Varisha Tariq

Varisha Tariq is an Independent Journalist and writer working with the intersectionality of culture, travel, and gender.

Articles

Esquire India •

Independence Day: What’s India’s Future Doing On A Random Weekday?

Isha Adhiya“I feel weird running in the streets over here” - Isha Adhiya, 22, Bachelor of Design, NIFD, RajkotRajkot can be both generous and limiting in the same breath. There’s a calmness here that feels almost bizarre if you’ve been stuck in traffic in Mumbai, argued over auto fares in Pune or breathed Delhi’s air. But there’s also a suspicion—of anything that doesn’t translate easily into profit. This is, after all, a city run by industrialists and businessmen, where ambition still speaks mo...
Vogue India •

Gen Z thinks the most romantic date spot is a graveyard

In a scene from Kapoor & Sons (2016), Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) and Tia (Alia Bhatt) stroll through a cemetery, discussing what their tombstones will read. “Aakhri baar likha raha hoon,” Arjun says after a pause. “Ho sake toh kahaani yaad rakhna.” Tia stares at him, not harshly, taken aback by the depth of a person she thought she knew well. There are no phones in sight; just two people in the early stages of love, talking about things bigger than themselves.In a world where attention is scarce,...
Vogue Arabia •

Is ChatGPT the New Astrologer in Town?

She shares how intuition can often lead to different interpretations, according to the translator. This is not a profession that requires just data, but also depth and soul to accurately translate what the universe, and its energies might be trying to communicate to us, if you are someone who believes in this alternative science.We choose to connect to people because they help us map out our future. As we navigate this highly complex world, where things are constantly changing and nothing remain...
Travel and Leisure Asia | India •

How Eldest Daughters Are Using Solo Travel To Reclaim Themselves

The eldest daughter syndrome, awaiting confirmation as an official diagnosis, has seen a rise in awareness through Instagram, TV shows, films, and TikTok, where women highlight the complicated dynamics within which they exist. The prodigal daughter who is the eldest daughter? Obedient, yet dominating. Anxious with anger issues. Well educated but burnt out. The family planner, the makeshift doctor, teacher, a glitching Excel sheet with extensive unnecessary information, people pleaser, self-criti...
Vogue India •

13 questions you should ask a dermatologist before turning 30

Get the tissues: the first-in-line Gen Z are turning 29 this year, which is really just the dress rehearsal for the next big decade of our lives. And while the decade ahead promises more confidence, clarity and excellent dinner-party opinions, some changes are inevitable. Skin is often the first place these changes make themselves known.This does not mean 30 is a cliff. It means the habits you build now start to show up more visibly. Fine lines may begin to settle where expression lines once dis...
Condé Nast Traveller India •

10 restaurants in Lucknow for a meal with a view

While it is true that Lucknow’s culinary bones are built largely on nostalgia, a City of Nawabs whose decadent food delights were handed down in whispers from its royal houses throughout generations, this is also a city of a number of thriving modern restaurants that are tuned into the ever-changing national and global scene. Whether it be a fusion luncheon in a palatial residence or the latest Japanese cuisine served in a restaurant with chikankari decor accents, this newly declared UNESCO Crea...
Vogue India •

Eldest daughter syndrome is affecting more than your mind

At one point in my life, I found myself surrounded by eldest daughters. Each of us carried the same invisible burden: stress about managing expectations of family, friends, partners, larger ecosystems, and themselves. We were united by our soaring cortisol level, looming threat of diabetes and blood pressure, frequent fluctuations in weight, stress eating and the biggest of them all, a perpetual feeling of burnout due to hitting caregiving fatigue.“Eldest daughters are almost wired to handle it...
Inspire The Mind •

Muslim Women Are Not Victims

“I don’t understand why I have to put a stole to cover myself up,” I said, horrified. I was fourteen, with simmering teenage anger, making sense of the world and not liking the position Muslim women were often put into. I had clarity; if you want to wear something, you wear it, whether Hijab or dresses, and if you don’t like something you don’t wear it. But my extended family was insistent that it was the ‘right’ age for me to start covering up, a narrative common for many Muslim Women.My uncle...
Inspire The Mind •

Dastarkhwan: What Eating on the Ground Means for Community and Kinship

In all our homes, we all have dining tables to serve our everyday needs, but if you know South Asians, we often have more than the selected number of people who can sit at the table. So, what do we do? A Dastarkhān, or dastarkhwān is the name used to refer to a dining spread on the ground, on top of gorgeous tablecloths, laid out with many different dishes. Found across Asia, this concept allows for many people to sit comfortably; ideal for when the gathering is large and space is limited. Durin...
Vogue India •

My wellness journey ended with disordered eating

The past year was marked by newness. Pilates, swimming, running. Experiments with a no-dairy month, a no sugar month, no white refined carbs and a daunting fixation on digits: a new calorie counter, daily weigh-ins, step counts, active energy, hours logged working out. I convinced everyone around me, and myself, that this was my immersion into wellness.These months were also shaped by another fixation. A tiramisu obsession that lasted two months, replaced by bun maska, followed by a seductive ma...
Going Places by Malaysia Airlines •

A perfect weekend in Krabi - Going Places by Malaysia Airlines

Krabi, a coastal province in southern Thailand, is a place where you can feel at one with nature – think sparkling beaches, turquoise waters and lush mangrove forests.
Its history is embedded in caves and folklore. Legend has it that when Krabi was founded, two swords were discovered and presented to the governor. The swords were later placed in a cave, crossed over one another – an image that became the town’s emblem and inspired the name “Krabi”, which means “sword” in Thai.
 Discover the magi...
Condé Nast Traveller India •

