A buffet-style approach for the journey toward spiritual enlightenment.

Books

Stalking God by Anjali Kumar

Curated playlists created to share our love of music with you.

Music

Thankful for Music

Whatever you think of awards, this is star power at its realest.

Movies

Believe the Hype for 'A Star is Born'

Generating escape velocity from COVID

Anu Duggal: Investing in Women Is an Investment in the Future

Labor Day  and Entrepreneur Aneri Shah's Pivot

What the Future of Work Means for Tech

Life Without a Box of Chocolates

SEEMA Cooks: Masala Corn Toasties

South Asian Art in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Finding humanity in 2020

Aneri Shah's pivot from entrepreneur to filmmaker

How Movement Makes You More Productive

seema weekly looks at the latest content leading to the seema app: This time around, in our weekly, SEEMA determinedly highlights the sunnier side of things. So if Sweta Vikram discusses the beneficial aspects of resilience, humanity and faith, health and wellness expert and entrepreneur Monica Chaudharidescribes what makes her tick. Saravathy TK discusses her food art, so enticing that it is hard to stop people from surreptitiously taking a lick of the paint. A young daughter puts together an app to help protect her mother, a health care worker. And Hetal Parikh discusses making a difference – for the talented and the differently talented. We wrap up with the recipe of a healthy dish built around the amazing eggplant, courtesy HealthyIndian.

This time around, in our weekly, SEEMA determinedly highlights the sunnier side of things. So if Sweta Vikram discusses the beneficial aspects of resilience, humanity and faith, health and wellness expert and entrepreneur Monica Chaudharidescribes what makes her tick. Saravathy TK discusses her food art, so enticing that it is hard to stop people from surreptitiously taking a lick of the paint. A young daughter puts together an app to help protect her mother, a health care worker. And Hetal Parikh discusses making a difference – for the talented and the differently talented. We wrap up with the recipe of a healthy dish built around the amazing eggplant, courtesy HealthyIndian.

All this and more is waiting for you on the SEEMA app. Navigate to the Weekly and you will see the latest edition, right there! If you have not downloaded the SEEMA app already,  do it now from the iOS app store or from Google Play. Also coming soon on Amazon!

For the best experience, enable push notifications on the SEEMA app so you will be the first to know when we have new content. On your phone, go to Settings, and then Notifications. Under Notifications, go to the SEEMA app, and enable 'Allow Notifications' by checking Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. Enable Sound and Badges. Under Banner Style, choose 'Persistent.' Voila, you will now be the first to know about our amazing new content.

Enjoy this week's issue! And do let us know what you think of the issue as well as the app at info@seema.com

Spicy Cilantro Ginger Eggplant Saute

seema network, seema.com and seema for South Asian women launches the seema weekly dated August 30

We are closing August with a bang! Schools and colleges are opening up across the US, and to get you ready we have a list of back-to-school safety tips for that much-needed peace of mind. With that out of the way, feel free to deep dive and read all about Poornima Sharma's foray into the fashion world, Ruchika Gupta's satisfaction in eating well, and Sweta Vikram's tips to stay cool during these last few days of summer. Hungry? We got you covered with our Potato Fritter Sliders and our list of must-have South Asian cookbooks!

All this and more is waiting for you on the SEEMA app. Navigate to the Weekly and you will see the latest edition, right there, waiting for you! If you have not downloaded the SEEMA app already,  do it now from the iOS app store or from Google Play. Also coming soon on Amazon!

For the best experience, enable push notifications on the SEEMA app so you will be the first to know when we have new content. On your phone, go to Settings, and then Notifications. Under Notifications, go to the SEEMA app, and enable 'Allow Notifications' by checking Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. Enable Sound and Badges. Under Banner Style, choose 'Persistent'. Voila, you will now be the first to know about our amazing new content. 

Back-to-school safety tips are here

seema.com, seema  newsletter, seema network and seema food look at the best desserts that go with backyard grilling. Backyard grilling is the ideal way to cook in the summer: If you’ve got a good grill, all you’ll need to supply is the meat, as well as buns and other accompaniments. Plus, the cooking itself doesn’t take long, and doing it outside keeps the heat and mess out of your kitchen.

Backyard grilling is the ideal way to cook in the summer: If you’ve got a good grill, all you’ll need to supply is the meat, as well as buns and other accompaniments. Plus, the cooking itself doesn’t take long, and doing it outside keeps the heat and mess out of your kitchen.

However, if you’re hosting and eager to provide guests with dessert after their main course, that’s where it can get difficult. Cakes, with their butter or cream-based icings, quickly wilt in the summer heat. The same goes for ice cream and other frozen treats.

Today, we’re bringing you a few ideas for delicious desserts you can serve at your next backyard grill out. Our top picks are delicious to eat, easy to make, and can be devoured quickly before they melt!

Kulfi is a frozen treat are made with milk that’s been boiled down until it’s rich and caramelized. Then, flavors like cardamom, pistachios, rosewater, cashew, lychee, or mango are added, and the mixture is frozen. 

