At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Kajal Srivastava for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Martial Artist, Coach and Change Enabler. Kajal is the Founder and CEO of Tavasi Movement. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background, and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Kajal:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I have done my undergrad from Hansraj College, Delhi University with a specialization in world History.
Right after graduation I went deep into my shell and prepared for UPSC for the full 8 years with no luck.
I planned my whole life around clearing this exam and becoming the IPS officer. But life had other plans . I have been doing kalaripayattu for the past 6 years now and it is one thing that helped me cope up with my depression and failures.”
In 2021 I started my own initiative, TAVASI, the movement which is to spread the emotional health benefits of this ancient wisdom and now the intangible cultural heritage of India under the UN. After taking the empowering workshop for more than 1000 people, I know why nothing else worked out for me.
How did you discover your passion?
I didn’t discover Kalari, Kalari found me and that too at the time when I desperately needed a medium that could help me to cope up with all the stress and mental issues that a Govt exam aspirant goes through.
I was a professional dancer in my college days, I was a state-level swimmer in school, I won inter-school karate championships back in 2009, but what I didn’t know was that my true love is something that has not even come into my life yet.
I always wanted to do something so that I can be of use to people and their growth and Kalari happened to be my route. I am fortunate to have found my passion and my work merging together. Every struggle seems to be worth it today.”
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
The challenges are innumerable, and they are mostly internal. After failing in almost all my plans, the biggest challenge I face is to keep going!
Another biggest challenge that I face is to sustain in the field that is mostly male-driven. So what drives me despite these is my motive. I keep reminding myself why I started in first place.”
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My parents! They both are sorted, forward-thinking, wise people. My father comes from a farmer’s family background and is self-made so he has taught me that “work is worship “ and that we must work for the betterment of humankind.
My mother, on the other hand, is a strong ambitious woman who has taught me the importance of being independent in one’s purpose, thoughts and work. Their constant support motivates me to explore my maximum calibre.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
JUST KEEP GOING! Even if you’re going through hell…keep going (lines by Warren Buffet).
If you are going through a tunnel that seems to be never-ending..Keep going. One day, it will be your day and you won’t even know it.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
First thing is to understand that success need not mandatorily fall into the ‘society’s’ bullet points of success. It can be as small as a feeling of satisfaction.
For me, the key to success has been to follow wholeheartedly and work diligently towards what I truly believe in, without seeking validation from others. The result is mind-blowing!
What advice would you give to our readers?
There is at least one thing you are totally magical at, take all your time to find it and then believe in your plan towards realizing and exploring it because no one else is going to do that for you.”
Failures are just as normal as success, it doesn’t make you a failed person so stop seeing yourself through other’s eyes. It only comes to redirect you towards your best potential. Keep taking action!
Secondly my advice would be to prioritize your mental spiritual and physical health much before anything else. Everything else will automatically be better the moment you start treating your mind and body better.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
(1) The feedback messages from students like , “thank you for teaching me self love” , “Today I said no to domestic violence after practicing kalari for 5 days with you” , “Kalari is a super power thanks for conserving it” , “I have never felt this strong before” makes the work exciting.
(2) Working under my Gurukkal , Shinto Mathew whose constant guidance teaches me priceless life values and knowledge about this authentic Indian art form that was born 2000 years ago and is a treasure with unparalleled , non-exhausting benefit.
(3) Promoting Kalaripayattu , “The pride of India” at a global platform gives me immense satisfaction
(4) And mostly , having a purpose of my own fills me with gratification and satisfaction.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
