India, June 28 -- You have witnessed many battles in you. Seen some win. Some lose.

See this skin I pampered. In childhood, generations of grandmothers and grandaunts massaged me with the purest of coconut oils with secret ingredients they concocted with the help of the vaidyans in the land. They came in glass bottles or mud vessels. Deep dark green like the melted hearts of thick forests, where even sunlight is a timourous entrant in the afternoons. Maroon as the blood of mothers menstruating after delivery. Silver as moonbeams dissolved in the semen of frolicking Gods.

All these were rubbed into my body, my hair with such firmness, gentleness and love. Warm water sloshed all over me with songs sung in harmony. There was tender exfolia...