15th Nov 2015 – 21th Nov 2015 [Tulsidas Mama]

 

Tuesday: It was action replay of 28^th Sept. Ashish [Chotu] called as I opened my lap top in office. The moment I saw his name flashing, I knew our Tulsidas Mama is no more. He was critical since 28^th. Old age, damaged liver, death of spouse and Bajaj tradition of leaving this world in pairs. I called mummy and tried to discourage her for visiting Mumbai. She is not keeping proper health. But she did not relent, and it was right thing to do, after all he was her closest brother. Letter I found out, it was not her health issue, but the knowledge that her brother is counting his last day was affecting her. 

We left Pune at 12 and reached Santacruze in time for last rites. It was kind of déjà-vu act. Maharaj, mourners, time of the day, even pyre pit were same. Soon fire consumed Mama's body, Maharaj did his routine of announcing choitha and we returned to Laxman Nivas, to take blessing from ladies of house.

Rajkumari aunty started this topic of age, by asking me, ‘How old are you?’ I honestly said, ‘60’. She was shocked and not ready to believe it. If I was woman, I would have being highly flattered. Ashu and Renu came to my rescue and told her their ages. When those figures were exchanged, everyone had only one statement to give, ‘How time flies….”. As we have to return to Pune, this topic was not elobrated more.

After saying bye, we drove back to Pune. Within 11 hours, we made return trip of Mumbai, had lunch and dinner on the way. All in comfort of AC SUV. Today, kids take this for granted and for people like us who had driven Fait for 12 hours for one side trip, in stifling heat and pollution, this is high level of luxury.

Tulsidas Mama.

 I have very fond memories of him. Earliest is when he started the routine of buying ‘Kulfi’ from that old guy, who used to sit opposite Ramji Ashar School. Chunni Uncle or Tulsi Mama would drop us at Ghatkopar routinely every week, till I started driving Mummy to Santacruze. Nani will pack tiffin which we will, including mama, would eat at our home in Ghatkopar with Dad, who would be there by the time we reached from Santacruze. And dinner will be topped up with Kulfi. Till date I love eating Kulfi and most of times I recall those days.

In 1966 we had gone on trip with Mamas to Nainital – Hardwar – Simla. Again, I remember one Kulfi incident of that trip.

We had reached Simla, and it was very cold. After settling in hotel, we all children and adults were strolling the market. It was evening and very cold. One kid saw 'Kulfiwala Thela' and said, let’s eat it. I said, ‘Not possible, it is so cold. No one will be allowed to eat.’ But Tulsi mama came and bought Kulfi for every kid. I was sidelined for raising objection of it being so cold etc. My leg was pulled by other adults. However I wanted to eat, badly. Other elders praised me to others kids, ‘See babloo, so sensible..’ etc. Now after all this I cannot turn back on my statement. Tulsi Mama understood this and as all others moved ahead, he held me back by shoulder as he paid for Kulfi and bought one for me also. Like for me Madhavdas Mama was Gori walla Mama, Tulsidas Mama was Kulfi Mama!

   

Then Mama had this big craving for ‘Bhel and Chats’ which Mummy and myself also have. Sometime back I and Renu saw Mama and Aunty eating Bhel and enjoying it. And Renu made nice comment, ‘So cute, I hope when we grow old and are in 70's, we can also enjoy something like this!’

Our interaction with Mama continued when I started driving car and there was no need to drop us at Ghatkopar. They stopped dropping Mummy at Ghatkopar, but then we started visiting Drive-In cinema at BKC. Many movies were just pretext for having dinner, chit chat and baby-picnic. Dad will occupy his folding chair, we would spread ‘Pharas’ and sit, have dinner, talk non sense and sometime watch movie played out on huge screen. We had fixed a slot at Drive-In with Chunni Uncle, Tulsi mama families. This last till drive was closed.

By nature this mama was very ‘Shant’, very brooding, thinking way ahead in future, worryings always, specially for future of his children. I had no idea why he would keep getting angry at Aunty. But at the same time I would notice he would protect her when others attacked her. Once I had asked him ‘Why he get’s angry at her?’ in reply he said, “Samjandi Nahe, Soche Samji kuj chaijee”. 

I think my question remained unanswered.

      

by P G Dodeja