My very first singing lesson was never attended with the intention of wanting to be a singer. In the first year, I was just dabbling with lessons, enjoying them, but nothing serious. After one year, I met a friend who asked me to create a song as my voice was nice. I came up with an English song called ‘Feel It’. Honestly, I was far from feeling it. I realised in the whole process of making that song that I want to sing in Hindi. That was my main influence all my life and that is when I realised that I enjoy the recording process and I wanted to make more songs. The rest is history—nine years and 30 songs. Music has now become my life.
My biggest project till date is my debut album. I am now working on my second album which I hope to launch soon. In 2021, I may look at doing collaborations. I am also busy with launching my own health and well-being website Vanity by Arzutra to inspire my fans to live their healthiest and heartiest life. Apart from that, I have just launched an exciting campaign to promote women empowerment. I am looking to feature girls and women from all walks of life in my next music video which is to promote the idea that women have the right to dream and succeed in this world. The song relates to my own journey of wanting to become a singer but having so many challenges and finally making it.
When I am not working, I love sitting by the beach. I also like exploring natural health and wellness through reading in between recordings as I am fascinated about what makes a healthy body. I keep reading various books about healthy living which give me the required knowledge and at the same time keep me entertained.
Recently, I started taking swimming lessons and I enjoy it a lot. I used to go float in the pool before, I loved the water even then. I am hoping to be a good swimmer soon. Interestingly, I prefer the sea over swimming pools. When it comes to my fitness regime, I usually do about 45 minutes of aerobics for five days a week. I do weight and strength training for about four months in a year. Lately, I have swapped aerobics for walking as I find the latter meditative. I have made it my motto to get out of the house daily for a nice long walk in the park.
My midnight indulgence is chocolate eclairs although I try to curb my craving especially when I have shoots coming up as my skin is acne prone. I have always had to watch what I eat. I eat dinner quite late so I don’t normally need to snack before bedtime.
What is on Arzutra’s plate?
Early morning: I drink watermelon juice on waking up.
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with gluten free bread for breakfast.
Lunch: I generally eat a huge feta salad or a grilled chicken salad.
Dinner: I prefer Indian meals for dinner, it is either lentils and rice or some chicken gravy with rice.
Cheat days: I indulge a lot in junk food, especially McDonald’s whenever I feel I want to reward myself.
Nutrition advice
• Consuming a whole fruit over a fruit juice is a better idea as it will not cause the sugar rush and insulin spike.
• Add a vegetable smoothie with a fruit, spirulina and chia seeds as a mid-morning drink. It is a great energy booster. Also, top it with an apple/1tbsp of blueberries making it a complete liver detox drink which excellent for the skin.
• Indulge in carbohydrates like jowar, rajgira roti or brown rice with a vegetable salad. Again, choosing brown rice over white is a good way to keep a tab on your weight. This also aids hormonal balance and prevents acne.
• In the evening, consume nuts like almonds and walnuts. You can also include an egg salad or moong sprouts bhel.
• Dinner can comprise of a protein salad like chicken along with some soup. Mid night snack can be some nuts or boiled eggs.
As told to Oshin Grace Daniell
Zinc-rich food helps prevent acne and maintain collagen levels. Sources are sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, beans, chickpeas, peas and mushrooms.
Karishma Chawla, nutritionist and lifestyle educator.
