Perspective No. 5 - Sketchstory No. 34 - 'Maa, Meri Maa' by Nita Verma

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Maa was always well groomed... her hip long hair coiled up in a bun, starched, crisp, choicest Indian handloom sari, a few red glass bangles coupled with her gold ones, tiny silver toe-rings to carry on the tradition, a bright kumkum bindi, and a dazzling diamond nose pin. A literate and intelligent woman, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom nurturing her family with such selfless care and love. Thoroughly methodical and calm, she handled the cooking so effortlessly and in a serenely disciplined manner. 


But she was mindful enough to have her *Me Time* indulging in reading, knitting and watching her favourite soaps. I so fondly recollect peeping (for that comforting satisfaction and security that she was there) into her room where she would be resting only after making sure there was food on the table for me - complete with the thali etc. I did this unfailingly throughout my school, college days, in fact even when I started working, so really till her last day! Gosh! That caressing feeling in indescribable!


I secretly admired her for not being a doormat and waiting for us to run our errands... no way! 


The tender memory lingers on of her doing her own thing and my dad his but with such deep and tender togetherness. Truly their match was made in heaven !!! 


I think that was their greatest gift to us kids... harmony and contentment in limited but well utilized resources. Here, Maa sits happy and at peace- am sure full of a feeling of satisfaction of steering her life and ours through her divinely created safe haven.


I knew she was loved but more importantly respected by the huge extended clan. But to what extent and depth I only realized after she passed away. When my cousins call me on Mother's Day and share what she meant to them and how she reached out to each one of them in her unique, sensitive and thoughtful ways.


She never lectured to us. Her pearls of wisdom flowed spontaneously and almost casually without any pressure….


This sketch brought out all these feelings like a gurgling and gushing, sparkling and refreshing river...

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Comments

  1. Nidhi RanaJuly 10, 2020 at 2:30 PM

    My Account of Nitaji's Sketchstory on - Maa, Meri Maa.

    Mother - a canopy of harmony, love and an unknowing knowing of eternal looming, abiding bliss.

    Nitaji's mother, in her supreme divine feminity, was organised and contained like a spiritual chieftain, supremely aware when, where and how to align the reins of her yin and yang to nurture her holy tribe in a synchronistic melody.

    A progressive woman of her time, literate, kempt who managed to make time to keep in touch with her soul with her "me time", something that people even in this day and age struggle to keep up with. Dutiful and responsible, she kindled the spirit of not just her immediate family but also her extended family as amply reflected by Nitaji's cousins' fond remembrance of the myriad ways in which she touched upon their lives uniquely.

    It is easily discernible that she was a balanced human being, empowered and not a doormat (highlighted by the fact that she never waited for her children to run their errands on time); she mastered inner harmony to let the fountain of inner bliss overflow to strengthen and empower everyone around her, in the palpable blissful union with her divine counterpart.

    It is indeed heaven on Earth when one finds harmony with oneself, in one's work and enrich and expand a balanced relationship and family with beauty, grace, unforced wisdom and remarkable devotion, faith and inner strength.

    I wish and pray that her graceful and loving spirit dances and glides in all the realms, all the time and may it continue to uplift the consciousness of all her kith and kin.

    Amen!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NVJuly 10, 2020 at 3:16 PM

    Wowww well u have captured the essence of my mom. Am glad I was able to share her true nature for it to reach it and be understood. Thanks so much Nidhi...
    Nita ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  3. NKJuly 11, 2020 at 2:45 PM

    Beautifully penned Nita di ♥️

    ReplyDelete

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