The View

The Pimplés - by Raj S. Rangarajan 

College sweethearts — Sonal and Vilas met in 1967 at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, India, a venerated art school. Sonal specialized in textile designing while Vilas became a sculptor taking after his dad Vasant, also a J.J. alumnus. Later Vilas taught sculpture, ceramics and pottery for eight years at the same school. 

Tower West residents (Apt 23B) since 2008, the Pimplés landed in New York in 1984 and have lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Battery Park earlier. They have two daughters Anuja and Anar, and seven months ago, Anuja became a mother to charming Priya. 

Sonal is also a yoga instructor and meditation practitioner. She ran her own textile art studio in Manhattan from 1999 to 2011, which she converted into a yoga studio that had its run from 2011 till 2016. Sonal teaches classic hatha yoga that reportedly dates back to the 2nd century BCE. Her style embraces a pleasing blend of dynamic breathing with profound emphasis on concentration. 

“Conscious, concentrated breathing helps calm one’s mind and nerves”, emphasizes Sonal. She talks of the concept of “trataka” or yogic purification where the practitioner gazes at a candle flame in the dark, while breathing naturally. While practicing, “focus, and resist the urge to blink or close one’s eyes”, recommends Sonal.

 

Sonal specializes in plant-based vegan cooking and her dining table is always adorned with gourmet delicacies. While relishing his wife’s cooking, Vilas has also been busy painting and sculpting. (See his creations here.) With a passionate interest in creating organic forms and abstractions, Vilas says, “Real life has been my inspiration”. His love for nature shows intimately in his paintings that touchingly emphasize textures, colors and forms. 

In 2012, Vilas participated in an art group show in Manhattan and in 2008, he held a solo exhibition of sculptures and another of digital prints on canvas in Mumbai, India. Good luck, Sonal and Vilas, from TW!