It was a pleasant summer evening in Birmingham, the birds were chirping and the drizzle made everything look picturesque.🌈☔️🤍
That’s when i started craving some flavoursome Indian street food so me and my husband went to this amazing restaurant called zindiya in the heart of Birmingham. 🇬🇧
I don’t know how to even praise this place or if i will be able to do justice to them, but i will try nevertheless. It has such a unique decor where every corner has a story to tell. From the designing of the menu, to the walls, everything is in sync and speaks volumes about the concept designer. 🌼
I would say the fusion food takes you to a nostalgic street in Delhi or Mumbai. Its bright, its Bollywood and its yummy! 💖
My order included:
Cocktails: 🧉🥂🍹 Veri Lime & lemon 2.0 Goan Sunset
Food: 🥘 Tiranga Chicken Kati Roll Fish Amritsari Pav Bhaji Okra Fries Chilli Paneer
Dessert: 🧁🍨🍦 Zindiya chocolate Gol Gappe Zindiya gajar ka halwa samosa
My personal favourite was the veri lime drink which was served in a plastic bag, a concept so surreal and fantastic at the same time. It also had a floating dried chilli in it to add to its presentation.
The tiranga chicken was juicy, spicy and finger licking ❤️
The deserts were just so unique that they surprised my taste buds.
I would give this place 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️and would definitely recommend to all my friends.
If u want to up your Instagram game, this place also has some amazing photo op corners.
Can’t wait to visit again.
A special thanks to the owner Shivani who was so hospitable and welcoming that i would want to meet her again for a meal at Zindiya.
There was a time when the church forbade the appearance of women on stage. The theatre industry has transiently evolved, leaving behind archaic practise and embracing gender equality. Theatre has been regarded as a medium which tackles social injustice, challenges stereotypical views and instils morality. Furthermore, has operated as a catalyst for women empowerment and promoted feminism in recent years.
During the 16 century, theatres began to embrace women and few pro modern production houses even hired women in starring roles. Despite this new ideological enlightenment, female artists still face challenges. It was commonly deemed inappropriate and unchaste for women to perform on stage. In India, the Ramlila which has been declared as one of the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO is still predominantly performed by an only male cast across the country.
According to a survey conducted by Purple Seven in 2016, female customers account for 65% of ticket revenue, but only 39% of actors, 36% of directors and 28% of writers, of plays performed are women.
Contrary to the statistics there are numerous examples of women who pioneered in the field of theatre, carving their own niche and continue to strive for excellence.
It is a tough tip toe in heels, but they have made it to the top. There are many prominent women in theatre across various occupations, including acting, directing, producing, and playwrighting. Some of them have also undertaken executive roles. Here are examples of few outstanding women in theatre who are not only an inspiration to young women in theatre but to women across various fields:
Fiona Allen
Fiona is currently President of UK Theatre, Chair of the Midlands Regional Tourism Board, a Director of Women of the Year, West Midlands Growth Company, Stage One and a member of the ACE Midlands Regional Council, Creative Industries Federation Council and Midlands Engine Business Council.
Fiona has worked in positions of both artistic and executive leadership, with previous employers including Curve Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Sydney Film Festival, and Sydney Opera House. Presently, Fiona is the Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome since October 2015.
A message from her: ‘The good – and the bad- thing about a life in theatre is that the boundaries between work time and leisure time become very easily blurred. To be successful you will need to work hard, be very focussed and forever curious. As a woman, it has absolutely been my experience that it can be more difficult to be heard, and that can be exhausting. Try not to let this life consume you though- strive to maintain friends and hobbies outside our magical world, to provide some balance and grounding. I wish I had worked that out much earlier in my career’.
Anuradha Kapur
Former Director of National School of Drama, a Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee (which is the highest Indian honour in performing arts). Anuradha Kapur is a theatre director and a professor. As a true feminist, her plays have been applauded for revolutionising society and bridging the gender gap.
A message from her: “What I love about theatre and theatre-making is that the very form itself is founded on dialogue. Dialogue as an exchange – spoken on stage; dialogue as an exchange in the act of making theatre. Don’t we always ask, discuss, wonder, – Shall I make this action? Shall we speak this way? Shall we try this move? For this exchange to work we need to listen; we need to observe; we need to trust our partners and our co-performers. Then we need to modify ourselves after we have listened, and – we have start again and give it another try. To all fellow travellers in the theatre – let us energize ourselves via listening, and via trying things again and again. There is great joy in persevering!”
