There's power in positive thinking

BEYOND HURDLES

If you don’t like what you are doing, you got to have the courage to change. Gender and age are no bar, insists Meena Das Narayan in a tête-à-tête with Deepika Nidige

Gender and age have long been considered the two intrinsic drawbacks of women. Almost like once you are born as one, there is nothing you can do to lessen the odds stacked against you. But there’s no stopping Meena Das Narayan.

A journalist, writer, painter and filmmaker, she is extremely passionate about everything she does and seldom compromises on principles.

Meena started off as a journalist in India. But after spending a few years in the industry, marriage to husband Ned took her to the Gulf. Was it a paradigm shift? Not really, she says, as we make ourselves comfortable in a coffee shop on a crisp and sunny Saturday morning.

Having split her childhood in Iraq, Pune and Delhi, Meena was quite comfortable with the culture changes. “I was raised along with brothers. Although my family was liberal, I always thought girls got one degree of freedom lesser. But then again, I was quite a rebellious child, who
questioned conformity,” she confesses.

Tipping point

After spending a few years in mainstream media, she grew tired of the hypocrisy, mediocrity, bureaucracy and curtailed thinking of peers and higher-ups. She decided to start something of her own. But why the drastic decision? Because for her, quality means everything. She cannot settle for anything less than her standards, interjects Ned.

It was a few years later that Gulf Connoisseur, the first-of-its kind luxury magazine in the middle-east, was born. Of course, having to work for it meant long hours and erratic shifts, while taking care of her toddler son. “One day I had a very bad vertigo attack. The stress had started to pile up so much that it started taking a toll on my health,” recalls Meena.

It is hard for people to take you seriously, just because of your gender, she admits. Has she ever felt like giving up? Never. “I have reached the brink of that emotion, but I've always bounced back. It's not me to quit or bail on something,” says the ever-smiling and composed lady. As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

And how does she do this? “I remain positive,” she says, “Whenever I have been surrounded by negativity - people or environment, I have always moved away from it.” And all her sacrifices, risks and efforts have paid off well, as her magazine celebrates it eleventh anniversary this year.

Creative outlet

While she is not writing or editing, she is busy painting. And her paintings generally have female protagonists shown in various moods. There is a reason behind this. “Women experience infinite emotions through their lifetime – sorrow, happiness, marriage, childbirth – every event brings out a different colour in them. And that is what I try to depict through my paintings. I even think women have emotion in death,” the self-taught painter elaborates.

After making several documentaries and art movies, Meena is now working on her next film – Darkness of Night. It is a dance-drama, featuring Yakshagana, the folk dance from Karnataka.

When I ask her why there is a dearth of women in the art and filmmaking industry, she begs to differ. “Not  that there aren't women. There are plenty of them; I have interacted with so many talented women art directors, who are serious thinkers.

But the reason they are not in the limelight is because either they do not have the resources for publicity or they do not have the audience for their kind of art. There are few takers for a movie with no comedians or item numbers,” she spells out candidly.

So what is the fuel that drives her, keeping her motivated, despite hurdles?

“Divorce negativity,” she says unequivocally. “With all the fame, be prepared to make some enemies. Naysayers and brickbats will always follow. Pay no heed to them, while you go ahead and endeavour to make your dreams come true,” Meena and Ned add in unison, with a smile.

“Also, I consider myself extremely lucky to have been blessed with a support system in the form of my family and friends. I think every woman needs one. No matter how much your professional achievements take you up the success ladder, it is a loving domestic life that will give you a sense of fulfillment,” maintains Meena.

What are her plans for the coming years? Are there any signs of retiring from an active life? Not at all, says the 54-year-old, with a hearty laugh. “I'm only getting started. I don't even consider age a factor for working.”