Saturday, December 8, 2012

Before I was born


Ok, so I’m not in the picture. Or am I? How can this be my memory if I’m not in it?

This is a pic of the 2 people who made my world. My Dad n Ma. In an age when things were so much simpler. In the small town where I grew up.

I remember Dad taking me as a toddler on walks to the big maidan behind our house. ‘There’s a crow sitting on a cow’, he’d say, ‘let’s talk to them.’ So I’d babble away to the crow and it would fly off. Rather rude, I’d think. Ever since I’ve preferred cows to crows! My dad was funny and kind and such fun!

Coming home to Ma’s dining table was the best part of a full day in the sun and the mud (and no germs dared come near) - there was always something delicious. I’ve never inherited the cooking gene, by the way - my table smells only of wood.

It was a time when ‘go fly a kite’ really meant that. I learnt to fly kites, shoot marbles, jump walls, play gilli-danda and scrape my knees. And I played with the Bahadur’s kids. There were no malls. There was a main street full of shops and going out there on a Saturday evening was the high point of the week. And eating out? That came once a year – on report card day!

So back to this pic (I wish I really could go back). Oh yes, I am in this pic. I’m in my mom’s tum. Dad bought our first car to bring his precious baby girl home from hospital. And we all drove together down memory lane!

36 comments:

  1. Oh! super like!!!!
    Your childhood was so idyllic...such lovely memories...loveeeed this post, Jane :-)))
    loved the car too...
    lol on the table smelling of wood :-))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Uma. The car was an old second-hand Morris. It was a huge car that we had for many years and in which at one time, 10 people and 1 dog travelled.

      Delete
  2. Aww Tears in my eyes. Beautiful post, Jandy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It all sounds so idyllic and lovely Jane, what a great childhood you must have had! Which town was this in? Do you still visit there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jamshedpur. it was a lovely place to grow up in, yup. big town meets small city.

      Delete
  4. This one's a beautiful post, Jane and your Mom looks so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. awww..... thank you so much AJ. (though i'm told i look like my dad) hehe

      Delete
  5. You know Uncle I never met but the stories I have heard from you and even some from Kich.. I really wish I had met him (since I already know him).... something about him reminds me of my grandfather and you know what he meant to me..

    Fathers are such sweet mushy things.. Never told you this but my dad was at war when I was born so he could not make it for my mom's delivery. but only last year I came to know that he had actually sent a letter in my name (and I was not named Ira first I had another name).... such a sweet letter...

    Needless to say Aunties cooking yuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmm (and we all know how you love cooking hehe).. I salute her for what she is and how loving she is esp with the boys and the patience she has around you (the devil smile) .....

    We are so blessed to have people like them in our lives and the way we talk and love our parents and grandparent .... hope we can pass those virtues to our children!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. awww.... ira, thanks for telling me this, and why haven't you before, you nut! because all you do is fight with your dad now, haha. he is a darling. i wish you had met my dad too, yup.

      Delete
  6. Awww Such a heartfelt post... Loved it .. Aunty looks as serenely beautiful as ever & yes you do resemble your dad :) It explains a lot about your fabulous parenting skills. The boys are extremely lucky to have such a fun & carefree mom like you !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shilpi, thank you. That's one of the nicest things I've ever heard. :)

      Delete
  7. The picture is oh-so-perfect!! We are so used to seeing our parents the way they are mostly now, these old pictures show a whole new side to them. Loved the post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is the most sentimental post I have read and is making me all teary eyed... awesome memories my dear and it is wonderful that you took the time to relive some of them and share them with us. Give aunty my love and many many tight hugs to you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will tell Ma, Hathi Patani. Memories are tough (atleast for me) to share because they are so private. It feels like I'm opening a bird cage and letting some fly out.

      Delete
    2. All the more reason for us to feel honoured that you chose to share them.. hugs

      Delete
  9. You have inherited your father's smiling eyes Jane...he looks a dapper here :) :)
    The car reminds me of an old amitabh bacchan song....chal chal ri chal meri raampiyari :) Absolutely loved the post...made me misty eyed..remembering the jhoola at my home in Deoghar. We are all our papa's princesses. Looooooooove this post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Puja. Lovely comment too. Yup, my dad was quite the hero in my eyes, and yes, really, it did feel like a fairy story. Well, happy ending - right now's not bad at all, I must say.

      Delete
  10. This is an awwwwwww post!! Sent me down memory lane and revived my own childhood...sigh, lovely days those were...
    Loved the pic, the car and the black n white feel to it...old world charm!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a lovely picture ! & an even lovelier post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Replies
    1. awww.... darling! you were part of that growing up too

      Delete
  13. Beautiful post! Aunty is looking sooooooo beautiful! Pass on my hugs to her!And Uncle looks just as dapper - not difficult to see where you get your good looks from! And a big bow & hats off to you - you're so brave to publish something that is so close to your heart. I would never be able to do it - that's why you are the writer & I am not ;) Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess the next post about writing sort of explains it? Thanks for saying such nice things, Sej :)

      Delete
  14. Hey, You have a very attractive mom and smart dad.....what happened to you?
    Jokes apart.....you are cute, I am sure Soop will agree...well he better, right?
    How we long for the things and memories of the past!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the left-handed compliment, Vejay! :)

      Delete
  15. ok... so i'll make just this one exception and comment on this post. I have to say that aunty looks absolutely stunning in the pic! Glowing with all the love she has in her heart for you. And Mr. RJD / uncle... looks totally dashing, but couldn't ignore the cigarette butt in between this fingers. He was truly inspiring. The post - really touching. Memories with dads are just so precious!
    Do give aunty a nice warm hug from me when you're done fighting with her over something silly.
    Love to you, N&N and aunty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't hug her now. I'm fighting with her, as you guessed! Loved what you said about them both. Though hate Dad's ciggie butt. It ended up killing him.

      Delete
  16. Really loved the beautiful picture of your mom and dad as much as I loved your post. It took me back to those memorable days from our childhood. We sure are the lucky generation who really had the pleasure of enjoying our childhood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life was so uncomplicated then, right? I remember trees and sun and mud!

      Delete
  17. Jane, loved your blog...Loved seeing your Mom and Dad and I still remember the car...I immediately recognized it when I saw it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? I wish I could get it back from whoever has it now. Such an integral part of my growing up. Guess it's in some junkyard somewhere!

      Delete