TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHERS
To define 'motherhood' is a bit difficult task, to some extent, for a person like me who is not at all either a learned or recognized and established writer. Not to talk of my being a 'writer', I am an unknown, unrecognized or else one can say, an unworthy a person who is not remotely known even within his own neighborhood
. However, despite all these handicaps, I still insist to scribble down roughly few lines and try to reach to people around me and beyond with the hope that I might be able, sometimes, someday, somehow, to leave unforgettable imprints on the minds of very many people, who shall one day definitely come forward and recognize what I want to stress upon them through my amateur writings. Well, let us not waste our precious time on expressing our opinions about my being a worthy or unworthy writer and come forward straightaway on today's gossip, a gossip which is not merely a gossip but a reality in its true sense!
During mid 30s, young lad Puran, eldest son of Pandit Mallhu Ram of village Ladori was married to a girl named Krishna, daughter of Pandit Mallhu Ram of a small village Khajjian situated on the Pathankot-Dharamshala National Highway in between Nurpur and Kotla towns. However, this marriage did not survive for long as the bride suffered from TB and left for her heavenly abode within one year from the marriage, however, without having any issue. Dada-Dadi were upset.
During mid 30s, young lad Puran, eldest son of Pandit Mallhu Ram of village Ladori was married to a girl named Krishna, daughter of Pandit Mallhu Ram of a small village Khajjian situated on the Pathankot-Dharamshala National Highway in between Nurpur and Kotla towns. However, this marriage did not survive for long as the bride suffered from TB and left for her heavenly abode within one year from the marriage, however, without having any issue. Dada-Dadi were upset.
They felt distressed, undone, feared and lost as their financial position was already so bad that they found themselves helpless in meeting the day to day expenses of the family as there were no other sources of income except through Dehra Pujan and miscellaneous karamkand rituals! After having passed quite some, marriage of their younger son Kishan Chand was arranged at Jawali. Chachi Dana Vati came home and started extending her helping hand to her mother-in-law and household routine started running smoothly once again. After a long interval, Dadaji once again launched a frantic search for a suitable girl for Puran Chand continuously for about six months but in vain.
A very tiny village Khajjan is situated closely at the bank of Jabbar Khad, three kilometers down eastwards from Nurpur town on the pony track leading to Chamba via Chowari. There lived a poor Khajuria brahmin family, a family which was later made pujari and custodian of Mandir Kalyanrai by an order of the then Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur Kingdom. Pandit Kunj Behari Lal Khajuria, the pujari of the mandir had two children. Son Kishan Dyal and daughter Kaushalya.
Once while on the way to Nurpur, my Dadaji visited Mandir Kalyanrai to pay his reverence to the deity of Lord Krishna. On having found a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere surrounded by lush green environment covered with fruit laden trees and different types of flower bearing bushes and plants of Tulsi grown in plenty throughout the mandir courtyard attracted him most. Pujari's hut was situated right in front of the temple courtyard, amidst the cluster of mango trees and geometrically laid out flower beds, he stayed in the temple premises for a while unexpectedly enjoying mixed musical tunes of chirping and cooing of different species of birds!
My Dadaji was a very well known personality of the area being one of the great learned and renowned pandits and Jyotishacharyas of his times. Pandit Kunj Behari Lal, the pujari of the temple also knew Dadaji personally very well. The pujari welcomed Dadaji with open arms and with folded hands and had a social interaction for a while sitting under an orange tree. Dadaji was offered a basket of fresh fruits as prasad of the temple and also offered a glass of cool pitcher water to drink. The glass of water was brought from inside the hut by pujari's daughter Kaushalya. This was the moment, the search for a girl for Puran Chand halted here!
The Pujari was overwhelmed when my Dadaji proposed him whether he was willingly ready to give his daughter Kaushalya for his son Puran Chand. The matter was discussed then and there and marriage date was fixed keeping in view the intermediary functions and prevailing customs. Soon thereafter, the marriage was solemnized in a simple ceremony and Kaushalya became another member of Manjhol Parivar.
