my top ten

Good films: Great movies will always inspire me and that is why I chose to work in this profession. I recently did a Christopher Nolan, Alfred Hitchcock and Satyajit Ray marathon. The great works done by these and other masters is so compelling. For example Hitchcock is open ended, Ray is poetic and Nolan is so captivating. They grip you by making you an active part of their visualisation and creativity. In just three movies I was hit by mystery, emotion and poetry. I would say that’s pretty inspiring.

Great books: It’s wonderful writing that connects us to the past and enables us to leave something for the future. I’m currently reading Varun Agarwal’s 2012 book How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded A Million Dollar Company and Confessions of a Thug written by Philip Meadows Taylor in 1839. These aren’t necessarily great books, but two very interesting men (one especially) are going to make films inspired by these two books. Since I have such a bad crush on cinema, I want to read the book, see the film in my head, go watch it on celluloid and hopefully not be disappointed. It will hopefully also inspire the director that lives in my brain.

Philosophers: The greatest philosophers, especially Greek, had amazing minds. Aristotle, Socrates, Hippocrates and Plato come immediately to mind. Aristotle was a modern day statistician, which by the way if you look up is the number one job to have these days. He measured virtues in means. I mean, what a forward thinking guy. Socrates believed in eudaimonia and so do I. Hippocrates is the father of medicine and all scientists/medical practitioners bow to him. Plato was everyone’s teacher.

Medical innovation: Cochlear implants for those under the age of four to cure deafness. New types of stents to unclog arteries in the heart to prevent relapses (restenosis), genetically tailored personalised medicine, to better suit the needs of individuals and so many more innovations to help people have healthier and happier lives. I mean who doesn’t get excited or inspired by all this stuff?

Beautiful people: Whether it is attractive male and female models, kind-hearted people who do good deeds, those who have aged gracefully or individuals who light up the world with a smile, I love beautiful people. The beauty of others inspires me.

Tabla music: The magical sounds of tabla and dancing to kathak inspire my endorphins, I can’t help it. This is biological inspiration.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: After a breakup, before a breakup, after success or failure, after a good meal, in the morning with coffee and so much more. Wow, that man and his masterpiece. Time transcending music like this has inspired different generations and will continue to do so.

My sister: To have inspirational people in your life is a blessing and one of mine is my sister. From yoga to meditation to inner happiness to surfing with turtles, I mean she’s got the most awesome life in the world. Love her and her perspectives.

Dance: I mean how can dance and choreography not inspire you? I see the world in that rhythm and movement and am a huge fan of dance exponents Shiamak Davar and Prabhu Deva. But now everyone has their own dance studio. I watch videos on YouTube of fusions and mashups and just love everyone’s confidence. It’s so incredible. Watching an agile body twist, turn and shake about keeps me focused. It makes me want to stay fit and active till I die.

Senior citizens: What you don’t know, your grandmother or grandfather might. It’s a widely acknowledged proverb “Old is gold” and I believe in that. My grandparents and all senior citizens are very inspiring. I have volunteered in old age homes and I spend quality time with my grandparents whenever I get the chance. The stories they pass down are exciting, their approach to life will teach you things from a different perspective.