Indian culture, Ayurveda bring this Russian actress to Udupi

Anna Ardova, a veteran Russian comedy actor, who always wanted to get a feel of India, is now undergoing Ayurveda treatment in Karnataka’s Udupi. According to her, India is the land spirituality and is the hidden treasure of all happiness.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday she said that she was undergoing Panchakarma treatment at Goswami Treatment Center at Kaup in the district for rejuvenation and to refresh herself and to regain her youth.

Anna said she will promote India and its unique warmth in Russia upon return."The Indians are slow and work at their own pace unlike Russians who hurry up for all little things," she giggled.

She said she is a cheeful person. "An actor is always stressful. I want to relieve stress. Here, I have undergone Virechana Veerechana, which acts a body intoxicant. I have been practising Yoga for many years," she added.

Anna said she has stayed at Kaup for 12 days. "I am deeply in love with the Indian soil and I never want to go back. But I am compelled to go as I have two children," she said.

She said she likes to play the role of Princess Ekaterina "Kitty" Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya in Russian writer Leo Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina'.

To a query, she said she had grown up watching Indian Hindi films and was a big buff of old Hindi movies. She has watched Sita Aur Gita seven times. She also liked the film Disco Dancer and watched it several times. She also liked films of Raj Kapoor. “The old Hindi films had grace and positivity, which I find lacking in now,” she said.

Asked how she got attracted to ayurveda, she said she heard a lecture on it some years back at the Indian embassy and that had kindled her desire in ayurveda. She has been practising yoga for years. “I make people happy while doing comic roles. But I thought I required some rest. I decided to come to India and take ayurvedic treatment so that I can go back rejuvenated,” she said.

“Coming to India is like a dream come true to me. I like the people and culture here,” Ms. Ardova said.