Rachael Thomas
Rachael is the Executive Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, UK. She was previously the Executive Director at Derby Theatre and has a 25-year career in the culture sector. Prior to this Rachael worked for ten years at Nottingham Playhouse as Head of Finance and Business Development. Her other roles have included Director of Phoenix Arts, Leicester and Director of the Merlin Theatre in Somerset. Rachael has an MBA from the University of Bath.
ROHINI HATTANGADY
A Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Rohini Hattangady is one of the most celebrated and versatile actresses in India, working for nearly three decades, on the Stage, Films and the Television. She is also to date the only Asian recipient of the coveted award given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA); as the ‘best actress’ in a supporting role of Kasturba, in Richard Attenborough’s film ‘GANDHI’.
These women have not only inspired the young generation who are perusing theatre but everyone who is in the quest for success. We must celebrate their success this international women’s day and every day.
Coronavirus is the new evil in the world that the globe is fighting and it has affected all of us in one way or the other. It is taking a toll on our mental health and wellbeing with all the panic it has caused. We need to be united and responsible now if we want to overcome this crisis. It is the time to fight it and be alert.
Maybe this is our chance to look within and break the chains that bind our happiness. We have been consumed with work, responsibilities, urgencies that take up most of our time and have forgotten to even look at the skies. Maybe, this is the time to do so, to relish the life that we have, the families that we had forgotten and the friends that we had lost touch with. Let’s cherish what we have and let’s be happy and when all of this is over, we will rise stronger.
To break the mundane, I have listed out certain things that you can indulge in if you are self-isolating. Apart from keeping our surroundings clean to washing our hands constantly, here are few more things to keep ourselves busy and sane:
Indulge in reading
Reading has always been one thing on most people’s list that they can’t get to because of their busy schedules. This could be something to catch up now that we all are on lockdown. Reading is the best way to relax and even six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two thirds, according to new research. And it works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea, research found. Here is a list of my 10 favourite books for you:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Educated by Tara Westover
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
A thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Husseini
Normal People by Sally Rooney
The Kite runner by Khaled Husseini
And the mountains Echoed by Khaled Husseini
Ikigai, the Japanese secret to long and happy life
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Happy Reading!
Watch Theatre Digitally
Theatre is that window that takes you to a dreamland. We not only lean so much from theatre but we get a new perspective which is much more creative than cinema. Many artists are offering live stream creative sessions and feedback if you wish to learn and know more about the creative arts. If you wish to learn more and be entertained, do check out Digital theatre, Broadway HD, National Theatre Live and your all time favourite YouTube.
Rearrange that cupboard
Yes, guys and girls, I know we all have that cupboard that needs human intervention since months and you have been procrastinating it. Now is your time to take out the clutter and rearrange your wardrobe. Put some music on and keep asking yourself, do you even need that dress or bag and arrange them by priority. It could take you days to clean all those cupboards.
Garden Garden everywhere.
It’s time to get those hands dirty but only for a good reason. I know your garden has been neglected for ages and you have always wanted to be a gardener who enjoys that summer breeze. It keeps you busy and elevates your mood. Studies have found that the mental health benefits of gardening are extensive. Not only can regular gardening reduce mental health problems like depression and anxiety, but it can also reduce stress and combat high blood pressure, as well as improving overall physical fitness. You are already on a path of improving your immunity. But do remember to wash those hands and not touch your face if you have been to the garden.
Do Yoga
Yoga increases body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain, and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centers the nervous system. This is exactly what we need at this hour. So, skip that gym and do Surya Namaskar.
Pamper yourself
Many of us will not be going to a beauty salon for a while but there is nothing we cannot do at home. Give yourself a trim, get rid of the dead ends, wear a hair mask, oil your hair, do your nails, wear masks and just have that hot bubble bath in a tub. Maybe this is the time to look within rather than constantly looking at the screens.
Is it time to learn how to cook?
