August 2019 Vol 3 Issue 7 `150

Rasika Dugal The Bollywood star on acting and activism

BORN TO DANCE THE MUSIC MAVENS WEDDING WOW Kuchipudi dancers Meet Falguni Shah, Nirmika Shaadi Squad on and sisters Yamini Singh, Bawari Basanti, Priya Virat-Anuskha and and Bhavana Reddy Andrews & The Vinyl Records other celeb nuptials 2 | PERSONAL GROWTH

AUGUST 2019 contents

The Other Side of the Story 06 Pravishi Das on acting and conflict resolution

Navigating Choices 14 3 women on the best way to the best decision

The Mind of an Actor ON THE COVER: Rasika Dugal 18 Cover personality and actor Rasika Dugal PHOTOGRAPHY: Anagram Studio STYLING: Umeish Vasist HAIR AND MAKEUP: Nidhi Agarwal Siren Song 24 7 talented musicians share their stories

She Hit Rock Bottom, Then... 34 Psychotherapist Sanhita Kargupta’s wild ride

High on Zumba 38 Zumba instructor Priti H Panchmatia

The Memory Makers 40 Shaadi Squad on celebrity weddings

Ancient Empire, New Reality 46 A visit to the new, not-so-improved Greece 32 Born to Dance Yamini and Bhavana Reddy are The Most of Hummus united by blood and Kuchipudi 52 4 innovative ways to do up your Arabian dip

AUGUST 2019 4 | EDITOR’S NOTE

PERFORMING ARTS

treaming entertainment is one of the great- est privileges of the current generation. They are unaware of how difficult it was for people of my age and older to procure Smovies and music in the old days. We’d record, and re-record, and share, and save up, and cherish each cassette like a pot of gold. We were habituated to grainy, scratchy textures and spooling in wayward tapes. Our expectations were low. Today, you get high-definition, high-quality, aes- thetically and intellectually sophisticated movies and music at the touch of a button or the click of a mouse in the comfort of your home practically for free. This has not only raised the bar for audiences but also given producers a wider canvas for both stories and storytelling. It has democratised the entry points so that a Falguni Shah in New York and a Bawari Basanti in Delhi can both be seen and heard in the same Aekta Kapoor place. Our cover personality Rasika Dugal is as fa- Editor and Publisher mous for her role of Safia in the Bollywood block- [email protected] buster Manto as in a nuanced role in the web series Mirzapur set in the badlands of Uttar Pradesh. Creators and artistes are no longer just entertain- ers. They make us politically aware, socially sen- sitive and personally empowered. It is the digital revolution of the performing arts. 

Editor and Publisher: Aekta Kapoor Mentor: Kul Bhushan Business Director: Kaveri Jain All rights reserved throughout the world. Marketing and Research: Nyamat Bindra Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. ([email protected]) Published by Aekta Kapoor from Coral Content, C3/1 GF, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India. Executive Sales Partner: Karishma Makhija Phone: +91 9818166621. Printed at Modest Contributors: Ananya Jain, Kay Newton, Graphics (P) Ltd, Shop No.C-53, Okhla Industrial Maya Lalchandani, Navodita Goel, Neha Area, Phase 1, New Delhi 110020. For queries, Kirpal, Shefali Batra, Shruti Vij write to [email protected], or visit eShe.in

AUGUST 2019 PERSONAL GROWTH | 5

AUGUST 2019 6 | PERFORMING ARTS

AUGUST 2019 PERFORMING ARTS | 7 THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY Actor, model and conflict-resolution specialist Pravishi Das knows not to judge too quickly: there is always more than one side to any story Photography by Soumyajit Nandy rought up by a dynamic, anyone – that’s what we were taught. enlightened single mom There’s resolution only when you who used bedtime stories to understand why people do what inculcate critical thinking they do. Else, conflict continues.” Band compassion in her children, actor-model Pravishi Das learnt early on in life that there are always two sides to a story, and there’s always a reason for even the ‘bad guy’ to do what he or she does. Not only did such a skill help her get under the skin of the characters she enacted on the big screen, it also contributed vastly to her parallel career as a conflict-resolution expert who has conducted workshops and undertaken sensitive assignments worldwide. “My mom Pratima has been my role model. She was everything I wanted to grow up to be. She’s the one who gave me and my younger sister a philosophical bent of mind,” says the petite Pravishi, known for her numerous TV commercials and movie roles in Rang De Basanti, No On stage since she was two years Smoking, and more recently, the old, Pravishi went to Army Public web series Made in Heaven. School in Delhi, where teachers She goes on passionately, often sidelined her while assigning “Neither pedestalise nor judge the lead roles in school plays. “I

AUGUST 2019 8 | PERFORMING ARTS

L-R: Pravishi with co-actor Jim Sarbh in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice; with her Made in Heaven co-stars

always wondered, ‘Why can’t I be commercials in both English and the princess?’ Later, I realised it Hindi, her voice ringing with was because of my dark skin,” she maturity and wisdom that belies narrates. And yet, this knowledge her age. had no effect on little Pravishi’s self- Pravishi’s grandma too told confidence. “Because of the way lovely tales. “These three adults at my mom brought me up, I loved home turned me into an eternal the way I looked. I loved myself. storyteller,” she says. While doing I rather pitied others for bullying her Bachelor’s and Master’s in me!” she laughs. English literature from Delhi The other influence in Pravishi’s University, Pravishi learnt one more life was her maternal grandfather, aspect of the gospel truth: “There a retired celebrated police officer, is no gospel truth! Every story has who laid out a case study for a context,” she says. “As an artist, her to solve every morning over one’s point of view is pivotal to breakfast. “I learnt to look for clues. one’s work. Where we’re coming Plots became important for me,” from needs to be understood – as a reminisces Pravishi, who is also one woman, as an Indian, as a Nichiren of India’s top voiceover artistes and Buddhist, my perspective does has done over a hundred television influence my work.”

AUGUST 2019 PERFORMING ARTS | 9

As Pravishi puts it, the role of art is “We can disagree but we needn’t not just to entertain but also dissect, disrespect,” she says. analyze and mirror society. “Artists As an education facilitator, are philosophers and visionaries. Pravishi has travelled the world They are thought influencers.” extensively and not just as a tourist. Having learnt acting from Barry “The work involves deep-diving John’s academy, Pravishi went on to into a culture, its history, core values, play several roles in theatre and on social norms, biases and the diversity screen, including in the National of its society. That’s the only way Award-winning Konkani filmone can understand hostilities in

L-R: In Thailand for an IKEA commercial shoot; Pravishi with her team of conflict-resolution consultants

Waterbaby. Then, 11 years ago, she homes and workplaces,” she says. joined an American consultancy “It’s endlessly fascinating.” that was a global market leader in All her work outside the film conflict resolution, and her life took industry feeds back into Pravishi’s a new turn. acting projects. “How much you’ve “The grounding we have in ‘no- lived your life influences your judgement’ conflict resolution is art. A person with a shallow life based on the premise that no matter experience will be a shallow artist. what our beliefs are, we can unite Even a ‘privileged’ person can be an on respecting the dignity of life,” she inspired artist if she’s lived her own explains of their work. Pravishi and life experience fully,” she says sagely. her team work with organisations With the depth and diversity of her and universities on race, culture, own life, Pravishi’s art has no dearth gender and sexual orientation. of inspiration.

AUGUST 2019 10 | CLASSICAL DANCE

BORN TO DANCE A list of awards, a lineage of Kuchipudi maestros and an unconventional family – the remarkable life of dancer sisters Yamini and Bhavana Reddy By Neha Kirpal t’s a curious case of two talent- The elder of the two, Yami- ed half sisters—who have the ni Reddy was born to noted Ku- same father, and their mothers chipudi exponents and Padma Shri are real sisters. What makes the and Padma Bhushan award winners Ifamily so unique is the fact that Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy. each member is one of the coun- Trained by her parents, she gave her try’s leading Kuchipudi dancers. first performance at the age of three.

