Nandyal memories September 14, 2011
Posted by mgurunath in India.trackback
A place where I have very fond childhood memories of… But now I realise the memories are not associated with just the place but also the people who live there.
I am here to offer my final prayers to my grand mother who left this world 10 days ago.
This place hasn’t changed a bit, still the same old building, the same characteristic disorganized housekeeping, the same topics for small talks. But I still missed the warmth. My grand mother was bedridden for more than couple of years now, but still her presence made the difference.
She was very fond of all her grand children and especially us since we were from Mumbai quite far off and could visit only once a year. We used to get special treatment , choice food (though there wasn’t much to choose from, since they were too conservative to make complex food).
This was a place which never had closed doors. I have never seen this place housing only their family, there would atleast be couple of people more any point of time. And everyone welcomed with same warmth and openness. I believe that was the tradition my grand father advocated, true Indian values.
This place for me was the hub of traditional and spirituAl values. In fact in my childhood I used to sort of hate coming here due to various traditional practices that were carried out here, something which, in my cosmopolitan upbringing, felt restrictive. But as I grew I understood that whatever little I know Abt my religion and my understanding of self and God had its roots here.
Money was never their prime motive. Infact I vaguely remember my grand father (a scholar in English and maths, a school teacher) teaching all his grand children “money is lost nothing is lost, if character is lost everything is lost”.
My grand parents always lived their life modestly, much within their income and in fact always helping people in need.
I hope I would be able to imbibe some of their great qualities.
I am jotting these thoughts as they come from the fav place in the house, the terrace where I had spent many nights sleeping under the open sky (coming to think of it, the only place where I could do that) talking into wee hours with cousins.the other fav place in this place, the wooden plank swing (unchanged for past 10 years atleast), is currently removed for all the activities. I don’t know when I could enjoy that anymore.
I sure had some enjoyable time here, some very fond memories. I would surely cherish them, but sad that its the end of an era.
Dear Guru,
Excellent. I am impressed that you are able to use a mobile to write such a long article. Share it with the Maddulapalli family.
Indeed Grandma ( & Grandpa) showered love and affection to one and all & this must have been reason why all of us wanted to be there, whenever we could.
I remember fondly she used to call me by a pet name “Chembulu”. I dont recall what it has to do with my name. Also, she ensured that I get my quota of my favourite “Gongura” & Chintakai pickle.
If we were to look at this generation & take inspiration
Selfless love and helping nature that extends beyond the classical definition of family (parent + siblings). All relatives, close friends were part of the extended family & their problems, happy and sad moments were shared.
It is for this reason that even today, Amma recalls Tataiya coming all the way to the then “alien land – Bombay” to help her settle down.
All our thread ceremonies were carried out with other family members.
There are many students whose lives were shaped by this noble couple.
If we can learn, implement & then pass it on to the next generation, it will be true tribute.
May Nainammas soul rest in eternal piece