Poetry And Poise

Many years of writing come together in Laxmana Dalmia’s new book One Soul Many Lives, which is due for launch on April 6. MARWAR talks to the spirited lady about her book, her outlook towards life and lots more.

- Benaifer J Mirza

WITH MY EXPERIENCE, I WOULD like to tell people, ‘Always open your heart, every time it shuts down… and always play life’s game bigger and better.’ Because they can!” says Laxmana Dalmia, the lady of many talents. Film-maker, theatre activist, writer, humanitarian, wellness mentor, tarot card reader—she’s all this and lots more, all rolled into one.

“If history were to chronicle my path, it would certainly highlight the fact that no matter what my circumstances were, I did rise above them to achieve success and brilliance, and that there is still a ‘sprint’ in my stride as I cross the next hurdle!” she continues. Here’s delving deeper into the life of the multifaceted lady.

Tell us a little about yourself. 

Though born and bred in Delhi, I have a close association with Rajasthan. It is the native state of my parents. My father, Ram Krishna Dalmia, was from Chirawa. The identity of this town is because of its relation with the Birlas, Dalmias, Goenkas and Kanodias.

My mother, Dinesh Nandini Dalmia, belonged to an erudite family in Udaipur and was known for her bold stance on women’s education. She broke the purdah system and was the first woman in the state to do her MA. I studied at Mater Dei Convent School in Delhi and later did my Master’s in Philosophy from Lady Shri Ram College. My mother had set high standards of education for us. She had always directed our governesses in detail on what she expected.

Whenever she broke out of her self-imposed social and domestic exile, she would sit with us and impart some pearls of wisdom. “The world is your oyster,” she would say, “learn as much as you can from it, and when the time comes, go out and give to all what the universe has given to you.”