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Editor’s note
Maya Sarao is an actor, baker and designer. She recently made waves for her role in the movie ‘Thappad’ and web-series ‘Aarya’. You might have also seen her in ‘Aankhon Dekhi,’ ‘No Fathers in Kashmir’ or most recently in, ‘A Thursday.’ A self-taught and self-described Jill-of-many-trades, Maya offers a cool and diverse mix of recommendations that she personally swears by. You can follow her on Insta here.
What I am reading: ‘Do Not Say We Have Nothing’ by Madeleine Thien. I suddenly woke up sick of all the ‘white’ books on my TBR shelf. I walked into Trilogy and picked up the first fiction novel set in an unfamiliar land. This was it, and goodness was my instinct correct! The Bookshop in Jor Bagh, Delhi, also put together a huge pile for me that I am so excited about!
What I am wearing: NorBlack NorWhite. By far the most empowering clothes I have ever worn. Also because I really love their brand ethics. And, a shameless plug here for Tich leather—a brand I co-founded with Hajra Ahmad. I god promise our cottons and leather are the best quality.
What I am watching: ‘The Disciple’ by Chaitanya Tamhane. It’s a shame how masterpieces slide into your Netflix with no fanfare while shitty bigoted bullshit gets all the attention. Sorry I said it, oops. I also really look forward to the Dharamshala International Film Festival—I think it’s the coolest film festival in India and the only one that went online during the pandemic.
Who I am listening to: Anything by Wazir Patar but ‘Tere Baad’ is on loop. Would I be right in calling it folk meets rap? Anyway, I can’t get enough!
What grounds me: Kickboxing (for those of you in Bombay, I train with Susovan Ghosh at Evolution Fitness and he is THE BEST) and strength training. I could talk for pages on the magic of exercise/movement but I will just say: challenge your body, make it fun, that is enough.
What I am eating: I am super chuffed about this—my pupper and I eat the same lunch everyday—a hotpot of dal, meat, rice, assorted veg, coconut, a smattering of fresh dhaniya, a pinch of haldi. I add salt to taste and a tadka of ghee with jeera, kadi patta, hari mirch. It sounds boring but it is DELICIOUS, and you can play around with the dals and the veg (beet! pumpkin! jackfruit!) and if you’re fancy you can try quinoa/ all those posh items instead of rice.
What I am currently making the most effort with: Reducing my waste, especially plastic, most especially single-use packaging. There is SO much one can do (perhaps I will do a more exhaustive list with links on my insta) but if I had to pick a first step it’d be a Lifestraw water bottle. The 23-ounce bottle has a replaceable filter that removes all pollutants and bacteria—and it is endlessly reusable. Those mineral water bottles are the devil.
Where I am: Still reeling from a 3 week 4x4 dirt road trip with my epic mama, Pavane Mann. She is the legitimate queen of adventure, one of the first women in India to run a successful outdoor outfit. She lives the OG life now but will still make and/or execute a killer itinerary for you and she runs the cutest BnB in Manali called The Lama House.
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