Now that new daughter-in-law had arrived home at Ladori, it was later decided that the old relation between Ladori and Khajjian would be revived and kept alive for ever and maintained as such. Since it is known fact that the people who bade good bye to this eternal world for good, cannot be brought back to life again, keeping in view the point under discussion, it was decided that Kaushalya, our new daughter-in-law would be offered and placed in the lap of Khajjian household.
A very tiny village Khajjan is situated closely at the bank of Jabbar Khad, three kilometers down eastwards from Nurpur town on the pony track leading to Chamba via Chowari. There lived a poor Khajuria brahmin family, a family which was later made pujari and custodian of Mandir Kalyanrai by an order of the then Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur Kingdom. Pandit Kunj Behari Lal Khajuria, the pujari of the mandir had two children. Son Kishan Dyal and daughter Kaushalya.
Once while on the way to Nurpur, my Dadaji visited Mandir Kalyanrai to pay his reverence to the deity of Lord Krishna. On having found a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere surrounded by lush green environment covered with fruit laden trees and different types of flower bearing bushes and plants of Tulsi grown in plenty throughout the mandir courtyard attracted him most. Pujari's hut was situated right in front of the temple courtyard, amidst the cluster of mango trees and geometrically laid out flower beds, he stayed in the temple premises for a while unexpectedly enjoying mixed musical tunes of chirping and cooing of different species of birds!
My Dadaji was a very well known personality of the area being one of the great learned and renowned pandits and Jyotishacharyas of his times. Pandit Kunj Behari Lal, the pujari of the temple also knew Dadaji personally very well. The pujari welcomed Dadaji with open arms and with folded hands and had a social interaction for a while sitting under an orange tree. Dadaji was offered a basket of fresh fruits as prasad of the temple and also offered a glass of cool pitcher water to drink. The glass of water was brought from inside the hut by pujari's daughter Kaushalya. This was the moment, the search for a girl for Puran Chand halted here!
The Pujari was overwhelmed when my Dadaji proposed him whether he was willingly ready to give his daughter Kaushalya for his son Puran Chand. The matter was discussed then and there and marriage date was fixed keeping in view the intermediary functions and prevailing customs. Soon thereafter, the marriage was solemnized in a simple ceremony and Kaushalya became another member of Manjhol Parivar.
Now that new daughter-in-law had arrived home at Ladori, it was later decided that the old relation between Ladori and Khajjian would be revived and kept alive for ever and maintained as such. Since it is known fact that the people who bade good bye to this eternal world for good, cannot be brought back to life again, keeping in view the point under discussion, it was decided that Kaushalya, our new daughter-in-law would be offered and placed in the lap of Khajjian household.
A ceremonious visit to Khajjian along with the new bride was arranged and a function at a grand scale was arranged where Kaushalya was placed in the lap of previous mother-in-law of Puran Chand and she was declared their daughter. Ever since the relationship with that family has had all along been made till today. I vividly remember that once when I was a small boy, I had gone to Khajjian along with Pitaji for attending the marriage ceremony of my Mamaji there and I accompanied the barat. Perhaps the village where barat went was Fatehpur.
When I was in the Army service, I again visited Khajjian accompanying a barat from Ladori to Khajjian during the marriage of our Moussi Vijay Kumari. In the year 2011, I specially visited Pehowa in Kurukhetra district, a holy place for conducting a puja and pind daan for our Maa Krishna in order to pay her homage and for her greh shanti. I cannot say that my prayer reached her but I was very much satisfied when I returned home from Pehowa.
Maa Kaushalya was proud to have five children who are all also proud to have 'KRISHNA' as our dear and respected Bari Maa, who along with her younger sister Kaushalya, always shower their blessings on us from the heavens. We all miss you both! Chachi Bhagwati was a 'Bhagwati' in the true sense of her name who never let her husband exert a little for any kind of work, big or small, at home and served him heart and soul during his life time.
