Beyond the Resume

This page holds the parts of me that don't fit into neat bullet points: The things I'm curious about, the things I notice and the things that shape the way I think.

I gravitate toward narratives that unfold slowly, often set in a time and place far removed from our own. I have always been drawn to the period genre, for its opulence and its ability to make the past feel intimate rather than distant.

From Indian films such as Mayabazaar, Devdas and Bajirao Mastani to Korean dramas like Queen Wongyeong, River Where the Moon Rises, and Under the Queen’s Umbrella, I enjoy watching media from different places. These stories reveal rigid social orders, but they also how resolve and strategy can allow people to rise above them. And, of course, there is always something deeply compelling about a smart female lead in a strong role.

My relationship with stories began early. I grew up listening to my grandmother’s tales rooted in Hindu mythology, and the small serialized stories printed in the Telugu newspapers. As I grew older, I sought out authors like Enid Blyton, Jacqueline Wilson, Rick Riordan, and Roald Dahl, stories that made fed my imagination. Now, I seek narratives with greater depth and meaning: Crime and Punishment, The Metamorphosis, Frankenstein, Anna Karenina. At the same time, I continue to make space for romance like the book, The Song of Achilles and Ponniyin Selvan.

I think I have always been a romantic, someone who moves through life by finding meaning in people, moments, and experience. Much of this way of seeing the world has been shaped by the stories I have consumed. They have taught me to see the world in its narratives. Through them, I have learned to notice the quiet experiences and encounters that form the people around me, allowing me to understand and appreciate them deeply.

On Narratives...

I am a strong believer that food is the doorway into culture. And what better news for a total foodie! Many of my fondest memories of food are inseperable from my experiences of travel. I still remember the smell of a freshly baked sausage roll warming my hands on the streets of a small town in Cornwall, my first sip of hot chocolate at a Christmas fair surrounded by friends, and the call of a street vendor in India selling spicy chaat. Traveling to new places allows me to soak in the sights, tastes, and rhythms of life, and I feel fortunate to have friends who share my curiosity and passion for discovering the world.

For someone who loves to eat, I also enjoy making food too, baking to be exact! It has become a favorite hobby of mine, allowing me to experiment with flavors and textures. While most recipes require skill, French baked good specifically so,  I enjoy challenging myself with new recipes. I would be lying if I said there were no batches of sunken croissants or burnt macarons. But, I enjoy creating something with my own hands, and despite them coming out looking odd, these recipes are the ones I am the most eager to make. And, of course, I can always rely on a quick oven brownie to lighten a long day!

Places & Plates

My Culture

I have always been enchanted by the stories of my culture, the Mahabharat and the Ramayana and the smaller stories too. I love exploring the retellings of these stories as the portrayal of characters the lessons taught change with a change in the perspective. I grew up reading Amar Chitra Kathas, a serialized collection of Hindu mythological stories.

Festivals bring these stories to life in the most colorful and joyous ways. The orange flowers, the rangoli, the lights from the diyas and the shimmery outfits combine to create moments of warmth. On festivals, the whole family gathers, and after months apart it is exciting to celebrate with everyone once again.

I’ve also celebrated some festivals on campus with friends, and I will always be grateful for the joy of sharing these cherished moments with such amazing people To me, my culture is alive in these rituals. The stories we recite on festival day, the food we make to share and the light and color of the activities highlight the richness of my culture and urges me to appreciate and treasure it.