I always believed that when you walk into a room full of people, how you are seen is just the first impression, but how you speak is the impact.
When people talk about communication, it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Your confidence is reflected in your voice. Belief, conviction, and gravitas—all of it translates into how your message is received.
As an anchor, I’ve had the privilege of hosting more than 1,400 shows across 18 countries and being the voice for over 800 brands. But anchoring has never just been about talking. I realized early on that I was being paid not only to speak but also to listen. Listening to my audience gave my words depth and helped me speak with greater confidence.
The art of self-expression made its way into my life, firstly through the Kuchipudi dance, where every movement told a story. With the mudras and the abhinayas, I explored the importance of using the voice to emote my thoughts and feelings. Cut to 2014, when I co-founded Kalaneca – House of Handloom – with my twin sister Ramya R Chavalii, where we started voicing our love for Indian weaves and heritage while draping and styling a saree to celebrate six yards of freedom. But the most consistent and the most impactful way I’ve expressed myself and my voice was on the mic and on the stage to emote to my audience. So this year, we launched Stage to Success to work with leaders to make them peak performers.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that quiet confidence is one of the most attractive traits today. Confidence doesn’t have to be loud, but it must never be silent. If you want something, ask for it. If you want to grow in life, claim it—and claim it with confidence. And yes, Confidence is always under construction, just like many of the roads in India, but we still choose to walk, so why shouldn’t we walk the talk?
At this point, let me also interject that style, to me, is also closely tied to confidence. Yes, I love a good red lipstick to amp up my tired face on a busy day, but my real accessory—the one that makes me feel stylish every single day—is my voice. Confidence is my true armour, one that helps me wake up better, dress up better, and most importantly, show up better.
Over the years, I’ve built small but powerful rituals before going live or stepping on stage, and these rituals have amplified my confidence in myself:
1. I keep my body and skin hydrated by sipping water throughout the day.
2 .I practice self-talk because communication with others begins with communication with oneself. I rehearse in front of the mirror and talk to myself often.
3. I prep my skin with a good hydrating serum and always choose high-quality makeup
4. I wear the right fragrance—whether I’m heading to the gym or to a live show—because fragrance uplifts my mood and energy instantly.
If there’s one lesson I’ve embraced wholeheartedly, it’s this: beauty is about perception, not perfection and beauty is projection, again not perfection. On some days, I may choose to project one side of myself, and on others, something entirely different. But at the heart of it all, when I sound confident to myself, I look confident to the world. And when I sound confident to the world, I ignite confidence in others.
My voice is not just my tool of expression—it is my legacy, my strength, and my most timeless accessory.
Aparna’s notes: I’ve always believed that beauty without confidence is nothing. ✨
So when we invited Kavea—an anchor who can hold the attention of 10,000+ people and share the stage with the biggest names—you can imagine why I wanted her take on what really makes someone beautiful. Her answer was clear: confidence is the foundation. And that’s exactly what she’ll unpack in a special 3-part series we’re sharing here.
In the first chapter, Kavea takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to be a successful anchor. Is confidence written into your DNA? Or is it something you can learn, build, and grow over time? She’s promised to share insider tips—things you won’t find in books, and maybe not even in therapy. Think of it as a roadmap to becoming the most confident, yet compassionate, voice in the room.
This one’s close to my heart, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. 🌿
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