Mixing the rich palette of life

Banker by profession and artist by passion, Karishma Rupani says her most fulfilling role is being a mother of two.

Having recently been promoted to head of Excel Banking at Standard and Chartered, Dubai, Rupani appears comfortable with her success. And whether she's painting a picture to her staff or literally dabbling in art, she revels in her diverse palette of interests.

"On the career front, it's fulfilling to know that I have made a contribution, while in my art I enjoy being appreciated and recognised.

"Through whatever I do, I make an effort to make people around me happy. I believe in building bonds at work. Success in the office means better business and your staff and co-workers are happy."

Indeed, she belongs to that rare breed who have it all and aren't afraid to acknowledge it. This rare trait reflects her contentment and peace with herself. This is most apparent when Rupani mentions her title 'Super Mom', bestowed on her by her children, Yash, 11 and Vriti, 3.

"I love it. I take it as a genuine compliment," she says.
"This is what makes me do what I am doing. My children are happy to see me succeed and, as a role model to them, I think it's inspiring for them if I do well."

With a hectic job and an even busier home life, she somehow finds time for her various pursuits.

"It's an attempt to explore myself and push the limits. I enjoy art, which is a great stress buster for me.

"I won't say there is no pressure at work, as you climb the corporate ladder the demands put on you increase but I am lucky to have a diversion (in art) which gives me a reason and a way to switch off. Relaxing the mind helps me work with rejuvenated energy and sharpen my mental faculties."

After doing an 8- to 10-hour working day, family comes first for her, then art.

"After I get back from work and when my kids go to bed, I have some time to myself, which I spend painting. It's not possible every day, but whenever I am tired or stressed I pick up my brush and take to the easel."

Rupani's team will soon be relaunching the Excel Banking brand, which means additional responsibility and more challenges.

"Such challenges keep you going," she says. "Otherwise it gets boring and stagnation creeps in. 'What's next?' is a question that constantly comes to mind."

Rupani defines success as a sense of achievement and certainly doesn't take her own success for granted.

"I feel happy and content and motivated to move ahead. There are up and downs in my profession, but one has to take them in one's stride. It's just work, after all. I feel that way probably because I have been through crises in my life and got over them. I have seen both sides of life."

There was a time when she and her husband, Sunil, were literally on the streets, when their business went through a bad patch in Singapore.

"That was almost 10 years ago, but we started all over again. This (experience) gives me the confidence to do well and to smile in the face of adversity. Life is not a smooth ride all the way. It's up to you how to live it. When you see the larger picture, it helps you have a clearer vision of life."

Born and brought up in Dubai, she and Sunil were married 13 years ago. During her schooling and higher studies, she says art was a constant companion.

"Art was always within me. At times I would give it an outlet and sometimes it would get pushed back, but it was always there."

After graduating, from the University of Mumbai, Rupani started working in banking in 1990. After a short stint with Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai, she and her husband moved to Singapore in 1996. However, when things didn't work out, they returned to Dubai three years later to start afresh.

Rupani rejoined Standard and Chartered and while working there has completed an MBA through distance learning with the University of Leicester in the UK. Currently, she is working on a PhD.

"After successive promotions and proving my ability as a manager, I was made the head of my department. This gave me a real sense of achievement.

"I also began to take more interest in art and resumed painting under my mentor (Dubai-based art teacher) Seemita Roy about two years ago. My paintings won a lot of appreciation from family and friends, which led to my first exhibition last month.

"It was again a recognition of my work which gave me a lot of fulfilment and happiness. Moreover, painting and seeing the image take tangible shape before your eyes is a pleasurable experience in itself.

"Art has helped my performance at work," she says. Because when I paint I feel peaceful within."

Rupani is a member of Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE), which has monthly exhibitions. For information, go to its website www.arte.ae