Issue No. 51 June 2014

CAIRO WEST MAGAZINE
INTERVIEW
What is your favourite destination to travel
to in Egypt?
We’ve been lucky enough to travel around the
country a lot, and seen most of the historic
sites – even had some of the closed tombs in
the Valley of the Kings opened especially for
us, and that was amazing. I was fascinated by
the energy inside those places. I also loved
the White Desert and camping out under the
stars. I remember walking outside the tent
in the middle of the night and just being in
awe of the place and looking at the stars. But
perhaps my favourite destination of all is the
Red Sea, the beaches and the sheer beauty of
the marine life. Gorgeous!
What is your favourite kind of music?
That totally depends on my mood. When
I’m working in my studio I tend to listen to
classical Indian music. When I go out at night I
can enjoy many kinds of music, including jazz,
and anything I can dance to.
Your preferred mode of dress?
Comfortable cotton-wear that’s cool in hot
weather. That’s how I am dressed around the
house and in my studio – with Crocs on! I’m
probably too casual on the whole, and I get
accused of that sometimes. On the other hand
I love my saris, and getting dressed in them in
the evenings.
What was the last film you saw at the
cinema?
I am not really a movie person. I remember
when we were here the first time Indian
cinema was popular in Egypt, and recently my
husband has been instrumental in promoting
it here again. So the last film I actually saw at
the movie theatre was Jinna Express, an Indian
movie shown here in Cairo about six months
ago.
The last book you read?
When I do read I like fiction and I am a fan of
the novelist Amitab Ghosh. His books are very
well researched, in historical settings.
Do you have time for hobbies?
My pottery is the thing I love doing when I have
free time. For me it is like a kind of meditation,
my way to connect with myself. I always begin
by just being still with my eyes closed and the
clay in my hands, waiting to see what comes.
Do you have a pet peeve?
One thing that really annoys me is when
people try to be what they are not.
Favourite scent?
I don’t really have one. Anything that smells
nice! I am a simple person, and not at all into
brands.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been
given?
I’ll never forget when I was about eight yearsold,
a person came to our school whose job
was to take care of elderly and homeless
people. He told us, “All of you are receiving
a proper education, but remember that the
best lesson you can learn is to treat a poor
person like a rich one; never change yourself
according to who you are talking to.” Also my
father, who was a warm hearted person, used
to say, “Welcome everyone into your home
with open arms, that way you will always be
given more.”
What is your best habit?
When people work for me I always give them
full liberty to do their job, without interference.
Your worst habit?
I worry too much about small things, and I can
be obsessive, especially about cleanliness and
tidiness.
Favourite App?
I’m fond of WhatsApp and Messenger, but
actually I’m addicted to games – in fact maybe
that is really my worst habit! It can be Candy
Crush, or Sudoku, I get easily hooked.
What can’t you live without?
My husband. We have always complemented
each other in everything we do.
What is the secret of happiness for you?
Being connected to your inner self. Having the
freedom to do things the way you want to. To
live and let live.
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