SHIKHA DUGGAL
Very recently, the Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo fame Isha Talwar was in the middle of dawn breaks and blaring birds in Kerala — she was enjoying the green palms and tropical waters so peacefully.
“The stillness missing in cities is so endearing here,” she confesses. So for our weekly travel tales segment: actress Isha who brutally celebrates the success of her last blockbuster hit series expressed her sagas of experiencing Navarasa Sadhana in god’s own country. “I was back in Kerala for phase three of Navarasa Sadhna by Guru Venu G — never knew an Indian acting programme exists and had its roots in Natya shastra.”
She was submerged in an aesthetic experience, and realised creative work of art. She was able to strengthen her capacities in acting! Besides, touched her senses deeply. With an awakening enlightenment in her tone, she expressed further, “Discovering this “vidya” has been a revelation to me. Initially, when I arrived there — gradually was getting to know that these studies are undertaken at an acting laboratory of a royal family from the same state, coming from the eighteenth century. Many practitioners and scholars were produced, thereafter.”
She’s one of those blessed actors who was getting to experience the enrichment of acting dimensions by getting to the core of acting training. She goes on, “I even got to stay in a houseboat, highly recommend it. Especially, on a full moon night. I was cruising down the tranquil backwaters so beautifully. And, the moonlight was very romantic.” With modernisation, the barges began to lose their importance and utility. But locals soon realised that these boats, which are strong enough to last generations, can be re-modelled into houseboats for travellers and we all can see now, how even celebrities love an overnight stay at a houseboat.
“Kerala to me is so culturally rich. I had seen some performances that you can’t expect to happen in a city like Bombay. I have experienced the “panchakarma” treatment as well at Kottakal and it helped me detoxify so enormously. Once in a year, I have made it mandatory to take this treatment anywhere that’s possible. At Jindal Nature Cure, that’s in Bengaluru is my alternative to it.
Now I know how to attribute good health with the combination of traditional treatments because of Kerala.”
Now we understand why Ayurveda has the distinction of being the oldest medical system known to man and the most comprehensive spiritual teachings in Kerala with a distinction. What’s more, “The institute she visited named Natanakairali is actually a conventional home with basic ashrama-like infrastructure. I wasn’t able to adjust at first, was a tad bit strenuous for me to keep my background in mind because we as actors are always so spoilt in this industry. However, it provoked something inside of me to come back to my fundamentals.”
In addition, “Thirteen years ago, I turned a pure vegetarian. It was when I started pursuing yoga! But when you go to Kerala, it’s more about the meat. But I tried Puttu Kadala, Appam, some vegetarian stew, Rasam, Pulliseri and Onam Sadhya. When you put them together on a table, a colourful cuisine will emerge even if there’s an absence of meat there.” The distinct flavours of local delicacies of the state transported Isha Talwar to a whole new world altogether. Also, “She even loves visiting Thailand — all for the massages, the watersports and beaches. Koh Chang and Rawai are at the top of her list! It’s not bustling at all. These places make it ideal for me to avoid the crowd.”
To boot, “The last trip to Bangkok came as a bombshell to me: my friend and I were sleeping outside the Bangkok airport! Usually, all my bookings are done by me for any foreign trip but just this one time I asked my nieces to plan it for me. To choose a hotel! And I am never going back there, such a terrible experience. It was stinking throughout! Whereas, my nieces were nowhere to be found because they were partying all night and we were sleeping outside the airport. Hilarious.” Additionally, “Mostly, my mum and I travel together.
I always want her to tag along because she’s super easy to travel with, no hassles. She’s much more of a daredevil than many of the youngsters. I remember recalling our arrival to New York City in 2019, in the midst of a snowstorm. My mother suggested ‘Let’s go to Macy’s and buy ourselves the latest winter collection in the midst of that snowstorm so that we can enjoy’.” On top of that, “There is one work trip I really enjoyed and that was to the Andaman Islands. I had my first diving experience there! We were again, as I love the moonlight so much, having our dinner at an open cafe. The beach was so clean and transparent waters. And recently when we were shooting for Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo — they took us to Jodhpur and I had never seen a desert ever.
So that’s also ticked off now! The next time, I am ready to explore Jaisalmer nearby. And the dream location from the bucket list is Kashmir because of the photographs that are shown online.”
