The Goddess Gets Dressed

These poems are inspired by memories from childhood: First growing up in the Indian American community in Los Angeles and then in the small town of Ramona, CA, where I moved with my mother and two sisters. These two varied geographies also map onto the dual consciousness of being a mixed race person- the early childhood steeped in Indian tradition, followed by a move to a rural community with no experience of Indian culture and the accompanying push to blend in. Thus, I've set the poems with an ear toward musical duality: they are largely based on Hindustani and Carnatic ragas and talas, including Madhuvanti, Durga, and Pantuvarali. This provides a starting point for the songs to develop using structures and harmonies from the European classical tradition.