This presentation will present some initial insights of the author, Ponni Arasu’s juxtaposition of her own family goddess and ancestor Sinnandappayi in the Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India and Mother Kali as she is worshipped among the Madrasis who are of Tamil descent in Trinidad. Having done ethnography  in the oldest existing temple for the goddess in Trinidad, with a female spiritual head and in her own family temple with her relatives, she will explore the theme of ‘belonging’, ‘connection’ and ‘resistance’ through the lives of herself, Tanty - the Trinidadian temple-head and both their relationships to the divine feminine. Connected by the ancient language of Tamil (in existence since 3rd C BC) and the widespread practice of the worship of Mariamman or simply Amman among oppressed caste Tamils (at least from 6th C AD) the presentation will propose ideas around what Ponni calls the textures of resistance made possible by faith practice among the marginalised. Her methodology and analysis will be grounded as much in the historical thinking as it is in embodied spiritual practice. She will propose a kaleidoscope of possibilities to see the space for vibrant grounding in one’s roots that allows for growth rather than constriction and the profound truth of those considered ‘deviant’ finding ‘home’ in ancient faith practices that move and flow with time and space rather than remain constricted in the dictums of dominant norms. While acknowledging that these practices too can become dominant norms themselves, she will observe the ways by which tanty and those who surround her, as well as Ponni herself have found ways to keep their faith open, vibrant and expansive. 

The presentation will also include a brief trailer of a in-progress film being made by Nicola Cross, Trinidadian feminist film maker, on Ponni Arasu’s ethnographic work that brings together herself and the temple with all those in it -human and otherwise- in Trinidad.