We have always looked at the cooking shows and hoped that one day we would cook something that would impress everyone around us. Now is the time to explore the chef inside us. YouTube has lots of recipes that are waiting to be tried. Get that apron on and get going. And yes, remember to eat healthy.
Take a Selfie
Connect with your friends and followers and engage more. We will need each other during this time. Now is the time to spend more time with yourself. Clicking a perfect selfie is one easy way to do it. People who take selfies have more confidence and higher self–esteem. So lets do it! Lets feel good about ourselves and share it with the world. If you like this article, do post a selfie with a title, ‘I will Fight this virus’ and spread love on all the socials.
Be Responsible, keep the virus at bay and wash hands, hurrah!
I am a mother and i am a CEO I clean my house and i am a journalist I cook for my in-laws and i am a Doctor I sweep the floor and manicure my nails I drink with friends and go to a temple I drive my children to school and i am a pilot Meet me, I am a women
They said i am dark and i said i am beautiful I was called overweight and I fight against body shamming I was eve-teased, still i go on that street My husband left me, still i believe in love I cry when i am alone and i can make everyone laugh I love my family and i am ambitious about my career Meet me i am a women
Premenstrual syndrome(PMS) refers to physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the one to two weeks before a woman’s period. Symptoms often vary between women and resolve around the start of bleeding. Common symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes.
I will share few non allopathic tips that have worked for me and I hope you can try them and get some relief.
How can you deal with PMS ?
Try herbal teas
Herbal teas are really good for health and there doesn’t seem to be a downside to drinking tea. Try ginger tea, green tea or Chamomile tea, they all have many health benefits like lowering cholesterol, lowering toxins in the body, help kidney functioning and also help with concentration. A warm cup of tea can also help relieve stress. So I like to have a cup of tea and it always works wonders during PMS.
Have a Banana
The popular instinct is to pop a painkiller, particularly if you’re a non believer in home remedies. But try having a banana during your PMS or yourperiods. Banana has high content of potassium, which helps in circulation of air and blood to the brain, so it results in prevention of heart strokes and maintains regular heartbeat. It also maintains balance in body’s water level. It controls both ulcers and muscle cramps as well. It also has high iron level in it.Yes, you heard me right. From young girls to menopause stage women, everyone has a pain during their monthly periods. That pain is unbearable and at that time they are very weak as well. So instead of going for tablets, tonics etc go for natural medicine, banana. Have 2 bananas and it will heal you pain. Use this natural medicine to heal this natural pain.
Hot Water Bottle
Scientists at University College London found that heat treatment works by blocking pain messages to the brain and that placing something warm on the skin can get rid of abdominal pain in a similar way to painkillers for up to an hour. So it’s not just in our minds then!
Lying down and using a hot water bottle can be really helpful to stop period pain. It has always worked with me and will always work with you too.
Dark Chocolate
Intense chocolate cravings are extremely common at this time of the month, but excessive sugar isn’t a great idea and may actually make your symptoms worse. Try eating dark chocolate- it’s lower in sugar than milk and white chocolate, but will still satisfy your sweet cravings, and as an added bonus is a rich source of magnesium.
Wear comfortable Clothes
Tight and uncomfortable clothes never helped anyone when they are having mood swings and cramps. Wear some soft fabrics and let them be loose. When I am in India, I wear kurtas or jumpsuits that are super comfortable!
Get an extra hour of Sleep
I believe that good sleep is a luxuryand getting proper rest always helps us feel refreshed. Sleep becomes even more special during your periods and during PMS. So get an extra hour nap in the afternoon and it will make all the difference
Use apps like ‘Period Calculator‘
I never knew that an app could make such a big difference in my life. I used to forget my period date before I had this app. It also has amazing features where you can feed your symptoms and analyse it and see what works for you and what doesn’t. It is a must have for every girl and it doesn’t harm when it’s free and super cute.
Be prepared
Last but not the least. Its better to be prepared than not. You should understand your body and its signals. If you are feeling cranky for no reason or feel like crying (like me) while watching cute puppies on the internet, there is a chance that you might be PMSing. Accept it and believe that it is going to be okay. Embrace it and fight the taboos attached with menstruation.
Hope you keep these points in mind and try these home remedies next time you have your period. Have a happy Period !
Fashion & Feminism 