Silvena Toncheva

After a long time I interviewed a person for my blog. And she is Silvena Toncheva, one of my great friends from beautiful Bulgaria. She is truly a great photographer and a wonderful woman. You can find Silvena's more works here http://sisey.wordpress.com/

So Silvena, Please Introduce Yourself To My Esteemed Readers

Well, in all my life I have tried various different activities, each of which I started with eager and passion. In my heart I am striving to perfection and this is sometimes quite hard. But somehow you can find that actually the real things are on the road - I mean you can enjoy them just because, sometimes may be even imperfection can be valuable in its own way - making you better, making you wanting

How Photography Is Close To Your Heart ?

Oh, that’s almost indescribable. I have always been interested in people, their emotions, inner universe. I try to represent an instant of their true character in my photos and also to give life to some exciting ideas. I started painting as a child, but never took lessons, so I paint somehow in naive style, I write sometimes – this helps me for my psychological balance, but the moment I discovered photography I knew it would be The Big Something.

I Have Observed You Always Love To Shoot People. Why ?

Hm, I sort of answered this question with the previous one.

Apart From Photography, What Do You Do ?

Well, I love to do various things, sometimes at the same time, if possible I paint – oil or water color, I write poetry – I have a self edited book “Black verses”, I am blogging some personal thoughts which are apparently read by friends or colleagues or just some amazing people I meet at The Net. I read all sorts of books, mostly modern prose, classics, psychology, some modern novels like Kundera, semiotics…. Cats. I love traveling, although I not always have the financial and time opportunity to fulfill this passion of mine. And of course I party with my friends – they mean so much to me.

Are You Obsessed With Fashion ?

Not really or not at all. But I find fashion interesting, especially top fashion, because mostly vogue is all about art – there are so many ideas from literature, paintings, imagination….I love it. And some models are stunningly beautiful. I dream to make fashion photography as well… maybe some day.

One Place That You Always Love To Visit Over And Over ?

Mostly I have such places in my mind. But actually maybe it is my grandma and grandpa village – it is really small, but it feels like out of the world. I always imagine I am in a fairytale when I am there. It is called Medovo, but in my language it sounds like “Bee-village”. It is so because people there do a lot bee-keeping.

What Is Your Dream ?

I don’t know really…. I often dream of various things related to my life or photography, some visions of my future…. But I want people around me to be happy and maybe the biggest dream I ever had was related with my cousin being well, she is amazing kid and deserves so much happiness… I often pray for her.

Beer Or Wine ?

Wine, I don’t drink beer.

Interested In Cinema And Music ?

Yep, every art is moving me. Even the one I totally don’t understand, but I can feel. Most of my friends are movie-holics and I enjoy their “sickness” with them. I recently found out that I love opera as well. Music also plays an important role in the formation of my character, I started with hard music – metal, hard core, gothic, grunge and similar and now I am listening to much more musical styles. I find very close to my heart the songs of Tanita Tikaram, Cranberries, Placebo, Vangelis. I like Korn and Rammstein too.

Who Inspired You In Your Life?

My mum for painting mermaids. My teachers in Literature – I think I got terribly lucky because each of them had an unique and influential personality that just naturally provoked my interest in books. And of course, my closest friends who have always been around me and helped me to believe more in myself.

Money Or Fame ? Which Comes First ?

Depends on what you aim at. After all, there is a good fame and bad fame.

Do Your Friends Really Help You When you need them?

Yes. They are my salvation. But one shouldn’t put all the burden on others. If one doesn’t want help and doesn’t want to be saved no one can help him.

Tell Me, Who Is Close To Your Heart ?

Soulmates, not just one person.

Are You Generous To Others ?

Depends on the others.

Let’s Finish This Interview With A Joke: "What’s The Only Thing That You Cannot Find In A Woman’s Bag? What Order.

So, now, seriously ( although that this to some extent applies to myself) Since my school days I always carry with me a diary and a pen, so if some interesting thought occurs to me, some feeling or something I see on my way, I can write it down. I usually take my “three things never to forget” – keys, wallet with documents and mobile (hmm, this one sometimes I forget, hahah). Sometimes I carry a notebook, a book I am reading at the moment, textbook. Among my stuff in the bag you can find also lipstick, one small glass ball that a merchant from the shop called “Cat and cat” gave me as a gift, photos of my boyfriend, my mum, dad and brother, the number 22 which was my place in the queue for international passport, a small icon of St. Mary which a begging girl sold me.

I Am On Cloud Nine

I was interviewed by Devang Vibhakar for his popular site speakbindas.com. Read the interview and kindly let me know your reaction. This was my first interview of my life.

Face To Face

After Biswarup, I wanted to grill Priyanka Khot, my friend and colleague. She speaks a lot. A lot means a lot. God knows where she gets so much energy. Quite talented and interesting person. Here she goes...

So how can you describe yourself though I know it is quite difficult?

I am a thin woman trapped in a fat woman’s body. :-)
I like to believe that I am simple enough to approach but complex enough to maintain interest.

Shoes or earrings?

Earrings in shape of shoes. I have a few.

Tell us something about your love affair with coffee?

It is steamy… ;-)

If I am right you are quite passionate about novels. Why?

Novels take me away to places I have so far not been and help me form a bond with people I am sure I would love to have in my life in some way. They are an escape from the real life. For me novels are an addiction without the bad effects of vices.

Do you appreciate others’ works?

I have over the years developed a keen sense of art – be it photography, writing, painting, music or dance. I know when I see something nice and never ever stop short of praising anything that has an impact on me. I have appreciated a lot of your work Deepak. You can vouch for this trait of mine.

Do you compromise with your life?

No. I don’t believe in compromises. I just believe in living life to the fullest.

Who inspired you in your life?

