Banana Tree Payasam
Jovina Z.
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This poetry collection explores the interplay of cultural heritage, environmental fragility, and intergenerational bonds through the lens of Tamil traditions. In ”Banana Tree Payasam,” the grandmother’s gentle labor and the child’s innocent curiosity illuminate the fragile connections between cultural pride and environmental grief. ”Beheaded Solar Shadow” draws inspiration from the grandeur of the Brihadeeswarar temple in Tamil Nadu, evoking the resilience of women amidst the shadows of history. Finally, ”Sipping Blue Mountains” pays homage to the tea pickers of the Nilgiris, reflecting the enduring spirit of their trade while subtly acknowledging its colonial roots. Through these poems, the collection offers a testament to the dualities of existence, affirming how heritage can persist even in a world intent on cultural erasure.
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For me, creativity is how I braid the voices of my ancestors into my own, how I weave remnants of history into meaningful stories to nourish the earth and relationships. Creativity is the sunlight glinting on a Tamil temple column naturally at an angle that makes solar shadows disappear.
