Natascha Chadha along with Marlies Bloemendaal is behind the funky co-working space in Mumbai, Ministry of New. Half-Dutch half-Indian, Natascha has been a journalist, copywriter and even acted in improv comedy. She tells Hi! Blitz about the challenges of settling into a new culture and how India has been a creative force.
What made you move to India around seven years ago? What were you doing prior to that?
I moved to India from Holland. I was working as a senior copywriter at an international fashion brand and had just finished writing a coffee table book.
You were also involved in producing a web series...
When I moved to India, I became a brand communication consultant. I was also part of Improv Comedy Mumbai’s ensemble cast for 3 years. I produced a web series for one of my Bangalore clients at Ministry of New with some friends of mine from the comedy scene.
As two Dutch women working in Mumbai, what is the greatest and toughest part of working together? In what areas are you’ll very alike and in what areas dissimilar?
We’re alike in that we are two Dutch women creatives living in India for 7-8 years. In terms of the brand aesthetics, communication and standards, we are almost always on the same page. Marlies is more visual and I am more content-driven. I guess the biggest difference is that I am half Indian (and have an Indian husband and small daughter) whereas she knows more people in the expat community. Having been born and raised in Holland, however, often gives us the same context. The fact that we can sometimes crack a joke in Dutch which is typically “down to earth” has helped us a lot in times of crisis or extreme fatigue.
How has India creatively inspired you?
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Hi!BLITZ.
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This story is from the December 2016 edition of Hi!BLITZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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