EDITOR’S NOTE

When I think about what it means for The Rumpus to be a home for “stories that build bridges, tear down walls, and speak to power,” I think of Kristen Sahaana Surya’s “Gauri Kalyanam.” Surya weaves a tale that feels timeless and timely, foreign and familiar, artful and effortless all at once. From its first sentence—“Her heartbeat is a history folded into a vessel.”—“Gauri Kalyanam” engages readers with its beautiful language and exquisite storytelling. Rather than moralizing or preaching, Surya utilizes craft and story to impart important, universal truths about gender inequality and patriarchy.

Kristen Sahaana Surya’s poetic voice sings on the page, and I’m thrilled this artful, wise story will be celebrated as a PEN America/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize winner. I have no doubt that Surya is an emerging talent to be reckoned with, and we’re proud to have given her first published piece a home at The Rumpus.

Marisa Siegel, Editor in Chief

The Rumpus