Gloriosas and Basketball : Aswen Plays Ball!

I was very honoured to be asked to illustrate “Aswen Plays Ball!” by the talented, humble and wonderful Sharanja Devasundar. This marks her first picture book and is a loving, gentle tribute to her beloved cousin Aswen Chandraraj.

I’ve actually known Sharanja since high school; we were in the same grade and shared classes together - but never had we imagined that one day we would team up to make a book together! Not only did I have full trust in her abilities as a writer and storyteller, but I knew she would put her whole heart into the project and work with me to the end to make it happen.

Aswen Plays Ball! is a story about practice, learning perseverance and not giving up on your dreams. It is also a story about a close-knit, loving Tamil-Canadian family and the wisdom and love they share and nurture in the next generation. Appachi, the matriarch of the family, grows gloriosa, the flame lily, or Karthigaipoo in her garden, not just a beautiful flower that requires love, but a treasured symbol for Tamils all around the world. Her advice to young Aswen, is that dreams and goals, like flowers, need care and attention to grow.

Anna, his older brother, already loves basketball and excels at it - with his guidance and help, Aswen begins to blossom and improve at the sport he loves. With the love and support of his family, Aswen learns that he can do anything.

Sharanja’s direction while we worked on this project was invaluable - I had never heard of the gloriosa flower or chippi before reading her manuscript. Aswen’s family was involved in every step of the way, too - suggesting that a special portrait be visible in the background as well as a traditional Tamil brass lamp called a  Kuthuvilakku be included. I was so touched to see the response to this spread; many Tamil readers saw their own homes reflected. I think it’s important as an illustrator to remember that representation goes further than just including diverse bodies - it means so much to young readers to see their world reflected back at them too.

I am continuely blown away and overwhelmed by the positive, kind response to the illustrations and am so proud of Sharanja for creating such a wonderful story. Meeting Aswen’s family and friends at the book launch is an experience I will remember always.

I am so grateful that I was allowed to be a part of something so special and I humbly thank everyone who has supported this wonderful book.

Aswen Plays Ball! is available on Amazon and all proceeds will be donated to charity.