Happy Birthday to my dearest mom!

--Love you, miss you and will always be grateful to this day when you were bestowed on Earth.

Happy Birthday mummy!

Shiva Ratri - Febrauary 17th, 2015

We observed Mummy's third Shraddha function today at Krushna Madhupuri, Bhubaneswar. I couldn't travel to India as I didn't get my travel document in time. I am glad that Suju & Sumit were able to make it at such short notice. Thanks to all our near and dear ones who showed up to be part of  the Puja & the Prasad that followed. I did my own small puja in Natick before leaving for work.

Dear mummy, this is a very special year for me and we all miss your presence even more so. It would be so much more joyous if the entire family were together because without you it's not complete. I still take consolation in the fact that although you are physically not here, you are watching over all of us with your usual smile. I wore your last gift to me-a red churidaar which I had saved for a very special occasion since then.

We miss you Mummy. And we love you a lot!!! 

Mothers Day - May 11th, 2014

As yet another year passes by, I fondly remember my mother and all that she continues to stand for me. A tribute to the woman who taught me what Love is.

LOVE

What’s a Life that hasn't experienced Love!

Love that surpasses everything. Love-

Whose gentle touch heals all pain

Whose keen ears hear words unspoken

Whose radiant smile shines away darkness

Whose warm eyes dispel any coldness

Whose presence brings a  breath of fresh air in our world.      

Indeed! What’s in a world with no love to have and hold

A love with power like nothing you have felt or seen

A love which stands with you through thick and thin.

Oh Lord, today as I stand before you in prayer 

I ask misery rather consume me than touch her.

I pray to the Almighty as I see Love's Light shine

Let all my joy be hers, let all her sorrow be mine!

Happy New Year Mama

To the most amazing, adorable and sweetest soul on Earth and in Heaven. 

Every passing day as I continue to meet more and more people, I realize what a wonderful human being you were. I am privileged to have had your love and attention.

May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Happy Birthday to you

Mummy at home cutting her birthday cake (sent by us)

Dear Mummy. This is a day of celebration for us. If it wasn't for this day, you wouldn't be in our lives, in fact we wouldn't be in ours. Wherever you are, wish you many many happy returns of the day from all of us. May your lovely soul rest in peace. We love you.  As always, since you love roses, Suju and I  sent you birthday wishes from here. Papa has put them next to your samadhi and also on your desk in the clinic.

Mummy with Chotda (her youngest brother)

I was trying to find the audio cassette that I had gifted you on your birthday years ago. The first song was a birthday song from an old movie. You were so ecstatic to hear me sing that song "Happy Birthday" for you; I could almost feel you shining with joy. I couldn't find that but I am recording that again for you this morning. Have a cold today: will try to do a better job next time.:-) I know you are around and you are watching over us.

A Love That Outlives Life

Six months have passed since you left a void in our lives. We still miss you Mummy in our every conversation: we fondly remember our time together- the laughter, the discipline, the challenges, the ambition, and so much more.

Sometimes I wish you were still a phone call away, to lend an ear or give advice. Our world is shaken by a truth so irreversible and a loss so irreplaceable; yet, we strengthen our resolve to not let this grief overcome us. The life that you bestowed on us, the love that you showered on us, the legacy that you left with us, that should not go in vain during these tough times.

We refuse to let this consume us. We are determined to rise above it and live all over again. And shine. This Life is your precious gift to us.  What we do with it will be our gift back to you. We love you very much.

World of Music and Dance

In the Toastmasters meeting at Mathworks last week, one of the speakers talked about her recent introduction to classical music. Then she went on to demonstrate with graphs and equations, the science behind music- the pitch, amplitude and frequency. I was enthralled by the speech to say the least. I have always relished such amalgamations-music and technology, athletics and nutrition, philanthropy and capitalism,  better known in recent times as philanthrocapitalism.

Coming back to music, it's one of my passions, dance following a close second. Even during the toughest of time, if I close my eyes and experience music, everything feels okay-whenever I lose myself in music, be it in solitude or in front of an audience, there is hardly any occasion when I don't feel the divine presence and the reminisce of the time when my mom gently prodded me along my journey into the realm of music.

My mother  introduced me to Odishi Sangeet through my first guru (and most revered teacher) Ms Binapani Nayak. Miss as I addressed her fondly had first met Mummy in Capital Hospital when she had gone for a Tonsilitis consultation. When my mother learned that her patient was a music veteran and also gave group classes, she invited her to our place with the hope that Miss would agree to give me private training which she did later.  And so began my discovery of the world of sounds.

Mummy in the center- the tallest girl among the kids

Starting out, I wonder whether I had any artistic talent or discipline-it was probably my mom's genes and surely her dedication that inspired me to persevere. I remember when initially I was wary about starting music classes, my parents tried to allure me: they took out a medal that Mummy had won in her younger days. I don't recall the exact nature of the award. Although I succinctly remember being awed by the medal and the fact that it had "Sabita Mitra" inscribed in gold.  Mummy started learning Odishi Classical dance from Late Kelucharan Mahapatra in Kala Vikas Kendra.

I believe somewhere along the course of life, either during med school or after marriage, she stopped pursuing her dance aspirations. Nevertheless, she wanted the legacy to continue through me. Besides, we had just relocated from Algeria. She  hoped I experienced our culture through the arts. I joined Stewart school and was trying to settle into my new environment. So it would be fair to say that I started out learning music as early as I began formal education. Although I was a shy kid, looking back now I wonder how did I end up in so many stage performances and competitions, in both music and dance, starting from annual functions in school to Suchana Bhawan to Rabindra Mandap. Not too hard to surmise who tricked me into it, is it?  Years have passed by since then-the groups, the audience  and location continue to change- the only constant all along has been my mother and her encouraging presence!