may still have a chance to save the Ramayana.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:41] Rishiji appears instructing Arya of his next steps
[2:03] Rishiji shows him Lanka and where to find the Ramayana
[3:56] Arya sees the Ramayana on Ravana’s throne surrounded by Rakshasas
[8:34] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[08:55] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Rishiji assures Arya that his quest is not done yet.
Rishiji takes Arya up in the sky with him, revealing a canyon filled with Rakshasas and the Ramayana at the center of it all.
Arya sees the…
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Feb 3, 2022
S1E14: The Avalanche of Rakshasas
Arya is stumbling through the dark forest trying to find his friends, having just escaped the sinister vines that threatened to silence him. The moonlight reveals a silhouetted image of the Medicine Woman but her words are interrupted by an avalanche of rakshasas barrelling down a hillside towards Arya. He is outnumbered. With only a single arrow left, Arya aims and fires the asthra. The rakshasas are hit and scattered. Another narrow escape but then suddenly, the ground shifts and in an instant, he loses the one thing that has kept Ravana’s evil plan at bay. In slow motion, Arya watches as the last copy of the Ramayana falls from his reach and disappears in the darkness.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:04] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:32] Arya escapes the vines and finds his way back to his friends
[3:46] The Medicine Woman arrives
[4:35] An avalanche of rakshasas heads toward Arya
[5:35] Arya shoots at the rakshasas with the Astra
[8:15] Arya loses his copy of the Ramayana
[9:1…
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Jan 27, 2022
S1E13: The Shape-shifting Rakshasa
Arya wanders through the Coconut Grove looking for the non-medicinal plant as instructed by Medicine Woman. A beautiful spotted deer appears and Arya begins to follow it, thinking it has lost its mother. Arya follows it further and further into the dark forest and realizes too late that the fawn is a shape-shifting rakshasa sent by Ravana to stop his quest of saving the Ramayana. When the spell finally lifts, Arya is trapped and alone. In a moment of clarity, Arya finally understands the Medicine Woman’s riddle and the reason that Ravana is so desperate to stop him. Drawing from the energy within himself, Arya is able to escape and is more determined than ever to stop Ravana from destroying the Ramayana, which he now realizes holds the power to heal.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:06] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:30] Arya enters the Coconut Grove near the backwaters
[01:50] Arya and Chimpu look for a non-medicinal plant
[03:35] They follow a spotted deer through the forest
[05:24] A…
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Jan 20, 2022
S1E12: The Medicine Woman
Upon reaching the edge of the forest, Arya and his friends find themselves surrounded by a series of waterfalls. The sun glistens off the water and they see a woman standing near the edge of the stream. It’s the Medicine Woman. Arya is drawn magnetically towards her as if they have met before, though he can’t seem to place where or how. Arya is convinced she can read his mind because she knows so much about his life. Instead of giving Arya the Deep Medicine they need, the mysterious woman gives him another riddle. Racing against time, Arya and his friends leave in search of the medicine that will help their friend.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:06] Previously on Shadow Realm
[01:22] Arya and his companions arrive at the edge of the forest and find the Medicine Woman
[05:02] Arya and the Medicine Woman talk as if they have met before
[11:18] The Medicine Woman tells Arya his next step
[11:29] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[12:51] Next episode teas…
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Jan 13, 2022
S1E11: Pandu's Injury
The aftermath of Arya’s recklessness leaves the vanaras homeless and Pandu badly burned. His wounds need Deep Medicine that is made by a mysterious Medicine Woman who lives further South on the outskirts of the Dark Side of the forest. Her exact location is unknown and dangerous. Desperate to help, Arya looks to the Ramayana to try to find the way. Using his imagination, he is able to interpret the story of Hanumana’s journey and find a path. Arya and his companions set out on a dangerous journey to find the Medicine Woman and bring back the deep medicine for Pandu.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:04] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] The vanaras are upset with Arya for his reckless use of the asthra
[01:06] Pandu is badly burned and the vanaras lack the medicine to heal him
[2:01] Arya learns of the medicine woman of the backwaters but no one knows how to find her
[03:30] Arya looks to the Ramayana to help find the way to the medicine woman
[4:24] Arya uses his imagination an…
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Jan 6, 2022
S1E10: Baalchorni