The great thing is that kulfi can be made and served individually, so you don’t have to worry about them melting in the heat. Just pop them out of their molds, and hand them around to your eager guests. You can also serve the kulfi on plates for a more elegant look, or with popsicles sticks sunk into their centers so they can be eaten on the go. Serving kulfi on sticks is a great choice for a backyard barbecue.

Make full use of your hot barbecue, and use its residual heat to grill up some fruit. But be forewarned: Not every fruit is going to be ideal for this application. Some popular choices are pineapple, peach, nectarine, or pears. These options are great because they’re juicy, but have enough structure to survive the heat of a grill. 

After they come off the grill, pile the sticky, delicious fruit into bowls and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Sevaya Kheer can be served hot or chilled but is most delicious for summer when it’s been cooled down in the fridge. The dessert is made with ghee and milk, which is combined to make a rich base for additions like nuts, dried fruit, vermicelli noodles, and small pieces of chopped fruit. You can even make the dish gluten-free by using rice or moong dal noodles.

Cobblers are one of those versatile summer sweets that can be made with any fruit. With the right ratios, you can chop and dice anything that’s in season (think peaches, cherries, apples, or berries), mix in sugar, and dollop dough on top to make a sweet, bubbling cobbler that's ready in less than an hour. 

Any cobbler can be made an hour or two ahead and left on an interior countertop to cool. To serve, dollop on lots of ice cream or whipped cream.

Try This Recipe: Brown Sugar Berry Cobbler

From Kulfi to Cobbler: 4 Cookout-Perfect Desserts

seema.com, seema network and seema newsletter looked at this week's action packed weekly.  Another SEEMA Weekly is here. First, read about Priavanda Chouhan and her NY restaurant, Desi Galli. During the pandemic, Pria turned her restaurant into an Indian grocery, changed to a takeout model, and launched exclusive Meal Kits, including the SEEMA Quinoa Idli Loaf with Sambhar Meal Kit that debuted this weekend. The DIY kit comes with a recipe, a how-to video, and all the ingredients needed to make a full meal. “We’re starting a Hello Fresh for Indian food,” Chouhan said. Read it all on the SEEMA app. Navigate to the Weekly and you will see the latest edition, right there, waiting for you! If you have not downloaded it already, download the SEEMA app on the iOS app store and here on Google Play. Also coming soon on Amazon!

Another SEEMA Weekly is here. First, read about Priavanda Chouhan and her NY restaurant, Desi Galli. During the pandemic, Pria turned her restaurant into an Indian grocery, changed to a takeout model, and launched exclusive Meal Kits, including the SEEMA Quinoa Idli Loaf with Sambhar Meal Kit that debuted this weekend. The DIY kit comes with a recipe, a how-to video, and all the ingredients needed to make a full meal. “We’re starting a Hello Fresh for Indian food,” Chouhan said.  

Sweta Vikram praises supportive South Asian fathers and the Netflix film Gunjan Sexana: The Karghil Girl. Take in the powerful work of French-Senegalese photographer and visual artist Delphine Diallo. Since she started it in 2009, Diallo has shot more than 140 women for her powerful Women of New York project. 

Later in the issue, meet multi-talented sculptor Seema Singh Dua. Her work spans many mediums, including clay, textiles, bronze, and even poetry. Every Singh Dua piece is remarkable because it carries a spark of realism that draws the eye. 

And, finally, try a taste of savory Summer Risotto with Confit Tomatoes and Zucchini by popular food blogger and photographer Kankana Saxena of Playful Cooking. She developed the recipe as a way to use the cherry tomatoes ripening on her tomato plant right now. 

Read it all on the SEEMA app. Navigate to the Weekly and you will see the latest edition, right there, waiting for you! If you have not downloaded it already, download the SEEMA app on the iOS app store and here on Google Play. Also coming soon on Amazon!

For the best experience, enable push notifications on the SEEMA app so you will be the first to know when we have new content. On your phone, go to Settings, and then Notifications. Under Notifications, go to the SEEMA app, and enable 'Allow Notifications' by checking Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. Enable Sound and Badges. Under Banner Style, choose 'Persistent'. Voila, you will now be the first to know about our amazing new content.

Desi Galli Launches the SEEMA Meal Kit. Live Now on the APP

The FoodtoEat founder raised money on GoFundMe to turn her catering concierge company into a service delivering meals to those in need, including frontline health care workers. 

Deepti Sharma, 33, grew up in a family that lived on North Indian cuisine. Her parents own the well-known Indian eatery Amma, a small, ochre-colored restaurant that chef Padma Lakshmi says is amongst the most authentic places to put North India in your mouth in New York. Sharma herself runs a unique immigrant, women, and POC-focused delivery business , the catering concierge service called FoodtoEat. The delivery service craftily partners only with restaurants owned by immigrants, women, and people of color – “folks like me,” she said.

The service offers help to small mom-and-pop restaurants by getting them catering gigs at corporate events, ranging from a 300-person team-lunch to a private dinner party, forcing the companies, in turn, to bring diversity and inclusion into their business. Sharma states that her business is “mission-based,” which means that it is who the restaurants are, and not what they serve, that matters to her more. “Our restaurants come from a diverse set of backgrounds, because I am a first-generation immigrant and an Indian American woman of color. To me it’s really important to represent those businesses because oftentimes opportunities don’t come their way,” she said.

