Illustrator, Guest House Owner, Dharamshala, India

While staying in a lovely guest house on the edge of the Himalayas in Dharamshala, India, I became fascinated with Krishan Pandey, Aparna Saha and Sakshi Pandey, the founders of this lovely enclave. All three left the hustle and traffic of Delhi (not to mention high profile careers) to pursue a simpler life in the mountains. In an uber competitive world of Indian professionals (especially in the fast-growing industries), this must be a rarity, I thought. The stereotypes were thrashed when I dug into statistics and came to the conclusion that young professionals in India burn out at even higher rates and yearn desperately for a richer work/life balance. The trio I met were seeking peace, meditation and self-realization even if, judging from the outsider’s perspective, they came at the expense of a large paycheck. Please meet the incredibly inspiring WOW Woman, Aparna Saha, who took a leap of faith, gave up on a corporate ladder-climbing and in return gained unimaginable beauty of the Himalayas and the ability to pursue her passions while simultaneously creating connections with world travellers.

1. Name.

Aparna Saha.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am an Illustrator, as an Art Director I worked in various agencies, my last job was at the Ogilvy & Mather. It was a beautiful experience where I got to work on various brands. But then I decided to start my own brand as well as opened The Unmad (a guest house in the Himalayas) in partnership with the like-minded individuals.

4. What did you study in school?

I obtained the Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) degree in Commercial Art from Assam University, and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) specialization in Illustration from Nagpur University, in Maharashtra.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? What are some accomplishments you’re most proud of, and what was the turning point to set you on a current path in life?

I come from a family of Business, Art and individuals with the best handwriting. Everybody in my family is a calligrapher; each with their own style, my father, mother, uncle, and brother. My parents supported me in every single decision of life. From early childhood I loved art, and seemed to create art everywhere, from sketching all over the bedsheets to drawing on our walls. After watching all this my father enrolled me in an art school to get better guidance and focus my interests. I am proud to say that I began earning money selling my art, from as early as 9th grade. My goals as far as I can remember was to always be self-dependent. I pursued my dream career upon graduation from the Art College from Assam University in Silchar. Struggling and challenges started when I moved to the big city, for further studies. But I was ready to face anything; I was enrolled in Masters in Illustration (MFA) in Nagpur University, Maharashtra, one of India's oldest universities.

Alongside my studies, I was teaching Art in a school run by an NGO. I worked with kids who had very little money but lived and breathed Art. Teaching in that school was one of the best experiences I’ve had to date.

My career in advertising started in 2013 and it was really fun. After five years of experience in different agencies from junior then senior positions, I was ready to get off the roller-coaster. I never thought that my last job was going to be at Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. Suddenly my life completely changed and from a city life I moved to the mountains.

I used to travel to the mountains on weekends. My best friend, and colleague; Krishan Pandey, discussed an idea of opening a small guest house with me and his brother. He was a copywriter at the time and we worked together in various agencies. He also self-published (and we collaborated on) a book called Some Mini Fables with 10 illustrations from me and 365 short stories from him (one for each day). We opened The Unmad guest house on 1st December, 2017 in the mountains of northern India. 

I am in love with what I am doing as a guest house owner. Knowing guests from different parts of the world, you feel like you are travelling the whole world through the conversations and experiences we share.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I never thought much about my future when I was 20. I always believed that I was going to do something art-related. I’m really happy with where I am now, but it’s a very different life experience than I could have ever imagined. It remains a roller-coaster ride.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

8. Advice for other women?

Have faith in yourself. No matter what others tell you. They'll praise you, dominate you, mock you, tease, pull you down but you should always hold your ground. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and be a leader, by taking risks. Always ask questions, listen and learn from those whom you respect.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

For over half a century now, technology has helped women overcome any of the physical advantages that men may have. Now, we are equals and must be given equal opportunities. I am a firm believer of feminism and equality is the only way forward. 

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

Mountains are where I feel the tallest. My happy place will always be while creating art pieces in my studio, adding flavour to my cooking, preparing favourite dishes for my guests and living in nature. I also truly enjoy gardening.

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Photography, cooking, gardening. Because these bring me closer to my inner self.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I think it’s important to keep that child inside you alive. That's why I don't want to grow up. As an artist, I would like to travel and meet more artistic people in my lifetime. I believe in living in the present, future will be more beautiful.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I have had a beautiful life if I have to put it in one sentence. I believe it’s because I followed my dreams and pursued a life that made me happy. A sum of all my experiences in my life to date have helped me become a strong person I am today.

15. What inspires you?

Creativity and artistic work. 

16. What are you hopeful about?

Silence, Peace, Life and Nature. 

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Living with people that you love and laugh with, enjoying life in the moment, walking in nature, spending time with my dog (Tuffy), finding work that you are excited about and learning to let go of things and move forward.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

My creativity, ability to listen and my passion for learning.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Let your work speak for yourself. Experience every single seconds of your life and learn from your own footprints. Just be in the moment and live one hundred percent. Don’t live with regrets. This is the only chance you've got in your beautiful life as a human.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Currently, I am reading a book titled Khajuraho by Devangana Desai (an introduction to the world of the Khajuraho temples: their history, patronage, court culture, religion, iconography, sculptures and architecture.) As an artist, I love art history books, art journals and illustration books.

21. Who is a WOW Woman in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them? 

In my opinion, WOW Woman is a woman who leads by example. The one who is proud of her imperfections because she knows that perfection = monotony. 

• My Mom is my first and biggest inspiration. She lived a simple life but had a strong impact on my thinking, heart and emotions. She is the softest yet strongest woman I have ever known. 

• Anjum Kausar - my mentor when I was in advertising. She chose to stay single in an Orthodox society and made it big in advertising. She went all the way to realise her dreams. She's ignited a spark in me and I can't thank her enough for being this strong. 

• Gisela Barche is a 70-year-old woman from Italy. She changed my life completely. She was a guest who stayed with us for more than 50 days. She was so passionate and so energetic for her age that she made me feel like a retired nurse. She was always up for an adventure, eager to work. She single-handedly led a clean up of our village and the surroundings where our guesthouse is situated. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out. I wish to be like her when I grow up. 

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

You can find me in a beautiful small guesthouse called The Unmad, in Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh, India.

For my work in art, visit behance.net/aparna_86

Instagram - @theaparnasaha