With his new weapon in hand, Arya is eager to fight but soon learns he may not be as ready as he thinks. While walking through the forest helping the vanaras search for food, Arya and his friends meet the hideous and evil Baalachorni. As she begins to threaten to harm a baby vanar, Arya becomes angry and retaliates. His reckless actions create devastating consequences to the innocent vanaras around him and cause him to doubt whether he could really rise up to be Arya the Protector.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[02:00] Baalachorni teases and threatens the vanaras
[03:34] Arya acts rashly and accidentally sets the vanaras’ village on fire
[06:20] Rishiji feels terrible about putting the varnaras in harm’s way
[07:24] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[07:42] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya comes face to face with Baalachorni, the great demon who has been terrorizing the varnar tribes
In his haste, Arya fires the A…
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Dec 30, 2021
S1E9: The Divine Weapon of Fire
Rishiji appears once more to instruct Arya in the ancient customs and history of their world. For many years, Rishiji and the vanaras have waited for a descendant of the Arya race to come and protect the Wild Woods from Ravana’s plot to erase their history. A detail in Arya’s family lineage confirms their prophecy and his name reveals his role in the Wild Woods’ fight against evil. His arrival is no mere coincidence. It finally clicks. Arya knows what he has to do and it’s a journey even larger than he ever would have believed.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:17] Rishiji and Arya speak about Arya’s purpose
[03:33] Arya receives a lesson in Vedic martial arts
[06:58] Rishiji presents Arya with a divine weapon of fire
[10:00] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[10:22] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya learns an important detail about his family lineage from Rishiji
Arya discovers the real reason he was sent to…
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Dec 23, 2021
S1E8: The Vanars
Arya’s head spins with what he just heard: Ravana is alive? It can’t be! From the time he was a young boy, he had read stories of this demon’s defeat in the Ramayana. Yet the vanara tribe who have been threatened to near extinction and Rishiji, the wise sage he met earlier in the Wild Woods, all confirm it as the truth. For years, Ravana lay dormant but since his return, he has been seeking to destroy the Ramayana and rewrite history to prove that good never existed. The only thing keeping him from succeeding is now in Arya’s hands - the last surviving copy of the epic Ramayana.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[01:11] Arya meets the Vanara tribe
[02:40] Arya learns of Baalchorni, an evil demon who has been after the vanara tribes
[05:21] The vanaras invite Arya to join them for dinner
[08:10] Arya tries to understand the very real threat of Ravana
[12:30] Arya is asked to help the vanara fight against Ravana
[13:44] How to support and…
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Dec 16, 2021
S1E7: Rishiji
Arya discovers that he has landed in the Wild Woods, the mythical jungles described in the Ramayana. But how this came to be, is a mystery to him. Soon after Arya arrives, he meets a forest hermit known as the Rishiji, who speaks in riddles. He sets Arya forward on a journey through the Wild Woods to accomplish urgent tasks before he can go home to heal his sick mother. Before parting, the Rishiji gives Arya his first task which is to protect the last copy of the Ramayana that he holds in his hands. Arya is even more confused but one thing he knows for sure: he was right about the Ramayana and he will do whatever it takes to return home and heal Ma.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[01:06] Arya takes in the mysterious surroundings of the Wild Woods
[02:13] Arya speaks with the forest hermit about why he is in the Wild Woods
[07:53] The forest hermit assigns Arya his first task
[10:52] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[11:14…
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Dec 9, 2021
S1E6: Tunnelling
Unable to sleep, Arya is startled when his bed begins to violently shake and the floorboards tilt and crack. Arya is used to earthquakes but this was no ordinary quake. Suddenly, a large fault opens in the middle of his room and he can’t resist the strong magnetic force that keeps pulling him further and further into a black unfamiliar abyss. Arya finds himself in a beautiful yet completely unfamiliar place. It’s clear he’s no longer in San Francisco but where is he, and how did he get there?
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] Arya falls through a fault that splits his bedroom floor
[02:06] Arya finds himself in a new world
[04:05] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[04:23] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
• An untimely earthquake creates a large fault in Arya’s bedroom floor • Arya is pulled by a mysterious magnetic force into a black abyss • Arya finds himself in a beautiful, yet unfamiliar place • In the next episode:…
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Dec 2, 2021
S1E5: The World Turned Upside Down
In a matter of moments, Arya’s world is turned upside down. A car crash, where Arya was driving, leaves Ma severely injured and in a coma. Weeks pass without any improvement, Arya and his Pa grapple with the reality that she may be gone forever. Unwilling to say goodbye, Arya begins to search the ancient text of the Ramayana. There he finds meaning and hope, but will it be enough to heal Ma?
