This week issue, I am dictating this post specially for Kabir. Others, while reading keep this in mind.
The 'Shradha' started on 16th and they will continue for 15 days. We are expected to remember our departed elders. So, Kabir here is brief intro for you to the older generation of Dodeja Khandan. Get ready to get confused with family pictures of our elders who were born in 19th Century! Here we go.
Above two pictures are very rare, because these are only pics of both. They are your 'Grandfather's, Great Grand Nani and Great Grand Dadi.'
To simplify, Lady on left is 'Nani' of Girdharilal Dodeja, your great grandfather.She must have being born in 19th century. She is the only one whom I have seen in original Shikarpuri dress of 'Rao-Paro and Nath'. One can see the 'Nath' a nose ring, having two pearls and one brown colored gem. She used to live in Sion and in our school days Mummy used to visit her regularly. I had seen her using 'Nass' a strong brown powder, something like 'Tambacco'. She was unique in that sense. Dad had told me that women even smoked 'Bidis' in Shikarpur! Her home in second floor of Laxmi Nivas was focal point of Munyal family. She ruled her flock firmly. I still remember her home fully crowded with coming and going of family members.
And Lady on right is 'Nona' granny of again Girdharilal Dodeja!! This picture was retrieved from a very old family photo by her son, Karamchand Dodeja. She has died in 1920's. So factoring in the five kids, one can assume she was born around 1880's!! We hardly know anything about her.
Next is my Grandfather and Grand mother. Lokram and Kamla Dodeja. Both are in Mahableshwar, enjoying the vacation.
Mahableshwar has special place in our Khandan. Dada - Dadi visited many times between [1950-1980], Dad - Mum had honeymoon in Mahableshwar in 1953 and frequently visited this place, I - Bindiya went for second honeymoon in December 1979, Akshay - Muskan took the tradition more seriously and married in Mahableshwar November 2008! So it is your duty Kabir to grace this place with your visit when you get married.
I need one special blog to tell you about this couple. At this juncture I would only say one thing about my granny. Her life was her home at 1306 Shukerwar Peth. And she was living example of 'All are welcome' to her house. Dada used to invite all and sundry and many would just arrive, unannounced, for few days stay. She never grudged, never complained about hard work, never mistreated her guests, who were more then welcome in her house. She looked after 9 rooms huge home very well. Without battalion of maids, she kept her home clean and tidy. She had good management skill. For exapmle, when she see Lali-Manu-Maa idling our time and getting bored, she would give us a task of cleaning all book racks in TV room. We would removed books, clean shelf and put them back. In this process, I would stumble upon a great book to read. This is how I came across 'Mahabharat'.
Karamchand Pessumal Dodeja. He was your Great Grandfather's, Uncle [i.e. Chacha]. He looks like typical Dodeja, hefty, strong forehead, big eyes, dashing and at same time simple person. But in other ways he was quiet different from standard Dodeja.
After Pessumal Dodeja [Who was Criminal Lawyer], his father, he was highly educated and into profession. He had worked in British government in late 30's and early 40's, supervising canal construction in north of Sind, in very isolated and hostile territories. A very brave, honest, hard working and disciplined person. After partition he made a very good name for himself in Mumbai, as honest, high quality contractor. His dedication, quality of work is reflected in many building constructed by him during post partition period in Mumbai. For example, Kamal-Lok, 1306 Shukerwar Peth, Pune is 65 year old building still standing tall, with no cracks and falling plaster. Even though it has not received fresh outer paint in last 40 years!
He had very modern outlook and it is reflected in his children. All his daughters are highly educated, [Doctor, CA, Civil Engineer etc] most of them living currently in USA.
Madhavdas Pessumal Dodeja. Youngest uncle of your Great-Grandfather. He had died at very young age in Mumbai. After partition he, with his family lived in Mankhurd and then at Tardeo. A very docile, gentleman and straight forward person. Now his son, Deepak is living in Chennai with his family.
And
finally I will end this episode with picture of your Great-Grand father
at the age of 21, in Pune. This picture is taken in his hostel room
during his college days. Today also, we can check this hostel of
engineering college, near Modern Cafe, Shivajinagar. Whenever we
returned from Pune to Mumbai, we would pass this road, and Dad never
failed to point out the third window of his hostel, where he enjoyed
living free life among his friends.Kabir, your great grandfather was by education, Diploma holder of Mechanical and Electrical engineering, ideal for a technical profession. Which he never used, nor applied. He used to say, on the very next day of his last exam, his father told him, what ever the exam result, join Noble Paper Mart in Mumbai, immediately! By nature he was creative person, his passion was writing, and he did write many books in wide variety of genre. Drama - Stories - Novels - Essay - Travelogue. But life pushed him into business world, where he created a niche for himself and his company, Noble.
So... when we look into life of elders, we see reflection of it in our presence. A simple question gets easily answered. for example. Why are we living in Pune?
by P G Dodeja
