Cannes 2022: How India’s soft power was on display at the biggest film festival

, but Telangana, where she was born and “spent a significant chunk of her childhood,” holds a special place in her heart. During those years, her grandmother, or amma, as she called her, was a big influence on young Masooma. “Amma was ahead of her time, always pushing me to explore, take on leadership roles and encouraging me to pursue my passions, even when they seemed out of reach,” she recalls. Through her, Masooma learned that excellence knows no age. “I was often the youngest in most classrooms and in extracurricular activities,” she recalls, in an interview with Global Indian. At school and university, she was heavily involved in extracurricular activities, from mock UN sessions to public speaking, which shaped her problem-solving and leadership skills.

Masooma also loved art, and since her family travelled extensively, Masooma visited museums around the world, where she would see the intersection of design and technology used to captivate visitors. However, back in India, she would visit government buildings and Army offices with her father, which looked plain and drab in comparison. When she eventually began her career as a curator, she did so by beautifying Army messes and museums. However, when she first toyed with the idea of art as a profession, her parents encouraged her to do science instead, as she was a good student. She followed their advice, even though her heart was elsewhere. Besides, Masooma had met her now husband at the age of 18, and wanted to ensure she followed her mother’s advice of always remaining economically independent.

Wearing Multiple Hats

[caption id="attachment_49684" align="aligncenter" width="496"] Dr Masooma Rizvi at the inauguration of the Chennai Airport[/caption]

The greatest influence on her career as a designer and curator was former President APJ Abdul Kalam. He wanted a hut built in Rashtrapati Bhavan and a call was issued to artists to share their designs. Masooma sent hers in too - her idea was to get people from Northeastern India to make an eco-friendly bamboo hut and then paint on that. The idea, and the simplicity of her approach appealed to Dr Kalam. That project marked the start of her journey with government buildings and structures.

Rizvi has always believed in the inspirational words Abdul Kalam said to her, “you have to dream before your dreams come true” and in her life many roles happened quite organically because she dreamed of making a difference in many ways. “Diving into multiple creative roles has been both challenging and thrilling. I started my journey with interior design, which was my gateway into the world of creativity and space optimization. That opened doors to art curation and museology, where I could expand my skill set and really challenge myself with projects that demanded high levels of creativity under tight deadlines,” she says. Being passionate about guiding artisans and students directly, fostering an environment in which ideas can flourish, she does that either directly or by participating in panels and exhibitions that helps her stay connected to the creative community while also learning and growing.

Art curator

As a job that has no set timelines and never truly ends, curating art she admits is a task that requires a fine balance between artistic intuition and strategic planning. When curating art for projects, especially those with governmental oversight, she dives deep into the space's history, its architectural significance, and the vision behind the project. “The key is curating art that speaks not just about the space itself but tells the stories we want to tell within those walls. My process is meticulous, ensuring each piece of art aligns with the project's broader narrative and aesthetic. It's complex but incredibly rewarding, demanding a deep understanding of art, its cultural significance, and how to integrate it seamlessly into the designated spaces,” she explains.

[caption id="attachment_49687" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Artworks at the Rashtrapati Bhavan[/caption]

Global focus

She describes her work abroad, on projects in China and Bahrain, that were distinct in their challenges and learning, as eye opening. In the White Horse Temple project in China, her team constructed a building reminiscent of a stupa, housing over 300 artworks. “The project was about creating a dialogue between cultures through art, tracing the journey of Buddhism from India across the globe,” she explains. In Bahrain, she worked on the Indo-Bahrain friendship mural at the Indian Embassy, which celebrated the longstanding connections between the two countries through symbolic art. The mural tells the story of the historical trade relationship, where India sent silks and spices in exchange for Bahrain's pearls. “It was a lovely way to represent the deep-rooted relationship between two countries that has stood the test of time. In the centre of the mural is the tree of life, a significant concept in both countries,” she says. These projects were challenging but extremely rewarding as they highlight the important role art plays in storytelling, cultural exchange, and creating impact.

Bespoke solutions

She started Belita Design Solutions with a desire to challenge the status quo in interior design and to honour the creative process in every project she undertakes. “I wanted to break away from the traditional 9-5 where new ideas were stifled and cookie cutter solutions were the norm. At Belita Design Solutions, our ethos is built around crafting bespoke solutions that go beyond aesthetics to address the functionality and soul of a space. We aim to steer clear of one-size-fits-all solutions, instead focusing on tailoring our designs to meet the unique needs and narratives of each space. This approach has allowed us to tackle a wide array of projects, pushing the boundaries of design and setting new benchmarks in the industry,” she says.

Museum musings

Entering museology she says, was about marrying a passion for history and art with a commitment to education and public engagement. “It is essential to immerse yourself in the museum world, understanding not just the theoretical aspects but the practical challenges of curating and managing museum spaces. The role of a museologist goes beyond curation; it's about making museums interactive, engaging, and educational spaces that invite visitors to explore and learn. This field requires a deep love for art and history, along with the creativity to present it in ways that resonate with todays and tomorrow’s audiences,” she explains on her role as a museologist.