I have a lot of inspirations. My teachers always told me, learn what to do and even what not to do from everyone you meet. I try to remember their words. So I try finding inspiration in everyone I meet. My mother has inspired me the most with the way she has lived her life and brought up my brother and me after my father’s death.

I know you are crazy about Shahrukh? Why so?

He gives me hope that if I work hard enough things will work out. For more on why Shahrukh Khan is my God, you can go to my blog. http://priyankas-point.blogspot.com/ (Self promotion at any given opportunity is a bloggers’ best trait.)

How much do you love your boyfriend?

I don’t have a boyfriend as of now. The hunt is on. :-)

Money or fame. Which comes first ?

Work comes first. Money, fame and accolades follow.

Despite being a modern girl, you are not addicted to fashion. Explain please.

I love buying clothes, bags, shoes ad accessories for myself but I am not obsessed and don’t go overboard. I believe these things can help form the first impression. But that is it. Beyond that, your words, intentions, actions, behaviour and attitude are all that matter. And modernity has got nothing to do with fashion. Thoughts and mindset should be modern, attire can be traditional if one is comfortable in that.

Being a responsible citizen, do you contribute to our society in any form?

I try to do my bit. That said I believe any good you do with your right hand, your left should not come to know. So I would like to keep this part of life under wraps.

Do your friends really help you when you need them?

Yes. My friends are my life support. They help me when I need help and even when I think I don’t.


Do you like to date Barack Obama if given a chance?

No. I think he too old for me. Plus, it is against my principles to date Nobel laureates.

Nobody knows your dream. Reveal it here

My dreams are too scandalous to be revealed on a family blog like yours. Hahahahaha. On a serious note, I guess I tend to move to a new dream when one is realised.

Are you mischievous?

Yes. You know that. I always have a glint of mischief in my eyes.

I don’t know your passion and obsession. Share it with us.

My passion is writing. Obsession is a negative term, I try to stay away from negativity.

Do you lose your temper often?

Yes. I am short tempered and I will admit I absolve myself of the guilt very soon.

Your life revolves around?

Family, Friends, Films, Books and Music.

Any advice for me?

Keep clicking more and more beautiful photos and smile more often.

Biswarup Unplugged

Meet My Friend and colleague Biswarup Roy Choudhury – Speaks a little, thinks a lot. I wanted to grill him because he loves to be grilled. Biswarup, perhaps one of the biggest football fans I have ever seen in my life. He also writes about his favourite club Arsenal (www.arsenalnewstoday.com). Here he goes...


Who exactly is Biswarup Roy Choudhury ?

A normal, uncomplicated person.

Are you a maniac or an intellectual?

Well, I’m not reckless, I’m not irresponsible. I may be a little impulsive sometimes, but I’m definitely not a pseudo intellectual. Given just these two options, I would say I’m more maniac than an intellectual.

Robert De Niro or Al Pacino?

That’s a very tough question. Both of them are great actors. But for his sheer diversity of roles, I would say Robert De Niro.

Megan Fox or Monica Belluci?

Monica Belluci.

Please tell us something about your love affair with booze?

My love affair with booze started when I was in college. Actually, I first saw her once or twice when I was in High School (Class XI). Then we lost touch for a year or two. After college we started meeting more regularly. These days it is an off and on relationship. Whenever we meet, we enjoy each others company.

Why you are so passionate about Arsenal?

I have to use a cliché here. ‘Poetry in motion.’ That is what Arsenal display when they play football. I first started watching Arsenal after World Cup 1998 when I found out that Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Dennis Bergkamp played in the same team. I liked the way they played their football. It was not the typical hoofball. Neither was it the tight defensive Italian football. The short passes, the quick movement off the ball... I was hooked. Football is not only about winning. It's about entertainment. The sheer joy of watching creativity on display. Arsenal have it all and more. We Gooners are lucky to have a stable board and an intelligent manager. I have enjoyed every moment of my association with the club as a fan. The highs of winning the double, going 49 league games unbeaten and the lows of losing the title by point to United and losing the Champions League to Barca. Arsenal are one of the better things in my life.

Where is your soul?

Part of is it in a certain area of New Delhi, the other in North London.

You are addicted to?

They keep changing. These days it is Farmville on Facebook

What makes u happy?

I don't know... It's hard to explain. I guess good relationship with friends and peers, a satisfactory day at work, a good result for the team. And when Tottenham lose.

Fish or Pork?

Although I risk the wrath of fellow Bengalis, I'd say pork.

Why do you read novels?

Time pass. To be honest, I am not too fond of reading novels. I haven’t heard of half of the authors out there. I guess I don’t have the patience.

If you were reborn as a woman, who would you rather be?

I was tempted to say Mother Teresa...but I think I'll choose the other extreme and say Countess Elizabeth Báthory.

Are you happy the way your life is moving on?

I'm not. I can never be satisfied. Call it greed or call it a quest to continuously improve myself, I'd want my life to be better tomorrow than it is today and even better the day after tomorrow. I guess everybody thinks the same way.

What is your passion and what is your obsession?

I’m passionate about football. I love to watch games, discuss them, write about them. Obsession? Don’t have any

You can't live without.....

Television with all available sports channels, internet

Do you want to remain a bachelor?

Don’t let my girlfriend hear that question. The answer is NO

For you, life means?

A series of milestones.

You hate gays. Am I right?

Hate is a strong word. I am not homophobic. I may not agree with the idea of homosexuality, but I don’t hate or dislike people who are homosexuals. That is their life and their choice. I have no problem with that.

People say that you are reticent. Why so?

I am not. I am just misunderstood. Yes, I do take time to open up to people. But once you know me, you'll realise that I'm not that bad.

Am I valuable to you?

Yes, our friendship is valuable to me.