She loved everyone heartly. She lived at Nurpur with her two sons Brijesh and Gopi. Brijesh looks after shakti printing press while Gopi is an engineer in a PSU. I being her third son, loved and respected her most as she took all the responsibilities of my early life, my early education and brought up me to be able to get some job in order to earn living.
I lived with her at Nurpur for a period of five years and she gave me all that was needed for and she took care of my all the daily needs being a school boy until I completed my matriculation in the year 1961. Chachi Bhagwati is[was not less than my real Amma who showered on me her true love without any prejudice.
Bent like bow from waist upwards, she felt energetic enough and did not get tired even by taking all the responsibilities on her ageing shoulders. Crackling sound of her wooden slippers (Kharaon) while doing daily household chores from 5 O'Clock in the morning till 11 at night continuously, did not disturb anyone at all! My mother-like, who taught me many good things and filled my life with all good moral ethics. I miss you Maa!
It was my mother-in-law, Shahni Soma Vati who was borne in a poorest of the poor brahmin family of village Indora which was nearly depended on alms. Soma Vati was deprived of all the love and affection of a loving father as he left for his heavenly abode immediately after the birth of Soma. Being single parent child, Soma was brought up all alone by her mother Lajwanti in a thatched mud house.
Bent like bow from waist upwards, she felt energetic enough and did not get tired even by taking all the responsibilities on her ageing shoulders. Crackling sound of her wooden slippers (Kharaon) while doing daily household chores from 5 O'Clock in the morning till 11 at night continuously, did not disturb anyone at all! My mother-like, who taught me many good things and filled my life with all good moral ethics. I miss you Maa!
It was my mother-in-law, Shahni Soma Vati who was borne in a poorest of the poor brahmin family of village Indora which was nearly depended on alms. Soma Vati was deprived of all the love and affection of a loving father as he left for his heavenly abode immediately after the birth of Soma. Being single parent child, Soma was brought up all alone by her mother Lajwanti in a thatched mud house.
Soma studied up to 8th class in Government High School, Indora where she also started taking classes in the primary section of the school at a later date, until she was married off to Sain Dass Shah, a very wealthy seth of village Narot Mehra near Pathankot. He was a widower and had three children already. But Soma was taken by them with the open arms and kept on eye lids by everyone at Narot Mehra Haveli and she soon became Shahni Soma Vati, a bold, courageous, straightforward and influential first lady of Narot Mehra and beyond!
Soma Vati was a very beautiful, tall, slim, gori, soft spoken, fashionably very well dressed and culturally rich girl. She was the only daughter of her parents. Studied up to 8th class in Indora High School. Smt. Durga Devi Pathania of Ladori, who was the Headmistress of Govt Girls Primary School, Ladori, was the classmate of Soma Vati in Indora School.
After marriage, Soma Vati made a ceremonious entry into the 'Shah Haveli' of Narot Mehra. The Haveli made of small red bricks of Nanakshahi pattern, had three stories with number of Gumbads and beautifully arranged and made attaries affixed with colourful windowpanes. Paintings on the inner and outer walls of the Haveli were made with fast colors. Paintings were very attractive and the witness of the past glory of the family. Alongside the Haveli, a small canal (Sua) coming from Apparwari Doab from Malikpur, is still flowing there.
Three mature and professional maids were at the service of Soma Vati (Shahniji) all the day long. Everyday arrangements for bath, clothes, make-up and miniature hair-do (minidies) along with fixing of a heavy gold chownk on the head was the routine duty of these maids. Shahniji used to change clothes twice a day excluding night dressing. She looked so pretty, pampered and beautiful. Whenever, she had to go out of the Haveli, not less than ten women were seen surrounding her. She was so attractive that none would pass by her without throwing a complementary flying look at her and bowing in admiration!
I was perhaps lucky enough to have been married to Rama Kumari, the youngest daughter of Sain Dass Shah and Shahni Soma Vati. Being bold and courageous, Soma Vati had all along been the village Pradhan and most sought after and respected lady in the society. She also fought Zila Parishad election once but lost merely for a margin of less than ten votes. Malpractice in the election was, however, not ruled out.
