Bhaichung Bhutia
I have discovered yoga. I had never done yoga in my life and had been hearing about it and also wanted to practise it. I am doing it with a group of friends and feeling flexible and strong at the core. Pranayama was so relaxing. It has been quite a good experience for me. Along with that I have been exercising too. Previously, I was being quite lazy and not working out. So, with yoga and workout, I have managed to get back into shape in terms of losing a bit of weight.
The other very important thing is I have gone back to grandmothers’ recipes, like having milk with turmeric at night, a bit of ginger in a cup of hot tea in the morning and honey with lemon. It was a part of our childhood and we had lost out on it in the middle.
Paoli Dam Pabitra Das
Paoli Dam
Yes, I have been watching a lot of films, reading books, dancing a lot in front of the mirror, which I used to miss, but the biggest rediscovery has been the family time. I hadn’t had the chance to spend so much time with my family in the last 10-14 years. I bonded with my parents and my brother once again. We did everything together. We would suddenly come up with ideas. The amazing bit was we were all together. That was fun. I have always loved my own space and respected others’ spaces too. Everybody should have their own space even in the same family, but we became engrossed in that. I am loving this togetherness. The last time I had spent such a time was probably in school or college. When you step into a professional field, life changes. When I was promoting Bulbbul (web film) or Kaali (web series), I was working from home. I knew I had half-an-hour or a one-hour break for lunch or I would get some time for coffee. That gave me a school-like feeling. Porikhha’r shomoi jaate porikhha bhalo hoi, my mother used to make yummy food. The family space where there is respect, love and mutual understanding of each other’s preferences is what I loved.
Aamra toh onek boro boro bishoi niye bhabi and we want to do something about those. This (pandemic) brought back the smaller joys of life. We obviously care for our family and friends, but sharing became important. It’s not only about what I want to do, but also about the others in the family… what do they like. When I watch a film alone, it’s my choice, but when I am watching it with my brother, it’s an unanimous choice. Oi jinish gulo chole gechhilo. I was constantly travelling for work and the regular life had become individual oriented. I have been able to come out of it and I am enjoying this space of doing things together.
Every evening my mom rehearses. She loves singing and I accompany her sometimes. Maane, aamai jor korei korate hoi (laughs)! That’s another thing that I have rediscovered about myself! I have become more lazy and laid-back. That’s very Bong! (Laughs) I have connected with my roots once again.
I really wanted to indulge in miniature gardening, but since we were not going out and in our building there are a lot of senior citizens and nothing from outside was allowed, I couldn’t order online too. I am yet to procure the materials, but I will do it.
Anuja Chauhan Sourced by the Telegraph
Anuja Chauhan
I’ve discovered that you don’t need to iron tablecloths. Just put them on the table while they’re wet but after a good wringing, smoothen them down and turn in the fan. They dry absolutely flat and creaseless. I’ve discovered I am capable of writing 4,000 words a day and finishing a novel in four-and-a-half months. I’ve rediscovered Annihilation of Caste and the poetry of Vikram Seth. I’ve discovered all kinds of random stuff in the bottom drawers and top shelves in my house that had been lurking there for years. I’ve discovered that I am capable of killing a big scorpion but not a small snake.
Tanya Ghavri Pabitra Das
Tanya Ghavri
I really like The Chriselle Factor (a blog ). Chriselle Lim has always been someone I have loved to follow not just for fashion but also her approach towards life and what she has been able to achieve with her career and her blog. It’s so informative and all her stories and articles are always an interesting read.
Melissa Wood Health is a mindfulness and wellness coach and her talks and her blog has really helped me get through my time well in quarantine. She has the most insightful ways of looking at life.
Suneet Varma Sourced by the Telegraph
Suneet Varma
I think most importantly, I found myself. I run a fairly large business and I have an aged mother and I have my stores. So, I find that I am forever taking care of other things and other people. (This period has been) about the foods I love to eat and not just baking a cake because there is flour in the house, and the shows I like to watch.
I come back home from work quite late and then whatever my servant has made is in front of me. I don’t have the patience to tell them what to cook every day. So, I basically eat whatever is served to me. Most men do that! They know my favourites. I need a dal, a sabji....
I learnt how to cook which many people have learnt, but I have learnt to cook things I want to eat. I love fish but I am such a novice at cooking that I wouldn’t know where to start. I started seeing a lot of YouTube videos and having a lot of phone conversations with my younger sister who has been living in Calcutta for 25 years. I told her she has to teach me how to make different kinds of fish... with mustard sauce, vegetables, lemon and garlic... how to marinate it and learning what fish is good for what kind of cooking. I learnt to pamper myself a little bit.
I was really lagging behind with some of the most iconic Indian movies and television shows. I think I literally must be the last person in India who has seen Gangs of Wasseypur 1, 2 and 3. I also loved watching Sacred Games, Mirzapur, Gurgaon, Paatal Lok. I didn’t realise that there is such great content being produced by these alternative directors and actors. Loved it!
Lillete Dubey Sourced by the Telegraph
Lillete Dubey
For me it’s been a very reflective period. I felt myself going very internal. Of course, I have been doing things on and off. The family was with me partially. Ira (daughter) was with me for three-four weeks and Neha (daughter) came with her daughter. She is still with me. I am madly in love with my two granddaughters!
It came to me that there isn’t really much theatre that I will be able to do, but, I didn’t let myself get hassled. I am not feeling anxious or insecure at all. This is what it is and the best way to deal with it is to just be calm. It’s true that I need the money, but what will be will be.
We will evolve. I am also not getting angsty that I must go online. Organically I’ll know what to do. I don’t think we will go back to the same world as pre-Covid and that has its own ramifications. It has thrown so many questions at us and those are the real findings. They are in the emotional sphere.
Life is very uncertain. I have always felt it and this (the pandemic) markedly made it clear to me and underlined the thought that you just have to be in the moment. This is my philosophy if you know me.
HarperCollins had been calling me since April last year to write. Finally, around April this year I buckled down and said ‘why not’? I have always wanted to do something else. I like writing, so, why not explore this aspect of myself. I am writing a memoir.