Wednesday 12-03-2025 - 11:51

Roots & Reflections: A Tapestry of Voices

In January 2025, the Durham People of Colour Association (DPOCA) launched its first Creative Competition: Roots & Reflections, bringing to life a diverse array of works that beautifully explore heritage, resilience, and identity. The artists have crafted pieces that capture the intersections between tradition, personal narrative, and the enduring spirit of those who honour their roots, offering powerful reflections on culture and survival.

One of the standout contributions, The Silent Journey and The Warrior’s Spirit, both by Tilottama Chowdhury, together tell a compelling story of cultural continuity and strength. The Silent Journey depicts a lone cycle rickshaw bathed in the warm afternoon light of Kolkata, symbolising both the fading presence of this traditional mode of transport and the unwavering resilience of the working class. The rickshaw, now largely replaced by modern alternatives, remains a lifeline for many, navigating narrow streets and carrying passengers and goods through the city's maze. This image speaks to the tension between heritage and progress, as well as the perseverance of those who continue to pull these rickshaws forward. In contrast, The Warrior’s Spirit honours the enduring power of traditional dance in West Bengal, where a performer embodies the strength of Goddess Durga through the intricate and vibrant attire of the Chhau dance. Both pieces celebrate resilience in the face of change—whether it’s the quiet endurance of a fading tradition or the powerful continuity of cultural expression through art. Together, they remind us that heritage is not only something to be preserved but also something to be lived and embodied, passed down through generations and never forgotten.

In Museum of Oneself, Tilottama takes us on a deeply introspective journey, exploring identity and memory through the metaphor of a house filled with remnants of the past. Childhood drawings, handwritten notes, and the sensory details of saffron tea evoke a strong sense of personal history, while the shifting nature of memory highlights both individual and collective resilience. This piece eloquently reflects on how identity evolves over time, embracing both change and the preservation of memories that continue to shape who we are.

In a different yet equally poignant reflection of identity, Alexandra Ocansey’s spoken word piece, ingeniously titled Roots to Roots, captures the cultural significance of hair-braiding within the Black community. What may seem like an everyday ritual is, in fact, a deeply rooted tradition built on resilience, community, and identity. Through this spoken word, Alexandra brings to light how an act often seen as a chore is, in fact, a symbol of strength, continuity, and cultural connection, passed down from generation to generation.

Arindam Mehra’s painting captures the symbolism of the peacock, India’s national bird, blending it with the protection of the evil eye motif. The vibrant colours and intricate feathers mirror the connection to Indian traditions, while the talismanic symbolism reflects both protection and resilience. Through this artwork, Mehra beautifully intertwines culture, spirituality, and self-expression, creating a visual reflection of personal heritage that is as powerful as it is elegant.

Nesrina Cali’s written piece Blue of the Beloved is an ode to her home country of Somalia. From a writer born and raised in the United Kingdom, bound by blood to a place only visited a few times, she was confronted with a choice: which facet of it does she try to capture when so much of it remains vast and untouchable to her? She chose to write the blue of it. This piece is not about a recounting of travel, nor is it simply about its landscape. It is about belonging found in colour, and how blue, in all its forms, becomes a tether to home.

Finally, Samara Patel’s personal essay takes us on a journey through generations of immigration, tracing a legacy of sacrifice and adventure from India to Malawi, to America, and eventually to England. Patel reflects on how her family’s heritage lives within her, symbolised by the nose she inherited. This piece, the overall winner of our competition, highlights the ways in which our bodies carry the stories of those who came before us, and how our own identities are shaped by the courage and choices of previous generations.

Each of these works powerfully explores the ways in which culture, heritage, and personal narratives intersect, shaping both individual identity and collective memory. From the quiet endurance of the cycle rickshaw and the graceful strength of traditional dance to the intimate reflections on memory and the personal significance of hair-braiding, these pieces highlight the resilience of communities and individuals in the face of change. Together, they remind us that heritage is not only something that belongs to the past but something that is actively lived, reinterpreted, and passed forward through generations.

We invite you to come to the Student Union to read and view these pieces on display for yourself. This is a unique and wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent and heritage of our beautifully diverse, creative community.

Chloe Uzoukwu, DPOCA Campaigns & Outreach Officer