AUGUST 2019 CLASSICAL DANCE | 11

After completing her schooling and er parents, the sisters’ earliest in- college from New Delhi, Yamini fluences have been mostly about did her MBA and then concentrat- dance. “A lot of my dance training ed on dance. Her dance has been has happened informally, through acknowledged through a string of experience rather than formal awards and she has had a number of training. I used to watch my par- world tours. She has been presented ents dance when I would leave for with the golden key to the cities of school and they would be rehears- Dublin and Fort Lauderdale. ing even when I came back,” re-

Facing page: Sisters Yamini and Bhavana Reddy on stage together. This page (L-R): Bhavana and Yamini

Yamini’s half-sibling Bhavana members Yamini. Reddy is the younger daughter Needless to say, their parents’ and disciple of Raja Reddy and his dedication and hard work rubbed second wife Kaushalya Reddy. She off on the sisters who learnt the began performing with her parents value of regular practice and sincer- at the age of five for prestigious fes- ity from them. “A very important tivals, events for esteemed officials, lesson I learnt as an eight-year-old ministers and diplomats around the before a show in the US is that de- world as well as international tours. spite a high fever, the show must go Bhavana too is a recipient of sever- on,” recalls Bhavana. “I can never al national and international awards forget Daddy’s Shiva dance from and is a graded Doordarshan artist. the wings, Radha mom’s Tarangam Growing up around their and Kaushalya mom’s Ashtapadi Ku- award-winning Kuchipudi danc- ruyadunandana. They all left quite an

AUGUST 2019 12 | CLASSICAL DANCE

Having danced together since childhood, the sisters now exchange ideas at a different level of creativity

impression on me,” she adds. It’s a unique experience, adds Since their maiden duet perfor- Bhavana, now that the sisters have mance in Adviteeyam in 2016, the both come in to their own. “It’s two sisters perform together fre- wonderful to be able to evolve in quently. They share a very good our relationship and partnership as understanding of each other’s dance dancers,” she says. and have excellent chemistry on In 2007, Yamini went on to open stage, which the audience enjoys the Hyderabad branch of her par- immensely. “Since Bhavana and I ents’ Natya Tarangini Dance School, have grown up together and learnt where she now teaches Kuchipudi dance together, both of us have a too over 100 students. She conducts sound understanding of technique workshops to expose students to and abhinaya and are firmly rooted subjects surrounding Kuchipudi, in my parents’ style of Kuchipudi. such as lights designing, yoga and Both of us bring our own style to dance music. She has also started dancing, which elevates the visu- a ‘support an artist’ initiative to fi- al experience of our duet perfor- nance artists who need monetary mances,” says Yamini. assistance, especially in their old age.

AUGUST 2019 CLASSICAL DANCE | 13

Besides Kuchipudi, Bhavana has also mastered Western contemporary music and is a singer and producer

Further, she is a choreographer. In body anatomy, how to nurture it, 2007, she partnered a production composition and how to work with Harmony along with dancer Leah a musical group,” she explains. Curtis from New York. In 2017, she An accomplished singer, Bhava- produced An Evening of Storytell- na’s first solo EP is called Tangled in ing that showcased the storytelling Emotions. She has performed at the aspect of Kuchipudi In 2018, she Grammy after-party in 2013 and worked with her father on a pro- sung a song in the grunge rock style duction Surya, which juxtaposed for the Hollywood filmJoy Ride 3. traditional and modern theories Working with Emmy and Grammy around the formation of the sun award-winning recording engineers and the planetary system. and producers was an unparalleled Interestingly, her sister Bhavana experience for Bhavana. “My expe- has also mastered and is trained in rience gave me clarity in practice Western contemporary music. “It and procedure,” she says. Current- exposed me to a whole new world ly, she is busy studying the body of that is uncharted in the Indian mu- work of her father and his guru, Ve- sic scene – relating to voice and dantam Prahlada Sarma.

AUGUST 2019 14 | PERSONAL GROWTH

NAVIGATING CHOICES

Even not choosing is choosing by default. Are you making conscious choices or unconscious ones? Three women share their experiences By Kay Newton very day we make thousands LOUBNA ZARROU, THE of choices. No matter what NETHERLANDS our age, circumstances or Loubna Zarrou’s energy always ap- location, making choices is pears before she actually enters the Epart of being human. If we have room. She has worked in the cor- nothing else in life, we always have porate world of information tech- a choice. As Viktor Frankl stated in nology (IT) for two decades. When his famous Man’s Search for Meaning, she started her first job, she made a “Everything can be taken from a sacred agreement with herself, “No man but one thing: the last of the matter what, every day I must have human freedoms – to choose one’s fun.” As soon as she felt that spark attitude in any given set of circum- diminish, it would be time to leave. stances, to choose one’s own way.” In those 20 years, Loubna only left Here are three different view- her work three times. points of how to make the best “I made the choice to do whatev-

choices you can. er it takes to have fun. It was nev- FROM PIXABAY VENITA OBERHOLSTER BY IMAGE

AUGUST 2019 PERSONAL GROWTH | 15 er the responsibility of others. Not “I was not born this way. I was the boss, employees, or clients, it a very shy child growing up. Now was always my responsibility,” says I show other entrepreneurs how to the Netherlands-based author and change their belief so that they can corporate coach who specialises authentically do what they love. If in appreciative inquiry, strength- you are not having fun, you cannot based management and happiness. positively impact the world as your When her first boss stopped fill- energies are not truly aligned.”

“IF YOU’RE NOT HAVING FUN, YOU CANNOT POSITIVELY IMPACT THE WORLD” – LOUBNA ZARROU

ing her IT knowledge gap, she re- Loubna uses appreciative inquiry signed, and took up a job that in- and positive psychology, and facil- cluded going back to university for itates workshops around the world. two years. The job filled Loubna’s She works for the Ministry of So- IT gap and she had fun for 11 years cial Affairs and Employment in the until it was time to move on. Netherlands and the municipality Many people that Loubna met of The Hague. Her top tips are: throughout her career were amazed 1. Have a scared agreement with at how she was always happy, en- yourself at all times. joyed her work and how her energy 2. Challenge yourself daily. lit up the room. She was surprised 3. Give yourself six months to find that people felt she was different out if you truly don’t want to do and they could not be the same. something.

AUGUST 2019 16 | PERSONAL GROWTH

Susan Matyas

SUSAN MATYAS, USA twilight time between sleep and Susan Matyas, the US-based awakening as the time for my grat- founder of The Ageless Woman itude practice. It is a misty time programme, had a long and diverse when you are not fully conscious. career as an entrepreneur, engi- I lay still and, after five or 10 min- neer, corporate consultant, univer- utes of meditation, I focus on three sity professor, and nonprofit leader. things I’m grateful for at that mo- “Life is about making choices,” ment. I also use this time to set my Susan explains. “Every juncture intentions for the day, seeing vivid- presents a choice; by choosing one ly what I want to accomplish.” path, we give up another.” At 65, instead of retiring, Su- If some area of your life is not san made the conscious choice to what you want, rather than think- support women in the second half ing about a major change, which of life who want to leverage their often feels overwhelming, Susan own gifts and potential. recommends to just think about “All my past choices have led the next small step you can take. me to where I am now, and it’s my “I recently made a choice that deep passion to share my knowl- changed my perspective and soft- edge and experiences with others,” ened me,” she shares. “I use the she says. Here’s her advice.

