Lakshmi Iyer's Blog, page 59
March 19, 2017
The Mothers By Brit Bennett – Stunning Prose, Nuanced Storytelling
I picked The Mothers by Brit Bennett when it scrolled past me in my library’s newly added digital titles collection. Late one night, I started the book after the kids were in bed and stayed up until past 1:00 AM to finish it. I sat back in my chair letting the feelings wash over me … Continue reading The Mothers By Brit Bennett – Stunning Prose, Nuanced Storytelling →
March 18, 2017
Birthday Musings
Ammu nuzzles my cheek with her nose, throws her arms around my neck, kisses me and flits off to do whatever it is she is occupied with at the moment. Today she is working on a school project. There are sticky notes all over the place. She painstakingly colors the first American flag and sketches … Continue reading Birthday Musings →
March 15, 2017
Shattered Mirrors And Onions
For years, this scene from a Tamil movie has been stuck in my head, an early precursor of what families are like. Noisy, complicated and messy. The imagery of a shattered mirror to depict fractured relationships has stuck in my mind rising to the fore each time a relationship falls apart from the weight of expectations … Continue reading Shattered Mirrors And Onions →
March 14, 2017
Letters To My Daughters: On Religion, Faith, Culture and Rituals
Dear Ammu, Pattu and Laddu, Today is Karadaiyan nonbu, a festival dedicated to a woman in Hindu mythology for defying death and saving her husband’s life. As a mother and wife, I probably view this tale differently. Growing up though, all I remember are the yummy adais that my Amma would make and the thin … Continue reading Letters To My Daughters: On Religion, Faith, Culture and Rituals →
March 11, 2017
On Motherhood and Curated Lives
I woke up to outrage on social media yesterday over the remarks of a minor celeb in India following Women’s Day. My first thought was why amplify one voice over millions of saner ones. I let it be and moved on to other flaming issues. Then again this morning was a slightly smaller, more intimate … Continue reading On Motherhood and Curated Lives →
March 8, 2017
Womanhood – Then, Now and Later
“Have you watched this movie…” Amma trailed off trying to remember the name of the movie that was playing on screen back in Chennai. We fell into a discussion on social mores then and now and the position of women in families and in society. As the conversation veered to Women’s Day, I asked if … Continue reading Womanhood – Then, Now and Later →
March 6, 2017
Real Feelings. Real Pain.
A couple of days back a friend retweeted this raw, gripping, poignant piece on pregnancy and followed it up with a question asking me what I thought of it. I promptly read, shared and replied that I felt it was powerful. What followed was a sharing of experiences on pregnancy. A few could relate to … Continue reading Real Feelings. Real Pain. →
March 2, 2017
On Changes Big And Small
I open the door to Laddu’s class and hear a piercing wail from a boy standing next to his teacher. I freeze and then laugh as I figure out what is happening. ‘I don’t want to go to the other class!” he sobs while his teacher holds him. She is rubbing his back while … Continue reading On Changes Big And Small →
February 28, 2017
Present And Past
I absently look at the white board calendar in the mudroom as I pick jackets for the kids from the cedar chest. Pattu is wiping the last of the month with her fingers and dabbing at her sleeve when she thinks I am not looking. I smile and urge her to change into school clothes. … Continue reading Present And Past →
February 22, 2017
The Soundtrack To My Life
I sway uninhibited to Ed Sheeran’s Shape of you as the twins wave bye and leave the house, their linked hands and matching pink boots making me emotional. Laddu is on the high chair drinking milk out of a straw grooving to the song herself. The rest of the morning is a blur as the … Continue reading The Soundtrack To My Life →
