When Art meets Heart

Creativity brought this Gen Z couple together, and a shared love of art strengthened the bond. Even as Pune-based Aditya Mahajan and Manjiri Deshpande, writer and graphic designer-dancer draw closer to their second wedding anniversary, they are firm believers in quality time, work-life balance and yes, nurturing the art they so love. This is their story and this is how they share it

Our art is not just passive, it is also performative," shares Aditya Mahajan, associate creative director at Thinking Partners, Pune. Here's why: He is not just a writer, but also a performative poet and voiceover artist. On her part, Manjiri, his better half, a graphic and motion graphic designer is just as multi-faceted—she's a Bharatanatyam dancer and voiceover artist too.

And, therein hangs a tale. For despite having done their graduation and post-graduation in the same colleges, (SP College followed by Garware, in Pune), neither had met then. Instead, they were destined to meet differently.

"We are both voiceover artists and had done a podcast for the same producer. When it released, I just loved her voice. We had a common friend, and I managed to communicate to Manjiri that I thought she had what it took to do good work in this space," grins Aditya.

What he didn't share though was that while he liked the voice, he liked its owner even better. But sensitive and wise, he found different ways to communicate his interest in her, slowly and gradually. In his capacity as writer-creator, he would pass on several freelance projects to her as designer. She did a good job, and the conversation grew from there. Soon, he suggested a job vacancy at his workplace.

"That's how we ended up working together at the same ad agency," shares Manjiri. Over the next one and a half years, the young couple bonded over both personal and professional matters. They discovered shared sensibilities, a love for storytelling, an appreciation for nuance, and a mutual respect for each other's craft. And, love happened.

From strength to strength

Post marriage, both Aditya and Manjiri lived with his parents and brother. "Family is important to both of us," says Manjiri. "We were both clear that we wanted our people close by. This is especially important to me, because I am completely a people's person," she says.

Well, how very unlike Gen Z of them! "We live in a bungalow, so there is as much space as is necessary for everyone, without relationships slipping away," Aditya said.

Where the duo is most Gen Z like, is their insistence on work-life balance. "It is possible and it is necessary," avers Aditya. "Good work can happen but never at the cost of one's personal space, health and relationships. In fact, both go hand in hand," he says.

Chores and household responsibilities are a shared affair, and both enjoy cooking together. "In fact, he makes the perfect rotis: round, fluffy and soft," laughs Manjiri.

Given that they have been married for two years and have courted for longer than that, what do they think is most important in a relationship? "Continuous communication is critical. As is living in the moment and enjoying every phase of life," says Aditya.

While Manjiri adds that it is in fact the little things that are the big things. "Enjoy little moments together, whether it's a small walk after dinner or a cup of tea. Don't hang onto negativity, let small things go," she says.

THE MANTRAS OF MARRIAGE

• Shared passions and common interests
• Celebrating small moments
• Work-life balance
• Communication

The matter with marriage

So why is it that relationships don't seem to last these days, especially when it comes to twenty-somethings? "For starters, there is a lot of overexposure and emphasis on certain concepts. Far too many choices can lead to confusion. On top of it, social media has a way of feeding negativity. So, if you keep reading about relationships splitting up, you think pretty much everyone is going that way," he says.

"Nowadays, we tend to overthink everything," offers Manjiri. "But as the saying goes: our thoughts shape our reality. What you give power to, has power over you. If you keep holding onto negative notions, that soon becomes your lived truth," she adds.

Precisely why the couple is protective about quality time together. From movies and plays to checking out restaurants on weekends to going on trips, short and long, they are mindful of using every moment fruitfully. "We did Delhi and Rajasthan, and Thailand recently. Soon, we will be going to Hampi as well," says Manjiri. "Travel really is our thing."

Considering their love of family, do they plan their own at some point? "We haven't arrived at any conclusion yet and neither are we in a hurry to," says Aditya. "This phase of our life is exciting and demanding and there is much to be done before we commit to anything," he adds.

"As the saying goes: our thoughts shape our reality. What you give power to, has power over you. If you keep holding onto negative notions, that soon becomes your lived truth "

— Manjiri Deshpande

Overcoming conflict, celebrating each other

Fights happen, but both are mature enough to let each one work through the differences in their own way. "I need to talk things through there and then, whereas she takes her time," says Aditya. "But, the loveliest quality about her is that she smiles easily and lets things go. She is optimistic, upbeat and approachable each day. Now that's a quality to cherish indeed."

Interestingly, while the two were courting, Aditya was writing a column on youthful relationships for a popular marathi newspaper. "So basically, each story would have a male and female protagonist going through various situations and talking about various contemporary issues. It was a hugely popular and well-loved column, which later became a book fittingly called Na Maralelya Gappa (The Conversations we never had)," he shares.

"While he was writing the column though, I would get quite nervous," says Manjiri. "For the simple reason that most of it was based on his conversations with me."

The book, unsurprisingly, was dedicated to her. And, as they continue writing their own story, it's clear that the best chapters are still unfolding.