Tam Brahm Life: Leaves on the Family Tree

Translation for non-Tam Brahms:

"Tam Brahm" = Tamil Brahmin

"Mylapore" = Suburb in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

"Reception line" = wedding guests standing in line to congratulate the bride and groom

"Theriyalai?" = What? Don't you know me?

"Periappa" = Father's older brother

"Ammanji" = silly goose/dork -- BUT it also means "mother's brother's son"



Anyone who thinks I am exaggerating the complexity of relationships and their names in Tamil culture should read this post in which the writer refers to "the wife of my mom's mother's brother's son" and this comic from TamBrahm Rage (this blog has been the inspiration for my Tam Brahm comics!)

Coconut Chutney: A Tale of Blood and Strife

This is a recipe for coconut chutney that I made for They Draw and Cook. I enjoyed learning to use online tools for making a comic.

Grated coconut is now available--thank God-- in the frozen section of Indian grocery stores. You don't have to play the Rock, Hammer, Blender game I mention in the comic.

The Apple Pachadi: Not Just "How" but "Why"

Tam Brahm Life: Teenager Thiruvilaiyaadal

Translation for non-Tam Brahms:


"Saar" = Sir (the orthodox way of addressing an adult Tam Brahm male)

"Thiruvilaiyaadal" = a famous Tam Brahm movie classic; it contains a scene with a Q-A session between a priest and the God Shiva, in which the god provides spot-on (though sarcastic) answers to the priest's questions on life, the world, people, etc.

"Pirivadhu yenna?" = What are two things that are always in opposition?

"Piriyaadhadhu yenna?" = What are two things are always together?"

Curry Up

Tam Brahm Life: Milestones

Translation for non-Tam Brahms:

"Tam Brahm" = Tamil Brahmin

"kutti/paapa/kunju" = endearments: baby

"kapi" = coffee

"pavadai" = long ankle-length skirt

"dhavani" = an abbreviated saree

"pudavai" = Tamil word for saree

"akka" = Sister

"maami" = Auntie 

Tam Brahm Life: "Recycling, Tam-Brahm Style"

Translation for non-Tam-Brahms:

"kanna" =  an endearment, like "Sweetie"
"Chitti" = aunt (mother's younger sister)
"Atthai" = aunt (father's sister)

The situation I have described is exaggerated--but not that far from the truth. As a child, I had to make do with "used textbooks" --I can hear you thinking "So what? Students do that all the time!" But it wasn't just textbooks; I had to spend a few days erasing older material in my notebooks from the previous year, so that I could use it again for my current classes! Yes, the money situation was that bad.

On the plus side, I got so sick of writing stuff down and then erasing it, that I began to memorize things. I built a great store of poems, quotations, facts, theories, ideas etc in my head this way-- even today, I have the memory of an elephant.