About — Rishan Sathasivam

I grew up in Nuwara Eliya, a hill town in Sri Lanka and went to school there.

Inspired by books about children who went looking for things, I started a club with my school friends, the Discoverers’ Club. We studied small creatures and kept notes on each. I wrote little plays and gave everyone a part. I directed them, found props and got us permission to rehearse after school. We entered competitions and won a few.

When I was older, I left to study at Cambridge. One evening on a bus, I saw a mother and her two little children. They were arguing about something with only their silence. It was the loudest and most beautiful conversation I have ever seen.

Years later, I went home for the final rites of my father’s sister, in a small line house. After the ceremony, we were given lunch. I ate with everyone. The food was plain. I finished it to the last grain of rice. So did they. My hands knew to do this. My father had taught me. Someone had taught him. I will too.

Ever onwards to love.