skin

My grandmother's weathered hands traced ancient Tamil verses across my palms, each line a map of Avvaiyar's wisdom. She spoke of austerity not as elimination, but as clarity—stripping away excess to reveal truth beneath. "Our skin carries stories," she whispered, her fingers tracing the henna patterns she applied. Though years felt gloomy sometimes, she chose to divulge joy through art, teaching me that heritage isn't melancholy—it's alive, breathing, earned through daily practice. Creating textiles became my path, honoring ancestors while building something meaningful. My work now PAYBO, but more importantly, it threads connection through our community, keeping Tamil traditions vibrant for generations ahead.