Blur Memory of Tathya
From My Heart to Paper
Chapter Two · Blur Memory of Tathya
Namaskar Mahara
This is Dr Archana, and you are about to dive deep into the emotions and experiences I am sharing as a Kashmiri Pandit daughter. Hope you have been doing well. As promised, I am back with the second chapter of my series.
It is said that one of the greatest blessings is the presence of grandparents. Grandparents are like the surveillance cameras that record their grandchildren's actions, moments, joys, sorrows, and milestones. The presence of grandparents feels like an umbrella of blessings filled with utmost joy. From the day you are born to the day when they say goodbye, they are busy making us kind and humane. They teach us how to say words, how to walk, when to stop, and when to learn.
"One of the greatest blessings is the presence of grandparents."
Being close to grandparents is the greatest blessing a child can have. Grandparents cradle their grandchildren like little cotton balls, take care of them like soft creatures, buy them new clothes, and give them money whenever they feel like it. They can spend all their life with their grandchildren.
You know, one thing: I am saying all this with so much confidence because I have experienced this. In my family, I was the most cherished child, but now my brother's little boy is the apple of my parents' eyes. Now, I come on the second list. Fortunate are those who have Dada, Dadi, Nana and Nani around. Words will get short if I try to write down who my grandparents are and what they mean.
in a White Kurta
Now, I want to share the memories of my grandfather, whom we called "Tathya." Tathya was a slender, thin figure who was seen in a white kurta pyjama with a grey sadiri (vestcoat). I have memories of him when I was a little kid.
I used to go with him to Rin Bazar — I don't know why that bazar was called Rin Bazar, maybe Rin soap was available there at that time. On one sweet day, Tathya held my hand and took me with him. I was happy and accompanied him.
At that time, I had long curly hair with golden colour, just like foreigners. One of my uncles used to tease me: "Waley topey manz barhoth che, che vatak Australia vapas" — it means, "Get me the cannon, and I will put you back to Australia." My loving mother used to comb my hair and tie it in two ponytails with curly hair. Mother had got me ready in a cute orange frock.
Tathya and I went to Rin Bazar, and that time it was the scorching heat of June, which we were not used to — Kashmir has lovely, pleasant weather, and in Jammu it was all the opposite. That Rin Bazar was somewhere near Gol Quarter — migrants were settled in small circular one-room structures, dome-type, with one door and barely one window. Due to their appearance, they were called Gol Quarter. I do not remember exactly, but maybe we had bought some sodah (groceries), and Tathya got me a candy.
Tathya and Little Archu on the way to Rin Bazar, near the Gol Quarter
Archu ladke"
This was all about the joyous moments that I remember from that day. After reaching home, my mother and my grandmother (lovingly called Bhabhi) were shocked. They were staring at each other's faces and then at Tathya's face.
"See, I have made Archu a boy."
And in the moment of shock, Tathya broke the suspense and said: "Wuchae maey baneav Archu ladke" — "See, I have made Archu a boy." Tathya had taken me to the barber and probably cut my long curly ponytails, resulting in a boy cut.
Little Archu — "Tathya made me a boy"
Why Tathya took me to the barber and got my hair chopped remains a mystery, but what I think is that due to unbearable heat and hot weather at that time, he had thought of chopping my hair to give me some relief.
After that, I remember that short hair used to cover my eyes and would result in stumbling now and then. Mother used to say, "Valey ye mass thavay band" — "Come, I will tie your hair."
After so many years of that memory, when I share this with my mother, Maa used to say that she used to dislike that hairstyle of mine for some time. I have seen my passport-size photographs with that boy cut, and those were funny.
This was one of the sweetest memories that I remember of Tathya. I love him wherever he is now, and I am happy that I was able to make him proud — the first doctorate in my maternal and paternal family.
I request all those reading this to treasure your grandparents as much as you can. Spend as much time as you can. You never know what will happen in the next second. Better to grab the opportunity now than to regret later.
Stay tuned for the Chapter 3. Till then —
Namaskar Stay Safe and Healthy - BinduRoop