AREL Sahota, 11
About AREL
Through this photography project, Arel discovered something about his mother. What is the discovery that prompted him to exclaim, “it’s like seeing your lost cat after 5 years!”?
Featured Caregiver:
Mother, Sheetal Rani
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Dish of Choice:
Keema (minced meat), matter paneer (peas and cottage cheese curry), chol (rice), lacca paratha (whole wheat flatbread), mango lassi
Have a listen to Arel's reflection in this journey of documenting his mother cooking a scrumptious meal or read on in the transcript below.
Shiyun: I have a question. How did you decide on what to cook for this project?
Arel: We were just like watching this Netflix show and then it suddenly came on the screen and my mum was like “hey! Maybe we should make this and it is very simple to make and it doesn’t take that long.”Even though it was a 4-hour, it was like a 4-hour thing! (laughs)
Shiyun: I think you are one of the rare families who decided to (Arel laughs)... cook a full course! And it took 4 hours. During the workshop, you were talking about the chapati and that you really wanted to have that, because it was something that your mum used to make.
Arel: But then she stopped because I wouldn’t eat it. I would just like waste it and that’s something I kinda regret. Because back then I was a very picky eater.
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Shiyun: Picky eater?
Arel: Yeah, I didn’t really finish food. I really didn’t like eating home-cooked (food) back then.
Shiyun: What did you eat?
Arel: I was stubborn, and I didn’t... and now I regret 'cause like now I have to take vitamins because of my diet when I was a kid. And I don’t like that.
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Shiyun: How… how bad was the diet when you were a kid? (laughs)
Arel: All I ate was just chocolate and chips. I don’t like it (the vitamins), it’s so disgusting.
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Shiyun: You used to eat only chocolate and chips?
Arel: And my parents would be shouting at me all day. I was like “I don’t care”.
Shiyun: So in the last four years right… That’s when you started eating like a proper human being?
Arel: Yes.
Shiyun: Ah okay… congratulations.
Arel: Thank you. (laughs) I should be on TLC right now! (laughs)
Shiyun: If you were to describe your mom, how would you describe her?
Arel: Strict, lovely, erm…what do I call a mum who sets goals for you? Like "if you pass your PSLE I will get you this phone’?"
Shiyun: ... mum?
Arel: Yeah, mum. (laughs)
Shiyun: So she sets out tasks and goals for you.
Arel: Yeah. And if I don’t get them correct, I don’t get anything.
Shiyun: You shared with me once that you were very happy with this project, because this is the time you saw your mum talking and smiling a lot.
Arel: Yes. Because it has been like a very long time since we got together, and normally like my mum, she gets lonely sometimes and like I’m at school, my sister’s at school, and we’re all (busy). Sometimes she’s working and then like there is no one to really like be there for her when she needs it. But now I’m kinda happy that my stepfather is here, because he is there to be with her. He is there to like spend time with her, you know? And I really enjoy that.
Shiyun: Is there any new discovery you have made through this project?
Arel: Ermm my mum can be nice, as in, as in… she’s not always strict?
Shiyun: Is that a new discovery?
Arel: Yes, it’s like when you see an animal that is... it’s like seeing when you find your lost cat after like 5 years…
Shiyun: So you do have memories of her being so jovial and happy?
Arel: Yes.
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Shiyun: 5 years ago?
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Arel: I don’t know. When you grow up, it’s suddenly like... you just feel like your parents just hate you.
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Shiyun: (laughs) I guess it’s all in the interactions?
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Arel: It’s 'cause like when I was young, everyone used to be like “awww so adorable, so cute, what a fat boy!” (laughs)
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Shiyun: When did you feel that phase came? When you said you just feel like your parents hate you kinda thing?
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Arel: I don’t know, everyday I would get scolded, and I will realise I will always do something wrong
Shiyun: So in this project, you felt that you were a lot free-er?
Arel: Yes! Because I was happy to see my mum like not strict as always. She was happy to let me help. Because normally when I ask her if she needs help, she says “no” but I wouldn’t listen cause I have nothing better to do at home, so I will go and just help and then my mum would be like “I just said no! Why are you here? Just go back please, I work faster alone!” (laughs)