FoodtoEat almost went out of business, after plummeting  to a $0 revenue on March 13, shutting their offices, and sending all their staff to work from home.

In an impressive fundraiser, she raised more than $57,000 on GoFundMe to buy meals from her partner restaurants and bring them to frontline workers in hospitals; folks in senior living care  homes; and more recently, domestic violence shelters; while also forging a partnership with World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit providing relief to disaster areas run by internationally acclaimed chef Jose Andres. “For us, it was about identifying food insecure communities that are in need, especially because we know a lot of people who lost their jobs,” she said.

As for the restaurants she works with, two have already gone under, 30 of them are still open, with more slowly crawling out of coronavirus-induced paralysis, while most are still in statis. “In the next two to three months, we will see many more such restaurants go under,” said Sharma. Her unique catering company was doing well before the pandemic. And between pivoting to become a food donation service and handling two young children nestled in her in-laws’ house in Flushing, Queens, Sharma still manages to be a regular face at the Black Lives Matter protest marches around Queens and Brooklyn.

Deepti Sharma's pivot from Catering Concierge to Meal Delivery Service

Seema Kumar in her blog Beyond Limits talks about the power of art to fuel movements.  Time and again, we have seen marginalized groups and their allies take solace in the arts and their power to express truth and discontent. I recall many moments in the past few decades where art has served a noble social purpose, fueling movements and providing context and meaning to human struggle. It is storytelling at its finest, one that provides dimension to pain and suffering and evokes the conscience to the need for social justice and change. One of my earliest memories of the power of art and of poetry was during history lessons on how Indian art and literature contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free…” is still etched in my mind. To this day, I can recite it in my sleep. 

The pen is mightier than the sword. A picture is worth a thousand words. And a paint brush can change the world. Today’s turbulent times remind us that while science and technology are key drivers of progress in our society, art can awaken our psyche and define our collective ethos. 

Time and again, we have seen marginalized groups and their allies take solace in the arts and their power to express truth and discontent. I recall many moments in the past few decades where art has served a noble social purpose, fueling movements and providing context and meaning to human struggle. It is storytelling at its finest, one that provides dimension to pain and suffering and evokes the conscience to the need for social justice and change.

One of my earliest memories of the power of art and of poetry was during history lessons on how Indian art and literature contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free…” is still etched in my mind. To this day, I can recite it in my sleep. 

Another major example is the expression of hope during the AIDS epidemic of the 1990s. The AIDS Memorial Quilt, first conceived and created in San Francisco in 1987, was an artistic expression of defiance against a deadly disease that ultimately claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. A vast patchwork of more than 50,000 colorful panels commemorates the lives lost to AIDS. There are patients’ paintings telling stories of how HIV wreaked havoc on their bodies, and plays and music that express the complex human emotions evoked in the fight against HIV. This includes the famous play “And the Band Played On.” My favorite songs of those days are from the 1996 Broadway musical hit Rent, like “Seasons of Love.” Here are some of the lyrics, written and composed by Jonathan Larson: “Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes, five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year?” That song expresses what it is like to know that you only have one year to live, and concludes in the chorus that the most effective means is to "measure in love.”

Art has come to soothe our sorrow and our struggles in many other ways, including in the aftermath of 9/11, and to express both the outrage and pride of the LGBTQ community with its rainbow flag.

Today, as we live through these unprecedented times, of COVID, of unrest, of social injustice, we again turn to science for solutions — for testing, for therapies, for vaccines — but to art for solace and symbolism of our discontent and of our solidarity.

In the past three months we have seen artistic expression on a massive scale all across the country, expressing what its like to live with COVID and standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. Examples of this include street artists around the world sending messages of despair and hope during the pandemic, and the Foley Square street art in Lower Manhattan, with the letters spelling out ‘Black Lives Matter’ evoking memories of those who fell, but also the need for hope and freedom.

It is important to showcase and support the arts at this time. Many South Asian women have used art as a way to stand with our Black sisters. We have proudly showcased art that expresses our solidarity, and today we are proud to announce that one such piece of art, commissioned by SEEMA, will be auctioned by the artist and the proceeds donated to BLM.

I have always believed and advocated for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as an important driver of progress in society. I also remain steadfast in my support and advocacy of the arts to dimensionalize human emotion and to provide context and meaning to the struggle that contributes to that progress.

The Power of Art to Fuel Movements

Seema Kumar of seema talks about the recent nomination of Kamala Harris for VP and what it means for Representation.

Never before in my years of following the U.S. elections have I heard or felt so much excitement for a vice presidential nominee.

Ever since Joe Biden named Senator Kamala Harris to be his running mate last week, I have been receiving calls, texts, emails, and “thumbs up” messages from people from all over the around the world expressing excitement about Harris’s appointment.

Harris isn’t new to politics; it isn’t as though she emerged out of the blue. So the excitement is as much about Kamala Harris as what her nomination represents to women and girls, especially Black and Asian American girls: It’s a historic achievement and a message that they can do it too. As I often like to say, “If you can see it, you can be it.”

