Maa

I was born on 30th of December in the year 1976. One of my first memories which I can recollect is being taken to school by maa. I think I was in lower KG, and paa was posted in Avadi, an Air Force Station in Madras, now Chennai. Now when I look back its been almost 3 decades (heck that's a lot of time...) since those first memories of maa. Paa got transferred to 5-6 new locations and finally retired, we (me and my brother) grew up, went to school and got over with it. Went on to finish our education and have built our careers too.

I have very fond (and not so fond) memories of growing up. Paa was away most of the time when we were in school thanks to his commitment to sports. So we can call ourselves mama's boys!!! She was a toughie. Instrumental in our performances in school, studies and more. Being sons of a sportsperson it was always in our blood and we both, my brother and I took to a whole lot of it. Days were one big routine. Special Maa would take care of everything. She was keen that we did well in our studies especially Maths. And we did too, well almost always... She was very strict. While every achievement was celebrated, she would get very upset with up sometimes too. I rememberd getting the beatings for a mistake the same day I had won a clutch of prizes for my performances at school.

Once schooling was over I moved out of home to do my graduation and post graduation. Would get to meet maa & paa once in 2-3 months. And every time we met it would always be about our health and performance in studies which maa would be bothered about. She would always keep telling us about hard work and how our success will make her and paa proud. She always believed (I know she still does) that I should have studied more...

Once done with we started our careers, my brother a couple of years down. I entered the myriad world of advertising and life went on an adventure ride. Thanks to mobile phones would keep in touch with maa & paa. I knew they would feel lonely but then it was a phase which I would tell them would pass soon. Every phone call would be as usual about health and how I was doing at work. I remember that she had portrayed or rather thats how my relatives in my native understood that I was a movie director!!! And I was directing Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan and Radhika ( tamil actress of yester years). Everytime a TV campaign for one of the brands I was working on came on TV I would call amma who in turn will tell my relatives!!!!

It was 2006, I was 29 and I thought I was ready to get married. I still remember the conversation I had with maa to introduce the girl I planned to get married to. She was stunned, silent...but then it was just a matter of couple of days and then she was even happier after meeting the girl. I know she proudly went around showing her photograph to the whole world. Ma was very proud when I told her that we (wife and me) have bought a flat in Bangalore.

Currently life is tough, am here in Mumbai. Wifey continues to be in Bangalore. Ma & pa have their next set of wishes..rather long standing. Every phone call of maa is about health and our future. I also know she's eagerly wanting to be a granny. A proud one at that. But then she has full faith in me and realises its a passing phase...

Today when I look back a myriad of memories fill my thoughts...black n white, technicolour and in rich colours...late 70s, 80s, 90s and now in the 21st century...Happy, joyous, eager, curious, dont want to give up, upset, angry and a lot more. But in all this maa is there always there....

Happy Mothers Day maa.....