The love and affection and respect of highest order that I received from my mother-in-law during her life time need not to be emphasized. Being the youngest son-in-law of Shah family of Narot Mehra, it was all praise, fame and status for me that I always felt and deeply realized while walking erect, head held high along side my mother-in-law.
Let me take you all in the time when Soma was studying in the Primary School, Indora. Soma had a best friend in her class. Her name was Durga, a Rajput girl looking quite similar to Soma. Both of them studied up to 8th class and later parted their ways! As luck would have it, Durga was married to Purshotam Singh Pathania, a tall, handsome boy belonging to a rich and landlord family of Ladori.
Soma Vati was a very beautiful, tall, slim, gori, soft spoken, fashionably very well dressed and culturally rich girl. She was the only daughter of her parents. Studied up to 8th class in Indora High School. Smt. Durga Devi Pathania of Ladori, who was the Headmistress of Govt Girls Primary School, Ladori, was the classmate of Soma Vati in Indora School.
After marriage, Soma Vati made a ceremonious entry into the 'Shah Haveli' of Narot Mehra. The Haveli made of small red bricks of Nanakshahi pattern, had three stories with number of Gumbads and beautifully arranged and made attaries affixed with colourful windowpanes. Paintings on the inner and outer walls of the Haveli were made with fast colors. Paintings were very attractive and the witness of the past glory of the family. Alongside the Haveli, a small canal (Sua) coming from Apparwari Doab from Malikpur, is still flowing there.
Three mature and professional maids were at the service of Soma Vati (Shahniji) all the day long. Everyday arrangements for bath, clothes, make-up and miniature hair-do (minidies) along with fixing of a heavy gold chownk on the head was the routine duty of these maids. Shahniji used to change clothes twice a day excluding night dressing. She looked so pretty, pampered and beautiful. Whenever, she had to go out of the Haveli, not less than ten women were seen surrounding her. She was so attractive that none would pass by her without throwing a complementary flying look at her and bowing in admiration!
I was perhaps lucky enough to have been married to Rama Kumari, the youngest daughter of Sain Dass Shah and Shahni Soma Vati. Being bold and courageous, Soma Vati had all along been the village Pradhan and most sought after and respected lady in the society. She also fought Zila Parishad election once but lost merely for a margin of less than ten votes. Malpractice in the election was, however, not ruled out.
The love and affection and respect of highest order that I received from my mother-in-law during her life time need not to be emphasized. Being the youngest son-in-law of Shah family of Narot Mehra, it was all praise, fame and status for me that I always felt and deeply realized while walking erect, head held high along side my mother-in-law.
Let me take you all in the time when Soma was studying in the Primary School, Indora. Soma had a best friend in her class. Her name was Durga, a Rajput girl looking quite similar to Soma. Both of them studied up to 8th class and later parted their ways! As luck would have it, Durga was married to Purshotam Singh Pathania, a tall, handsome boy belonging to a rich and landlord family of Ladori.
When I was merely a school boy, this family shifted their residence from middle of the village to a newly built up farm house like a mansion in the outskirts of Ladori near Baadian-da-Naal surrounded by high rise trees all around. Mango and various other species of fruit bearing trees spread out in a vast expanse of agricultural land with boundary wall of moderate height all around with a heavy and impressive looking entrance gate prominently placed on the road side.
By this time Mrs. Durga Devi had taken up teaching job in Government Girls Primary School, Ladori, situated in Mandi area near Ghare-da-Amb, facing northwards towards Khadyater Meadow. All her life, Mrs. Durga Devi, who was also very popular, socialite and bold lady belonging to a rich and reputed Pathania family of Ladori. She used to walk down to school everyday, both times, through a track leading to Mandi via being in front of the main entrance of Manjhol House.