Think about it: It is only the third time in the country’s history that a woman was chosen to be on a major party ticket as vice presidential candidate — the only two others before Harris were Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008. And, it is the first time a Black woman or an Asian American woman has been tapped for this position.

As we celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, it is hard not to be excited by this historic nomination. And if you are a Black or Indian woman or a girl, you probably are practically giddy.

Of course we respect and admire Harris’s gumption, her ability to stand up to men in positions of power, men like Attorney General William Barr and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. We respect Harris because she has a track record for breaking many barriers with many “firsts” under her belt. She was the first Black and South Asian woman chosen for national office by a major political party; the first woman, and first Black woman, to serve as the state’s top law enforcement official. She is the first Black woman from California to serve in the U.S. Senate. And, of course, Harris represents the first person of Indian descent to appear on a presidential ticket.

Regardless of politics, Harris is a role model to young women of what they could become. Representation is important and in this respect, Harris’s nomination brings representation to multiple groups and cultures that rarely see themselves in such positions. She is a child of immigrants. Her mother, an Indian woman born in Chennai, the same city where I was born, and her father, a native of Jamaica, met in the United States while both were pursuing higher education. They bonded while marching for Civil Rights, and their daughter exemplifies the very ideals her parents fought for, as a minority, and as a female.

Excitement abounds in Jamaican-Americans, Indian Americans, Black Indian Americans, females of all backgrounds. Karen Green, chair of the Florida Democratic Party’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, called her a “universal woman of our modern times.” She is a living example of that famous American dream. In a country where over a quarter of all citizens are either immigrants themselves or the child of immigrants, where racism is being fought and inclusivity demanded, and where women are continuing their fight for equality, she certainly seems to fit that description.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/15/kamala-harris-west-indian-voters-395554

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/second-generation-immigrant-kamala-harris.html

Kamala Harris Brings Representation on Many Fronts

From breathing exercises to simple dietary changes, we've rounded up some tips so you can shut out the news and get some shut-eye.

Avoiding crowds. Social distancing. Alarming pandemic numbers. People stuck at home and unable to work or pay their bills. Yep, Covid-19 is scary stuff. It’s so bad it’s keeping people up at night, quite literally. But, you don’t want to panic. If you’re sleep-deprived (from worry, fears, and anxieties), insomnia can weaken your immune system and mental health.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to create a relaxing environment conducive to sleep. With diet changes, a supportive mattress and pillows, and a lavender bath, you’re well on your way to a good night’s rest. Other suggestions include breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation. Just don’t forget to set your alarm if tomorrow’s a workday (even if you are working from home in your PJs!).

Here’s how to promote better sleep and wake up feeling refreshed, despite all that’s happening in the news.

Switching off the TV and turning off notifications on your mobile device can help you unwind. Why? With a consistent night’s sleep, your body can trigger physiological responses to protect your immune system from Covid-19. Here are some tips:

Watch the news highlights but limit your TV time. If you’re going to watch TV, switch on a comedy. Laughter produces the hormones cortisol and epinephrine (otherwise known as feel-good hormones).

Turn the TV off before bed. Your brain won’t fully rest and start Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep if there’s cognitive stimulation (light from the TV or phone) in the background.

Turn off vibration mode on your mobile devices before bed to reduce external noises.

Is your gym closed? Try an exercise video or online class several hours before bed. Or, wait until you’re ready for sleep and do some yoga and gentle stretching. Check out diaphragmatic breathing, breathing exercises for sleep and meditation that promote sleep. And, consider autogenic training relaxation techniques.

Child’s pose, sitting forward fold, and standing forward fold.

Supine or lying-down spinal twist, and cat and cow stretching.

Making your bedroom conducive for sleep can get your body accustomed to unwinding at night.

Use soft lighting to create a relaxing environment.

Install blackout drapes or wear a sleep mask over your eyes to block the morning sunlight.

If you’re not working the following day, don’t set your alarm so you can sleep in.

Late-night caffeine-filled coffee drinks. Candy bars and sugary drinks. Alcohol consumption. These can keep you up at night. Instead, switch to foods and drinks that promote sleep.

Drink caffeine-free tea before bed. Chamomile and passionflower teas are natural immune boosters. They include  the antioxidant apigenin, which promotes sleepiness. Banana tea can increase your magnesium level to help you get more Z’s (men need 400mg daily, women 350mg).

Drink warm milk and/or eat oatmeal before bed. Milk includes tryptophan and melatonin which improve sleep. Oatmeal is high in melatonin and carbohydrates and increases drowsiness (hence, have it before bedtime, not before the gym!).

Eat almonds and walnuts for melatonin. Or, eat fresh turkey — not the processed, salty kind with nitrites (carcinogens). Turkey includes protein (improves sleep quality) and you’ll wake up less at night. It also includes melatonin and tryptophan, an amino acid that helps with sleep regulation.

If you find yourself restless at night, it might be your pillows or mattress. For a better night’s rest:

Switch to memory foam pillows from Coop Home Goods,  TruContour, or, Brookstone.

Add a supportive (neck, back) mattress topper from Tempur-Pedic, Lucid Down, or Linenspa.

Change your mattress to DreamCloud, Temper-Pedic, The Casper, Nectar, or Layla. 

