Write a testimonial

Shama Ma’am..
1.Best economics teacher.
2.Best english literature teacher (person who can make Shakespeare’s english sound just so simple)
She is a beautiful soul 🙏

It is a daunting task to write about a persona like my sister, “Didi” as I have known her and Shama Sinha to the rest of the world. An immensely creative, sensitive, affectionate and caring girl, she was my protector as I started school. The fact that once I wickedly claimed her share of chocolate as mine, and I am sure there would have been other similar instances, never seemed to wane her affection for me. She was always there, happy to support me and look after me. She would celebrate my birthdays in the role of the chief baker, organizer, decorator, dress designer, hostess… and it never struck me that she was herself so young, barely thirteen or fourteen. My memories of her dance recitals and her singing, her knack to turn any house into a home, her talent to churn out wonders in the kitchen, no matter how many ingredients were missing, her patient smile as she indulged my little whims, her creative writings be it Hindi or English, these are the main stories that stand out like beautiful motifs in the weave of my past. From a person of an amazing array of talents such as Didi, her poems and articles are nothing short of perfection. Today miles separate us but her articles and poems more than bridge the gap. I look forward to her thoughts with the same eagerness as children waiting for the sound of the bell of the ice cream man on weekends. Some are deep while others hilarious, but each like a precious flower in the bouquet of her creative pursuits.

Badi mausi to me has always been someone who constantly wishes well for everyone and keeps showering her love and blessings. Being ma’s elder sister, the concern she shows is just like that of a mother. I also look up to her as a very strong woman who has the confidence to go out and set everything right on her own, that’s what is called ‘muscle power’. Kudos to this woman.

Badi Mausi, having been a sister and mother figure to Maa and Choti Mausi, is the pillar and guide of tradition in our family, knowing exactly what and how to do in any puja or ritual. But she is also, increasingly, an independent and confident woman who travels alone, battles with desi bureaucracy, and is able to adapt and grow with life’s ups and downs. She is infinitely affectionate, always very caring, and at the same time also curious and eager to understand the world from the eyes of us, the bachchas.

With much of her life devoted to teaching schoolchildren who loved and admired her, although she has quietly written much of her life, now after retirement she is finally finding more time for what comes very naturally to her. Her poems are simple and introspective, filled with deep questions about the social contract of human life and the inherent spirituality of being a thinking and questioning human being. They make you pause and think; they move you emotionally, sometimes even toward resignation and sadness but also often fill you with hope. I look forward to reading more of her perceptive writing, and hope that she continues to do more of it. Dear Badi Mausi, spread your wings and go wherever your heart is. Cheers, and Pranam.

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
That’s the first thought that comes to my mind when I think of you Ma. An educationist, a poet, a storyteller, a teacher, a chef, a painter, a loving mom, a doting granny and a very spiritual human being. Phew… I can’t even imagine myself doing half of what you have achieved. I am completely in awe of your fighting spirit and the way you have handled ups and downs in life. I have so much to learn from you and imbibe your selfless caring attitude.

I really enjoy our little sessions playing “antaakshri”, discussing politics or arguing over Patanjali. And of course, the delicious food that you prepare… I always wonder how you manage to prepare fantastically tasty dishes so quickly, with the kitchen always looking spick and span. I feel blessed to have you in our lives and wish that our daughter turns out to be as wonderful as you are.

I hope that this blog (three cheers to Pai, for putting this together) provides you adequate space to reflect on a regular basis. Looking forward to more poems and stories from you. God bless you. Pranam Ma.

There are those who can ponder. Then those who romance words even as they muse about the most abstruse themes. Then there is Shama/phua who expresses with almost stoic simplicity. There lies her magic. It’s ornate while being simple. For she speaks of the profound in the simplest terms and at times of the simple in profound terms. She romances her inner core where there is a wealth of emotions. Memories swaddled carelessly and emotions hard earned. A mother’s love and a beloved’s wail. Wanderings in nature, entwined to the last living cell. She expresses simply and forcefully. Moves subtly and yet with a whirl that will sweep you along. Gravitas and bewitching childlike guile. These verses are as much her journey as a path we have travelled ourselves. Parts of us unlit and parts privy to all. Hope you find your song and your voice in her expressions!

My badi mausi, who is the gentlest of souls and in possession of the sweetest smiles, always received me with great warmth and deepest affection. I have known her wonderful cooking and her joyous presence many times, but certainly not enough. Her poems and narratives erase some of the physical distance between us – she speaks so wisely of life lessons learned, people loved and lost, life experiences, the Earth and its flowers with such rhythm and vivid descriptive – it makes me feel even more connected with her. Her note about my grandfather echoes my own memories and stories I have heard from my mother – different voices singing the same notes! Her rendition of ‘jalte hain jiske liye’ was my first hearing of the song that I now frequently hum…. badi mausi, you are exceptional!

Dearest Badi Mausi

Pranam.

I have always seen you as the wisest one in the family. Taking care of your two badmash little sisters and all eight of us children in the summer sunshine in Patna. I recall the tasty rohu with sarson ka rassa that you would make – it was so yummy that it would make it worthwhile microscoping all the kaata out while at the same time keeping a banana close at hand just in case 🙂

Over time we have not had to wait to meet once or twice a year as your willingness to adopt tech has kept me informed of all that is happening. I look forward to your snippets of poetry or pictures of flowers in your garden or with little Navika and Pi di. And it is great to have you in Bombay so often. Your verses on the rain and on hope and love are so rhythmic – I feel that they will best be enjoyed if you read them out to us in your andaaz at our next family get together.

Remember the trip we took to Lonavala. Wasn’t it truly special! We flew a kite in the rain and sang songs in the evening. Then on the cricket pitch you showed your mettle by smashing the ball into the swimming pool past a despairing dive by Akku bhaiyal! Kudos Mausi! And of course, the chocolate fudge and stopping for snacks on the highway. We must do another road trip soon with everyone.

Circling back to what I said earlier I have always looked up to my Badi Mausi as the strong leader of the family. And a teacher as well. And thank you Mausi for adding that special ingredient to life…. for without teachers life would have no Class!

Lots of love
Abhik

नया मौसम हो या नयी कली खिली,
या पुराने पन्नो में कोई स्मृतिमिली,
या कोई पर्व दरवाज़ा खटखटाए,
या कुछ ख़ास नहीं बस एक सादा सरका नया दिन शुरू हो जाए |

सब सुंदर से अति सुंदर हो जाता है,
जब बड़ी मौसी की जादुईहाथों से मिल जाता है
कभी तस्वीरों से, कभी कविताओंमें पिरो कर,
बना देती है वो उस क्षण को अविस्मरणीय निरंतर |

दिल की छवि दिखलाता है.
पढ़ के दिल को छू जाता है.
शुध से शुद्ध जब शब्द उसमें आता है, अहा!
मेरा मन बड़ा पुलकित हो जाता है |

बड़ी गहराई है उस छंद में छुपी,
बड़ी उलझी यादें करती लुक्का छुप्पी,
बड़ी स्नेह रस से भरी, बड़ी सत्य की झड़ी,
बड़ी प्यारीन्यारी रचना, बड़ी मौसी की कविताओं का क्या कहना |

Chhammo di, (the name by which we call Shama Sinha) has great creativity, both literary as well as culinary. I say this from personal experience. I, and others in the family too have witnessed and admired these skills of hers. Her poems in particular are superb and seem to be coming straight from her heart. May she pursue these skills further, and may she achieve greater accomplishment and greater recognition in both these areas!

Didi, my elder sister, whom many know as Shama, has always left me with an awe, right from my childhood. The first thing that I realized about her creativity was the fact that she was lovingly nicknamed Chhammo by my Nana because she danced so gracefully. Wow! I was so proud to boast it to my friends. Yet, this was just the beginning to her numerous talents that unfolded with time. She is blessed with a vibrant beautiful voice and captivates any audience. Her lip-smacking dishes are a witness to her culinary talent. If you leave it to her, she can turn the walls of a house into a beautiful home. Last but not the least and a feather in her cap are her words…her writings…her poems which mesmerize one with her creativity poured from the bottom of her heart. They are resplended with deep and provoking thoughts loved by all. Didi, keep on writing… my best wishes are with you.

कितनी अनोखी कितनी प्यारी
माँ दुनिया आपकी सुहानी सी!

कभी खुशबू उनमें फूलों और कलियों की
कभी ज़िक्र ज़िन्दगी के खट्टे मीठे ताने बाने की
कभी यादें बीते पलों के धूप छाँव कीे जानी पहचानीें सी
कभी बातें माँ के स्नेह की स्मृतियों की और उनसे जुड़ी कहानी की
कभी प्रकृति का सुन्दर चित्रण आपकी कलम जुबानी सी
कभी सबके साथ मिलकर सबको अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी निभाने की!
मानो हर शब्द ने ज़िद ठानी हो अपना नया अर्थ पाने की!

कितनी अनोखी कितनी प्यारी
माँ दुनिया आपकी सुहानी सी!

Our parents decided against higher education for our oldest sister. But Shama happened to be a natural!

Phua is a simple, mature and jovial lady. Her ability to face ups and downs in life is amazing. She seems to take everything in her stride with a much greater ease than most of us. She is from a certain generation and has her opinions, which one may or may not agree with, yet, she is terrific in giving respect to and understanding others’ views. It is this clarity and openness which makes conversing with her and reading her writings a pleasure. My best wishes are with you, Phua. You are a rock star!