Get to know Shivani

Shivani was many things; a fashion designer, an artist, a poet, a writer … but more than all of that she was a kind, compassionate woman who was full of love and laughter. Born in Delhi in the 80s, she studied apparel design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and after dabbling in some freelance and entrepreneurship, worked as a fashion writer, before switching back to design. She was funny and quirky in her own ways, and loved everything that was colourful. A gifted artist, she wrote and illustrated things that seemed obvious; sunsets, random things in her bag or her favourite season, but with a unique point of view that was so delightful.

In 2015, she was 32 and was diagnosed with breast cancer that had already spread to her lungs. Being diagnosed with a deadly disease, made her go through a journey of self-discovery and loving herself for who she was. She chose art and poetry to express what she was going through. A woman who showed extraordinary grit and grace in the face of a devastating terminal illness, she showed everyone that had the honour of loving her what it means to have a well-lived life with what you are dealt.

I am her life partner and I have no claim to fame, just the fortune of spending a life with an incredible woman. Here are a few glimpses of her life and who she was …

As a kid, Shivani was full of mischief and frankly, her smile betrayed that mischief. She had a keen sense of fashion even at that age

As a kid, Shivani was full of mischief and frankly, her smile betrayed that mischief. She had a keen sense of fashion even at that age

Shivani was famous for her love of stationery. Here she is, in her little corner, probably counting all her color-pens again

Shivani was famous for her love of stationery. Here she is, in her little corner, probably counting all her color-pens again

Shivani loved everything that was colorful. She had a special place in her heart for colorful bangles. Everytime she wore them, she made sure she clicked a photo and documented

Shivani loved everything that was colorful. She had a special place in her heart for colorful bangles. Everytime she wore them, she made sure she clicked a photo and documented

Amelie was her absolute favourite movie. It was her dream to have croissants and coffee at the Amelie Cafe in Paris. She couldn't stop beaming when she did that.

Amelie was her absolute favourite movie. It was her dream to have croissants and coffee at the Amelie Cafe in Paris. She couldn't stop beaming when she did that.

Shivani loved food. If she was angry, it was mostly because she was hungry. And her combinations, were err... weird. Like bun-maska with peanuts or aloo-bhujia with ketchup.

Shivani loved food. If she was angry, it was mostly because she was hungry. And her combinations, were err... weird. Like bun-maska with peanuts or aloo-bhujia with ketchup.

We met in college, fell in love and never looked back. She made me better, in every way a person can be made better.

We met in college, fell in love and never looked back. She made me better, in every way a person can be made better.

Christmas felt magical to her. She would spend days decorating her tree.

Christmas felt magical to her. She would spend days decorating her tree.

She was the ambassador for Pinkathon in 2017. She ran 3k, days after she got the news that her disease had become worse. Giving up, was not in her vocabulary.

She was the ambassador for Pinkathon in 2017. She ran 3k, days after she got the news that her disease had become worse. Giving up, was not in her vocabulary.

She took her sketchbook and pastels wherever she want. She used to say, you never know when I feel like drawing.

She took her sketchbook and pastels wherever she want. She used to say, you never know when I feel like drawing.

Pink was her color. It always lifted her mood up

Pink was her color. It always lifted her mood up

Did I say she was goofy?

Did I say she was goofy?

I have a vivid imagination of what she is doing now, wherever she is. She is furiously scribbling on a blank page using her box of crayons, music from the movie Amelie is playing in the background and when a rainbow appears outside her window, she runs outside with a big grin on her face. For the rest of us, a world without Shivani is a world that is less colourful.

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Adithya