Photo credit: Zoya Lobo
The usually rebellious Roseâs disposition visibly shifted as we entered Kajal guruâs one-room Mumbai home. Kajal guru and her 70-odd chelas, or disciples, live separately, visiting every now and then.
Rose sat on the floor until her guru hoisted her up.
This dance â to instinctively make oneself smaller in the presence of family elders â is an Indian idiosyncrasy that has been coded into womenâs genes. The customs might seem different, but the urgency with which 26-year-old Rose and her 50-year-old guruâs conversations leapt from neighbours to the news was unmistakably like that of mother and daughter.