6. Get Into a Sleep Routine and Sleep More Soundly

Sleep deprivation can negatively impact your energy levels the next day. To combat this, sleep at the same time nightly and aim for eight to nine  hours of sleep. This lets your body repair itself overnight night (repairing cells, completing digestion). You’ll have a sharper brain, better mood, and a healthier heart.

Natural melatonin sold over-the-counter promotes drowsiness and it’s non-addictive.

Avoid daytime naps as they can keep you up at night.

Scent your bath, sheets, and pillows with lavender oil, which has sedative properties and causes deep-wave sleep.

The ancient natural medical system Ayurveda recommends Shirodhara. To do this, rub essential oils on the backs of your feet and ears and top of your head. Always use a carrier oil and do a skin test, never straight essential oils.

Take a relaxing bath and put on soothing music, which can help lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

Tuck your feet under a blanket or wear socks. When your feet are warm, blood vessels dilate and send signals to your brain that it’s bedtime.

Use a white-noise machine to buffer out background noises. Noise cancellation headphones and earplugs are also helpful for better sleep.

6 Ways to Sleep Better

What a week it has been! First, the VP nomination of Senator Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and the first person of Indian descent ever to be nominated. She is also part of an exclusive club of only four women who have ever been chosen for a presidential ticket. As you can see, we have a long way to go, but this is one gigantic step in the right direction.  

Seema Kumar talks about this and why representation matters in politics and beyond. Surabhi Lal of Luminary tells us why this is a big moment for her son and her entire family in the context of belonging and what it means to the minority community that is set to become the American Majority by 2050. Add to that Seema's Masala Dosa showdown with Kamala Harris and Mindy Kaling and you already have enough to chew on this week.   

Speaking of chew, in case you missed our action-packed Sundays with Seematoday morning featuring none other than famed Food Network Personality Simon Majumdar, along with other South Asian Food Power Women such as Palak Patel, Sapna Ajwani, and Priavanda Chouhan, don't worry. It will soon be broadcast across North America on Times of India Group's Radio Mirchi USA, TV Asia, and Scroll Global. More details on that soon.

So curl up, relax, go to the SEEMA app and navigate to the Weekly at the top to read all this and more. If you have not downloaded it already, download the SEEMA app on the iOS app store and here on Google Play. Also coming soon on Amazon!

For the best experience, enable push notifications on the SEEMA app so you will be the first to know when we have new content ready for you. New to notifications? On your phone, go to Settings, and then Notifications. Under Notifications, go to the SEEMA app, and enable 'Allow Notifications' by checking Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. Enable Sound and Badges. Under Banner Style, choose 'Persistent'. Voila, you will now be the first to know about the amazing content we will be uploading on our new app.

Kamala Harris is our SEEMA Weekly cover star! Live Now on the App 👸

The makeup artist and skincare expert shares her thoughts on the beauty industry, self-care, and goal-setting. To honor National Black Business Month this August, we’ll be spotlighting Black business owners we admire every Sunday. First up: Tiffani Rains.  

Last year, we were fortunate to meet makeup artist and skincare guru Tiffani Rains, who came out to make Sheetal Sheth and the rest of the ladies on our magazine cover look and feel fabulous.

Explore Rains’s website or Instagram profile and you’ll see a myriad of women with glowing skin, looking like they just stepped off the cover of Vogue. While her makeup skills clearly cannot be denied, all you need to see is one fresh-faced selfie to realize that this lady knows her stuff when it comes to skincare, too.

Her commitment to healthy skin is clear from her videos, where she tests and reviews products from brands like Farmacy, Dr. Jart, Algenist, and more. If you’re in search of an educated and honest opinion about skincare, her Instagram is packed with inspiration, tips, reviews, and more.

The skincare tips are amazing, but the thing we love most about Rains is her belief that you need to love the skin you’re in. She expresses this passion through skincare tips, but also by building up other strong Black women in her community and beyond.

We were lucky enough to reconnect with her this week (and have her take over SEEMA’s Instagram on Friday!), and got answers to our burning questions about how she got started in her career, what her life has been like during the pandemic, and where she’s planning on going next.

How did you become interested in makeup and makeup artistry?

Tiffani Rains: I wish I could tell you that my interest in makeup started when I was a little girl playing with my mom’s lipstick, but nope! I actually didn’t get into makeup until 2013, when I was around 30 years old. My godsister noticed me experimenting with makeup and decided to invest in me by booking a class with a celebrity makeup artist. When I completed the class, there was such a spark in me, and I knew that this was something I wanted to do for my career.

Were you mentored as you grew in your career?

TR: Yes! My mentors are amazing. I believe that being great at anything requires people in your life that can correct you, edit you, and cheer you on. That’s how we get better. My mentors have encouraged me and pushed me to reach my full potential. I don’t always believe in myself, so surrounding myself with people I feel safe with is really important. That safe place allows me to be vulnerable and trust my mentors to speak life into me.

TR: The possibility of my greatness inspires me. When you take the limits off of what you can achieve, that gives you all the inspiration you need to go harder in your career.

I’m also very inspired by what I do not see in this industry. For instance, you do not see Black women in certain beauty campaigns, ever. I want our beauty to be seen. Not in the absence of other ethnicities, but in the presence of them. I want to check out brands and see a sea of women of color.

