Signs Summer of

Ihave always looked forward to the month of May. After the April showers, May not only brings flowers but also brings us closer to the end of the school year, to graduations and to the summer holidays. But May took on even greater importance once I became a mother. Hallmark notwithstanding, I love being celebrated by my husband and our son. Being spoiled with love and attention and a wonderful Mother’s Day brunch, complete with mimosas and kir royale. I love the day because it reminds me of wonderful memories of my own mother and a day to reflect on her impact on me and the world. So to all the mothers who are being celebrated and to those who are celebrating the mothers in your lives, Happy Mother’s Day.

The month also brings longer days, the lush greenery all around us with the central cooling not yet switched on. The event calendar seems to be back to pre-pandemic days if not more packed. In the Experience section of the May issue we do a roundup of major events where the South Asian flag was fluttering hard. Whether it be the Coachella festival last month or the New York Indian Film Festival in the second week of May, we have it covered.

I n anticipation of the big Hollywood summer blockbusters to hit theatres this year, we celebrate our very own in Hollywood. On the cover this month is Anjali Bhimani whose acting life spans decades and mediums, from the bright lights of Broadway to the silver screen. You would have seen her in Ms. Marvel, Dead to Me and Modern Family. She shared with us how she charted her own course as an actress and the progress South Asian women are making towards more authentic and prolific storytelling in Hollywood.

I n our endeavor to highlight inspirational entrepreneurial stories we present Sasha Revankar the innovator and creator of One-Minute-Saree. Who has changed the elegant dresswear to be simple and stress free.

For Mother’s Day our feature – The Heart of a Mother includes moving stories of seven women about their own beautiful and complicated experiences of motherhood, as a daughter, mother or a grandmother. The semi-summer edition also preps your for the season ahead with options to have fun in the sun - from sunglasses to skin care for South Asians.

I n a world increasingly obsessing over materialistic objects of desires, we bring to you the story of a model, having lived her early adult life focused on beauty and luxury, had a spiritual awakening. Lama Aria Drolma now lives as a Buddhist nun in a monastery.

May is also Stroke Awareness Month and in the Breathe section we bring to light how South-Asian Americans fall in the high risk category for heart conditions and how you could lower the risk.

O nce again, we bring to you a special edition of the SEEMA magazine with stories about inspirational artists, entrepreneurs and role models. And as the beauty of May fills your home and heart with color and warmth, here’s wishing all the incredible readers a happy Mother’s Day.

• Seema Kumar, Founder, SEEMA Network •