Wisdom, aesthetics and intellect, all swathed in twinkling wraps concoct the fashionable sage , Anjhula Singh Bais. Mellowed by the lore of Piaget and Freud, honed by the idiosyncrasy of Buddhism and glossed by the bible of fashion she encultures, Anjhula curates a museum of arts in herself. Be it the kathak dancing, playing of violin, fashion writing or modeling(which she calls a form of art), the compulsive self out doer keeps on exploring new passions and love.
Pursuing her doctorate in psychology from the greenrooms and standing for the causes she believes in, this eccentrically esoteric and varietal-ly versatile lass has had walked for the New York and London Fashion Weeks. Now getting married to her long time love, we caught her up, with catharsis underway.
Psychology, super-modeling, fashion writing, VJ-ing internationally for MTV, humanitarianism and that all at culmination. What are the next things that you want to reign?
Life is ever evolving, one thing culminates another commences. I am open to what the universe puts forth. I read a great quote that is apt here and reminiscent of how I approach life: “Stop trying to engineer life. Enjoy it, Destiny arrives when it’s ready, not when it’s wrangled.” In the pipeline are opening psychology clinics in Sri Lanka for the displayed refugees of war, consulting on a film on Buddhism, traveling, modeling and writing. If I make an impact, stir a soul or move a heart, I consider that reigning in the ultimate sense.
Elucidate on the cusps and crossroads of your fairy tale as a simple starry-eyed lass from Delhi to international fashion princess.
These questions make me smile because they have many built in assumptions. The glint you’re mistaking for starry eye is actually a knowing and compassion. I don’t believe in being starry eyed. I respect other people’s talent and gifts and am fully confident of mine and where I come from. We all have a unique mission that no one else can fulfill, mine happens to play out on an international arena. It’s that simple.
Now you are marrying your love……your man. Tell us how this love saga spread its wings?
I’m sure readers are bored with details of where and when. Suffice it to say that relationships are like a game of tennis. One plays with someone equal to or better than him or her so they become better and more evolved themselves. Way too often, people marry who they desire, not deserve. In my case I desire and deserve the gentleman that I’m marrying. He is the only person in this universe that can understand and handle me in full. It is very accurate to say that not only have I found a love but my partner and comrade in life. He is truly a champion in and of life.
What is fashion for you? Does it change along the borders?
Fashion is interpreted differently across cultures for sure, as is beauty. It is amazing what one part of the world considers the most beautiful aesthetic, another part displays distaste. These are superficial things though, but truly all the design maestros will agree that fashion is a universally innate essence and display of taste and character. Everyone puts their own signature on fashion, it’s like a thumbprint, no two are alike, in this sense, fashion is one’s greatest calling card.
As you have had walked the ramps globally, so vis-à-vis where do you find the Indian
modeling industry?
The Indian fashion industry is growing by leaps and bounds. I enjoyed walking in the recently concluded couture week in New Delhi. Indian fashion is still nascent, and each country or culture ‘practices’ fashion according to its country’s ethos. It amuses me that I am one of the very few Indians to walk New York and London fashion week, but Lakme fashion week wants me to have walked more seasons for them, ignoring the simple fact that I have walked internationally, the hardest fashion week in the world competing with the best. It’s important to have a global vision. Think globally, act locally. If India can do that, they are surely on the right path.
What is modeling all about? Can a monk have something to show on the ramp?
I think modeling is a different experience for each individual that encounters it. To me modeling is an art form, a display of inner creativity and longings, stories to tell that manifest in flowing clothes on the runway or in front of the camera, poetry in motion. A monk certainly can have something to show on the runway, everyone has that potential. How it is received depends on the audience. Can the runway excite a monk? If done right, fashion inspires everyone to feel and be a better, grander version of their current self.
What is the moment that you always want to carry close to your heart?
June 2006, London. A female’s heart is full of depth and mystery….:)
What is life to you? Is philanthropy a part of your spiritual tryst?
There is nobody here in the world that can do what I am put here to do. I and everyone else have a unique mission that only we can accomplish. I greet each day with a lot of gratitude and joy, with a deep awareness of every moment. I believe in creating value and pouring my life into every thought, word and action no matter how small. Life is about value creation, for both one’s self and for others. There is no happiness with just one or the other. Philanthropy in so far as it being defined as combining genuine empathy with the display of power, then yes it is part of my spiritual DNA.
It is the usual perception that green rooms produce the stoned models on the ramps. What’s your take on this?
This question is worded as a blanket statement. Assumptions are the mother of all mistakes. There are exceptions and then there are the rules. My humble suggestion is to meet any person tabula rasa (blank slate) and decide for oneself if they are indeed the rule or exception. I have met philanthropic bankers, spiritual athletes and I’m a model doing a doctorate. They do exist!
What has been the most interesting experience in your career span?
Too numerous to recount, each person has a story, an amazing one no less. I can’t pick one moment out because in the end, one realize that the best thing in your life is not one single thing or experience, it’s a tapestry woven of many threads.
Peek-A-Boo
Cuisine you love to gorge on: Italian
Book you can read anytime: Buddhism, Psychology or something so completely unrelated to anything I know or do that I am bound to find it riveting, a welcome departure from all that one knows.
Music you can lend your ear anytime to: A great Vivaldi Concerto is beautiful and civilized
Film that left you spell-bound: As a little girl, Princess Bride. As an adult, watching Kanchivaram at the Toronto Film Festival, 2 years back seated next to the director himself (Priyadarshan) was quite an experience. For the first time, I felt that making and acting in a film wasn’t entirely out of question.
Designer you can walk free of cost for: Work is a spiritual exchange of energies, I wouldn’t walk for free, it would be in exchange of something so that it is always a win win situation for both.
Any Fetish: Nothing to the extent it would be called a fetish.
Guilty pleasure: Massages and French toast
Things you loathe and love most: I have learnt to respect the negative and positive sides to everything in life; we all consist of both sides, and are able to love things because we know what loathing feels like. In less esoteric terms, I love one who honors their word. I loathe insincerity.
Place you love to visit: Cambodia