AUGUST 2019 PERSONAL GROWTH | 17

1. It is never too late to be who you this throughout my life, whether at were meant to be. work or with family situations.” 2. Your choices become your tool- She illustrates how the 4 A’s box of experiences as you age. work: “I often travel on the train 3. Be grateful every day. to London. You can view a group Susan’s quotes Mary Oliver: “Tell of people at the end of a day stand- me, what is it you plan to do with ing in front of the departure board your one wild and precious life?” when it shows the dreaded ‘all the trains are cancelled’ notification.” Now, these people cannot get home as expected, and the differ- ent choices come into play: 1. Alter: These people choose to alter the situation. They may ask others to share a taxi home with them. Or, they search for an alter- native route using other transport. 2. Adapt: These people decide that there is nothing that they can do about the train cancellation so they go out for dinner. They adapt to the situation and see it as an oppor- tunity to do something different. 3. Avoid: These people either avoid bits of the situation or the whole situation. They may head back to the office and carry on working until the trains are running again. 4. Accept: These people keep look- Pat Duckworth ing at the noticeboard hoping change will take place. They seem PAT DUCKWORTH, UK passive yet you can also use accep- UK-based hypnotherapist and tance to make a positive decision, menopause counsellor Pat Duck- stay calm and go with the flow. worth has a great storytelling abil- “Now that you know the 4 A’s ity. As she puts it, “Every day, we you will be able to choose which make tiny and mega choices. I use one fits your circumstances. Yet, the technique of the 4 A’s (Alter, at the end of the day, it is still a Adapt, Avoid, Accept). I have done choice,” says Pat. 

AUGUST 2019 18 | COVER STORY

Styling: Umeish Vasist Hair and makeup: Nidhi Agarwal

AUGUST 2019 COVER STORY | 19 THE MIND OF AN ACTOR With an oeuvre of meaningful, soul-stirring projects, award- winning actor Rasika Dugal’s world is one of literature, activism and soaking up experiences Text by Aekta Kapoor. Photography by Anagram Studio

asika Dugal thinks a lot having completed her Bachelor’s in about Elena Ferrante. Not mathematics from Lady Shri Ram only is she a fan of the College in Delhi and a diploma in mind-bogglingly talented social communications media from Rpseudonymous Italian novelist Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai, she whose books have been turned had signed up for an acting course into films and who was named one at the Film and Television Institute of Time magazine’s of India in Pune “on a 100 most influential “EACH PROJECT whim” – she felt ear- people, Rasika is ly on that she’d made “almost envious” of ADDS TO YOUR the right choice. the award-winning EXPERIENCE... THIS “It felt very good. I literateur for another, IS WHAT YOU LIVE was driven to work,” somewhat unusual, says the 34-year- reason. FOR AS AN ACTOR” old, who worked in “I am mesmerised a gender and public by the idea of space project and did anonymity – imagine someone academic research before launching trying to do that in the age of social her career in cinema. And going by media,” says the Bollywood actor her choice of nuanced and touching in wonder. “She wants to protect roles in films such asManto (2018) herself, and just project her work and Hamid (2019), Rasika’s journey forward. I wish I had that quality.” been enriching for the industry and Anonymity, alas, is not in Rasika’s viewers alike. stars. Though the acting profession Rasika has been associated with itself landed on her by chance – films that take up issues of social in-

AUGUST 2019 20 | COVER STORY

justice such as religious intolerance ther. “The land is so highly misrep- or gender violence. She made her resented in mainstream cinema and debut in 2007 with a character role media. I asked the director if he was in Anwar, made by Manish Jha to better off casting a Kashmiri woman highlight the stereotyping of Mus- instead. But as an artiste, this itself is lims in a post-9/11 world. In 2012, an important conversation – who is she played the lead role in an avant an insider and who is an outsider?” garde black-and-white psycholog- Rasika’s comments are relevant ical drama Kshay, written and di- at a time when LGBTQ activists rected by Karan Gour, which went are fighting for authentic represen- tation in mass media and cinema, and when criticism dogged the makers of the biopic Mary Kom for cast- ing mainstream Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra in- stead of a thespian from the sportswoman’s own Mani- puri community. But insider or not, Rasi- ka definitely did justice to her character – researching for months and immersing herself in Kashmiri culture Rasika in – so much so that she went Mirzapur on to win the best actor award at Rajasthan Inter- on to win awards at film festivals in national Film Festival for her role of Los Angeles and Shanghai. Ishrat in Hamid, which also won the Dozens of television serials, best director award for Aijaz Khan. thrillers and web series later, she “The film shifted something has begun to get comfortable with in me in a significant way,” muses intensity and shades of grey in her Rasika. “Very often, your experi- characters in the past couple of ences as an actor are very intangible. years. “I didn’t want to do Hamid And that’s the beauty of it – that initially,” she recalls of her role as it cannot be articulated adequately. a half-widow in Kashmir and the It becomes a part of your life. Each mother of a little boy who sets out project adds to your experience and to speak to God and his missing fa- makes you richer within. You car-

AUGUST 2019 COVER STORY | 21

Rasika playing the role of Ishrat, a Kashmiri half- widow, in Hamid

ry it with yourself. This is what you credits Richie Mehta, the maker live for as an actor. You want to ex- of Delhi Crime, for handling the perience what you haven’t.” subject so sensitively. “We either The acclaimed web series Delhi valorise or villainise the police in Crime – based on the Delhi gang- cinema; we hardly project them as rape of 2012 – also took Rasika normal human beings. The series into uncharted territory. “We were examines the life of the police- angry in the aftermath of the gang- women working on the case with- rape but we forgot about it and fell out accusing anyone,” she says. “We into the complacency of our lives. all take sexism for granted. Even as One gets fatigued. But small things women, we internalise it. The series really contribute to bigger crime. shows that there needs to be dis- All of us – men and women – are course, not anger.” accountable for how women are The only one in her family to treated in society. In a sense I want- work in films – Rasika’s parents run ed to remember what happened. Yes their own businesses and her sister it’s painful but it’s important that we is an economist – Rasika found a don’t forget.” kind of comfort working with stal- The Jamshedpur-born Rasika warts Nandita Das and Nawazud-

AUGUST 2019 22 | COVER STORY

Rasika as Safia in Manto, directed by Nandita Das

din Siddiqui in the award-winning formances in Zoya Akhtar’s web 2018 biographical drama Manto. series Made in Heaven, and as a Her role as Saadat Hasan Manto’s key character in Mirzapur, a crime wife Safia was masterfully rendered, thriller series, both on Amazon bringing out the tenderness in the Prime Video. When the “intensity couple’s relationship and Safia’s vul- of such dark and serious portrayals nerability and strength as a woman. gets too much”, she takes on comic “You’re being delusional if you roles from time to time. To de-stress, think it’s about you,” she says mod- she travels and binge-watches web estly of an actor’s contribution to shows, or takes up classes in a new a successful film production. “It’s skill. “Every day reminds you that really about the director’s vision. there’s so much to learn,” she says. What two actors experience be- Now working on season two of tween ‘action’ and ‘cut’ can be quite Mirzapur and Delhi Crime, and a magical when you have an experi- comedy filmLootcase – all of which enced filmmaker running the show. will release later this year – Rasika is Such special moments are beyond content with her lot. “Work is fun. the artiste, beyond all thought.” It enriches me,” she says. Anonym- Rasika has also given stellar per- ity is definitely not in her stars.

AUGUST 2019 SCREENSHOT | 23 Respect the Kids NAVODITA GOEL, 13, DELHI

orn in Bareilly, UP, and raised in Delhi, I have travelled with B my parents to many destinations abroad. But it was on my visit to USA in 2016 that I first realised how differently children are treated there compared with our own country. Whether in a shop or restaurant, working adults in India have a tendency to ignore children, and often service an adult in a queue behind us before us. They assume that, as kids, we will not complain, but if an adult is not given service on time, they will put up a bad review or create an issue out of it. They probably see kids as a nuisance and not as the fu- ture of India. Small shop vendors may try to trick children by giving them less money back in change, or a wrong bill. It seemed to me that in the USA, children were treated as equals and given importance by all: teachers, security guards, shop vendors and attendants of large fast-food chains. I was surprised to be addressed with respect by every adult there. Children in India need to be given their due – we are the ones who will lead the nation tomorrow. Our Constitution tells us not to discriminate on the basis of gender, religion or caste, but what about age? Discrimination against children is only harming India’s future. This issue must be addressed. 

