A tribute to my Pattis
I enjoyed the privilege of living with 2 pattis (my mom's mom and my dad's mom) until recently. Last year Chellama patti (Dad's mom) passed away and Vedavalli( Mom's mom) a few years before.It would be unfair, if I forget to mention my munadi aathu patti(Janakammal -my front house patti ,who lived in Ambattur).Each of them were strikingly different in their own ways,yet bringing up their family was the first intention for all.
Chellama patti hailed from a wealthy,big(13 siblings) and orthodox family.She had lost her husband at an young age. Raising 7 kids without any help is an arduous task( time doesn't matter),be it 5 decades ago or at present.N.K.R Mama(Chellamal's elder brother), was the backbone of the entire family.Until today, the amount of respect that my parents, uncles and aunt show towards him is really exemplary. Chellamal's love for her Anna(N.K.R) is remarkable as she breathed her last in his place.
Chellama patti was an voracious reader.She hardly watched T.V.,yet remained to be up to date.. She was very strict with her principles. She used to cook separately for her(madi thaligai) and I have always relished her dishes more than my mom's. At-times she used to feed me. "Paatti pisinji poodu" was my favorite dialogue and she would never refuse. The smell of her rasam still lingers. A person of good determination and strong will -power. She survived a paralytic attack 15 yrs ago.She recovered and managed with daily chores till death.
Janakammal patti, though we had no blood relation was very affectionate with us.She was very close to my mom and would share everything with her. She too had a tough life. Lost her husband(i have'nt seen that Thatha), first son and daughter-in-law at early age,
I remember she had a sister(chithi patti) and a brother who used to visit her occasionally.She was left all alone in bringing up her grandchildren(Srikanth,Latha akka and Sudha akka). What a struggle, it would have been! She educated them, got them married and settled. "Such a wonderful lady!" ,you were.
Chuchi and I have enjoyed eating her hot arisi upmaa and puli upma. In-fact, both of us would be waiting for her steaming hot tiffin and boost everyday after we returned from school. A selfless lady, never has hesitated to give us a lending hand. Very hard to find someone like her these days.
Finally,to my Veda patti. A lovable person, very soft by nature. I liked the way she wore a perfectly circular bindi on her forehead. First, applied Asha Kumkum and top of it magenta color kumkum for long lasting effect.No Lakme or Revlon can do it ;). Not a single vacation has gone without visiting her. She had her own struggles too. Money was not easily available those days.My mom always use to say that my patti's house was synonymous to the Central Station.So many people would come and go. I always believe that the number of people in a house is directly proportional to the true love and affection you shower on them.It is definitely true in her case because everyone was more fond of Veda paati than my kollu pattu(Veda's mil).
I spent my first few years of life away from my parents, under her care. She used to take me all the way from Madipakkam to Royapettah(my Mom's office) to visit my Mom on all Fridays. "So nice of you ! "Vacations are synonymous to Veda patti's house. She would be ever busy making vathal,vadaam and appalam during summer. A loquacious person, lots of chit-chatting between my mom and her. An endearing lady ,who managed the family with her tenderness and warmth.
With both parents working,I would not be here, if you all weren't there.All the three of you played a significant role in my life. You devoted your lives for us.(I'm not sure if I will be able to do this.Taking care of my own children seems herculean to me. After all, life is a circle.)
LOVE YOU and MISS YOU! MISS YOUR CHARISMA !
Chellama patti was an voracious reader.She hardly watched T.V.,yet remained to be up to date.. She was very strict with her principles. She used to cook separately for her(madi thaligai) and I have always relished her dishes more than my mom's. At-times she used to feed me. "Paatti pisinji poodu" was my favorite dialogue and she would never refuse. The smell of her rasam still lingers. A person of good determination and strong will -power. She survived a paralytic attack 15 yrs ago.She recovered and managed with daily chores till death.
Janakammal patti, though we had no blood relation was very affectionate with us.She was very close to my mom and would share everything with her. She too had a tough life. Lost her husband(i have'nt seen that Thatha), first son and daughter-in-law at early age,I remember she had a sister(chithi patti) and a brother who used to visit her occasionally.She was left all alone in bringing up her grandchildren(Srikanth,Latha akka and Sudha akka). What a struggle, it would have been! She educated them, got them married and settled. "Such a wonderful lady!" ,you were.
Chuchi and I have enjoyed eating her hot arisi upmaa and puli upma. In-fact, both of us would be waiting for her steaming hot tiffin and boost everyday after we returned from school. A selfless lady, never has hesitated to give us a lending hand. Very hard to find someone like her these days.
Finally,to my Veda patti. A lovable person, very soft by nature. I liked the way she wore a perfectly circular bindi on her forehead. First, applied Asha Kumkum and top of it magenta color kumkum for long lasting effect.No Lakme or Revlon can do it ;). Not a single vacation has gone without visiting her. She had her own struggles too. Money was not easily available those days.My mom always use to say that my patti's house was synonymous to the Central Station.So many people would come and go. I always believe that the number of people in a house is directly proportional to the true love and affection you shower on them.It is definitely true in her case because everyone was more fond of Veda paati than my kollu pattu(Veda's mil).I spent my first few years of life away from my parents, under her care. She used to take me all the way from Madipakkam to Royapettah(my Mom's office) to visit my Mom on all Fridays. "So nice of you ! "Vacations are synonymous to Veda patti's house. She would be ever busy making vathal,vadaam and appalam during summer. A loquacious person, lots of chit-chatting between my mom and her. An endearing lady ,who managed the family with her tenderness and warmth.
With both parents working,I would not be here, if you all weren't there.All the three of you played a significant role in my life. You devoted your lives for us.(I'm not sure if I will be able to do this.Taking care of my own children seems herculean to me. After all, life is a circle.)
LOVE YOU and MISS YOU! MISS YOUR CHARISMA !
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