Amba Nayak Tribute

My Mamama was one of the strongest woman I have ever known. She had a quiet strength about her which made us feel safe and secure everytime we went to Katapadi in the absence of our parents. My cousin Shubha and I have wonderful childhood memories in Katapadi and she is responsible for most of them. The day the summer vacations would begin, our parents would pack us off to Katapadi ( we were ever willing) in a Ghatge-Patil bus which would take a whole of 22 hours to reach. We could never contain our excitement the minute we would open our eyes in the morning and see the Udyawar bridge fast approaching. Mamama would be watching out for us from the little window in the malli and Gopmam would be waiting at the door-step. Mamama was never demonstrative in her actions but still all the affection in her eyes would reach us all at once. Her cooking was something we never ever ate anywhere else as it was prepared with so much love and patience. She was more broad-minded than my mother and was unusually modern in her thoughts for her times. The fact that she spent half her life without a husband but still continued to manage her life with so much dignity and respect is amazing!!!! I am proud to be a grand-child of my Mamama and Ajja. I miss you terribly Mamama. Katapadi is nothing without you!!!

The Deepest feelings and emotions are those that are left unsaid and cannot be totally described. As a tribute to my Mamama I feel I should try now.
Distance, absence or passing away cannot take away or diminish my feelings for her. The feelings go as far back in time as my conscious memory is available and can be recalled.She lives with me ---in my memory.
When I was a child and with my dad and mom in Delhi, the one thing that I used to long for was to holidays when mom would ( Naturally) go to Katapadi. Although at that time I loved the place, it was only when I grew up that I realised that it was not about the place but my grandparents,uncles and Aunts and at the very centre of it all would be my Mamama who would literally take me over from my mom for the rest of the stay, and being her first grandchild she made me feel very special.she would remember every little bit about my likes and dislikes, would be extra protective. There was Ajja too at that time who was equally doting.
Being under her care felt so good that I used to hate it every time I had to leave Katapadi. The "Suno Suno Re kishan Kala" that she used to mutter everytime still rings pleasantly in my ears everytime I think of her. That is how I got my nickname--Kishen- from her. So much was the doting by Mamama that my parents used to fear that I would be a spoilt child --Ajji Sakida Magu.
The more I try to describe my feelings the more I feel that I am at a loss for words and the more I feel the moistness in my eyes developing into a tear.
I prey to god to rest her soul in peace
Kishen

I will miss dear Ambappama. It will be hard to go to Katpadi and not find her there. What I know about her I came to learn from my father, my mother and my aunts, talking with great fondness, respect and admiration for her. I learnt of her strength of character, her softness and affection towards them and for those around her, her selflessness,and consideration towards others... She was the last of that generation that included my grandmother, grandfather and his siblings. With her passing away I feel the last link to my own grandparents is severed. Katpadi house will never feel the same again without Ambappama.
May her soul rest in peace.

Going to Katpadi

it is diffcult to believe Katpadi house without her. Everytime i went there for as long as i remember, Amba bapama was always there ....