AUGUST 2019 24 | MUSIC

SIREN SONG Can a career in music also be a source of personal growth? What are the challenges women face in the industry? Noted female musicians take us behind the scenes of their world By Neha Kirpal

Falguni Shah

AUGUST 2019 MUSIC | 25

FALGUNI SHAH, NEW YORK style of thumri. She moved to the US in 2000, where she was a visit- ew York-based, Grammy- ing lecturer at Tufts University. She nominated singer and song- was appointed Carnegie Hall’s am- N writer Falguni Shah’s music bassador of Indian Music in 2006, blends ancient classical Indian mel- and has performed for former US odies with contemporary Western president Barack Obama and for- sounds. Music is a huge resource mer First Lady Michelle Obama at for personal growth and spirituality the White House. In 2015, she was in her life. “When I write a song, I named one of the 20 most influ- think about so many subtle nuanc- ential global Indian women by The es that affect human nature – how Economic Times. people react, how emotions are cre- Falguni believes achievement in ated and felt by humans universal- music is strictly merit-based though ly, which then leads to the bigger some luck might also play a role. In question I ask myself – why are we her experience, it is mostly an equal all here? I seek answers to all of this playing field for men and wom- every day as part of my musical and en. Sure, there are challenges that spiritual journey,” she says. women musicians have to face, she In her younger years in Mumbai, believes. “Sometimes people want Falguni trained in the Jaipur mu- to take advantage of you; you need sical tradition and in the Benaras to have your guard up,” she says.

AUGUST 2019 26 | MUSIC

NIRMIKA SINGH, MUMBAI working with Rahman on other projects, and is part of a rare breed umbai-based Nirmika of female lyricists in the industry. Singh is a poet, lyricist, Nirmika is also the only music M singer and music critic. She influencer to have a partnership has to her name an album, Jhoothe with Facebook India as part of her (2016) and multiple collaborative monthly chat show #BackStage. projects with Bollywood greats She also hosts Rolling Stone India’s like AR Rahman, music director Twitter show, #RollingWith. She Clinton Cerejo and brands like recently launched her poetry proj- Amazon India, Hyundai among ect, #AurSuno, which has caught others. For the anthem of the Mar- the ears of industry bigwigs for be- vel Studios’ conclusion to the 22- ing a bold, feminist voice. film series,Avengers: Endgame, AR “Music can be a source of both Rahman specifically roped in Nir- personal growth and social con-

mika to pen the lyrics. She is also sciousness. For me, the experience PRASHIN JAGGER PHOTOS:

AUGUST 2019 MUSIC | 27 of listening to music from around demand fees based on their stature the world – and recently visiting and experience. “Considering there places of the birthplaces of jazz aren’t enough women composers (New Orleans), blues (Memphis) or technicians in the studio and on and country (Nashville) – has made stage in the Bollywood and indie me more empathetic and sensi- circuit, I cannot say for certain if tive to the diverse voices and per- they earn as much as men. Maybe spectives of different people. These those at the top do,” she muses. qualities only further fuel my own Nirmika feels that the challenges

creativity. As a lyricist, I feel music for women in music are similar to is a sort of refuge for me where I those in other creative fields with build fantasies, destruct enemies the added element of late nights, and fall in love. I think without mu- long work hours and erratic sched- sic, my life would be a sad story,” ules. “Not to mention the collab- says Nirmika. orative nature of the job, which As a lyricist, she believes there requires a close relationship with aren’t enough women role models. peers, sometimes even blurring the “So, it is easy for any woman aspi- boundaries between the person- rant to view a creative job like ours al and the professional. Plus, the as restrictive and prohibitive,” she ‘glamorous’ nature of the job, which says. She believes that creative fields a lot of people may not consider like the business of music produc- ‘respectable’,” she says. All of these tion and lyric writing operate in a fluid working conditions can some- way that there are no official wage times make the field restrictive to regulations, and artists command or women, she avers.

AUGUST 2019 28 | MUSIC

BAWARI BASANTI, DELHI something from your inner world and make it shareable and ahima Dayal Mathur, perceptible. For me, it is like a professionally known as power that soaks up all my joy, M Bawari Basanti, is a Delhi- pain, aggression and suffering and based Hindustani classical and converts it into something that I can folk singer, recording artist and palpably feel long after the emotion songwriter. Basanti is best known has left me,” she explains. for her collaboration with notable The independent music industry Indian artists as well as her French is largely unorganised, observes band, Spicy Frog. Basanti. “It takes time, patience and Music, according to Basanti, “is very thick skin till you are finally more therapeutic than we give it taken seriously. The only way is credit for. As a recording artist, you to keep pushing such invisible are constantly fixing your emotions boundaries defined by society and with every delivery. So, you have to make honest music,” she says. blindly feel your way between the Though Basanti has never felt obvious emotions and then produce underpaid by virtue of being a a feeling sonically,” she says. female singer, that doesn’t mean “Music has the power to take that musicians in general are not

AUGUST 2019 MUSIC | 29

underpaid, she says. “Many venues, festivals and film events underpay lesser known musicians to cut costs. That is rarely because of their sex, instead more because independent art is yet to get its due importance in our country. It’s funny how, sometimes, event companies look for ‘bands with female singer’ and reach out to me. This is just how warped the entertainment space has always been. We constantly confuse being commercial with selling out. I know that my music is my property and only I get to decide my brand’s identity. So, it’s more to do with how much your reach is as an artist – how many people wish to come to your shows and buy your music – that ultimately defines in bars, it’s been an ongoing battle your worth and gives credibility to with an overbearing society that any sound creator,” she adds. wants to portray that it is women- Basanti believes that as long as friendly but is simply entrenched in women continue to truly voice hypocrisy,” she says. themselves with their music, and Basanti manages her act on her keep creating independently in own, which means encountering this digital world, they will not people who comment on her be denied payment for their lifestyle habits and ask her to settle intellectual property. Yet, she has for less. “It’s about time we oust had to face her share of challenges. such elements from society and “From being thrown money at not perpetuate bigotry by quitting during a festival gig, to being told to on our dreams and desires in this not sing songs about female deities dystopian world,” she affirms.

AUGUST 2019 30 | MUSIC

PRIYA ANDREWS, MUMBAI a treacherous industry, especially for newcomers,” she says. “Thousands ocalist, guitarist and move into Mumbai every day to keyboardist Priya Andrews, make it big in Bollywood and only V 29, known best for her song a handful make it to the top – a fact Mileya mileya (Happy Ending, 2014), that holds true for both genders. comes from a family of musicians. During my struggle period, people “I feel anything you put your heart told me that I wouldn’t make it but into helps you grow as a person. I’m lucky to have the family I do – Music isn’t about getting famous for not everybody does,” she adds. me. The connect I feel with God, On the question of pay equality, when I’m out there singing my Priya says, “The lead musicians, heart out on stage, is what music is irrespective of gender, get paid about,” she says. higher than the supporting Priya has faced her share of musicians. So, singers like Neha disapproval from society for her off- Kakkar and Arijit Singh must beat profession. “It was sometimes draw similar incomes regardless of extremely disrespectful and gender,” she adds. “If you’re super heartbreaking,” she recollects. She talented with a lot of determination believes that the struggle doesn’t and lucky, it takes you places more apply only to women. “Bollywood is than you can ever imagine,” she says.

AUGUST 2019 MUSIC | 31

THE VINYL RECORDS, DELHI the Indian indie music scene, they believe there is no glass ceiling in elhi-based four-piece all-girl the profession, as men and women band, The Vinyl Records, are both necessary components of D consists of Banu, Minam and the business. Mithy who belong to Arunachal The foursome contend that while Pradesh and Assamese vocalist and women face the same challenges as keytarist Cheyyrian Bark. The band men, they also have to sometimes has performed over 500 shows deal with sexual harassment. As in eight years. Music is the power regards an equal paycheck, they say that connects them with their that it probably depends on one’s divine source. “Music is what we business sense. “The more tasks you create from our heart. It resonates take on, the bigger your payout. To within the human spirit,” they say. be successful, women need to be Looking back at their journey in aggressive,” they say. 

