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On writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri Lanka

A Life Less Ordinary

Release Date: 08/03/2020

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A Life Less Ordinary

Fern Chua is the award-winning founder of , a Malaysian sustainable and high-end fashion label rediscovering the elegance of the ancient Asian fabric art form, Batik.   Fern and I chatted earlier this year on the unexpected path that led her to Batik, the challenges building and growing her team of artisans from the ground up, and pushing the boundaries of the UNESCO listed heritage.   Check out FERN’s incredible looks at or follow on Instagram.

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On writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri Lanka show art On writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri Lanka

A Life Less Ordinary

is a writer from London, born to Sri Lankan parents. For the last decade, she’s called Colombo home. Her book, '', is a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about the relationship between a Sri Lankan mother and her British-born daughter, both trying to live within a complex mix of cultures, customs and environment. The stories light-heartedly remind us that we’re more than our place of birth and that immigration isn’t a bad thing. Show host  and Tovenaar spoke about her career at the BBC, how she learned from crushing rejection, why diversity is one of humanity’s...

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T.P. Tovenaar is a writer from London, born to Sri Lankan parents. For the last decade, she’s called Colombo home.

Her book, 'Mum’s the Word', is a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about the relationship between a Sri Lankan mother and her British-born daughter, both trying to live within a complex mix of cultures, customs and environment. The stories light-heartedly remind us that we’re more than our place of birth and that immigration isn’t a bad thing.

Show host Udhara and Tovenaar spoke about her career at the BBC, how she learned from crushing rejection, why diversity is one of humanity’s greatest strengths, and how her book makes you appreciate the joys of family.