My Baba's year 2021

💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮

The year is in its last month. I came to revive this blog and saw that my last post was in Jan 2021.

I think you must have guessed it already seeing my Baba's picture here. He has moved on in his soul's journey. He fell ill with an urinary tract infection in Jan and after a fall in Feb had to undergo spine surgery in Mar. His recovery looked promising inspite of the complications. However his body finally gave up. 

During this pandemic atleast I could convince him to stay with me. In the 6 months he was in bed we had several conversations, he was very happy that I was looking after him but he worried too much about how I would be alone after him. We talked about all things that we had skirted about before in our life. All answers were sought and given. Then on 18 June 2021 in the early morning as I went to say good morning to him, he just turned towards me and breathed his last. 

I informed my extended family and his relationships that he had fostered. He was cremated in the electric furnace as was his wish and no rituals. I offered a trimming of my hair with him. On the 13th day we had a shanti homa. Post which I was waiting until the lockdown opened up so I could do his Asthi visarjan. I did it in two places in the Arabian sea and at Gondavale in the Managanga river. He had wished to breath his last in Gondavale all his life however he had a plan B. So that is what I fulfilled. I am very sure he is in the lap of Shree Gondavalekar Maharaj.

The longest relationship in my life has come to an end. 🙏Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram 🙏

P. S: 

I had planned a SahastraChandra for him and we postponed it as he had a fall. Sharing here the video I had made for the celebration of his 80 years on Earth. He was an amazing father and a very sucessful man in life. 

Preserve Preserve and Preserve.

We have such a wealth and we must value it. 

Everytime I watch a reaction on OSR for those who don't know, it is Our Stupid Reactions. It has been a two way process we learn so much about appreciation of art especially films and music from Rick and Korbin. However I love how it revives the interest of Indians in their own culture while the stupid babies teach them about our Indian heritage. The Benarasi saree video triggered yet again for me a need of immersion into our weaves.

I recollect going to Belur Chennakesava temple and chatting with the Pujari. He patiently told me the story of how Shantala Devi the queen of the Hoysala danced for her Vishnu here. He also told me, "Like you my son also works for an IT company. Visits us but does not live here." I had suggested to him that he must tell his son to make a video recording of him narrating the stories of the entire temple and the densely decorative sculptures adorning the temple. The pic here is of Indra on his Airavat, just one small sample of the rich sculpture in Belur.

Only if each family recorded their heritage like this. I feel a sense of loss when I think of our own Koli culture. We sold our fishing business when I was 13-14 yrs. It has taken me couple of decades to realize what a loss that is. The knowledge of the sea, the lunar phases, the weather is lost. My younger cousins don't even know what they have lost. My father and his bros lived their lives in the city and gave us a good life by working in good jobs. 

I think this value for heritage shows up in alternative generations. If you are like me do document what you can. Your generations to come will bless you.

I know my blogs both AnnaParaBrahma and Swachchanda are loved by many. I am hoping I continue to do it through my Youtube  channel TalkativeAnjali.

Sharing links here for those who need them.

https://annaparabrahma.blogspot.com

http://swachchanda.blogspot.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/TalkativeAnjali