What Inspires Rasika Dugal? Stories, Music, and Alysa Liu
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, April 14 (NationPress) Actress Rasika Dugal has shared insights into her sources of inspiration, which include a diverse mix of literature, music, and podcasts.
She expressed her joy over figure skater Alysa Liu’s remarkable return, which serves as a significant motivator alongside her favorite books, melodies, and engaging discussions.
On her Instagram, Rasika posted a playful photo of herself and wrote: “In search of inspiration… Always looking for something to wiggle the way I’m feeling… Here are some things that have inspired me over the last few months…(Long caption alert)”
She highlighted Liu, who won Gold in figure skating at the Winter Olympics, stating, “Her absolutely joyous and victorious comeback probably tops my list. It’s the best comeback story - so skilled, so joyous, and on her own terms this time!”
The actress elaborated: “Sonia and Sunny and their loneliness resonated with me in Kiran Desai’s beautifully crafted novel. Anyone who grew up in India during the ’90s might feel a poignant connection to it. I find myself dreaming about this book sometimes.”
“And since I’ve played Alysa Liu’s performance countless times… it naturally led me back to MacArthur Park Suite by Donna Summer, which is currently on repeat on my Spotify. I never expected to be vibing to a disco track on my morning walks, especially since Chaa Rahi Kaali Ghata was one of my most-played songs last year!”
During her walks, even when facing poor air quality, she turned to “the thoughtful 3 Things by The Indian Express. It’s a great way to stay updated on the news,” she remarked.
“For a deeper dive, I have my long-standing favorite podcast, The Seen and the Unseen. The episode titled “A Primer on China” with Amit Varma and Manoj Kewalramani had me hitting the rewind button repeatedly. It reveals so much… a fascinating history lesson on China that you won’t find in textbooks. I'm currently in the last 36 minutes of this extensive 4-hour episode.”
Rasika concluded: “If you made it this far… thank you! If any of these resonated with you… yay! If two or more did… let’s connect!”
As for Alysa Liu, she is the 2026 Olympic champion in both women’s singles and the team event, the 2025 World champion, the 2022 World bronze medalist, the 2025–26 Grand Prix Final champion, a two-time Grand Prix medalist, a four-time Challenger Series champion, and a two-time U.S. national champion.