In the new year, ‘complicated’ seems to be everyone’s favorite word. The Hindu Weekend talks to some news-making creatives about how life has changed and what they’re looking forward to
Some words are losing their charm. Epidemic pivot, for one. But what is not there are target words. With the new year approaching, people are trying to put aside the memories of the second wave and worry about the Omicron wave in simple words – stay small, be sensitive, live consciously. Writer Anindita Ghosh believes, “Covid has leveled off in some ways, and I think it has gradually pushed people to be more vulnerable.” It shows how many want to live the next 364 days. We talk to creatives, from actors and writers to interior designers, to understand their takeaways from last year and what they expect will be important in 2022.
Anindita Ghosh, 37
Journalist and debut novelist, Mumbai – currently making notes for her next novel
Recap 2021: It was the highest of the highest and the lowest of the lowest. my first novel enlightened, which I worked on for six years, got published and I am grateful for the welcome it has received. But I also lost my dearest person, my grandmother. the book was always dedicated to him and coming with the gift of the MagiAs the situation has become difficult.
Some good, some bad: Better work-life balance for many people I know, including myself, is quitting their full-time jobs to join other things! (Laughs.) One thing that a COVID-induced 2021 has catalysed is a deeper sensitivity in interpersonal relationships; Coping with loss or illness for your friends, going through a divorce or struggling with lockdown parenting.
looking ahead: Let’s get complicated. 2022 will be about prioritizing people, projects and important ideas. I think we all have understood that time is precious. There is a limit to how much we can stretch our body, heart and mind and so it is best that we dedicate ourselves completely to the things that matter a lot.
Priyanshu Painyuli, 33
actor, Delhi – hold him extraction and the hit amazon prime series, Mirzapur 2
Recap 2021: It was a year of recovery for me [from 2020], but also one where I was constantly afraid of another lockdown, stopping life and work. But, by the grace of God, I kept on filming back-to-back interesting web series and movies.
Good with Bad: I made sure to strike some balance between work and family, spending time with my family and giving myself time. 2020 had us hooked on connecting with people online; We have lost the ability to make offline connections. Let us not complicate our lives by adding to the pressure of maintaining an online appearance.
Target 2022: I hope we stick to what we are good at. I want us all to be simple and to be real online like offline. I am also waiting for the release of Pippa, A period war drama based on the Bangladesh War of 1971. The journey of this film has been the toughest and most challenging for me mentally and physically as an actor and I am looking forward to bring it to the masses.
Rohini Raghavan, 32
Principal Architect, Studio R+R, Chennai – Incorporating better design and infrastructure in corporation schools
Recap 2021: It has shown us the power to stay small. In the backdrop of the pandemic, we didn’t have to make the office slim. Although there was not much boom in business [people are wary about starting big projects]Housing projects are booming.
learn to be better, we expected a lot to change [better work-life balance, push for inclusivity, etc], but it will take time. Not everything can be solved by a pandemic. Although people are happy to go back to work; they will now have a social life [laughs], On the positive side, I see many people becoming more aware – they are paying attention to spaces, learning from traditional practices and adapting it to changing lifestyles. This will bring stability in the broad sense.
looking at 2022Simplification, reduction, degradation in all aspects of life. This is the lesson we should take from the last two years. Professionally, I think it’s time to experiment. we want to look into furniture design [using alternate materials such as indigenous woods, 3D printing, waste material, etc],
Shruti Jaipuria, 38
Founder-Creative Director, MAIA Design Studio, Bengaluru – working towards sustainability and craft revival
Recap 2021: It was a great year for us as a design studio with a lot of inquiries and sign ups. People now understand the importance of space, and I see more of them moving away from the city and taking up homes with gardens.
Stability Check: While the pandemic made us slow down and think, I believe many people are forgetting the lessons learned. I hope that in 2022 more people will lead a conscious life. I am seeing more clients who are now receptive to sustainability and supporting local crafts, which is also aligned with our practice. At the moment, we are working with terracotta artisans in Kutch, and integrating the work Tikri Udaipur artist.
new year planTravel, and much more! Aren’t we all missing it? I am researching a trip to Spiti Valley to see Snow Leopard. and at some point during the year, I’ll go to a Hermitage For vipassana,
Priya Kurien, 40
Children’s book author and illustrator enjoying sketching of everyday life in Bengaluru-Idukki – Kerala
Recap 2021: It was productive. though my mental health [and everyone else’s] The hit during the second wave did not stop the work. I ended up with two picture books that I wrote and illustrated. beauty is Mto issue, a collaboration with Pratham Books and Humane Society International India, is about a buffalo that goes missing [I set the story around Karimannur village in Kerala, where I was during the pandemic, but fictionalised it], And Sweet Memories of Gutter Goo, a photo album-cum-biography of a dove. Set in the 80s, over the years we all tapped into nostalgia.
ned more: In-person interaction. Yes, people are renewing old connections, but digital fatigue cannot be ignored. We cannot function as an online community; You can’t make a real connection. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I want a full exchange of energy that can’t happen online.
wish for 2022: I hope we can live life between these waves. And keep things, and life, simple.
Reema Kalingal, 37
multi-hyphenate cast, Kochi – First Malayalam actor to produce NFT
Recap 2021: I never thought I’d do a single-shot film, shoot entirely inside a car, and actually win an award [best actor at the Diorama International Festival for Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam] In the midst of covid-19. I have also created an NFT, rebel bloom,
finding balance, I was ready to take it slow; To realize that life was so much more than your ambitions and what you wanted to achieve. There were people dying. I lost a 24-year-old colleague in my dance troupe Mamangam. But, in the midst of this pandemic, I have also got hope and light.
looking ahead: 2022 is going to be about getting back on your feet, using all the energy that you have saved to come back and apply all the lessons that you have learned. I’m recharged – the new year looks great to me right now.
Joseph Chakola, 41
Artists and Entrepreneurs, Kochi — Staying Positive and Embracing Change
Recap 2021: The year was about to start anew. I launched my business Crackling & Co (Pork Crackling), and dabbled in the NFT space.
2022 win, I am looking forward to leaving the old and gaining new ground. Maybe explore the NFT space more and on the personal front, lose some weight!
,