The many lives I long to live

Discovering my path through curiosity, characters, and connection

I used to love acting in school plays.

I was always drawn to different types of characters—each with its own quirks, flaws, and stories. There was something so raw and thrilling about stepping into their shoes. It wasn’t just about the lines or the costumes. It was about feeling what they felt, seeing the world the way they saw it, and, for a moment, living a life entirely different from my own.

When I started travelling, that feeling returned—only this time, the stage was much bigger.

Wandering through new streets and meeting people with lives so unlike my own, I often wondered: What would it feel like to live like them? How would I think? What would I believe? Travelling wasn’t just about seeing places. It was about imagining lives.

And then came dancing.

At first, it was all about the steps, the rhythm, the technique. But what truly drew me in was the characters I could play—a girl in love, an addict wrestling with my inner demons, a seductress, a man, or someone with a broken heart. The possibilities were endless and so was my enthusiasm for it.

It wasn’t about pretending; it was about being. Every character let me see life from a completely new perspective, and that exhilaration kept me coming back for more.

I didn’t think much of this pattern, though. It felt like a small quirk, something I simply enjoyed doing.

But now, as I stand in Kerala, stepping into the Kalari Akhada to learn Kalaripayattu, it’s all coming together. Every time I bow and touch the earth, I feel like a warrior—not just because of the discipline or the art itself, but because I let myself become one. I imagine the strength, pride, and resilience of a warrior—things that feel so far from my everyday self—and yet, in that moment, they are mine.

And now I see it.

This isn’t just a series of interests. It’s not just acting, travelling, dancing, or learning martial arts. This is the thread running through it all.

I am, and have always been, searching. Searching for ways to live as someone else. To see the world through their eyes. To experience their philosophies, their challenges, and their joys.

I want to live as different characters. To inhabit different worlds. To feel the pulse of life through as many lenses as possible.

This is my pilgrimage. My path of curiosity and connection.

This is why I’m the Piqued Pilgrim.

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About Piqued Pilgrim

Piqued - curiosity

Pilgrim - a person who journeys

Piqued Pilgrim is the name under which I document my journey of curiosity—living through different worlds, characters, and philosophies. For me, this journey currently is about learning skills from around the globe (which I’m capturing under the series - New Roads New Skills on Instagram), reflecting on my experiences (like the pieces I’m writing here on Substack) and documenting my travels and creator journey (which I share on my blog).

I believe magic is all around us, and the way to see it is through the lens of curiosity and joy. I’m planning to share small updates on this journey here to let you in on the little glimpses of the magic I’m discovering along the way.

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Little Joys

“Joy is always around if only we pause to acknowledge it.”

With life's burdens and big ambitions, it's easy to overlook our everyday joys. These are my small joys from the last week -

• I started working on the new storytelling format I wanted to explore (some exciting updates are underway).

• My closest people are achieving milestones in life!

• I had a very good chilli parotta. Delicious.

• Got a surprise treat which was the sweetest thing ever.

• Wore the proper Kalari costume and got good pictures.