Before I could gather the strength to use the idli maker my mother had given me after I moved out, I found myself making idli in a narrative cooking video game called Venba. It was a surreal experience to see the fluffy steamed rice cakes at the end of the level, even though Venba’s idli maker was different from the one I was familiar with.
Venba, the main character of the game, is an immigrant from India who, along with her husband Paavalan, moves to Canada in the 1980s. The game explores their struggles and challenges as they try to adapt to their new home without forsaking their traditions and cultural ties. They work hard to make a living in a place that undervalues their heritage but promises a bright future. At the same time, they strive to find a balance between their old values and the new ones they encounter in their son Kavin, who is a first-generation Canadian.
Playing Venba made me reflect on my own experiences as an immigrant from India. The game’s narrative took me back to my early days in the United States, when I was just five years old. I vividly remember the sights of the beach and amusement park rides, but what left a lasting impression on me were the banana leaves adorned with a variety of dishes, from dal to different types of rice. It was a sensory and cultural feast that I recall as one of my final memories before leaving my home country. Knowing that Venba is also from Chennai, where these memories were made, made me even more engrossed in her immigrant story.
Many aspects of Venba’s life resonate with mine. From her love for gold bangles to Paavalan’s struggle to balance work and writing, to the challenges they face in passing on their cultural heritage to Kavin and the financial difficulties they encounter, it all feels familiar. I especially related to the scenes in which Venba and Paavalan try to introduce Kavin to their regional cuisine, eager to give him a taste of his own heritage. However, I found it intriguing that Kavin rejects their attempts, as it is different from my own desire to connect with my culture through food. This contrast highlights the diversity in the experiences and dynamics within immigrant families.
Related Post
The game Venba jumps through different years, introducing new conflicts and tensions among Venba, Paavalan, and Kavin. Rather than disrupting the growing complexities of their family dynamics, these time jumps emphasize the ongoing struggle to reconcile the different generational perspectives within an immigrant family. They also serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and how far I have come in my own journey as an immigrant.
In one particular level of the game, set in the year 2006, Venba prepares biryani, a traditional Indian dish. The developers have stated that the style of biryani in the game is inspired by the famous Hyderabad biryani, which happens to be the style of biryani from my hometown. My mother’s biryani is a constant and a source of comfort for me. It always receives high praise for tasting just like home. So, it felt only fitting to have my mother play this level with me. It was a delightful experience, even though the in-game recipe differed from hers. She eagerly instructed me to fry the onions before I had a chance to explain the mechanics of the game, and she was impatiently eager to taste the virtual biryani when Kavin, Venba, and Paavalan sat down to eat it. In this moment, I noticed a subtle generational difference as Paavalan ate with his fingers while Kavin used a spoon.
Playing Venba not only allowed me to immerse myself in an interactive story of immigration, but it also sparked memories and emotions that connected me to my own experiences. It reminded me of the challenges, the joys, and the complexities of being an immigrant. It also highlighted the rich tapestry of immigrant experiences, showcasing the diverse paths and choices that individual families make. Ultimately, it served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving one’s cultural heritage while embracing the opportunities that a new home provides.
