Conversation

‘I am a thani malayali penkutti’

“It was my dream to come to India. I wanted to understand the culture, live it and dive into it.”

Published

10 years ago

November 28, 2014

FWDmedia

Photos: Suneesh Suresh

“It was my dream to come to India. I wanted to understand the culture, live it and dive into it.”

Miriam Rahul Raj sounded extremely Indian over the phone. Not that she shouldn’t, but then when you are told to meet composer Rahul Raj’s German wife, you tend to make some assumptions. Miriam walks out in a flowing skirt, a stitched blouse with her forehead marked in a bindi and earrings dangling from her ears. I watch as Miriam haggles with the fish lady in perfect Malayalam to buy fresh ‘karimeen’. Rahul remarks that she makes a mean ‘meen’ curry.

We sit down in Rahul’s studio where he has composed music for Ritu, Chota Mumbai, Time etc. This is Miriam’s first interview, and her two-year-old daughter Akshainie stands close to her in a pretty pink. Her open mindedness and an attitude to take things as they come have made her ease into the nuances of daily life here since she came in 2005. Rahul and Miriam live with Rahul’s parents who consider her their own daughter. When Rahul teases her about not being a fan of his music, Miriam replies in typical Malayali fashion “Onnu illa. Onnu po.” Ready with a smile and an encouraging remark for Akshainie every few minutes, Miriam tells us about life in Kerala.

What was your childhood like?

My parents are devotees of Matha Amrithanandamayi and at the same time they used to visit the church. My father instilled a lot of Indian values in me. I grew up being fascinated by India and its culture. I used to wear a bindi and a saree to school though I didn’t know how to drape one. People have called me an Indian freak; maybe I was an Indian in my past life. My parents never tried to force their beliefs on me, and I was given the option to choose my religion.

What drew you to India?

Maybe it is because the climate in Germany is so cold, I felt people were very uptight. While growing up, I was fed up with everyone and their materialistic attitudes. There would be complaints if a bus was a minute late or something was not perfect. Here we take things more or less in stride. Most importantly, here I can explore my spirituality. Now I have come to realize that both cultures have its positives and negatives. I am able to balance both in myself and be at peace.

How did you meet Rahul?

I was part of Amma’s ashram in Kollam. I approached Amma one day and told her that I wanted to get married. I wanted her to choose my partner. Rahul and I had common friends, and we were introduced. The rest is history like they say and with Amma’s blessing we got married.What were some of the things that surprised you?

I stayed in a hostel while pursuing Computer Science in Kollam. I could not understand the rules and regulations. You had to sign in and sign out at a particular time. You could not talk to boys. In Germany, I had a lot of freedom and independence though my father did not allow me to go to parties. By the time, you are eighteen you are expected to make your own decisions. Then I moved into the Ashram were there was a lot of discipline and structure to my day

By then I thought I had everything figured out. As a student, you are still like a tourist in Kerala. I didn’t know how it was like to live in a family. My in laws have been extremely gracious. Initially, I couldn’t figure out what people expected from me which is something I don’t have to worry about back in Germany. Hospitality is different too. Here you have to ask each guest what they would like to have and when sitting down for a meal, you are spoiled by people who keep serving you even though you say you have had enough.

What would you change here?

Everything is a bit too unstructured in our cities. We say that the city is developing, and all you see is a mess. Maybe it’s the German in me, but I have an eye for detail. We talk about international standard buildings, etc. and I see cracks and unfinished surfaces. Also, I wish people approached medicine a bit more responsibly. I find doctors are followed blindly, and you take medicines when you don’t need them.

How much of a Malayali are you?

(Miriam laughs). I have always been known to be late, I guess that counts. On a serious note, I think I know too much about the culture to feel like an outsider anymore. I love ‘pulisserry’ and ‘thoran’. Rahul says I’m a ‘thani Malayali penkutti’. (Rahul remarks that she is quite the whiz in the kitchen and makes the best dosas he has had).

What about Akshainie?

Children have such an amazing capacity to absorb languages at this age. I am teaching her German. So now she will have a mother tongue, father tongue and a family tongue. (Miriam laughs). We visit Germany once a year though my father would like to make that thrice a year. My parents and brothers also come to Kerala often. I want Akshainie to have the best of both worlds.

Related Topics:culture fwd germany india interview kerala malayali matha amritanandamayi Miriam Rahul Raj singing

Up Next

Past Forward

Don't Miss

James Joseph’s Jackfruit 365

Comments

Conversation

Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

Conversation

Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

Art

8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.