What does your morning routine look like?

TR: My morning routine is always the same. I wake up and thank God for another day of life. I shower, then sit at my vanity and do my skincare routine. My skincare routine is my time. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful, and it brings me so much joy.

What’s a big upcoming goal or event that you’re looking forward to?

TR: I’ve actually never been a great goal setter. I think it’s because I had a lack of confidence to achieve them. Once I got that in check, I began being very intentional and specific about what I wanted out of my life and career.

When setting goals for my career, I look back at what I’ve achieved and see what can be done bigger. A big goal for the next year is to be on TV as a guest talking about self-care, skincare, and makeup.

How has your personal and professional life changed after COVID?

TR: My personal life has moved to Zoom happy hours with friends while eating Uber Eats and sipping on a cocktail, followed by dancing at Club Quarantine on Instagram with DJ D-Nice. I’m trying to do my best to stay connected, stay happy, and stay positive.

My professional life actually took a huge positive leap during COVID! I was able to focus, and really push toward some of the goals I had for this year. It made me get rid of all my excuses and use the time I had to work smarter.

What is your advice to young people, girls in particular, who might be interested in pursuing a career in makeup?

TR: For those young girls looking to have a career in makeup, I would say do it, of course. But I would also say to them that the way they do it doesn’t have to look like everyone else. Every path is unique, and that is what makes your story special. Don’t get distracted by what everyone else is doing. Find your thing and run with it. Life is a race that you run with yourself, not against others.

Tiffani Rains Beautifies Every Shade of Skin

The talented interior designer shares her philosophy for success and tips for budding young designers.

Warm. Cool. Chic. Inviting…easy like Sunday morning. This is what you might feel when you see one of interior designer Tina Ramchandani‘s beautifully curated spaces.

With more than 16 years of working in high-end residential and commercial fields, Ramchandani has more than proven herself a staple in the design industry and a genuinely well-rounded artist of minimalist yet meaningful and functional home space.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Edison, New Jersey, Ramchandani found herself drawn to the bustling beauty of New York City, where she also found the best of what the creative design world could offer. Even at a young age, she knew that she could not settle for any typical career path. She was driven creatively and wanted to use her unique vision and love for travel and worldly inspiration, to make something undeniably perceptive of her own.

In Manhattan, she found herself working on projects for well-known design firms, like Vicente Wolf Associates and other top-tier agencies. It is here that she began to master her craft and develop a defined prowess that would lead to opening her own design firm, Tina Ramchandani Creative.

Since 2014, Ramchandani and her team “specialize in creating warm, modern homes for clients who don’t have the time to design, or capacity to manage a renovation project, and allow them to live in completed, well-designed interiors, in an efficient, easy way.” The trademarked “soulful minimalism” shines through each project, which you can view in an online portfolio from her website.

Ramchandani has been nationally recognized in several publications, including a title as the “2018 Next Wave” designer by House Beautiful, and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Elle Decor, and others.

Recently, SEEMA did a Q&A with Ramchandani to get to know her and also afford some insight into her creativity, inspiration, and the future of her stunning and artful interior design work.

How did you become interested in interior design?

Tina Ramchandani: I entered college, unsure of what direction I wanted my life to take. I knew that the traditional career paths, such as a physician, attorney, or engineer were not going to make me happy. On a family trip, I entered a hotel that filled me with joy. I loved the layers of texture, lighting, sounds, and scents. I wanted to embrace this feeling and recreate it in my professional life. That’s what led me to interior design.

Did you have a mentor or anyone in your life who inspired you? If so, how did they help you along your journey?

TR: I’ve had several mentors along the way. When I first started my career, I worked for a women-owned firm, who started their company when they were both just 25 years old. That was very inspiring to me to see how young they were, how much they had accomplished, and understand their drive. Of course, they taught me several practical things along the way.

Next, I worked for A-List designer Vicente Wolf. He is in incredible force in the industry, and from him, I learned so much and had a chance to hone my design aesthetic. I now work with a business coach who specializes in interior design. She was a designer for many years, so she understands our industry and particular struggles. Overall, I believe in surrounding myself with smart, strong, and uplifting people.

Tell us what a typical day might look like for you.

TR: Every day is so different! Suppose I have a day in the office. In that case, I typically spend part of the day designing, part of the day managing my team, and the rest of the day making introductions and chatting with new clients.

Days that I have site meetings, I try to stack them, so I’m hopping from one place to another. Job site days energize me, but they’re very intense. We’re typically meeting with teams at each site — architect, contractor, millworker, electrician, etc. So, we’re taking in a lot of information and sharing a lot of information.

TR: I’m someone who is inspired easily, as I see interesting things at every turn. I love to travel, and that’s always been a source of inspiration for me. During the pandemic, obviously, travel has been halted. However, I’m still so inspired by things around me: New York City, design books, and even elaborate movie sets.

What is your overall goal or vision for your career as a designer?

