MUSCAT : Fehmida Zakeer’s visit to Oman may have been spurred by its picturesque landscapes, from the enchanting sand dunes and pristine beaches to the majestic mountain ranges; however, her trip here goes beyond mere sightseeing, as she is keen to explore its rich history and the culinary ties it shares with her home country.

She recalls that it was during the time of translating ‘The Dreams of a Mappila Girl’ that she realised the book documented food practises of times gone, which, in a way, kindled her interest in culinary narratives and cultural connections between India and other countries. While she hopes to travel around the region to glean more information on these connections, plans are on to write a set of fictional stories around cultural connections between India and Oman and other Gulf countries.

An independent writer, Fehmida, who is currently handling essays and translation submissions at The Bangalore Review, boasts an impressive list of bylines in publications such as The Hindu, Al Jazeera, Reader’s Digest, Himal Southasian, National Geographic and Whetstone Magazine among others. Additionally, her literary prowess extends to the realm of fiction, with contributions finding space in The Indian Quarterly, Out of Print Magazine, Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, Asian Cha, and various other publications.

Her anthologies such as ‘Pangea: An Anthology of Stories from Around the World’ (Thames River Press, UK), ‘Ripples: Short Stories by Indian Women Writers’ (APK Publishers, India), ‘Happy Birthday to Me’ (Dahlia Publishing, UK) and others showcase her narrative prowess – while one of her stories clinched the top spot in the Himal South-Asian short story competition in 2013, another was chosen for the READ Singapore anthology by the National Library Board of Singapore. 

Her translation work of the memoir ‘The Dreams of a Mapilla Girl’ is special, in particular, as it was shortlisted for the Valley of Words Literary Prize in 2023. The book, she explains, book unfolds the coming-of-age story of the author, a young Muslim girl navigating the societal norms of the 1950s in a South Indian village. 

“The Dreams of a Mappila Girl gives readers a glimpse of the interior lives of women in a close knit community in northern Kerala. Set at a time when the country had just gained independence, the author’s rich descriptions of the confident though small journeys made by the women, allow readers to get a glimpse of how the women expanded their boundaries and forged connections with the outer world,” she states, pointing out that the book paints a vivid picture of the author’ dreams, struggles, and contributions to a society in transition.

It captures the essence of the time, documenting not only personal journeys but also the culinary practices of the era, which also inspired Fehmida to reflect on the evolution of food practices, noting how they adapt to changing circumstances while retaining their essential features.

During the course of her visit in Oman, she hopes to learn more about local culinary practices and experience its rich cultural heritage.