Anjali's Story

My parents were both born in the South of India in a city that was then called Madras (now known as Chennai). Their parents were friends and introduced my mum and dad to each other when they were in their mid-twenties. It was not an arranged marriage, per-se, but I suppose semi-arranged by both sets of my grandparents. My dad tried to court my mum over a few months to no avail, until he finally wore her down and she agreed to go out with him on a date. They dated briefly during the 80's and then got married in Madras, before moving to Australia soon after, where my dad's sister lived. They lived in Adelaide for a few years and then moved to Sydney to start a family.

After 35 years of living in Australia, my dad's job was transferred to New York four years ago. My sister and I stayed behind in Sydney to finish university. Over a year after graduation I moved to New York to join them.

Growing up in Australia, my sister and I loved visiting and feeding the Kangaroos.

Growing up in Australia, my sister and I loved visiting and feeding the Kangaroos.

Praying in traditional South Indian clothes at my sister's baby naming, known as the Thottil ceremony, which is for Tamil Brahmins.

Praying in traditional South Indian clothes at my sister's baby naming, known as the Thottil ceremony, which is for Tamil Brahmins.

My dad and I riding yaks at the top of a mountain in Shimla, one of the Northern-most parts of India, by the Himalayan foothills.

My dad and I riding yaks at the top of a mountain in Shimla, one of the Northern-most parts of India, by the Himalayan foothills.