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!!!