Coming out of her cocoon

Kochi: Nirupama Rajeev, 35, is leading a ‘boring life’ with her 13-year-old daughter. Like most women her age she is a mother who is taken for granted, a wife who sacrificed her dreams for the family and a woman who consciously made her family’s dreams her own. At 36, she rediscovers herself and carves her own path to chase her dream. Nirupama is the protagonist of the film How Old Are you.

The role lured Manju Warrier, the evergreen star of Malayalam cinema, back to the silver screen after a break of 14 years. The character represents the aspirations of innumerable women in Kerala who wake up one day to find life has gone by, including the actress herself. After the release of the film, Kerala’s most admired actress wrote on her Facebook wall, “I have no words to express my happiness. I am Nirupama myself. I have given my soul to Nirupama and I see her in you too...”

Inspired by the heroine and her character, many mothers, wives, sisters and daughters are willing to give life another chance by re-launching their careers with confidence. Independent women like costume designer Siji Thomas Nobel, dancer-cum-TV personality Aiswarya Nair, and entrepreneur Tigi Philip have proved that neither age nor circumstances can stop women from chasing their dreams.

Siji Thomas Nobel, a state film award winner for best costume designer, was married at 18 and was a typical housewife until 34. Apart from designing outfits for her child and spending hours in front of the TV, she never dreamt of becoming part of a glamorous stream in filmdom.

“After marriage I transformed into a total housewife as desired by my in-laws. But I dreamt of colours, fabrics and designs. After 10 years of our marriage my husband discovered this and forced me to join a fashion designing course in Bangalore. It was tough, but I regained my lost confidence. When I started earning we gained financial stability and began a better life. Now, I tell housewives not to be confined to the four walls of their house. If you have a dream, go after it,” she smiles.

Tigi Philip Tharata, an MBA graduate, was a successful IT professional when she got married. Quitting jobs and moving homes with her husband became a routine after marriage with his transfers. Four years ago, she decided to fulfill her childhood dream by launching Sarwaa, a fashion store in Thiruvanathapuram.

“I knew I will be a misfit at home and thought of finding my own way towards my long desired passion. I decided to concentrate on handcrafted items so that I could support artisans and artists. Luckily, my store was well received. I personally believe that one  should dare and take the plunge to achieve success. When I started Sarwaa, I was totally ignorant about running a business, my customers were the ones who educated me!” she points out.

Senior newsreader Aiswarya Nair was a familiar face to TV viewers in Kerala. The energetic lady went missing from the small screen after marriage. Now she is back with a bang by showcasing dance performances, actively emceeing shows and being a responsible newsreader.

“After marriage, he forced me to continue with my job. I took a break for my kids and became a complete homemaker. I started doing programmes again when my kids were ready to go to playschool. Thank God, it was not tough for me to get back. I think there is no dearth of opportunities for women who believe in themselves and are willing to explore new avenues,” she says.

Shajana Rakesh from Kozhikode got married at 18 and led an uneventful life until  she decided to join fashion designing at the Government Polytechnic. The boring housewife transformed into a happy mother, an understanding wife and a confident woman after started pursuing what she wanted.

“If someone is honestly dedicated towards her family and dream, there’s always a way to strike a balance. The sense of empowerment that you get when your work is appreciated is very fulfilling,” she smiles.