Recently I heard model-host Padma Lakshmi speak at a talk that Koel Purie had invited me to. She spoke candidly from her heart about situations she was confronted with and the choices she made.
“Life is weird,” she said matter-of-factly. “I was at an exotic Caribbean resort over New Year’s Eve where Prince gave a private performance and straight from there I flew to Madras (she preferred to call it that) to my grandmother’s home where we still bathe with the balti and a mug. The hot water comes from another tap.” That is life, how one adapts to situations whatever the state of evolution.
Padma Lakshmi came from a family where everyone was a professional and academics were given their due importance. “Even though my bank balance kept on growing thanks to my modelling assignments, I did not find myself successful as I felt guilty doing something that had been termed frivolous,” she said.
On the same note, when she was growing up in a home where spices were liberally used in the kitchen, and where her maid Vardma bathed her in fragrant oil, she developed a keen sense of smell and taste. “I know this came from there!” she said affirmatively, “In my cooking show on TV, the other Michelin star chefs may be more technically advanced than me, but in the matters of smell and palate I score over them.”
Padma Lakshmi has a large scar on her arm, which was like a chip on her shoulder, till a photographer declared it interesting. “Either I could treat it as an impediment or be the girl with the scar,” she said. “Either I could take advantage of my travels and experience, polishing and honing my skills along the way which finally led me to write a cookbook, or I could just keep treating this as something which was not serious.”
She spoke about women being multi-taskers and producers. “We are mothers, sisters, daughters and wives. What are we to ourselves? Listen to what life is trying to tell you. Suspend your inhibitions and be open to opportunities,” she said.
“Not to be afraid is a huge lesson I have learnt,” she said. When she was diagnosed with endometriosis, she was devastated “You may never have babies,” she was told. “This experience was something I had to share with other women, because it is treatable and if they can learn something from me, it would mean a lot. I found my voice and without fear spoke about this at international conferences,” she said, laying importance on the conversion of her weakness into a strength for others.
She spoke about her marriage to Salman Rushdie as a special meaningful part of her life, which she had no regrets about. She spoke about friendships as being important and anchors in one’s life. “Never trust a woman who does not have women friends,” she said with a laugh but meaning every bit of it. She talked about love being above all and the love she feels for her little 10-month-old daughter she is “blessed with”.