AUGUST 2019 32 | FASHION STYLE UPDATE Here’s all the latest from the world of fashion this month

JAIPUR WATCH COMPANY PEACOCK WATCH Each watch of Jaipur Watch Company’s Peacock Watch collection is embedded with a real peacock feather in its dial. The collection amalgamates the essence of nature, the beauty of this majestic bird and a symbol of India. With a 42-mm dial, a stainless steel case, Japanese quartz movement with sapphire crystal and a leather strap, this water-resistant watch has a bezel studded with Swarovski crystals. It is priced `35,000 and is available on Jaipurwatches.com.

EGYPTIAN REVIVAL BY AURUS Jewellery label Aurus has launched a new collection, ‘Egyptian Revival’ capturing the heritage of the Egyptian era reinterpreted by designer Puja Shah. The collection uses gold with tanzanite and emerald drops with enamelled detail- ing. The neckpieces are created with thewa craftsmanship, em- bellished with diamonds, pearl tassels, polki, and gemstones.

AUGUST 2019 FASHION | 33

AMIT AGGARWAL The new age of Indian bridal couture is here, heralded by designer Amit Aggarwal. His new collection ‘Lumen’ celebrates that unique light that illuminates us all. A range of three- dimensional hand embroideries in organic angular forms and motifs gave the textiles a unique visual and tactile quality.

AUGUST 2019 34 | JOURNEY SHE HIT ROCK BOTTOM, THEN REALISED THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO HEAL It took two devastating divorces and a behavioural disorder for Sanhita Kargupta to take up psychotherapy to heal herself and help others anhita Kargupta could not woman, wife and mother. Inside breathe. She was hyperven- me, I was shattered and in pieces.” tilating in her bathroom. The episode forced the young- “There’s no air,” she gasped er Sanhita to take stock of her life Sto her family, who could not un- and make a radical change. Born derstand what was happening to in Kolkata, Sanhita did her higher her. She was rushed to the hospi- secondary in Mumbai as her father tal, where a psychiatrist told her was posted there at the time. Wor- she was “over-stressed” and sent her ried about her fondness for mod- home. She was 28 years old. Eight eling – and afraid that his daughter years later, she began sucking her would join the glamour industry thumb and hallucinating. – Sanhita’s father took her back to “It was the lowest point in my Kolkata to complete her Bachelor’s life,” says Sanhita, now 51, a re- in English literature there. spected psychotherapist and mas- “It was a culture shock for me,” ter-practitioner of neuro-linguistic she says. “I felt like an animal in a programming (NLP) based in Kol- cage. People were so curious about kata. “To all outward appearances, me.” Looking for a way out, the I was a hugely successful business- teenager married a man 10 years

AUGUST 2019 JOURNEY | 35 older than her, and had a baby at own business in exporting leather 18. “My husband was a drug addict goods. Though the business grew and an alcoholic. I married him to exponentially, her marriage began fix him,” Sanhita says in retrospect. falling apart. “It was a pity marriage.” It was only after her breakdown Disallowed to study, Sanhita felt that Sanhita was forced to relook at stifled, and left the marriage. She her life and choices. “I had become began working as a photo-journal- codependent but I didn’t know it. ist and moved to Nepal, taking her No one in India knew what that baby along. “People weren’t okay was,” says Sanhita of the behavioural

Sanhita Kargupta with divorcees at the time, so it was condition that is characterised by easier to just move away,” she ex- an unhealthy and excessive reliance plains. But her mother despaired for on other people for approval and a her wellbeing, and brought her back sense of identity. to Kolkata, where Sanhita joined She first understood her problem the leather-goods industry. after reading family therapist Rob- Soon, when her daughter was just in Norwood’s self-help book Wom- three years old, Sanhita had an ar- en Who Love Too Much. “The book ranged marriage to a widower with pointed out that many women find a 12-year-old son. She started her themselves repeatedly drawn into

AUGUST 2019 36 | JOURNEY

unhappy and destructive relation- again. “I was cured,” she says. ships with men, and then struggle But now there was so much work to make these doomed relationships to do. work. I learnt about codependency, “The psychiatrists I went to had and also realised that it’s a problem no clue about codependency or the that plagues women everywhere, ‘wounded inner child’. These dis- not just India,” says Sanhita. orders manifest in so many areas Advised by her psychiatrist to live in our lives, but clients need long- alone for a while, Sanhita separated term help and support. So men- from her husband after 17 years, and tal-health specialists are not keen to gave up her business. She studied take them up,” she explains. Besides, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and the patients themselves are often in denial, which makes diagnosis and help close to impossible. Sanhita began doing one-to-one counseling sessions using psycho- therapeutic modalities, and now has a client base around the world. Supremely knowledgeable and pas- sionate about her subject, she has begun conducting workshops on inner-child healing, explaining the theory and designing techniques to heal wounds of the past that lead to behavioural issues later in life. “I’ve suffered a lot due to the Sanhita with wounded inner child in me, and no her daughter doubt I’ve hurt my own daughter too in my ignorance while raising transactional analysis. She joined her,” says Sanhita regretfully. “We various self-help groups, and went cannot change the past but we can into therapy. She did her Master’s in change ourselves for the future,” psychology, a post-graduate diplo- she adds, explaining why she is so ma in counselling, and trained her- careful around her grand-daughter. self in John Bradshaw’s inner-child “I don’t want people to make the healing, dance therapy, art therapy, same mistakes I did.”  NLP tools, automatic writing and For details about Sanhita’s workshops, various visualisation techniques. email psychotherapist.sanhita@gmail. Eventually, she could breathe com or call 9830299398.

AUGUST 2019 SCREENSHOT | 37 Found by Art SHRUTI VIJ, 42, GURUGRAM

y path to becoming a full-time artist has been indirect, to M say the least. However, I wouldn’t trade my time of being an “artist interrupted” for anything. I’ve always had a love for creativity from a young age. I trained in leather designing, then got married after a short stint in the garment industry. Thereafter, motherhood became a priority. But soon, it became pretty clear that whatever else I did, my desire to be creative in a professional sense wasn’t going to go away, even if I tried to fit my skills into other areas. I started visiting art galleries in Delhi and participating in painting workshops. I didn’t know what to think of abstract painting until I started working on my first canvas. It was like a bullet hit me. I FELT something connect. Purely expressive painting was natural, authentic and intuitive for me. But it’s not just the creativity and continual development that I love. As a freelancer, I’ve come to realise that I actually enjoy the freedom of running my own business just as much. The longer road with all of its detours has paid off in terms of rounding out my life experiences, making me more focused and extremely grateful for the opportunity I have in the studio right now. Waiting is a great motivator. 

AUGUST 2019 38 | FITNESS HIGH ON ZUMBA From an obese adolescent to one of Mumbai’s best known zumba instructors, it has been a high-intensity journey for Priti H Panchmatia

s a teenager growing up marriage. “I’m a Gujarati married to in Mumbai, dance was a Sindhi. It was a love match. I had never on the agenda for no ambition to work after marriage, Priti H Panchmatia. With and was at home for many years Aher father running his own finance initially,” she says. To keep herself business, she was ‘encouraged’ to do her M.Com, then take admission for an MBA degree. But eventually, her dancing feet took her on another tangent, and once she encountered Latin American dance-fitness form zumba, there was no looking back. It was Priti’s mother who encouraged her daughter in fitness. “I was an obese kid, so she used to send me to aerobics classes to lose weight. That’s when I realised I could dance,” she narrates. After doing her M.Com, she quit B-school and took up a course in nutrition instead. “Even then, my father would have nothing to do with it! He still wanted me to join his business.” Priti didn’t indulge her passion until after her Priti H Panchmatia

AUGUST 2019 FITNESS | 39

occupied, she began conducting visits. From teaching at home, she hourly aerobics classes at home. began stepping out to teach at Then zumba came to India. various fitness centres, and finally An exercise fitness programset up base at two studios in Bandra created by Colombian dancer and Juhu. “In the beginning, no one and choreographer Alberto Pérez in my family was in favour of me during the 1990s, it uses principles taking this up,” laughs Priti. “But from both aerobics and dance to eventually, they realised I was good achieve cardio and muscle-toning with this, and I won their support.”

