Shweta Vijaya is a jack-of-all-trades. After debuting in a Malayalam film early this year, this singer-model-actor and former beauty queen, is now scouting for interesting roles in Bollywood

Missing Kerela's monsoon charm

Shweta Vijaya is a jack-of-all-trades. After debuting in a Malayalam film early this year, this singer-model-actor and former beauty queen, is now scouting for interesting roles in Bollywood. The dusky babe has lent her voice to films like Acid Factory, Dus Kahaniya, Summer 2007, Aa Dekhe Zara and so on. A Kerela girl at heart, Shweta tells CS about the monsoons in God's own country:

WHO: Shweta Vijaya
WHAT: Talking about the rains in Kerela
WHERE: At her home

Malabar magic
I'm a Kerela girl and I miss the rains there, which are just spectacular. It is breathtaking to say the least. There's greenery all over -- lush paddy fields, innumerable coconut trees, and wet, but long clean roads. Unlike in Mumbai, where there's sludge all over and you can't even think of walking on the streets unless it's necessary, in Kerela you can take leisurely walks when the rains take a breather.

Yummy indulgences
I miss being there so much that every year in the monsoons I make it a point to visit my family in Kerela for at least a week. And once I'm there, I busy myself with the process of getting de-stressed. I go for ayurvedic massages often and sit by the window with a cup of masala chai and pakodas. My favourite food during monsoons is actually a famous Keralite dish - Meen Moilee. It is basically a prawn/fish curry that's rich in coconut gravy eaten piping hot with steamed rice. Even in Mumbai, I prefer eating deep-fried home-cooked snacks than going out and eating.

Soul stirring
During monsoons, I love sitting at home listening to music or getting friends over for endless chats. When I look at the rains, I feel one with the world. It brings out the romance in me and I end up listening to K K's songs. His voice is so soul stirring; there's something about it that goes really well with the rains. Another favourite is Barso Re Megha song from Guru. It has been shot so superbly and Aishwarya looks like she's enjoying herself thoroughly in the rains. I too feel like jumping up and dancing with her as the skies open up. But instead in Mumbai, I placate myself by going to dance classes with my friends. That's our idea to have fun in the rains with a good hip-hop or Bollywood number.