Ammi's Saree

As I paint a pattern inspired by Ammi’s saree,

Through the hours of engrossment, I wonder about how,

Every time I begin to write about her,

There's this feeling of impotence which makes me hesitate and stop… 

Her love is something my words are always at a loss to describe

And so I try today (as I thought of why I love her sarees and what it is that she holds that I have never dedicated my words to her).

She is my life, my origin and my home.

It is through her that I learn not to frown 

Through her, I smile and grow stronger.

It is by her touch and warmth that headaches are defeated

And fears are shown their place.

It is through her presence that wars in my head are resolved,

And through her, it is that men are not slapped or cursed at.

By her words of wisdom and messages, days are coloured with fewer greys!

Her food, a balm to the soul.

In her, I see all her gods

And perhaps it is her faith that shields me.

She takes care of my passions more than I do:

Reminds me of my commitment to the environment, 

Points at nature for me to admire, capture or paint,

Takes care of my dogs, birds and squirrels (makes them her favourites, over Akka and me)

So I can be her little pup with fewer responsibilities (...as she thinks that my travel to college is to conquer the world, and that I have saved her from relocating to Begumpet)

She is our matriarch! 

Leading the family with all the gentleness into the right paths and directions.

Her anger- the most constructive (yes, she can knock some great sense into my head)

Nani, Akka and I get our feminism from her!

Her kindness is like that of the Kanakadhara,

Through her small gestures, she lights up the days of many.
Thanks to her, I live and smile in less angry ways…

When I owe my existence to her 

How will my words ever do justice to what she is to me?

Yours lovingly,
In gratitude and a loss of words…
Bavishya

(Written on 27 April 2026)

(my attempts at acrylic)