Joy of small things

Exploring the childhood memories that delve into the nuances of family, faith, and tradition. Set against the backdrop of temples and rituals, it unravels the profound impact of seemingly small moments on individual lives and identities.

A homage to Arundhati Roy’s seminal debut novel The God of Small Things based in Kerala, India. The novel explores how small, seemingly insignificant things shape people’s behavior and their lives. I was born in Calicut, Kerala into a working-class family. A young woman trying to define myself within multiple versions of India and the complexities of small-town life. The idea of the family, religion, and caste are deeply rooted in the subcontinent, what may be insignificant can play defining roles in an individual life.

I am on a journey to revisit the memories of my family’s visits to temples during my upbringing in South India. I am delving into my past, immersing myself in the recollections of these temples. As I accompany my mother, retracing the steps she once took me through as a child. There are multiple versions of each of us. I am the young girl waiting. As I catch sight of the flowers adorning that girl's hair, they remind me of my mother in another existence. I was hoping to establish a connection with my mother. Our relationship has not always been close, but I am keenly aware of her unwavering faith in god. For her, these rituals are not merely acts of devotion; they hold the essence of her very being. Witnessing her amidst the palm trees and beaches embracing the opportunity for leisurely walks during our breaks, I observed a side of her that transcends the ordinary. Together, we created harmonies with old Malayalam songs, resonating with the essence of the surroundings. As I witnessed her transformation in this external space, I pondered the significance of being away from the familiarity of home.

The unwavering faith people bestow upon the divine is an indescribable phenomenon. My mother represents just one of countless individuals who share this deep-rooted belief. Witnessing people tying bangles onto trees, with the hope of a prosperous marriage, or their faces instantly lighting up as a parrot reveals their fortunes, I was captivated by the transformative power of such rituals and beliefs. The version of myself I encounter amidst the daily routine of city life is distinct from the one that emerges within this space. Here, I become an integral part of the space, and the community, and a participant in the collective beliefs that bind us all together.