Sri Lanka - Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot
Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot, a podcast hosted by Dee Gibson, the British Sri Lankan designer and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House on the South Coast. This podcast is raw and real with guests from authors and explorers to designers and wellness gurus, all exploring the contemporary identity of Sri Lankans through rich conversations on creativity, culture and activism.
A rich mix of controversial views, humour, serious reflections and a little dash of the naughty side of this gorgeous island. Join Dee and her guests as they uncover stories and perspectives not typically found in travel guides, showcasing a dynamic society reclaiming its narrative on a global stage.
Sri Lanka - Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot
Diaspora Diaries : Zaynab Zubair on Identity, Culture, Creativity and Finding Serendipity
In this episode host Dee Gibson welcomes British Sri Lankan writer Zaynab Zubair. Dee and Zaynab explore a myriad of topics surrounding Sri Lankan identities and the diaspora experience and Zaynab reads an excerpt from her upcoming book 'Finding Serendipity,' which delves into themes of migration, identity, and the cultural interplay between Sri Lanka and Britain.
They reflect on the historical influence of colonialism, the complexities of religious identities, and how cultural upbringing shapes personal narratives. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in capturing the nuanced experiences of the Sri Lankan diaspora.
The conversation also highlights the importance of communities like Hera project X in supporting creative Sri Lankan women globally.
Summary
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:08 Meet Zaynab Zubair: A Sri Lankan-British Writer
02:39 Reading from 'Finding Serendipity'
08:42 Zaynab Personal Journey
14:31 Exploring Identity and Culture
20:04 The Role of Religion in Sri Lankan Life
32:28 Blending Cultures: Zaynab Family Life
36:27 The Hera Project and Community
39:33 What's Next for Zaynab?
LINKS
Short Stories
Coromandel: A boyhood of love - Short Story (Frescoes Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/hv4TYvC
Vesak in Dilmun: A short story https://amzn.eu/d/0NJZKqw
Finding Serendipity Instagram for release updates!
https://www.instagram.com/finding_serendipity.lk?igsh=MXV3a2Fpc2lrYXZnbw==
Follow Zaynab
Baobab.lk instagram
https://www.instagram.com/baobab.lk/profilecard/?igsh=dmgzd2J3aG40aHBr
Dee Gibson is the award winning designer and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, www.kalukandahouse.com ~ Conde Nast Best Places to Visit in Asia 2024 & HIP Hotels Best Hotels 2025. You can follow on
instagram @deegibson2017 or @kalukandahouse
This podcast lifts the veil on what, and more importantly WHO this island is with conversations about all the things you never read about in the travel pages. Dee showcases a fascinating modern society reclaiming their identity and taking ownership of their narratives on the global stage. No subject is taboo so expect guests talking about everything from activism through art and yoga, why sari was modified by British colonisers, a performance on love and lust to episodes on forgotten heroines being narrated back into our history books and much more.