Balli Kaur Jaswal : Making Space For Others
ELLE Singapore|September 2020
Known for underscoring the complexities of identity in her novels, the Singapore author shares more of her thoughts on race, culture and womanhood as well as her personal experiences
Andrea Sim
Balli Kaur Jaswal : Making Space For Others

Over the course of four published novels that include Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows and Sugarbread, Balli Kaur Jaswal has demonstrated the special gift of gently prodding her readers to broaden their understanding of the world and humanity. Born in Singapore but having grown up and lived across various countries such as Russia, Japan, Philippines, Britain and Turkey, it’s no surprise that the subject of identity and what it means to belong has been a constant theme in Jaswal’s life, as well as her stories.

You might see yourself in Nikki Grewal, who perceives a distance between her personal values and those prized by her family, or find comfort in the fact that like Pin, you’re not the only one whose household has a rift in cultural identity. Here, the award-winning author talks about having to figure out where she belongs, why multi-dimensional identities are important and her passion for lesser told narratives.

You lived and grew up in many different countries over the course of your formative years. What was it like for you trying to find a sense of belonging in those places as a young girl?

I think it was quite complicated. If I said I was from Singapore, there was an expectation that you should be kind of a representative of that place. I think most people’s ideas of what Singapore was, was different from what they saw. Up until the time we moved out of Singapore, I didn’t really have any uncertainty about that, you know? I was born here. I grew up here. Obviously, I’m from here. But overseas, classmates and teachers — adults — would tell me, no, you’re not from Singapore because they thought that someone from Singapore would be Chinese and they only associated one ethnicity with Singapore. That, I found really complicated and very confusing.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2020 من ELLE Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2020 من ELLE Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من ELLE SINGAPORE مشاهدة الكل
Awakening After Adversity
ELLE Singapore

Awakening After Adversity

Author and wellness advocate JILL ALPHONSO says the one thing that breast cancer taught her was to prioritise herself-a lesson every young woman must learn.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
Miami Vibes
ELLE Singapore

Miami Vibes

Urban art, dreamy beaches, Latin flavour...find out why these have made MIAMI a sought-after destination.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
The Language Of Flowers
ELLE Singapore

The Language Of Flowers

Young designers are falling for the subversive power of a classic motif.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
The Joy Luck Club
ELLE Singapore

The Joy Luck Club

The duo behind YanYan takes play very seriously. Phyllis Chan and Suzzie Chung share how they are shaking up the world of knitwear while having absolute fun.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Wild West
ELLE Singapore

Wild West

For its latest collection, WEEKEND MAX MARA teams up with American actress Lucy Hale to embrace the season's rustic charm.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Men Of The Hour
ELLE Singapore

Men Of The Hour

Fresh off the success of their drama, 4MINUTES, Thai actors Bible Wichapas Sumettikul and Jespipat Tilapornputt are on the cusp of international stardom.

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Conquer The Day
ELLE Singapore

Conquer The Day

As a versatile everyday watch with panache, LONGINES' new Conquest collection gets the job done very nicely.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Woman On A Mission
ELLE Singapore

Woman On A Mission

Rebecca Lim may have taken a step back from showbiz to settle into her new role as first-time mum, but the actress wants everyone to know that they haven't seen the last of Becks. She talks to ELLE about reconciling motherhood and career.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
The Making Of An Icon
ELLE Singapore

The Making Of An Icon

"SHOUT, SHOUT, LET IT ALL OUT," sings Fann Wong as glittering creations from Buccellati are carefully put on her.

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Million Dollar Woman
ELLE Singapore

Million Dollar Woman

With her dazzling confidence and supermodel aura, GIGI HADID is the embodiment of Rabanne's new Million Gold For Her fragrance.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024