“I recall my mother’s stories about her beloved childhood cow, Monica, and though she denies naming me after her, I like to imagine a past where I existed as this cow and was able to comfort my mum through her difficult childhood. 

My father tells stories about the cravings my mother had for mangos while she was pregnant with me. 

I imagine my own personal and familial narratives, particularly the convergence of my ancestral roots, which originate from two distant parts of the world. I contemplate my Indian lineage and the representation of cows in Hinduism, drawing parallels to the sacred connection between my mum and her pet cow. I consider reincarnation; the cycle of birth and death, the transience of my body, and the guidance of my ancestors across generations.” – Monica Rani Rudhar