May 30, 2021
May 30, 2021
Fragrant memories of Didi's warmth will always be with me. Such a wonderful and genuine person. I won't be able to pass Worli without thinking of the home and her hospitality that I could be sure of. Almost all the times I visited was either a surprise or at short notice and yet it was always that unfailing warmth and the giving of her affection and time we could take for granted. My earliest memory of Didi is of my first trip to Bombay, maybe I was 9 years old. I was so excited to see the sea. I think I happily wore Didi's rubber chappals n ran off to try to climb down that rocky sea face. It was much sharper than I had thought. I ended up falling, and returned with a lot of cuts, bruises and broken chappals. She was not pleased! And of course I was scolded but she also took care of the cuts between reminding me how chari I was. :)
One thing was always certain, if I went to Bombay and saw one sister a full report would always be given to the other sister and almost instantly. I used to find the sindhi word she used for snacks really funny in a sweet way. If you had spent some time having tea and snacks or 'chair' as she called them...soon Hari didi and she would discuss what all chairs and how many chairs were made and served to the guest. Full details of 'alu ji bhaji pai hui, mu bhaiyye khe chayo teh tikki thhaye vathh!' If you were going from Rani didi's house to khar to see Hari didi, you could be sure that a full report would already have been given before you reached. Not having had a sister I always used to marvel at their closeness. Once around 1988, when I was in Mumbai on an ad film shoot, I was as usual staying at the President hotel. When I reached Rani didi's house she got my Maasi on the phone and both got on to my case that I should not be staying alone. I had no idea that Rani didi knew my Maasi, let alone that she had her phone number and they had been having this full discussion regarding my safety. In those days they were not used to girls travelling and staying by themselves. Of course I didn't listen but it was sweet to see Didi's concern. She was certainly easier to convince than my Maasi. I told her if my mom and husband have no problem you also relax didi. But caring is the way I remember didi and it showed in all her interactions.
I liked that Didi was emotional and cried without trying to hide the tears. There's a memory I have when I had gone to Bombay after Papa's death which was in 2003.
In 2004 I had gone to Bombay on some work. It was very difficult for me to grieve because I was still in shock and in Bangalore there was no one who knew my father, so it felt isolating. For me to meet his siblings was as if I was being reconnected with him in some way. I didn't say any of this to Didi as I didn't want to sadden her. But she must also have been feeling the same way, as seeing me would have been like a reminder of the brother she lost. Just before I got into my cab, Didi caressed my face so gently and her eyes filled up with tears. 'Asul Kartar vangar thhi lageh' . We both cried together. I hope Didi you had a joyful reunion with all your loved family. There would have been so many loving hugs to exchange. May you always be at peace.
One thing was always certain, if I went to Bombay and saw one sister a full report would always be given to the other sister and almost instantly. I used to find the sindhi word she used for snacks really funny in a sweet way. If you had spent some time having tea and snacks or 'chair' as she called them...soon Hari didi and she would discuss what all chairs and how many chairs were made and served to the guest. Full details of 'alu ji bhaji pai hui, mu bhaiyye khe chayo teh tikki thhaye vathh!' If you were going from Rani didi's house to khar to see Hari didi, you could be sure that a full report would already have been given before you reached. Not having had a sister I always used to marvel at their closeness. Once around 1988, when I was in Mumbai on an ad film shoot, I was as usual staying at the President hotel. When I reached Rani didi's house she got my Maasi on the phone and both got on to my case that I should not be staying alone. I had no idea that Rani didi knew my Maasi, let alone that she had her phone number and they had been having this full discussion regarding my safety. In those days they were not used to girls travelling and staying by themselves. Of course I didn't listen but it was sweet to see Didi's concern. She was certainly easier to convince than my Maasi. I told her if my mom and husband have no problem you also relax didi. But caring is the way I remember didi and it showed in all her interactions.
I liked that Didi was emotional and cried without trying to hide the tears. There's a memory I have when I had gone to Bombay after Papa's death which was in 2003.
In 2004 I had gone to Bombay on some work. It was very difficult for me to grieve because I was still in shock and in Bangalore there was no one who knew my father, so it felt isolating. For me to meet his siblings was as if I was being reconnected with him in some way. I didn't say any of this to Didi as I didn't want to sadden her. But she must also have been feeling the same way, as seeing me would have been like a reminder of the brother she lost. Just before I got into my cab, Didi caressed my face so gently and her eyes filled up with tears. 'Asul Kartar vangar thhi lageh' . We both cried together. I hope Didi you had a joyful reunion with all your loved family. There would have been so many loving hugs to exchange. May you always be at peace.