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] A car crash leaves Ma in a coma
[01:50] Weeks pass without Ma showing any improvement
[05:29] Arya and his Pa’s relationship improves as they spend more time together
[06:00] Arya’s Pa suggests they unplug Ma from life support
[07:06] Arya looks to the Ramayana for a way to heal Ma
[12:56] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[13:15] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya and Ma argue about his Thread ceremony and his reckless behavior
A car crash leaves Ma in a coma
As the weeks pass with n…
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Nov 25, 2021
S1E4: Rite of Passage
As Arya nears his 16th birthday, his parents decide it’s time to have his Thread ceremony, a sacred right of passage for boys in their culture. They also plan to invite his friends from school. Arya can’t believe this. It will ruin everything. He just recently stopped being bullied, but his parents just don’t understand. When Arya tries to convince them that other families don’t live like them and don’t care about their traditions, Arya becomes even more upset. Blinded by his anger and frustration, he lashes out at his parents, leaves the house, and finds himself in trouble on the streets of San Francisco.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:16] Arya and his parents argue about the importance of religious ceremonies
[02:14] Arya lashes out at his parents
[2:47] Arya leaves and vandalizes a local grocery store
[4:27] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[4:47] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya’s parents want to…
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Nov 18, 2021
S1E3: Dangerous Choices
Desperate to earn the respect of the popular kids at school, Arya is willing to do whatever it takes to fit in – no matter how dangerous. He begins lying to his parents about his reckless behavior, convinced they wouldn’t understand why it’s so important to be popular. Ma tries to connect with him through the only common ground remaining: The Ramayana. Will its ancient lessons be powerful enough to help Arya, or will he continue to ignore his mom and her warnings?
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:20] Arya goes to a party where he is baited to steal something in order to prove himself
[04:03] Arya acts out in order to fit in with a group of what he mistakenly thinks are ‘popular’ guys from school
[6:08] Arya is officially one of the popular kids now
[09:10] Arya’s begins lying frequently to his parents about him and his new friends’ after school activities
[10:57] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[11:13] Next episode…
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Nov 4, 2021
S1E2: Culture Schmulture
Arya is fed up with his family’s South Asian traditions being the reason he is bullied at school. He just wants to fit in. His Ma tries to help by giving him their family’s copy of the Ramayana, India’s ancient history text. Arya begrudgingly opens it and finds himself enraptured by the stories filled with powerful gods, heroes, demons, and epic battles. He is also reminded of his recent dreams of the demon king, Ravana and what the connection may be between his dreams and his mom giving him the Ramayana.
Despite the feelings of clarity and centeredness that he experiences while reading, Arya doubts the gods’ powers and how they can help him fit in at school. When Elias, leader of The Boys, invites Arya to a Halloween party, he is eager to go, despite Ma’s warnings about the trouble it will bring.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:33] Arya and his mom disagree about value of culture
[03:34] After reading the Ramayana, Arya and his mom tal…
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Nov 4, 2021
S1E1: Arya Bin Laden
Arya’s parents could have chosen any other school for him to attend but they chose the one place with no other South Asian kids. The bullies are relentless and anything to do with his ethnicity has become the building block of unpleasant school experiences. He knows better than to react with violence but today he just can’t take it anymore.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm
[00:19] Arya responds to bullies at school
[04:00] Arya finds himself in the headmaster’s office
[05:49] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[06:00] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya is frustrated that his parents sent him to the only school in San Francisco where there are no other South Asian kids
Arya is relentlessly bullied at school because of his race and ethnicity
His ma has taught not to show vulnerability or react with violence but he can’t hide his frustration any longer
His reaction lands him in the headmaster’s office where he is give…
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Oct 28, 2021
Prologue: Arya’s Dream
As a child, Arya’s dreams were haunted by Ravana, the demon king of the Ramayana, India’s ancient story of Rama’s battle against demons. It’s been years since he thought of Ravana. His dreams are now filled with monstrous interpretations of real-life bullies from school. Tonight’s dream, however, ends differently. Arya finds himself trapped in the dark lair of Ravana, with no hope of escape. Why had Ravana chosen to come back now? What did he want? Whatever it was, it was clear Arya didn’t stand a chance against him.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:01] Narrator introduces Arya
[00:28] Arya recounts his dream from the night before
[00:50] Arya tells of a mythological demon from his childhood
[1:57] This dream takes a turn for the worse
[2:42] How to support and connect with The Arya Chronicles
[3:05] Next episode teaser
SYNOPSIS:
Arya, a fifteen year old boy from San Francisco, recounts his dream from the night before
Arya recalls how his childhood nightmares…
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Oct 5, 2021
Introducing Shadow Realm
Shadow Realm is the magical, coming-of-age tale of Arya, a fifteen-year-old boy who is tormented by demons. Anything to do with his ethnicity, food, traditions or the fascinating mythological stories he has been raised with, has become the building block of unpleasant school experiences. In the wake of an accident that confines his once-vibrant mother to a hospital ward, kept alive by tubes and machines, Arya clings to the only remnant of their bond: an old, battered copy of the Ramayana, India’s ancient epic story of Rama’s battle against demons. One night, Arya falls through a fault in the earth into the Wild Woods, where Ravana, the demon king, strategizes to destroy his Ramayana—the last copy left—and threatens to rewrite history from his evil perspective. Will Arya be able to save the story of Rama, heal his mother and return home to tackle the demons in his ordinary world?
For more information visit thearyachronicles.com
CREDITS
Shadow Realm was written and executive pro…
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