By this time Mrs. Durga Devi had taken up teaching job in Government Girls Primary School, Ladori, situated in Mandi area near Ghare-da-Amb, facing northwards towards Khadyater Meadow. All her life, Mrs. Durga Devi, who was also very popular, socialite and bold lady belonging to a rich and reputed Pathania family of Ladori. She used to walk down to school everyday, both times, through a track leading to Mandi via being in front of the main entrance of Manjhol House.
Many a times she would come in to the Manjhol House for chit-chat with my Dadi and Chachi Dana Vati. My Dadi, Rukmani Devi was a great lady of Village Ladori and was admired by all young and old for her prevailing goodness charm, elderly advice and social understanding. There was another good reason for Mrs. Durga Devi to come to Manjhol House every now and then that my Chachi Dana Vati was also a teacher in the same school, Mrs. Durga Devi being the Headmistress.
Now I am again taking you all a little backwards when I was merely an infant of about one and a half years old. Since my Chachi Dana Vati loved me more than my own Maa, she used to take me along with her to her school many times. Mrs. Durga Devi also had a baby boy of my age and she also used to bring him along to the school. Sometimes we both were there in the school and started crying together when hungry.
Now I am again taking you all a little backwards when I was merely an infant of about one and a half years old. Since my Chachi Dana Vati loved me more than my own Maa, she used to take me along with her to her school many times. Mrs. Durga Devi also had a baby boy of my age and she also used to bring him along to the school. Sometimes we both were there in the school and started crying together when hungry.
In that case, Mrs, Durga Devi would take both of us to a separate room in the school and feed both of us her breast milk at a time holding us side by side. It so happened many times. I had found a new mother so lovable in Mrs. Durga Devi who shared her breast milk with me which belonged to her son alone.
In 1973, I was married to Rama Kumari, youngest daughter of Sain Das Shah and Shahni Soma Vati of Narot Mehra. I mostly lived with my family in government accommodation after my marriage. It was year 1978 when I happened to be at Ladori with my family. By then Mrs, Durga Deviji had retired from service. My Chachi had already left the job many years before. I was just standing at the main entrance of our house when I saw Mrs. Durga Devi coming. I went forward, folded my hand into namaste and at the same time lowered myself and touched her feet. She patted my back with great affection and talked to me for while. I brought her inside the house and she met Rama and our children. It was this time when she came to know that Rama is the daughter of her best friend Soma. Mrs. Durga Devi was so glad, overwhelmed and also felt pleasantly surprised! Mrs. Durga Devi hugged Rama passionately while her eyes were full of tears. We were invited to lunch at her farm house the other day where we enjoyed the lovely lunch with all the family members. All were so happy to have us there. It was a rare occasion of a re-union of old friendly relations of good old days! We came back home in the evening all happy and honored as Mrs. Durga Devi had told Rama that how Amrit used to suck her milk along with Baldev, both at a time, together! On that day I once again met my mother, my milk-mother!
In 1973, I was married to Rama Kumari, youngest daughter of Sain Das Shah and Shahni Soma Vati of Narot Mehra. I mostly lived with my family in government accommodation after my marriage. It was year 1978 when I happened to be at Ladori with my family. By then Mrs, Durga Deviji had retired from service. My Chachi had already left the job many years before. I was just standing at the main entrance of our house when I saw Mrs. Durga Devi coming. I went forward, folded my hand into namaste and at the same time lowered myself and touched her feet. She patted my back with great affection and talked to me for while. I brought her inside the house and she met Rama and our children. It was this time when she came to know that Rama is the daughter of her best friend Soma. Mrs. Durga Devi was so glad, overwhelmed and also felt pleasantly surprised! Mrs. Durga Devi hugged Rama passionately while her eyes were full of tears. We were invited to lunch at her farm house the other day where we enjoyed the lovely lunch with all the family members. All were so happy to have us there. It was a rare occasion of a re-union of old friendly relations of good old days! We came back home in the evening all happy and honored as Mrs. Durga Devi had told Rama that how Amrit used to suck her milk along with Baldev, both at a time, together! On that day I once again met my mother, my milk-mother!
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