Melissa Fernandes created a gorgeously photographed, unexpectedly moving short film on the “problematic” use of the word curry—and why she disagrees:

So rather than seeing curry as an erasure of culture, I see it as the thread that connects me to my roots. It gives me the freedom to choose for myself and carve my own path.

For her, curry is “a symbol of connection.”

I went in expecting the history lesson: that it’s derived from the Tamil word kari; that it’s a catch-all term for a stunningly broad array of dishes, spices, and flavors; and that it’s a byproduct of British colonialism. I wasn’t expecting the personal aspect. Curry is a fundamental part of my Trinidadian culture (which she and I share—her family hails from Trinidad, Goa, Tanzania, and Guyana), and it was a delight to see Fernandes embrace curry—both the word and the food—to connect with each of her cultures.

As a bonus, the two curry chicken recipes featured in the film are also available. Her Trinidadian “Grandma’s Curry Chicken” is, unsurprisingly, very similar to one I sometimes make, while her Nana’s Chicken Curry is a delectable blend of African and South Asian/South Indian flavors.