TR: I’m fortunate that I found my calling early in life, and I’ve been working in the design field for more than 16 years. I launched my own firm in 2014, and I’m thrilled with all of the projects we’ve completed so far, the many clients that I now call great friends, and the amazing honors and awards we’ve been given. I’ve also been published in several national magazines and a book, On Style: Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design, by Carl Delatorre.

I envision my firm growing, taking on larger and more diverse projects, perhaps a furniture line or something similar, and maybe even a book. At this point, I see so many paths to move forward, and I’m completely open to them all. I am someone who looks at every opportunity, and I’m always open to jumping into something new!

What aspects of South Asian culture have influenced your path?

TR: I grew up surrounded by textiles and garments, so fabrics are something I notice, and that I focus on when designing.

What is your advice to young people, girls in particular, who might be interested in pursuing a career in interior design?

TR: I’m a huge believer in education paired with life experience. I would say, take a design course and apply for an internship to see if this career is for you. There are many different job choices after graduating, so figure out what interests you the most. Do you like new construction or renovations? Do you like decorative interiors? Are you more of a draftsperson or project manager? Like any career, do your research, and see if this path aligns with your goals.

Are there any organizations you would recommend to young people to help guide them in their journeys as designers, or in general?

TR: ASID, IIDA, and NKBA are great organizations for budding designers, and they have fantastic student chapters. If you’re located near a design center, attend events, and reach out to people at the design center.

In general, invest time in learning things that are typically not taught in schools. Much of this job, as with any job, is obtaining real-life experience.

Tell us about your personal life: family, friends, hobbies? How do you create work/life balance? How do you recharge?

TR: Work/life balance is always something I’m working on. I am very close to my family, who live within an hour or so from me, so we often see each other. I live in Manhattan with my husband and my feisty dog Figaro, and we try to fill out weekends and some weeknights with dates with friends. I try not to work on the weekends, as weekdays are jam-packed. I take the weekends to sleep in and recharge.

Tina Ramchandani Infuses Modern Design with Soul

Although the Netflix series has garnered its fair share of criticism, its wide representation is a positive step for South Asians.

It’s been two weeks since I binge-watched the Netflix series “Indian Matchmaking.” Even before I watched the series, I had read many critical responses to the show, which called out the sexist history of arranged marriages, colorism, caste, and body image. Even here in the pages of SEEMA, founder Seema Kumar called the show “a major setback.” So I expected all these issues to be present in a show about arranged marriage and matchmaking, but what struck me most was what the articles didn’t cover: the diversity of Indian and Indian-American experiences represented. I never expected to see the variety of backgrounds, family structures, religions, and professions that the show put front and center.

If we see Sima Auntie as a narrator, she introduces us to a range of Indian and Indian-American experiences. In the very first episode, we are confronted with the question of who is “really” Indian: Nadia, for instance, tells us that her Indo-Guyanese background has prompted others to consider her “not Indian enough,” especially in the case of looking for a partner. She talks openly about the complexity of identity and how she sees herself as Indian and Guyanese and American. The sleight of hand of the director in showing Nadia as an event planner at an Indian wedding and then in a dance studio before we know Nadia’s background certainly made her revelation that she is Indo-Guyanese a surprise to me. At the end of the episode, I was intrigued, as this one of the first popular Indian productions I’d seen representing the Indo-Caribbean community.

Throughout the series we are also introduced to family structures that go beyond the traditional nuclear family. Vyasar lives with his extended family, including his grandparents, uncle, and cousin. We get to meet them all through bits and pieces of conversation. While this type of arrangement may be commonplace in India, it is less so in Austin, where he lives.

In another Texas town, Aparna’s mother talks about her divorce and raising her two girls to be independent and self-reliant. And in Delhi, Ankita’s family seems completely open to whether Ankita wants to invest in matchmaking, her business, or both. At the end of the series we also meet Rupam, a mother who is looking to get remarried. We’re introduced to her sister’s family, her brother-in-law who is Black, and her two adorable nieces. Seeing these families, we get a glimpse into the diversity of families that exist in the South Asian community.

Then there is the diversity in religion and professions in the series. Sima Auntie keeps copious profiles of her clients and potential matches, and through those we are exposed to the range of religious and faith beliefs that exist in India and the diaspora as well, including the Muslim, Sikh, and Christian religions. And of course there is Hindu, where much of the Indian representation in films and television focuses. As we continue to through the episodes we are introduced to an educator, veterinarian, fitness executive, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and more. These careers are a far cry from the small number professions that some of us were taught were “acceptable,” such as medicine, law, engineering, and finance.

I will be the first to say that “Indian Matchmaking” raises many issues that are antithetical to my feminist and equity ideals — but that at the same time, it has shown a greater representation of the Indian community. Perhaps it is this juxtaposition that allows us to both be drawn to the characters and to have criticisms of the context that surrounds the show.

In the end, I knew that the show would reflect the issues that surround arranged marriages, as well as in Indian society, like traditional gender roles, caste, and colorism. What I did not expect was to see a diversity of Indian experiences to connect to.

Making a Case for "Indian Matchmaking"

As concerns over big gatherings continue during COVID-19, take your celebrations of India Day and Pakistani Independence Day online next weekend.

