The Gentle Bull aka Meena Taurus turns seventy five in May 2026,not a small feat eh.
Diamond or Platinum jubilee whatever ,it calls for celebration with families and siblings.
How time flies .You are older than me by four years.Always took care of me.Going down memory lane how we shared similar designed clothes which our mother who was adept at stitching made for us.Sometimes frocks with or without sleeves,sometimes pakeezah suit outfits.
We were always sidelined but we were never in the race for black beauties. We were proud of having a beautiful loving and caring heart which was a class in itself.
You were gentle,fabulous(shaandaar),the epitome of patience,never spoke in raised tones and always appeared to come from a well fed family. Our cousins never missed a chance to tease you on account of your chubbiness and pulling your leg that our father owned the local ration shop.
Our poor dad was unnecessarily dragged into it.You felt sad but never retorted.I am exactly the opposite of you,a tomboy and waiting for a chance to react.
All said and done you took care of me a lot for which I am grateful even today.Gradually there were additions to the family with Sarsi and Ramesh joining in.There was a shift in family dynamics.Some parts of your life was spent with granny,some with our aunt,later at my ex principals hostel before joining us once and for all in bangalore.You did have your share of pain but always displayed an amazing calmness and quietness.Something to really learn from you.
You have helped me a lot from the time I was hospitalized for knee dislocation by caring for me and our stay at Maharani’s hostel .Remember our days with Rema,Padmini and Sosamma.Remember my marriage and the dramas one after the other.
When I got married you gifted a whole suitcase of sarees I wore happily and which stood with me during trying times, till twenty years after.I shared a few of them with our cousins especially Devi chachi who in turn gave it to her sister in laws.I also gave some to my immediate neighborhood young women.You have the goodwill of a lot of my acquaintances precisely to be called “Six Yard Saree Diplomacy” which you were not at all aware of.
You gracefully helped me tide over turbulent times and was the main architect in helping me build my house. My husband always remembered your positive push to start with construction and both of us are indebted to you and Shabbir for your constant support.Omanakuttan was always reminiscent of Kuwait times when he visited you.
When Paru met with an accident you ,amma and Ramesh stood by her for recovery as I was not in the station.Sarsi was in Bombay or Hyderabad I think. I remembered you taking her for physiotherapy and patiently waiting till she finished to return back home.I have not forgotten it and never will forget it. Thank you and remain full of gratitude.
You were calm and composed at all times and level headed always.You draped your saree well and carried it with grace.You had a beautiful collection of them with matching bags and slippers.You loved perfumes ,flowers,jewellery and owned strikingly good ones not to mention bangles.Class was innate to you though I am far away from it.
I remember the times when we shared blouses and sarees.If you went north wearing sarees 1-7 then next week i would wear them 1-7 in the opposite direction.This made it look like we had plenty of sarees.Ofcourse ,father was a little biased towards me which did not go well with you, but you nevertheless loved him a lot. The gentle bull that you are.
Remember the Lambretta BEL drops and coming back home only with the pen cap from Mounts.How Bhadrakali used to scream and fume.How we used to laugh without making sound and her ranting”ethu manzillal aanu irikanu pokkunda” was all fun and humour.You loved French and hated science. It took awhile for our parents to realise that you preferred Humanities to Science.
Remember for hasty emergency trips to Kerala by acchha or amma anyone how new skirts and underwear were stitched in a hurry..Many of our cousins visited and stayed with us Rani chachi,Shaji annan,Kochu Babu annan’s,Thampi annans ,Devi chachi.Mani.Mohan ,Ambily etc
Remember us washing clothes,one scrubbing one rinsing and once more washing and it is done both in the bathroom and public tap.Mother used to spread it on the clothes line.While one swept the other mopped.making chappatis in the evening as mothers kitchen used to close after lunch.
Mother was a real gourmet and made a lot of evening snacks ranging from cutlets to many more ,how I used to eat off leaving with you less.All the ingredients in the kitchen had its place no one was allowed to leave it open or shift its place.
Remember our cramped house in the fields and all of us running to see Yeshudas,who came to lay the foundation stone for the temple next door.The dasara chariots passing by with loud music the open maidan display of chariots,watching movies in the tent with stench of sweat and farts,eating and buying sweets at Bhagat rams when we went to commercials,all bring sweet memories.You had a green thumb and made lovely gardens with seasonal flowers.
You walked with grace and draped with ease and were a treat to watch.This carries on even to this day.
I always believed you had immense faith in me and my capabilities which in itself was a strong push for me.This speaks of my bonding with you.I also remember how you all stood by me at the loss of Omanakuttan and during my recovery times both at my loss and after my surgery.Moments etched on rock to be remembered for life.
So much more to write but time restricts.I quote Thomas Gray to sum you up as,”Full many a flower is born to blush unseen ,And waste its sweetness on the desert air.”
These are a few of my thoughts penned as I remember and closing it with wishes for a happy birthday full of joy and blessed showering from above.May God shower you with the choicest of blessings on you always.
