Page 13 - Seniors Toady - September Issue 2020

that we had collected along the way. Once
back in Delhi Navin had little time for
such things while I found I had time to
devote to our children, to conservation
and to writing. While professionally he
was busy, personally Navin always had a
feel for art and the beautiful things of life
so it was never difficult to find common
ground. We have our little squabbles
similar to most couples but they are
about issues other than the passions
that we share, interests that bring great
compactness in our relationship.
What do you think about commonality
of views or do you find differences are
healthy to inculcate?
Navin: In the early years of Rupika’s
involvement in the art world, I was
completely immersed in my Civil Service
career. Her passion for contemporary art
did not at first interest me, but we shared
an interest in more conventional art such
as the more realistic art as evidenced in
Tanjore paintings, a passion we began to
share when I was posted to Pondicherry
in 1979 for a couple of years. Soon
thereafter Rupika entered another world,
that of art conservation which in turn led
to her great interest in the 19th century
painter Raja Ravi Varma. That opened
other interesting doors for me, which
were of course in complete contrast to
my Civil Service life, but nonetheless one
that began to interest me more and more.
So too did her writing, particularly her
spectacular work on Raja Ravi Varma. So,
writing did become a shared interest as
did art.
You are seen as a couple who actively
support each other’s work and passion.
What is your advice to younger people
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #15 | SEPTEMBER 2020
Navin and Rupika then (with Mother Teresa)
on working together in life with
partners as a team (does contemporary
living support or require this)?
Rupika: (Laughs) When we got married,
we were the younger lot!
It’s not just today but I feel you have
to manage the balancing act in any
relationship, as also in a marriage. You
have to view yourself as a unit if you want
it to be a good marriage.
Each spouse has their individuality
and you bring it out and you make it
sparkle or make the light less according
to the situation. If you always say I am an
individual and I am the centre, you are
not going to be able to manage it.
The little things that couples do for
each have a great impact on their
emotional wellbeing. The stories of
Anjolie-Raja, Kamal-Krishan, Kusum-
Salman, and Rupika-Navin tell us that
a great companionship requires an ease
in communication and the will to stay
connected. Being able to lean on each
other through the rough patches and
standing tall for one another. It is about
working through differences in a creative
way, and paying close attention to each
other’s passion and interest.
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