Peace, love and Raageshwari

1990s Indian pop singer talks about self-healing and energy.

ISLAMABAD:

Elfin personality Raageshwari Loomba has moved on from chirpy ‘90s Bollywood actor and pop singer to the sagacious motivational speaker and yoga devotee she is today, after overcoming Bell’s palsy with great courage and determination.

“Pakistan is my largest fanbase outside of India,” she says, in an exclusive interview in the capital city. “My father’s father died with the dream of visiting Lahore and Karachi. And my mother’s family is from Lahore.” The multi-faceted star is making her first visit to Lahore and Islamabad accompanied by her parents, visiting Nankana Sahib and Punja Sahib, and highlighting children’s causes including Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital (where she taught children mirror therapy techniques). Her trip across the border has highlighted causes including the Pakistan Sweet Home for children orphaned from terrorist attacks and natural disasters as well as SKMCH, where she taught 'mirror therapy' technique to a group of young cancer survivors. “Sadly, we link it with religions and countries,” she adds.

“I am honoured to be here and want to use my time completely for visiting schools, orphanages, and cancer hospitals,” states Raageshwari with enthusiasm. In India, she’s an ambassador for AIDS awareness and also leads a vision-impaired choir.

Her stint on “Bigg Boss” earned her the nickname ‘Messenger of Peace.’ “Spiritualism is about great balance,” she says. “I need to pay my bills too. I felt I should go out of my comfort zone to see if I could stick to my beliefs and lead my example on reality TV.”

Raageshwari refers to her holistic side in collective terms. “I feel odd and immodest to use ‘I,’ she explains. “So many wonderful people are doing this, like Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Louise L Hay (author of Heal Your Body). I’m not part of a cult. Together, we can heal the world. ‘Bigg Boss’ opened avenues for me and I now deliver motivational talks to thousands in corporate circles.”

Raageshwari reveals how her ‘peace, love and harmony’ mantra has formulated her journey from entertainer to healer and how it isn’t necessary to be a yogi in the mountains to heal the world together. She draws reference from her upcoming yoga workout DVD, 5 Ancient Tibetan Rites: The Secret of Eternal Youth.

“Every word has energy,” she says. “Cells react at great speed with endorphins and heal. Disease is a body not at ease. You have more to offer others if you love yourself too.”

Known as ‘Ragz’ to her friends, she has a positive, calming aura that strikes one immediately in her presence, while her eyes sparkle with keen observation. Her speech is peppered with spiritual references such as “Allah ka shukar” and traditional Urdu expressions.

How did you get into the entertainment world?

I was only 15 when I auditioned for Shekhar Kapur for Bobby Deol’s debut film. Bobby said, “Oh my God, she looks like a child!” The screen test was a disaster! I was very embarrassed and you can see that in the few films I’ve done (as a leading lady in Aankhen in ’93, Mein Khilari Tu Anari and Zid in ’94). Today, I know the best thing for an actor is to go with the flow and nosedive into the part.

You’ve had such diverse inspiration for your musical career, from Hindi pop to Sufi and Tibetan albums; how did these come about?

All my music was composed and written by dad (award-winning musician Trilok Singh Loomba). Music company HMV Saregama was making an album on yoga and asked me to be the face of the Tibetan Fountain of Youth. Lorraine More (a Tibetan follower) taught me five postures formulated by the monks about the seven vortexes/chakras. It’s scientifically proven we have energy vortexes in our bodies at a magnetic speed. The exercise plan revolves the chakras. There are whirling dervish moves that centre your body, help with nausea, indigestion and headaches. And then a stomach crunch and so on. You’d find that namaz also has yogic postures because Islam is a religion of peace and science. I have great regard for the Muslim community and made the Sufi album for this community.

You’ve worked on a children’s TV show for ARY; how was your experience with the Pakistani media?

It was fabulous, I love children and I scripted the show with my father. I played a sardar ji boy to teach tricks in math, a Nepali watchman and an aunty from Pakistan to eat healthy and play long forgotten games like kho-kho and encourage outdoor play.

How do you manage to still look 17? You look even better now than in the 90s.

I’m 36. The internet calls me younger but I have great pride in my age! I want women to feel there’s so much more than trying to work at being young. Your biological age doesn’t matter. Physically, I’m 16. Spiritually, I could be 500. We carry problems with us and look outward instead of inward. Hate what a person does but don’t hate the person. Give love to a radical, not hate. Our basic instinct is being loved.

You’ve overcome an incredible challenge in life, Bell’s palsy; how did you stay positive? Did this inspire you to practice yoga?

I woke up one day to brush my teeth and couldn’t hold the water in my mouth. I had a charity show for school that day and was meant to do the opening act for an awards show. It took doctors two days to diagnose it because they couldn’t believe someone in their 20s could get it. One side of my face and chest was numb so when I spoke, my lips reached my ear. I couldn’t recognise myself, I couldn’t talk, I had no voice. My therapy triggered my interest in yoga and I speak openly about it because real stories inspire us. I recovered perfectly and doctors were amazed. I never took steroids; it was all yoga and self affirmations. Yoga pumps more blood into parts of your body and paralysis is a nerve related illness. Bell’s palsy is for people who fail to express anger; I suppose I’d had spiritual arrogance!

Raageshwari’s Picks

Favourite Bollywood star

Govinda. I learned from his great love for his art. He has unbelievable timing in comedy and dancing.

Favourite Pakistani celebrity

Reshma ji, Abida Parveen, and Shafqat ji are my all time favourites. Adnan aka Mr Romantic. Also, Nusrat and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I’ve performed at the same event with Ghulam Ali in Dubai.

Trickiest dance move you’ve had to master

With Govinda and Chunky Pandey, I had to do a dance move where my hand was between their thighs in Aankhen and they went up and down and back and forth, very jerky moves. At that time I was horrified even though it was considered cool. No wonder they have backaches after those hip thrusts!

Genre of TV you’d like to try next

A cookery show. Something progressive for children. Alternative healing.

The most difficult yoga moves you’ve achieved

A headstand.

Your most memorable music video

“Duniya” — I was a knapsack-wearing young traveller on the beach with children.

Favourite fashion designers

My designer friends dress me up but I’ll never indulge in criminal expenses.

Favourite cuisine

Everyone asks me if I am vegetarian and I am not! I love biryani and Mughlai food.

Recent favourite film

I really liked OMG.

Last mp3 you played?

I listened to Paradise by Coldplay on the motorway between Lahore and Islamabad.

TV viewing addiction

Cooking shows and the TLC channel. Also, “Satyamev Jayate” and “KBC” are great shows that you take something back from instead of watching in semi-coma! My DVD is about beginning and ending your day with positive affirmations instead of with the news and soap operas.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2012.

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