A fulfilling journey

Her journey has taught her that there is always a solution to every challenge if you are willing to seek it out. Each project is unique, necessitating a tailored approach that balances creativity with practicality. “Learning the value of strategic thinking, understanding project goals, and finding the best path to achieve them have been key lessons. Also, recognizing the importance of rest and recharging has been instrumental in maintaining my enthusiasm and creativity in my work,” she says. Facing challenges head-on has been a hallmark of her career, navigating the complexities of design or pushing creative boundaries, using a mix of perseverance, innovation, and teamwork. An artist herself painting, travelling, and reading are her free time indulgences. “As my team grows and becomes more autonomous, I anticipate Belita Design Solutions venturing into more ambitious and creative projects, continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in design and art,” she concludes.

• Learn more about Dr Masooma Rizvi and Belita Design Solutions on the company website.  

w of a man. So often, I have heard people calling them the reason of great wars, or admiring them for the wrong reasons. I felt that many of these heroines, such as Sita and Draupadi were misunderstood. That prompted me to write about them,” shares the 65-year-old award-winning author, during an interview with Global Indian.

The writer, who struggled financially during her initial days in the US, is a bestselling author today, winning several awards - American Book Award (1996), Crawford Award (1998), and Cultural Jewel Award (2009) and Light of India Award (2011). Currently, Chitra teaches in the nationally-ranked creative writing programme at the University of Houston, where she is the Betty and Gene McDavid Professor of creative writing.

A child of books

Born in Kolkata, as a child Chitra got to travel a lot as her father worked as an accountant at an oil firm. Growing up with three brothers - one elder and two younger - Chitra would spend hours reading. “I was a shy child. Since we travelled a lot, I didn’t have many friends growing up. So, whenever I would get the time, I would read books and befriend its characters,” laughs the author, who feels that since she had no sister, her books capture the strong bond between two female characters. “Fortunately, now I have some great friends,” she shares.

 

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Friends or not, one person she looked forward to meeting every year during the summer vacation was her nanaji (grandfather). “He was a great story-teller. He would narrate stories from Hindu mythology, the two epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata - and even fairy tales. I would be mesmerised,” shares the author. While she loved these stories as a child, as a teenager, Chitra started questioning about the female characters. “I wondered why they were only treated as side characters, even though their actions affected the storyline,” mulled the author, who studied BA from the University of Calcutta in 1976, and decided to move to the US for further studies.

Rising above the storm

Just like her characters, Chitra’s journey wasn’t easy. Soon after she landed in Chicago (1976), her family was engulfed in a financial crisis, that affected her education. The author worked part-time for a year, before enrolling in a master's at the Wright State University. Her work visa helped her stay afloat. “Those were testing times, not just for me but for my entire family. My parents were not in a condition to help me with the fees, so I worked odd jobs - babysitter, store clerk, bread slicer and even a lab assistant. My elder brother was doing his residency at a US hospital, thus wasn’t in a position to help much,” shares the novelist.

After a year, Chitra saved enough to pay the fees, but continued working. “As a child, my mother always told me that a woman should be financially independent. I understood that statement completely after landing in the US,” says the author, who pursued a PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley after her master’s.

 

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Things were looking better, but a tragedy - her nanaji’s passing shook her foundation. It was a turning point for her. “I couldn’t even fly back for his funeral as I had no money,” shares Chitra, adding, “I felt homesick. His demise left me grief-stricken. So, I started writing poems for him - some are a part of my first few books,” she adds.

A feminist at heart

During college, Chitra discovered how many south Asian women residing in the US dealt with domestic abuse. Not one to keep quiet, she and a few friends, founded a helpline, Maitri, in 1991. “It’s not like I was oblivious to the fact that women suffered domestic violence. However, what caught my attention was that though other immigrants and African-American women came forward to raise their voice against abuse, south Asian ladies would suffer in silence. I wanted to create a space where they can ask for help without fear, and thus Maitri was born,” shares the author.

 

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Today, Chitra is on the foundation's advisory board, and that of another Houston NGO - Daya. She was on the board of NGO Pratham Houston working to bring literacy to disadvantaged Indian children, and is presently on its emeritus board.

A family woman

The Texas resident, and her husband Murthy have ridden the storm. Incidentally, she met her husband during his master’s. “He has been the most wonderful husband,” shares Chitra, adding, “After we were blessed with two sons - Anand and Abhay - we decided to keep a nanny, which meant spending a lot of money. So, we both worked tirelessly without any leaves or vacations. I would go to the university in the morning, and hurry home to work on my book. However, Murthy was supportive throughout, not just with the kids, but house chores too. My mother-in-law, Sita Shastri Divakaruni, was also encouraging.”

 

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A proud mother, Chitra used her sons’ names in her children’s novels. “I remember how they would run to me asking what had I written that day when I returned from school,” laughs Chitra, feeling blessed with a beautiful family. “All my books are dedicated to the three men in my life - Murthy, Abhay and Anand,” says the author, who is still a voracious reader, time permitting.

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