Author: natasha devalia
Author Poetry and Art books: ‘Tears and Grape Seeds’ 2025, ‘one touch of the rope’, 2024 and ‘Unseen Veins’, 2023
Zambian of South Asian descent, living in Thailand.
I write poetry, perform, and I’m currently an MFA (painting) student. The themes of my art whether expressed through movement, poetry, painting or as interdisciplinary forms include identity, belonging, mental health and family life.
The Lebanese Road
On “The Art of Choosing”: A Talk by Sheena Iyengar
Also posted at Multicultural Mothering here. ------------------ Sheena Iyengar, a professor of business in the Management Division at Columbia Business School, has studied choice for the last 2 decades. She is of bicultural background- her parents Sikhs from Delhi, her education American – both with very different views on individual choice. In her TEDtalk on … Continue reading On “The Art of Choosing”: A Talk by Sheena Iyengar
Yogaholic
It was when Maher and I lived in Lebanon that I started to attend yoga classes on a regular basis. It went from 1 session a week, to 3, then 5, and eventually up to 7 or 8. I started at the Sivananda Centre, two doors down from my flat in Gemmayze. It was interesting, … Continue reading Yogaholic
What Dat Mum?
“What Dat Mum?” At lunch: “What’s that Leila?” I repeat. “It’s a mushroom.” Outside our apartment, near the elevators: “That? It’s a tiny, scrunched up piece of paper that we can throw in the dustbin Rahul.” After a bath: “That’s a hairbrush. But those? I don’t know Leila, umm…they’re a part of the hair brush … Continue reading What Dat Mum?
Two Articles at Multicultural Mothering
An excerpt of "Two Articles on Bilingualism" follows: Catch the rest of the post, and many more interesting ones by other of my mum friends at Multicultural Mothering - our shared blog. http://multiculturalmothering.com --------------- We flew from Beirut to Abu Dhabi (“adi badi” as Rahul calls it) on Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates carrier, … Continue reading Two Articles at Multicultural Mothering
Blowing in the Wind
A week ago at the Koh Samui Airport; the four of us are rushing to our plane in an open air buggy. Leila pushes me. She shouts, “WOW! Mum. Look't Leila hair,” as she runs her fingers through her hair. “Yes! Your hair is blowing in the wind.” “Rawul awso,” she says, pointing at her … Continue reading Blowing in the Wind
Winter Wonderland with a bit of Salsa : A Guest Post by Paty Melendez
(As part of the series: A Monday Morning Guest Post in Multicultural Mothering) Patricia: I was born in the Dominican Republic to a Dominican mom and Peruvian dad. I left DR when I was six years old and grew up in many countries around the world, mainly in Latin America but also in Africa and … Continue reading Winter Wonderland with a bit of Salsa : A Guest Post by Paty Melendez
Father Who? Oh! You Mean Papa Noel.
I used to get two presents from my parents on the 25th of December, one for Christmas, and one for my birthday. I don’t remember if I was bothered that my brothers, in fact, that MANY people get presents on MY birthday. I don’t remember if I ever thought that Santa Claus was real. I … Continue reading Father Who? Oh! You Mean Papa Noel.
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
My friend’s wife, Maria, was on bed-rest for the last few months of her twin pregnancy. They live in Cyprus. I’ve been checking in with them on Skype, every other Thursday. It gets down to numbers – be it weeks, days, weight, length, or contractions. ------ “30 weeks. Woooo hooooo!” “So far so good! Maria … Continue reading NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Natasha Devalia 