L-R: Priti at one of her studios in Mumbai; conducting a session at eShe’s Shine Your Light workshop in July

benefits. “Dancing doesn’t just have Now with an enviable client list fitness benefits, it has mental health of Mumbai’s movers and shakers benefits too,” Priti says. “It reduces – and a longer list of followers on stress, increases confidence, and is social media – Priti’s best form a happiness booster. It’s very, very of marketing has been word-of- important in my life.” mouth. To see her in action is to Priti travelled to the US several watch a woman in her element, times in those early years to certify bright, youthful, vibrant and at ease herself in the many different with herself, her body, her strength formats of zumba. She also did her and her femininity. “Dancing makes certification in Poundfit and TRX me feel alive,” she says. The rhythm from the US while on her many is in her blood. 

AUGUST 2019 40 | WEDDINGS

THE MEMORY MAKERS In conversation with Tina Tharwani of Shaadi Squad, the team behind Virat-Anushka’s Tuscany wedding

AUGUST 2019 WEDDINGS | 41

L-R: Tina Tharwani and Saurabh Malhotra with Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas on their engagement; Tina

nce upon a time, Tina Thar- tials sought-after by the high-and- wani and her business part- mighty of Indian society. O ners Saurabh Malhotra and Their four-year-old wedding Manoj Mittra used to develop con- firm Shaadi Squad has a simple cepts to convert into film produc- motto: “You enjoy your wedding; tion sets, source the best hair and we take care of the rest.” The team makeup artists, organise transport says it is equipped to handle “both and stay for 200 film crew mem- surges of peak-enthusiasm as well as bers, fulfil erratic filmmaking de- super-emotional breakdowns” – it’s mands and fix last-minute hiccups. all part of the package of a big fat Today, the former film production Indian wedding, isn’t it? experts do the same – except now Within a short period, the firm it’s for weddings. has already managed high-pro- The star cast is the real-life bride file weddings such as the intimate and groom; the film crew is now Tuscany wedding of Indian cricket replaced with wedding guests; captain Virat Kohli to Bollywood and their knowledge and skill in star Anushka Sharma. set production is now being put We ask Tina Tharwani about their to good use for glamorous nup- work and India’s wedding trends.

AUGUST 2019 42 | WEDDINGS

What are the biggest wedding trends this year for Indian millennials? With Indian millennials becoming more and more aware of the con- sequences of all their actions on an environmental level, the tenden- cy towards adopting eco-friendly practices has been steadily gaining traction. When it comes to their wedding, modern-day couples now have a sustainable approach towards it, from personalised digital invites to upcycled décor and other such measures that ensure minimum wastage. So I’d say eco-friendly and sus- tainable weddings are definitely trending and becoming more com- mon amongst Indian millennials, and deservingly so! Do you think couples designing their own weddings these days are more in- terested in the experience rather than the extravagance? With social media assuming more importance in everyone’s lives, a once-in-a-lifetime event like a wedding calls for a greater experi- ence throughout those platforms. We’ve observed that most couples these days come up with creative wedding hashtags, or even create social-media accounts solely for the wedding journey. With such avenues available, everyone now demands something unique for their own wedding. So, while extravagance From top: Arranging a wedding is much like film may not be a prospect or a demand production; Shaadi Squad clients for everyone, there is always scope

AUGUST 2019 WEDDINGS | 43

Shaadi Squad has already planned customised weddings of all sizes across India, Oman and Italy for including creativity to produce What do you advise couples who are a unique and memorable wedding looking to keep costs low but still have a experience. satisfying experience of a ‘proper’ Indian How has the bride’s outlook changed wedding? over the years that you have been in the The key towards having a well-bud- business? What do they seek? geted yet wonderful wedding is to Brides nowadays know what they keep the guest list as minimal as want, or at least what they do not possible, and to avoid costly and un- prefer, when it comes to the details feasible floral décor. like décor, invites, food, and so on. Also, couples can opt for DIY While such specific preferences décor as it not only adds a more might make brides seem more personal touch to the wedding but demanding, this change in outlook also helps save costs. Moreover, if has actually helped make things a friend or a relative has a knack smoother for wedding planners. for skills like hairdressing, makeup, Most brides’ expectations photography, or any other ‘talent’ are pretty feasible and they are that one may seek for a wedding, considerate enough to understand the couple can have them do that ground realities as well. task instead of spending money and

AUGUST 2019 44 | WEDDINGS

efforts on hiring a vendor. lies performed to Bollywood num- Many cross-cultural weddings take place bers. A mehendi ceremony was also these days. Please share one of your fa- held for all the family and friends of vourite weddings, and how you brought the couple. Such weddings are re- in elements of both their cultures? ally interesting, as these allow us to Recently, we planned and organ- introduce both sides to the other’s ised a wedding where the bride cultures, weaving it all together into was Swedish and the groom was an a memorable experience. Indian Muslim. With such an in- Event management is all about being teresting cross-cultural prospect in prepared for unforeseen circumstances. hand, we did not only have a white Do you sometimes have any last-minute wedding but also a nikah ceremo- fire-fighting to do? ny. Moreover, we organised a sangeet Recently at a wedding that we ceremony in which both the fami- planned in Goa, one of the events

AUGUST 2019 WEDDINGS | 45

Tina Tharwani and Saurabh Malhotra of Shaadi Squad with groom Virat Kohli and bride Anushka Sharma was supposed to take place at a What was the most touching moment venue located one hour away from you witnessed during a wedding? where the guests were staying. On There are certain moments in the day of that event, the transport each wedding that are extreme- vendors went on a sudden strike. ly touching, every single time. For This was totally uncalled for, and instance, when the groom sees the we had no way to provide transpor- bride enter the wedding venue, the tation for over 200 wedding guests. sentiments that he undergoes are In such a scenario, having well-expressed on his face, making considerate clients also goes a long everyone emotional. way, and we were lucky to have And of course, the intimate clients who understood the situation moments that the bride shares with and were very accommodating as her parents when they bid adieu well. Eventually, we had to push the renders all those around teary- event by three or four hours but we eyed. Even the littlest moments and managed to arrange coaches for the gestures of camaraderie between the guests. The event turned out to be couple during the ring exchange or successful, with the guests taking the wedding ceremony are all so home a fun experience with them! touching! 

AUGUST 2019 46 | TRAVEL

AN ANCIENT EMPIRE, A NEW REALITY Travelling to Greece with 17 strangers, one Indian girl has an unexpected realisation Text and photographs by Ananya Jain

AUGUST 2019 TRAVEL | 47

ver since I have moved from cient history and culture, or you’re India to the United Kingdom a food enthusiast, a nature buff or E for university, I’ve tried to even just looking to unwind and maximise my travel experiences, relax. From stunning land and sea- making the most of my strategic scapes, to fast-moving city life and location and using it as an ancient ruins, this country has a vast opportunity to discover Europe. array of experiences to offer. This spring, I embarked on an While no amount of time is unforgettable journey, accompanied ever enough to see the length and by 17 other students from my breadth of a country, regardless of university. We headed to one of the size, we managed to make the the most sought-after destinations most of our week that too on a bud- in Europe and spent seven days in get. We spent the first three days in Greece, the land of ancient wonders. Corinth, the city-state which once Greece has always been a popu- was one of the most important and lar tourist destination as it presents prosperous regions in the Pelopon- something for every kind of travel- nese. We stayed at Pegasus Rooms, ler, whether you’re interested in an- a hotel situated by the main square

Facing page: Odeon of Herodes Atticus (stone theatre from 161 BCE); above: at ancient ruins in Corinth

AUGUST 2019 48 | TRAVEL

of the village, amidst the low ly- the hotel offered us a large can of ing yet expansive hills. The rooms wine, which never seemed to finish. were beautiful, each one having their own unique character, all of he next three days spent in Ath- them opening into an asymmetri- Tens were much more intensive. cal courtyard comprising of orange Our accommodation this time was and lemon trees, and many species a student hostel Bed Station, which of birds. was well located as well as beautiful- We struck a balance between ex- ly decorated. Apart from the main ploring ancient Corinthian ruins, attractions of the Acropolis, the na- walking around town, as well as tional archaeological museum, the spending entire afternoons loung- temple of Zeus amongst others, we ing in the courtyard, reading un- also visited some lesser known yet der the sun with a glass of local red exciting locations. wine. My favourite memory from This included a hike up Lycabet- Corinth is the simple yet most sat- tus hill to watch the sun set over the isfying meal we had on our second city, and walk around the extreme- day. We went to a local grocery store ly colourful Monastiraki and Pla- and bought a large circular loaf of ka area where I chanced upon the Greek bread, along with a can of juiciest strawberries I’ve eaten! The olive oil, and a few blocks of feta local restaurants offer a variety of cheese. The manager and owner of Greek dishes, the most interesting

AUGUST 2019 TRAVEL | 49

Facing page: Athens from the top; I got this shot on the way to the Acropolis.

