Sun: ‘Choitha’ ceremony of Maya Dodeja was held at
‘Taioram Darbar’, Agarwal Colony. Soon it will be not necessary to hold Choitha
in a Hall, which can accommodate few hundred people. Families are shrinking and
relationships are shrinking more. Sad ways of the world. Maybe, this trend will
change in some way. Today, thousands are connected but not connected. I mean,
by ‘Apps’, blogs, facebook etc far of relatives and friends are all connected
with what I inform them or tell them. But when we come face to face our senses
tell us different story.
Thu: Today is landmark day in life of Kabir Kashyap Dodeja.
He visited for the first time, his great – great grandfather’s residence. This
must be unique record in a sense that Lokram Dodeja’s fifth generation visited
the same residence, and the residence which still holds the old characteristics,
furniture and memories. Bed, writing desk, cupboards all are still in use.
Today also, grand old 1306 building stands proudly in its green cloths,
majestic and pride of the area. It has grown old, and bit weak, but considering
age and neglect in last two decades, it is very healthy. I remember the desire
and wish suggested by Hariram Rohra during Dada’s ‘choitha’ in 1988. “We
all [5 sons, 2 daughters and BIL] should contribute and convert one room as
permanent museum in Dada’s name, with his statue, his hand written manuscripts
and published books, and his photographs. Lets pledge that we all meet once a
year, sharing expenses and experiences at this place.” Alas, no one heard him.
Mind you, his suggestion has after a bitter fight and subsequent break up with
him as partner of BKB, secundrabad just few years before.
I sat at the same satee, where my grandfather used to sit
after dinner to discuss next day program or gossip about family issues. With
Kabir in my lap, I was transported to 60’s and 70’s. I heard Bal, suggesting a Rajesh
Khanna’s new movie ‘Bawarchi’ is released. Dada asks who will come, everyone
murmurs, ‘I will.’ Dada in his grand style will say, ‘Balaree, count the
members and tell me.’ Once family
members are counted, [it would be always in double digit] he will ask
Manu. ‘Do the advance booking. Try Neelayam first.’ Thus we three,
Manu-Maa-Lali will take our cycles, pedal down, buy the tickets for the evening
show, will feast on Kalpana bhel, while returning.
After the movie, and if it is Sunday, Dada will treat us with
‘Dosa’ and chai. His modus apprendi was like dictator. We will all occupy the
seats and look earnestly at menu, thinking what to order. While Dada calls the
waiter, counting all members, places simple order, ‘One ‘Dosa’ for one
person. No options.’ We will enjoy this
set back by pulling leg of the member who dislikes ‘Dosa’.
While returning home, Lali said, most probably this was our last visit to 1306. Now we do not have any excuse left to visit our grand parents house, uninvited. A legacy of 65 years ends.
PS: I suggest young ones to see ‘Bawarchee’ directed by
Hrishkesh Mukerjee, starring Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Bhaduri. This is very
entertaining movie, with no romantic angle but lot of feel good moments. This
movie taught me how not to ignore day to day happiness and just in morning I
came across following line.
Ask yourself seriously – for the promise of an ‘exciting’
future, is it worth losing sleep and giving up on your day-to-day happiness?
by P G Dodeja
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