When I was a little girl, amidst the joys of school holidays and the scent of fresh jasmine flowers, I cherished a secret love: my collection of stickers and stationery. Pages upon pages of shimmering stars, cartoon characters, and fluorescent shapes filled my sticker books. But amid all the glitter and gloss, something was missing—there was no reflection of my Tamil heritage.
Aval, in Tamil, translates to 'her.' It represents every little girl or boy who has looked for a piece of their identity among mainstream offerings and come back empty-handed. It's for every child who wishes to see their culture, traditions, and stories represented beautifully and proudly.
Fast forward to today, and my love for stationery hasn't waned a bit. But now, it's accompanied by a deeper purpose. Every element of Aval, from the intricate jewellery illustrations to the traditional attire and even the product names, is thoughtfully curated. Each name echoes the legacy of powerful and beautiful Tamil women who paved the way before us.
Aval is not just a sticker or a tote bag; it's a piece of my heart, my childhood, and my Tamil heritage. It's an attempt to fill that void I felt as a child, to ensure that the next generation doesn't feel that absence.
Why Aval? Because every time someone uses an Aval sticker or writes in an Aval notebook, they're not just using stationery; they're celebrating a culture, telling a story, and most importantly, they're saying, 'I see you, and you matter.'
Join me in this beautiful journey of rediscovery and representation. Let's celebrate our uniqueness, share our stories, and find joy in the simple pleasures of life. Because every culture, every tradition, and every individual deserves to be seen and celebrated.