This page, left: The Parliament House in Athens; above: An ancient Mosaic at the Corinth Archaeological Museum one being the Saganaki, essentially of this ‘exotic’ location. Perhaps it is feta cheese wrapped in filo pastry, this understanding that enabled me fried and then garnished with ses- to make the transition from a mere ame seeds and lots of honey. I just ‘tourist’ to an educated ‘traveller’. couldn’t get enough of it. We also It is commonplace for visitors took a day trip on a bus to visit the to associate Greece with luxury, ancient ruins of Delphi, and mar- beauty and history. In today’s ev- velled at the contrast between an- er-connected world of social me- cient Greek monuments juxtaposed dia, there is an overflow of imag- with modern constructions and es of the Greek islands; people in lifestyles in Athens. tropical clothing posing against the blue and white backdrop of Santo- et, it was not the history, culture rini, or jumping off a yacht into the Yor food that became my biggest sparkling waters at Mykonos. These learning from this trip, rather an- places have long been championed other realisation that dawned upon as the best in the world for leisure, me. While there is no doubt that whether relaxation or celebration! Greece is a beautiful country with For those who are passionate a glorious ancient civilisation, its about history, Greece represents deteriorating economic condition the beginning of the ancient civil- and rising rates of poverty point to isations in the Western world. It is a massive paradox as the only reality home to the world’s first democ-

AUGUST 2019 50 | TRAVEL

This page, clockwise from top: Greek merchandise and graffiti in urban Greece; the Roman Agora in Athens; Saganaki, or feta cheese wrapped in filo pastry, fried and garnished with honey and pomegranates

racy as well as Olympic stadium portant, they are only a small part (made completely out of marble), of the reality. The country has been a pantheon of gods and goddesses, drowning in economic crisis since architectural wonders and also ter- 2009, threatening not only its own ritorial wars that left the greatest ci- economy but also that of the entire vilisation in the world ravaged and Eurozone, with instability caused destroyed. It is every history and ar- by debts of billions of Euros, owed chitectural enthusiast’s dream to see both to the IMF and the European the colossal magnitude of the Par- Union. Rates of unemployment are thenon, temple of goddess Athena. high, and despite the austerity mea- Yet while these aspects are im- sures enforced a couple of years ago,

AUGUST 2019 TRAVEL | 51

L-R: The colourful and lovely neighbourhood of Plaka; a view of Corinth from a hilltop

government spending continues to can be a facade for the grim truth. skyrocket. While such realities are more than This sense of crisis and back- often highlighted when it comes to wardness is evident. Whilst on the Global South economies in Africa train from Athens to Corinth, a lo- and Asia (there is even such a thing cal student shared her story, and we as ‘poverty tourism’ in such coun- discussed how – due to high rates of tries including India), past prejudic- poverty coupled with conservative es and notions of false supremacy mindsets – young people are forced lead us to overlook them in the case to drop out of school, and find of the colonial powers of Europe. themselves falling into substance The fact is that in the 21st cen- addition. She also spoke about the tury, these issues plague large parts emphasis on leisure and lack of in- of the Western world as well, and centive to go out and work, blam- acknowledging this is essential for ing the crisis on complacency. a modern-day globetrotter. It is something every traveller should oing by popular perceptions and consider, beyond the rose-tint- Gappearances can be mislead- ed view of lovely landscapes, good ing, and beautiful Instagram posts food and vibrant culture!

AUGUST 2019 52 | RECIPES

THE MOST OF HUMMUS Epicurean, home chef and blogger Shefali Batra a.k.a. ‘Hoppingontoes’ celebrates good food with good health in her work n accomplished culinaire know that her own food story was and a supremely successful born out of health issues, and nutri- food blogger, Shefali Ba- tion is not just a passion but a call- tra is well-known for the ing for her. Abeautiful food stories and educa- Born in Saharanpur, Shefali did tional posts on her Instagram ac- her schooling from Dehradun. “Be- count @Hoppingontoes. But few ing born in a typical Punjabi fam-

AUGUST 2019 RECIPES | 53 ily, cooking was a skill I inherited from most common ailments. Soon, from my mother. Back then it was she started helping friends and fam- as if women were born to cook in ily who achieved amazing results. the house. I have been cooking ever Then, she began conducting work- since I can remember,” she narrates. shops helping people create healthy Winner of various culinary awards eating habits. and cooking contests, Shefali adds, With no formal training, she “I believe that cooking is love made became a self-taught baker, choc- edible and when you cook with all olatier and a home chef. Her blog your heart and soul, the dish always turns out good. Chanting a man- tra while cooking as taught by my gurus always helps me feel that my food has been blessed. It provides food not just for the stomach but for the soul too.” Shefali also favours “uncooking” now, which means including lots of raw foods in the diet. “Striking a balance of cooked food and raw foods in your diet is the key to an optimum healthy body and soul,” says the Delhi-based mother of a 20-year-old son. This realisation dawned on after suffering from sinusitis, weight is- sues, allergies and more. “I was tired of being on prescription medicines for years – they did not offer me Shefali Batra permanent relief. By chance, I at- tended a workshop on healing by came along two years ago, as a way natural foods and there was no for Shefali to help others benefit looking back,” she recalls. from her knowledge too. She posts Switching to a natural diet helped easy healthy recipes, restaurant and Shefali get rid of all health problems brand reviews, and details of the within months. She began research- workshops she conducts. ing the subject, and realised that just In this issue of eShe, she shares by making simple dietary chang- four fantastic hummus recipes that es, one could get permanent relief abound in nutrition and taste.

AUGUST 2019 54 | RECIPES

GREEN PEA AND MINT HUMMUS

Ingredients: 1 tbsp lemon juice 2. If needed, add more 1/4 cup boiled green 3-4 cloves garlic aquafaba to make a peas Salt to taste smooth paste. 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas 1/4 tsp zatar powder 3. Take the mixture out 1/4 cup aquafaba (water 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. from boiled chickpeas ) 4. Cool the mixture in A handful of fresh mint Instructions: refrigerator. leaves 1. Put all the above 5. Serve as a topping on 1 tbsp tahini paste ingredients in a blender your toasts or with crisps (sesame seed paste) and blend till smooth. of your choice.

AUGUST 2019 RECIPES | 55

BEETROOT HUMMUS

Ingredients: Crushed black pepper transfer to a bowl. Cool 1 roasted or steamed to taste in refrigerator. beetroot 2 tbsp olive oil 3. Before serving, 1 cup boiled chickpeas garnish with crushed 1/4 cup aquafaba Instructions: black pepper and seeds (water from boiled 1. Add all the above or garnishes of your chickpeas) ingredients in a blender choice. 2 tbsp lemon juice except the crushed 4. Pipe onto cucumbers 2 tbsp tahini paste black pepper. or serve with julienned 3-4 cloves of garlic 2. Once well blended vegetables, pita or Salt to taste to a smooth paste, chips of your choice.

