VASUNDHARA DAS, ACTOR, SOLOIST and MUSICIAN

Meet wonder woman Vasundhara Das – actor, soloist, musician, co-owner of The Active (studio), partner at Drumjam and Trustee at Community Drumjam Foundation. Vasundhara who just turned 40 this year, says she lives life on her own terms while making sure she “does not hurt anyone in the process”.  Along with her husband Roberto Narain, Vasundhara conceptualises and executes musical projects and goes one step further to share her musical spirit in a unique and innovative way via Drumjam and the Community Drumjam Foundation.

Drumjam, which was founded in 2008 is one of the pioneers of the interactive rhythm based activities in India.  It is a concept where people sit in a circle and play drums and percussion instruments together and are facilitated into a group rhythmic consciousness and connection by skilled and trained facilitators. What does that accomplish? you may wonder…but Vasundhara explained that she has witnessed how powerful playing music together actually is – it builds a sense of community among diverse individuals, imparts therapeutic effects of music to those with special needs and illnesses and empowers the participants with self-confidence, creativity, better emotional and mental well-being.

Having experienced stardom early in her career, I asked Vasundhara to share her candid thoughts on life in general and she opened up to say that it has been extremely interesting so far with hardly any dull moments. She chooses to navigate through life with the same innocence, hope and passion as the first day she consciously set out on her journey. What does get to her at times is the notion that everyone needs to be uni-dimensional. Every time she records a song, she is asked if she has given up acting. If a movie is released she is asked if she has given up music and she has had to constantly clarify her stance and challenge the idea that one can be good or pursue only one thing in life! Being a person who gets defiant when faced with touch situations, Vasundhara powers on in the expectation that “there are no constants other than change and that things always peak and trough and that’s a part of life.”

Her mindful decision to please or appease herself first and others later have many a time been misunderstood as arrogance or indifference but she says, “I have no regrets”. She urges the women of The Wonder Women World to – “believe in yourself and your abilities. It all begins with you. Most of us are guilty of defeating ourselves and by doing that, limiting our own development. I’ve learnt to give myself credit for my abilities and achievements. Every now and then, I look at a piece of work I’ve done, and celebrate my achievement. And it makes me feel damn good. And that empowers me to do more.”

To those wanting to pursue a path in the world of music, she says, “It takes a lot of perseverance to survive in the music world…especially today. Each of our paths are unique. It is a tough world to navigate and you must hold on to your uniqueness and self-esteem. Be patient, innovative and strong and remember you are all uniquely amazing! More power to you.”