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Where we talk about inspiration

2021/06/10
REMNISCING ABOUT INSPIRATION

As we trudge along on our own journeys to recovery, wherever we are on the morbid spectrum — starting at having lost loved ones or having battled the illness, and perhaps ending at carrying the bitter sweet burden of privilege of not just breathing freely, but having a home, hearth, food, and livelihood — we are running out of steam and really feeling the confinement of extended lockdowns.

I won’t lie — I’d rather be out, feel the (non-infected) air, see what the outside looks like today, but like most of us, I haven’t stepped out in the last 2 months except to get vaccinated, and my next outing in the foreseeable future is likely when I get the second dose. On one hand it seems like fatigue is taking over, but on the other, I have a home, a team, a brand, and a kid that need taking care of.

What gets us moving?

So while I sit at home and try to maneuver life via screens, I wonder where inspiration comes from? Does it mean different things to different people? I find myself thinking about what gets people moving to do what they do and be who they are. 

Speaking for myself, inspiration usually comes in spurts — something I might see, spot while at home or travelling, hear, or think of while cooking or running (my favourite). Not to forget the many, many shower thoughts.

Memories as inspiration

Memories serve as a great inspiration board too. Summer afternoons, playing with my brother, while everyone else is asleep. Winter mornings when the whole household moved out into the lawn or the courtyard to enjoy a chilly sun. Summer evenings, when my parents’ gang of friends came over to play badminton and we ate snacks made by Ma and canned pineapple juice (the only kind our small town had to offer). 

Ma’s signature badminton look always inspired me — the palla of her saree tied up at the waist, hair in a plait, running and jumping elegantly in sports shoes that weren’t Nike — one just wore what one had and took care of it. 

Our at-home badminton court was lined with fresh chuna (crushed limestone), a rose garden to its right and seasonal flower beds on the left. There was always a refreshment table close by but you could also just run to the veranda where the ice box was usually kept — a most exciting proposition to a child. Everyone looked forward to this summer ritual that snowballed into an almost daily affair.

Back in the village

Another fond page from my mental diary of inspiration — trips back to our family farm house in a village close to Nepal. Crisp mornings that allowed you to see the Himlayan peaks from the roof of the house. Semal trees all lined up in the fields. Frolicking in mangroves while eating freshly plucked raw mangoes sans salt or chilli. Sugarcanes in the winters; hot jaggery and fresh greens for every meal. All the romance that weather brought with it. The fire and smoke on winter evenings (known as ‘ghood’ in Maithili) and how it made my shawls smell the next day. How it will always, always transport me back to what I felt in that moment and what I wanted then and dreamt of.

There are also more recent memories when I’ve been overcome by instant inspiration. Like that time I went to Lakmé Fashion week as an attendee and saw Anamika Khanna walk in wearing a dhoti style jersey skirt with a kurta and boots, and I was struck by how classic and comfortable she looked. I’ll always remember her as one of the most stylish women I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Mental moodboard of inspiration

I store each of these memories in my mental moodboard of inspiration, so every time I see a piece of jewellery and close my eyes, it all starts piecing itself together — drawing from the sights, sounds and smells; the music starts to play, and the whole scene unfolds... I think of what I’d wear it with, where I’d like to be when I wear it, and most importantly, how I’d feel in it. 

Right now I see myself sitting back at a vineyard, dressed in a flowy white dress, this new necklace I’m (very excited about) working on, wrapped in a shawl or dupatta— sipping on wine and listening to Mehndi Hassan while watching the setting sun.

Here’s to better, more inspiring times, I guess.

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