The best places to shop in Lucknow

A renowned heritage fashion designer from Lucknow with Nawabi roots, Asma Hussain has been working in the industry for more than three decades. Using chikankari, zari zardozi and mukaish on conventional and unconventional pieces, accompanied by state-of-the-art tailoring, House of Asma Hussain carries forward the legacy of Nawabi fashion. Ghararas, farshi ghararas, angarkhas, vintage or modern, there is nothing Awadhi that you won’t find here. The showroom itself is an experience of its own, wit...
Vogue India •

I put shilajit to the test for its skincare claims so you don't have to

While on a trip to Kashmir, my mother picked up shilajit, a mineral rich in fulvic acid and known to increase testosterone and harbour a range of benefits (primarily for men), from bone health to skin elasticity, from the local market. Thus began my journey trying this mystical substance from the Himalayas.All the rage on TikTok and Instagram, it has been a cornerstone remedy in Ayurveda for thousands of years. “Take it in the size of a single cumin seed everyday,” was the recommendation from lo...
Vogue Arabia •

How Gut Health Shapes Women’s Hormones, Fertility, and Reproductive Health

Over the past few decades, the healthcare industry has been rife with changes. From new diets to Ozempic, nothing has been left untouched. Superfoods became a part of our diet, sometimes at the cost of traditional food. Gut health has finally entered the chat. From studies on preventing amnesia to decreasing the chances of anxiety or depression, gut health is now scientifically supported to enable better brain functions.“Gut health is more than just digestion, it is the control centre for hormon...
Condé Nast Traveller India •

Eight years photographing the Bara Imambara, in 10 stunning images

The most defining silhouette on the city’s skyline, Lucknow’s Bara Imambara is a beloved city landmark. Its history roots itself in the generosity of Nawab Asaf-Ud Daula. A monument, unlike any other, was constructed not to demarcate the period or its glory, but rather to provide employment to the famine stricken population of Awadh in the 1780s. For locals, the monument is a symbol: of hope, legacy and tenacity. One photographer’s deep and enduring love for the monument led him to photograph th...
Condé Nast Traveller India •

The best food in Lucknow for the winter, as picked by the city’s top foodies

“There is nothing in winter that comes close to nimona. As a child, it was a very interesting dish. As I was growing up I realised the hard work that goes into making this and how the sweet peas become a really spicy soup. It was almost magical. It is also a dish I made for top chefs and for many other gourmands across the country. Everyone who I have made tastes of it, loves it. While it is mostly famous as a home cooked meal, Oudhiyana at the Taj Mahal hotel makes it really well. Even I cannot...
Condé Nast Traveller India •

12 places to visit in Lucknow that are not tourist traps

My home, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh popularly known as the city of Nawabs, is a charming city that is often overlooked on the tourist circuit even though it is only three hours away from the Taj Mahal and a few hours away from Delhi. A city with a culture defined by its leisurely attitude, Mughlai cuisine, chikankari work, and literature, Lucknow is a sufi poet's dream. In the heart of Lucknow lies Hazratganj and from here, if we were to take a walk to Rumi Gate, we would be eclipsed...
Business Insider •

Hearing stories of her past travels and going on trips with my grandmother taught me how to enjoy life by appreciating the smaller moments

It is 2008, and I am sitting in my grandmother's room, at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge within the Taita Hills Wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. It is a gorgeous place to stay, the villas appear almost rocket-shaped, standing high off the ground to prevent any wildlife from getting inside the rooms. All around there is lush greenery. Outside her window, many animals, including elephants, deer, and giraffes pass by. It felt like we were witnessing a miracle, but I felt there was more she should be seeing...
Architectural Digest India •

A new book uncovers the queer legacy hidden in Lucknow’s Nawabi architecture

Sonal Mithal, an architect who works on the conservation of heritage sites, and Arul Paul, an architect and educator, created this project because they understood that the architectural history of Nawabi Lucknow has always been understated, despite its magnificence — largely because it refused to be moulded into anything conventional. Architecture such as Awadh’s, which can make the ‘normative’ feel uncomfortable, is one that relies on subverting power structures and destabilising conventional m...
Business Insider •

My dad prioritized experiences over possessions. I'm grateful for the international trips he took us on.

When I was 10, I remember preparing for the most exciting adventure of my life — so far. My family and I were going on a cruise from Mumbai to Lakshadweep Island. I could hardly stand the anticipation.

My father, in those days, was still an up-and-coming businessman, and paying for our travels didn't come easy. But he always made sure to prioritize travel. To me, it seemed that we took the nicest flights, stayed in beautiful hotels, and had the best time on the cruise and on the trip.

From the...
Vogue Arabia •

World Friendship Day: Why Does Friendship and Connection Matter For Women?

“For women, the need and desire to nurture each other is not pathological but redemptive, and it is within that knowledge that our real power I rediscovered. It is this real connection which is so feared by a patriarchal world," says Audre Lorde, author of The Master’s Tool Will Never Dismantle The Master’s HouseWomen are the crucial force of nature that run this world. And the friendships they build, in turn, becomes their significant support system. But have we ever wondered why, sometimes, pa...
Vogue India •

The death of my younger sister made me a terrible friend. I spent years trying to change

I remember my younger sister being able to pronounce only the first two syllables of my name, dancing with me to Bollywood songs and sleeping between my parents while I slept on the side bed. She was safe and three-year-old me was a good elder sister, happy to give her my place. I remember her saying her first word, smiling her toothy grin and being an assertive baby.I also remember—all too well—the hospital visits and my heart hurting. My two-year-old sister in a hospital bed throwing away all...
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