Piyali Dasgupta Satish

Happy Weekend Chembur Family.

Piyali Dasgupta Satish: A multidisciplinary artist, writer, director, actor, dancer, experience curator, visual artist, educator and arts impact consultant.

Her story, in her own words:

“I am a Delhite and Mumbaikar combo. I love both equally and differently. I was born and brought up in Delhi and spent the better part of my life there. I did my specialisation in Expressive Arts in Chennai. After my marriage, I moved to Chembur, which I now call home, as my husband was born and brought up here.

I come from a family where theatre was not a hobby but a way of living. My parents are founding members of one of the oldest amateur theatre groups in Delhi, and growing up, rehearsals, scripts, performances and conversations around theatre were part of everyday life. The stage was never intimidating for me, it felt familiar, almost like home.

Maine bachpan se hi theatre dekha hai, kiya hai, aur seekha hai.

That is why theatre has always lived in my DNA. It shaped my thinking, my voice, my presence and my understanding of human emotion, long before I consciously chose it as my path.

After my graduation, I entered the corporate world and worked with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines as the Customer Care Manager for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives. It was my first interview and my first job. I spent a decade there. Then, right when I was at the pinnacle of my career, I chose to quit in 2008, against the wishes of many close to me, and returned to my true calling, the arts.

I went back to studying and completed my post graduation in Expressive Art Therapy, a multimodal practice that uses psychodrama, visual arts, music, dance, playback theatre and storytelling to help people explore emotions, gain self awareness and promote healing, especially when words are difficult to find. It is used as a psychotherapeutic tool in therapy and counselling. I also completed certification courses in Palliative Care Counselling and Hypnotherapy.

Although I am trained as a therapist, I primarily use Expressive Art Therapy in my workshops and masterclasses as a pedagogical tool for experiential and art based learning, rather than theoretical instruction.

My sessions with students, entrepreneurs and business founders focus on helping them find new and experiential ways of resolving challenges in communication. Using tools from theatre, movement and storytelling, I help them gain fresh perspectives on inner insecurities, fears, inhibitions and both internal and external stakeholder communication challenges. My work is largely with social entrepreneurs, incubators, NGOs, think tanks, profit for good organisations, schools and colleges across the country.

Having seen the impact and transformation first hand, I encourage people to engage with expressive arts to build self awareness and manage challenges in an increasingly harsh and demanding world.

In a time where success is defined largely by monetary achievement, we have forgotten how to be humane. Expressive arts help us reconnect with the human within, a quality becoming increasingly rare in a world standing at the threshold of AI.

Writing and directing form a crucial part of my journey. I have been acting since childhood in theatre, a television serial and a film.

My debut documentary film, VOICES IN OUR HEAD, premiered at the VIBGYOR International Film Festival in Thrissur in 2013. I have written for digital media platforms such as New York based Bustle, Vagabomb and Sheroes between 2014 and 2017, focusing on women achievers, entrepreneurs, artists and founders.

I have written four original plays and directed them. All received strong critical reviews and audience appreciation. (Reviews:- By NDTV, Quint and Indian Express)

I write, I act, I direct, I dance, I draw, I paint and I sing. I use every art form to express myself because I believe art is one of the most powerful ways to build the inner self and create a more empathetic and inclusive society.

My life mantra is simple. Learning should never stop, no matter what.

Learning helps us reveal our best selves, grow, and develop nuance in our identity. With time and experience, we become more inclusive, responsible and grounded, creating a fulfilling everyday life.

For me, true luxury and success lie in finding joy and gratitude in daily living. That is why I believe one should pick up a new sport, hobby or art form in their 40s. It pushes us to explore hidden aspects of ourselves instead of settling into comfort zones. I am in my 40s myself and am now in my third year of learning Kathak at The Fine Arts Society, Chembur. It has added entirely new dimensions to my life and identity.

I do not know how to live a life without art in it.

Like any human being, I am not perfect, and there are aspects I continue to work on. Applying the lessons of expressive art in my personal life has helped me become a better human being every day and stay closer to my true self.

I am deeply grateful to my family, especially my parents, who raised me and my younger twin sister to pursue higher education and careers of our own choice. We were never told there were limitations based on gender. Equality was lived, not taught. Financial independence was encouraged, and that gave us the freedom to create life on our own terms. In Bengali culture, this equality gives women the wings to fly.

Today, I stand fulfilled by what I have built.

When we build ourselves fully, we find partners who resonate with our values rather than settling under pressure. I met my husband, Satish, later in life. A Chembur born South Indian, a brand strategy expert, marathon runner and guitarist. Our resonance as human beings and shared values make us strong life partners. We support each other’s dreams and goals and stand as each other’s core strength.

Looking back at my journey over the last 18 years, from leaving a well paying corporate job at the cusp of my career to where I stand today, I feel content for having taken that leap. I have learned that honesty with oneself matters more than fear, conditioning or external expectations.

When we listen to our true selves, we find our answers to, Which path is right for us, How should we live, What is our real calling, Where peace and contentment lie, etc.

That is when we create our own definitions of success and happiness. No comparison. No competition.”

Thank you for for your time.

If you'd like to share your story, or know anyone from Chembur with an inspiring story, or have any suggestions/recommendations, simply reply to this mail.