AUGUST 2019 56 | RECIPES ROASTED PUMPKIN AND TURMERIC HUMMUS

Ingredients: 1/4 tsp roasted cumin 2. Add all ingredients 100 gm pumpkin (zeera) powder together in a blender 1 cup boiled chickpeas 2 tbsp olive oil and blend till smooth. 1/4 curd Paprika for sprinkling 3. Transfer to a bowl, 2 tbsp tahini chill it and sprinkle with 1 tbsp lemon juice Instructions: paprika, cumin powder Salt to taste 1. Roast the pumpkin and more olive oil. 1/4 tsp turmeric in the oven or a pan till 4. Serve with warm pita powder soft. bread.

AUGUST 2019 RECIPES | 57 CRANBERRY HUMMUS

Ingredients: olive oil ingredients in a blender 1 cup boil chickpeas 2 tbsp water and blend together. 2 tbsp soaked Salt to taste 2. Pour out in a bowl cranberries A little paprika for and garnish with 1 lemon’s juice dusting cranberries and dust 5-6 garlic chopped with paprika. 1 tbsp tahini Instructions: 3. Serve with pita or 1 tbsp extra virgin 1. Put all the chips.

AUGUST 2019 58 | EVENT SHINE YOUR LIGHT @ MUMBAI Here’s what went on at eShe’s Shine Your Light at Kitty Su, Mumbai Photography by Shantanu Pawar and Analita Seth

hine Your Light is a series of zumba dance by Priti Panchmatia; personal-growth workshops ‘gypsy woman: the wisdom of the for women, organised by wild within’ by award-winning eShe magazine. The agenda theatre personality Rashi Bunny; Sis to learn, discuss, dance, introspect, ‘journaling for personal transfor- network and eat! mation’ by writing facilitator Suma The fifth edition was held on July Varughese; and a ‘game of hugs’ by 20, 2019, at Kitty Su at The LaLit eShe founder Aekta Kapoor. Mumbai, which saw a vibrant at- There was also a delicious buffet tendance of 40 dynamic women. lunch hosted by Kitty Su, fabulous The four-hour workshop had four gift hampers, and the chance to net- empowering sessions by powerful work with like-minded women.. speakers: ‘Achieving flawless com- eShe’s next event is slated for Sep- munication’ by American-Italian tember at Kitty Su, Bengaluru. Visit motivational speaker Kass Thomas; the website eShe.in for details.

AUGUST 2019 EVENT | 59

Clockwise from left: Kass Thomas begins her session on ‘flawless communication’; Versha Khanna looks on; Kass keeping the audience entertained; Karishma Makhija (in pink) follows Kass’s instructions on checking her energy zone and expanding it

L-R: Kass Thomas and CEO of Vu TV Devita Saraf; Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena and Suma Varughese

AUGUST 2019 60 | EVENT

Clockwise from top left: Anita Panda and Dr Jankhana Hakani take a bite during the break; actor Pravishi Das;Priti Panchmatia has the participants prancing about; Maya Lalchandani and Monisha Lalchandani; Deepa Khanna Rupani joins Priti Panchmatia on stage during her session

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Clockwise from top: Moving to Priti Panchmatia’s beat; pausing to breathe and meditate; a participant poses in front of eShe’s sign at the entrance to Kitty Su; eShe’s business director Kaveri Jain introduces the speakers; eShe’s founder and motivational speaker Aekta Kapoor conducts a ‘hugging meditation’

AUGUST 2019 62 | EVENT

Clockwise from top left: Suma Varughese conducts a session on journaling for personal growth; Rashi Bunny states the agenda for her session ‘Gypsy Woman’; Rashi asks participants their response to the word ‘wild’; actor- scientist Niharica Raizada; women wait for their instructions

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Clockwise from top: Lifestyle blogger Kitty D Khanna and HR professional Jyotsna Nair pause in meditation; looking within and just ’being’; all participants went home with goodie bags sponsored by Omved Therapies, Taaseer and Mean Bean Co, besides eShe magazines, of course; the participants take a deep breath in, and prepare to ‘shine their light’. Next workshop: Bengaluru!

AUGUST 2019 64 | BOOKS

LATEST IN FICTION Here are our top picks of the month

Fear of Lions Amita Kanekar (Hachette India, `699)

Aurangzeb is the ruler of Hindustan, but even the powerful Mughal ruler can do nothing to erase the caste fissures, economic inequality and gender injustice in his majority Hindu kingdom. This wildly absorbing second novel by Amita Kanekar looks at an audacious revolt led by women. As the plot unfolds on its tragic course, it reveals the horrible underbelly of medieval Indian society where righteousness and democracy were considered dangerous and subversive to the status quo. Historical fiction at its best.

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World Elif Shafak (Penguin Random House, `499) Award-winning British-Turkish author Elif Shafak’s 11th novel (and 17th book) begins with a death. Leila has been murdered and her body thrown into a bin. But her brain is still active, as the book’s title goes, for 10 minutes 38 seconds. In this eternally brief period, she recalls vivid memories – of growing up in a small Turkish town ridden with patriarchal social mores and moral policing, of running away from an unhappy marriage, of taking up sex work, and falling in love. In the meantime, five friends of hers are searching for her…

AUGUST 2019 RARE VIEW | 65

Those Eight Days By Aekta Kapoor

or eight glorious days this past month, I was alone at home. Except for the dog. And the part-time domestic helpers. And the gardener who drops in every alternate day. And the doorbell being rung several times a day by the driver, the building guard, Fthe fruit-wala, the Amazon delivery guy, the milkman, the garbage collector and the dog-walker. Except for all that, I was alone. In the evening, after the doorbell stopped ringing (unless I’d ordered dinner) and it was just my Golden Retriever Miyake and I in my study, I’d put on soft jazz on Spotify or allow YouTube to take me on an 1980s pop relay, and sway, looking Miyake in the eye as she gazed on indifferently. Or I’d do a few exercises my rehabilitation therapist has taught me for my achy wrist. Or I’d work on my computer, or watch Netflix, or chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, or just walk about lost in thought, or read the dozen books on my bedside table, or put the laundry away. I’d languor in bed, its entire six-foot width to myself, and roll about complacently. I’d have no need to wear my clothes in the bathroom after my shower, and – like a man – I could just walk out in a towel or even stark naked into my bedroom, and get dressed there. Sometimes, I wouldn’t get dressed at all, and would boldly walk about in my

AUGUST 2019 66 | RARE VIEW

undies, feeling like a cat that got the cream. Miyake didn’t care. I’d make tea for one whenever I felt like it, and fill my dinner plate directly in the kitchen, no need for setting the table. Or I’d skip dinner and have popcorn instead. I’d leave the drawing room messy and my bed unmade. I’d read articles on unmarried women without children being the healthiest and happiest populations on the planet, and nod in understanding. I’d message my kids and husband lots of “I love you”s and hearts of all hues, because I really meant it and I’d never loved them more as when they were out of my hair. I’d walk Miyake late at night for her last pee of the day, unafraid of the dark alleys and the strays because my old deaf doggie and I had each other’s backs. Late at night, I’d read again or chat with a friend through WhatsApp or masturbate if I wanted or have an argument with Miyake because she’d want to sleep in my room while I wanted her outside because she is noisy. Finally, she’d curl up just outside my door, and scratch on it all night or Taking selfies of myself, by myself pee in my study in revenge. When one of the kids and the husband returned from their travels, I greeted them with a genuine warm hug full of affection and love. “Did you miss me?” the husband asked tenderly. “Not really,” I smiled. “But I love you a lot.” “I would have really missed you if you’d been gone so long,” he said, grumpily. “I don’t like being alone.” “I love you,” I repeated firmly and emptied out his and the daughter’s luggage, put their dirty clothes in the laundry, threw away the used boarding cards and crumpled papers and empty medicine strips from their backpacks, gave the cook instructions for the next few meals, ordered groceries for more people, reminded the newspaper guy to re-start all dozen newspapers again, handed over the TV remote, put all the power-banks on charge, tidied up the place and set the table. “I can’t believe you don’t miss me when I’m gone,” the husband complained, adding, “I want tea.” Eight glorious days. 

AUGUST 2019 PERSONAL GROWTH | 67

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AUGUST 2019