The Gloss Box's Totally Beautiful Girl: SUPHALA!

Several years ago, I started hearing the collective rumblings of an Indian-American girl who was infiltrating the male-dominated pantheon of the Indian percussionist world. Suphala (pronounced SOO-fah-la) has been masterfully playing her tablas, the distinctive sounding hand drums which lend Eastern melodies and rhythms their particular pace alongside some of the most recognizable names in music since she put out Instru Mental in 2000, her first of 3 albums. In 2005, Suphala made history when she became the first female to perform publicly in a post-Taliban Afghanistan. GUTS!

This past July, I was lucky enough to (through happenstance, as it were) turn up at her house to drop off some joo-ree for a photo shoot. Here's the kicker: Suphala happens to be about the prettiest tabla player you can ever imagine. Her photos barely do justice to capture what can only be described and the most tamed wild beauty. And to top it all off? She's as nice as pumpkin pie (which is the best type of pie. mmmmmm).

She is not only extremely talented, fun and a great musician who, according to the St. Petersburg Times, plays the tabla like Bruce Lee, "... with fast hands and a furious beauty"-- but she was nice enough to agree to be The Gloss Box's Totally Beautiful Girl as someone who is out there breaking barriers, never handicapped by the daunting weight and title of being the most famous female tabla player in the world (seriously, she is known everywhere-- from Moscow to Minnesota where she's from).

Suphala's personal look is all about her signature hair-- which is long and curly-- and has a quality to it that matches her petite frame. Her features -- from eyes to lips-- seem as if they were drawn to perfection (but all without makeup, just genetic gifts). The lashes are unreal. She keeps her makeup simple, fresh, and doesn't need to much to go from genuine natural beauty to glamorous Tabla Goddess.

The Gloss Box asked her a couple of questions about what it was like to be Suphala and here's what she shares with us.

You go on vacation and you realize you forgot your makeup kit. What is the first thing you run out and buy. What is the brand you would search for?

Make Up Forever's mascara and lipstick.

Oooh- I have been hearing so many good things about Make Up Forever-- Try out the Lacquered Transparent Lipstick in Mandarin for a super natural look and wear.

What was your first beauty purchase.

Hair product which i no longer use-- Both G and I have sisters with curly hair. We know how challenging this can be! Check out G's sister post on Suave Herbal Mousse for curly-haired ladies.

Tell us more about your music, how you got started, your gurus, your influences etc. What drove you to start in this field. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a non traditional field?

I love music, and tabla became the instrument I zoned in on. I was fortunate to find and be accepted by two of the greatest masters of this instrument, Ustad Allarakha and his son, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Their guidance and inspiration is unparallel, and with this, I became hooked. The advice that I would give is that if you know you love something, you must pursue it without doubt, and with determination. There is something we are all good at, and if we are fortunate to know what that is, nothing should be allowed to get in the way. We need all types of art and people in this world.

Is there any old at-home beauty remedy that you do?

About once a week, I put Brahmi - Amla oil in my hair for about 20 minutes before washing it. Brahmi is good for the brian/ memory and Amla is rich in vitamins and minerals. Putting nutritious oil in the hair is an age-old regimen for Indian women, who are known for their hair around the world.

The Gloss Box loves Global Goddesses Coconut Amla oil. Check out the review here.

What woman inspires you and/or who has inspired you in terms of your style and your beauty routine.

A combination of confidence, intelligence, strength, softness, and femininity are traits which I think make a woman beautiful, and when combined with humility and the ability to show love to all kinds of people - these are traits which make every human inspiring and beautiful.

Suphala is going to be performing to promote her new songs that are out. She'll be with her trio at Le Poisson Rouge on November 9th with doors opening at 10, performance at 1030. I've been to her performances, and they're awesome-- very cool! 

Le Poisson Rouge

158 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10012

$15 at the door

Kisses and Hugs!

S & G