I am Kali, the Black Goddess

Dr Roopali identifies with the dark goddess, Kali, detailing how she severed off many heads of her oppressors – a Diwali exclusive, the day she is worshipped, for Different Truths.

Kali is the Black Goddess.
Among all the fair ones                                                                                            
she is like me, the dark one,
fierce and angry,
with a blood-stained tongue
and the fifty-two monster heads strung
around her neck,
like the red-ruby necklace mother gifted me
when I turned eighteen.
 
Kali’s many hands hold a trident
a sharp khadga, the blood swathed
head of Daruka and a conch to call to

war and victory.
Like me, Kali is the chosen one.
I severed those heads one by one.
They were heads that didn’t want
mine to grow.
Heads full of diktats to dwarf me
they drew chalk circles around me
to contain me and forbid me to taste
the apple of knowledge.
They made me wear iron-shods and
a chastity belt wrapping me
like an Egyptian mummy
in black satin, and I could not feel
the touch or warmth
of the morning sun,
those heads gave me a rolling pin
and snatched away my pen!
 
Kali is the Potential and
the Possibility of Destruction,
of Creation, Death, and Time,
which is Kaal.
She stands for justice and equality,
naked and satiated
attired in black tresses,
a prostrate Shiva under her anklet-clad feet.
 
I am Kali, the indestructible woman
I am not black
I am just on the other side of the moon.
I come in many colours and
live in many places.
You can find me
In all the spaces and
you can hear my diverse voices.
I am naked, and I am not satiated
Yes! I am hungry and
I am angry.

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths