Twinkle in Her Eyes - My Aunt Meena Pedamma

I wrote this note to the grandchildren of my beloved aunt. I think I wrote this to show them a side of her that they may not know, what made her special to some of us and as a way to connect with them to honour both Meena Pedamma and Kitu Pedanna!

Dear Rupa, Anjali, Alka, Vivi, Amar and Priya,

 

Yesterday, we said our goodbyes to the physical remains of Meena Pedamma, as so many of us fondly referred to her. I flew back from Delhi and missed the larger family gathering in the morning. I was at the crematorium and accompanied Mahesh, Manika and Biju, Vinod and Giri to the beach.  

(As I write this, I know I speak for so many of us from Chennai/Madurai with deep love for Meena Pedamma and Kitu Pedanna )

 

We were at a quiet spot on the beach. A blue sky, clear blue waters, clean sands and the noon Chennai sun out in its full glory created a poignant moment. Mahesh and I entered the waters and then with the ocean behind us, we paused. Straight ahead was the outline of a temple structure and at that moment, we heard the tinkle of bells. It just felt right. A candy vendor walked by at a distance…promoting his wares through the gentle bell. Mahesh then let Meena Pedamma’s ashes into the ocean.

This morning I spent some time thinking about my enriching journey with your grand-parents. There are so many joyful memories from my time with them in Columbus. For years, I came to the US about once a year mainly for work in Washington DC. A couple of days in Columbus was customary on each trip. Coming to think about it….that itself is quite amazing. I simply cannot imagine making so many trips to spend time with any other uncle and aunt. This was true for so many of us. Clearly, they embodied goodness that was a magnet that drew so many of us to them repeatedly. Simply said, when around them, we felt better about ourselves!

 

The seeds of my deep affection for your grand-parents were laid decades earlier. It was when they lived in Geneva and New York and used to visit Chennai in the 70s/80s.  These were grand grand occasions for us. Their hotel room immediately became our living room. So many of us cousins (including aunts/uncles) would simply spend the day with them. We were encouraged to order room service and the mini-competitions we had between us young cousins as to who would enjoy more treats continue to bring us much joy decades later. 

 

Simply said, they transformed a hotel room into a home where we bonded though song and laughter as wonderful memories were created. Not once or twice, but on multiple occasions! 

 

Meena Pedamma’s amazingly quick wit and omnipresent twinkle in her eyes will always remain with so many of us. Age did nothing to dull these diamonds. Her joy for life is contagious. I had the pleasure of experiencing all these first hand all to myself as I accompanied her on a flight from Washington DC to Mumbai some years ago.

 

In a family of singers, her voice was recognized by all as supreme and incomparable.

 

So, the next time someone compliments you or your children for your quirky sense of humor and joy de vivre, you can smile and know that she continues to live on through each of us!

 

Love,

Bunny/Sanjay