Dying for a Cuppa with Taru Devani

Some people really do seem to carry light with them, and Taru Devani is one of those people.

Taru is an actor and singer whose career has spanned theatre, television and film. UK listeners may recognise her from EastEnders, alongside many other screen roles, and she has also recorded devotional and Bollywood music.

I first met Taru through CARE, the extraordinary production at London’s Young Vic that I had the privilege of supporting and consulting on. Taru played Aditi, a woman approaching the end of her life, and in this episode we talk about what it meant to step into that character, the impact the role had on her personally, and the conversations the play opened up around ageing, care, death, dying and what really matters.

But our conversation goes far beyond the stage.

Taru shares stories from her own remarkable life — from her upbringing in Uganda and her time in Nairobi, to making a life in the UK and building a career as a performer.

We talk about her Hindu heritage, spirituality and beliefs around death and dying, and the ways culture and faith have shaped her understanding of both life and death.

Taru also speaks movingly about love, grief and the death of her husband just a few years ago, sharing some of what her own experience of bereavement has taught her.

She is inspiring, warm and absolutely full of light. There are so many beautiful messages of hope throughout this conversation.

It was an honour to meet Taru through CARE, a joy to have stayed in touch, and I’m incredibly grateful that she chose to share a little more of her life and her story with me on Dying for a Cuppa®.

And if, after listening, you’d like to get to know Taru a little more, you can also find her on YouTube, where she shares more of her music, life and work.

Grab a cuppa and join us for a beautiful conversation about culture, faith, grief, theatre, love, life — and, of course, death.

https://www.youtube.com/@TarusWorld

Huge thanks to Match and Dispatch - Outstanding celebrant training for supporting this episode

⁠https://matchanddispatch.com/⁠

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