A BENGALI FAMILY IN ROME
Bengalis Took To Travel Long Before It Became Fashionable And A Status Symbol
It is the familiarity of the monkey caps, the muffler on the father’s neck, with an eagle flask hanging on his shoulder we find India in Rome. The mother in the family is wearing an overcoat on her sari, her red and white bangle sticking out of the coat cuff, oiled hair that is braided. Her forehead has the quintessential Indian red bindi with the sindoor in the parting of her hair. The children are holding the parents hands. They too don the monkey caps, mufflers and the difference is the gloves.
The family stand together gobsmacked watching the statue of Pieta in the Vatican City of Rome.
Eyes shining bright, staring into the marvel of Mother Mary’s broken heart. The marble seems to have a heartbeat that is weeping with her dead son Jesus Christ on her lap.
There is group silence and one can hear the couple sigh in sadness.
As soon as they finish marvelling the statue, the parents start explaining to their children about the significance of renaissance and Michelangelo’s art.
Totally fixated in learning more about the world. Also unaware that they are carrying their culture in their attire and simple habits in faraway Vatican City.
They know that once they return, they will be changed forever with a better understanding of the world and with a tinge of the Roman culture in their Indian hearts.
Mohua Chinappa is currently on an entrepreneurial journey as an empath. She strives to give opportunities to people who cross her path and provide a platform for the unheard voices in society to be highlighted, respected and recognised.
Mohua believes that when you have empathy towards others, then it gives you a sense of purpose and direction. When you can see things from another person’s perspective, you can understand how they feel about certain situations or problems they may be experiencing.
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