One of the worst aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is how much we’ve been separated from our families and communities. Even events as simple as a birthday party are fraught with fear as people struggle with safety measures that are designed to keep the virus from spreading. All major life milestones, from births to weddings and even funerals have changed irrevocably since physical distancing and stay-at-home measures were put in place several months ago.

For South Asians living in the United States, the continued spread of COVID-19 means that the large events, parades, and pageants that usually mark Pakistan and India’s Independence Days won’t be happening this year. For many of us, the 14th and 15th of August are joyous times that we’re used to spending with family and friends.

Fortunately, many organizations are moving their celebrations online, and are hosting virtual events ranging from live-streamed flag-raisings to essay contests. If you’re already part of a local India or Pakistan association in your region, make sure to check out their website first, to see if they’re hosting a virtual event this year. Here’s a list of where to start.

Many local India Associations are hosting virtual events this August 15th. Friends of India Las Vegas is still putting their event together, but it will likely feature lots of music, dancing, and singing over Zoom or YouTube Live. The event starts at 5 pm PDT.

Down south, the India Association of Memphis is hosting a variety of virtual events, with much of their programming focused on children. School-aged kids can enter a poster contest, fancy dress contest, or essay contest, and the top two winners from each age group will be awarded a prize.

The India Association of Greater Boston is hosting a multi-week celebration for India Day this year, with all the events taking place online. Join in for a class in their learning series, or stream a live concert from Vijay Prakash or Anuradha Palakurthi.

All over the United States, Pakistani-Americans will celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14th. Unlike all the other years, the flag-raising and parades will have to happen within your own household in 2020. Fortunately, many organizations within the United States have arranged virtual events, so you can attend from the safety of your own home.

Make sure to tune into this virtual event hosted by the Development Council of Pakistani Americans and the Pakistani American Society of Minnesota. In the past, their events have featured live Qawwali performances, and plenty of halal food. While it’s not possible to share food as a community this year, hopefully their event will make up for that with lots of exciting performances and music.

Tune in at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET for a virtual flag raising and series of musical performances hosted by the Pakistani American Community Center. Based in the Bay Area in California, this group already knows how to have fun online: They’ve been hosting karaoke and poetry nights over Zoom for the last several months.

It’s also worth checking out both the Pakistani and Indian embassies in the United States. They haven’t posted anything yet, but they both have the resources to host an incredible online event. We hope you have lots of fun celebrating with your family this year!

Celebrate Independence Day Virtually This Year

seema.com, seema network, seema newsletter and seema weekly and seema app's founder Seema Kumar looks at the upcoming India Independence Day celebrations: As India celebrates 73 years of independence and the dawn of a new, pandemic-ridden decade, Indian women still have a long way to go in gaining true independence from the shackles of inequality, gender bias, unpaid work, and patriarchy. Yes, we’ve made a lot of progress, and there are silver linings that we must celebrate. There are many examples of women in leadership positions in diverse fields, including politics, medicine, art, science, and culture. The country has had women in the cabinet and as leaders of the nation. Authors, filmmakers, public health leaders, biotech CEOs, and other women in leadership positions abound. And women of the Indian diaspora are making major contributions to the economic growth of companies and organizations in their adopted countries. Just take a look atseema.comto be blown away by the multitude of independent women creating value for society!

As India celebrates 73 years of independence and the dawn of a new, pandemic-ridden decade, Indian women still have a long way to go in gaining true independence from the shackles of inequality, gender bias, unpaid work, and patriarchy.

Yes, we’ve made a lot of progress, and there are silver linings that we must celebrate. There are many examples of women in leadership positions in diverse fields, including politics, medicine, art, science, and culture. The country has had women in the cabinet and as leaders of the nation. Authors, filmmakers, public health leaders, biotech CEOs, and other women in leadership positions abound. And women of the Indian diaspora are making major contributions to the economic growth of companies and organizations in their adopted countries. Just take a look at seema.com to be blown away by the multitude of independent women creating value for society!

But the dark cloud of gender bias and inequality still remains and cannot be ignored. Some of these inequalities are outright atrocious human rights violations, but other are more subtle and insidious micro-aggressions and condescensions — a faint whiff, not a stench — of patriarchy and mansplaining that unconsciously confine us.

We need freedom from the vestiges of a culture built on the subjugation of women as “patrivrata,” a role that is in the service of the man/husband, which is still glorified in ceremonies and observances of penance, sacrifice, and servitude for the man. Other micro-aggressions take the form of economic disempowerment, unequal pay, or unpaid labor. In some cases, despite the appearance of equal status, women remain the lesser half of the Indian psyche. We need to address this by working together with men who have been champions and can give space and uplift women. We must thanks the many progressive and emancipated men who have been “manbassadors.”'

But the biggest place where we need to leapfrog is in ensuring safety and security of women who face discrimination and violence. Despite laws to protect safety, security, and equal opportunity, many crimes against women and girls are not yet curbed. Most crimes against women remain underreported — including female infanticide, sex trafficking, honor killings, harassment, and violence.

This cultural psyche, like India itself, defies definition. Women are celebrated as goddesses and worshipped on the one hand and have had equal status in old traditions of India. And yet as the world’s largest democracy, where plurality, diversity, and heterogeneity rules, the status of women confounds you again.