Deep Ties

“She stands at the window every night, a bystander to the life that surrounds her.” The haveli with the hundred doors, a silent sentinel that has stood over the decades, speaks of despair absorbed, heated discussions, reminiscences, of a family that “has gone through its own trials and tribulations.” The head of the Sharma family, Arun, is the breadwinner, passive and resigned to his fate. His wife, Uma, is the real strength behind the family, full of gumption and emotional fortitude, as she protects her offspring in various ways. “He handled the world outside the wall and she, within.”   Aruna, Bhavya and Charu are born in quick succession, but it is only when Dheeraj is born that Uma feels usefully productive, for she has produced the heir apparent. However, then comes God’s gift to Uma as Etti, Fanny and Gina make their appearance. Aruna, the eldest, separates from her first husband, the cruel Rafi after his “never-ending onslaughts on her persona”. ...

Do people get better at what they do as the years go by? Does a warrior woman get more mettlesome as more and more thunderbolts are thrown her way? If so, Mrs. Nalini Chandran must be one fierce warrior, at the age of eighty! When did it all begin? Did it start when she was a young girl, travelling around the country, finding wonder in everything she saw? Her father was a Railways employee, and he enjoyed taking his family around by train. Nalini and her brothers looked forward to these journeys, and they watched the world whiz by as they sampled the train food thalis that changed with every station they crossed. Her mother was the disciplinarian, who tamed her children with love, but her father was the one Nalini hero-worshipped, as he guided her into reading the classics, Shakespeare, the Bible and beautiful poetry. Nalini learnt Kathakali for seven years at a time when girls were not encouraged to go on stage and make spectacles of themselves, as a few envious...

The Piano #FridayFotoFiction The unearthly music echoed around. “She’s playing the piano again!” breathed Namita, rapturously.   A proficient piano player, Ujwala had performed across the country. However, after her beloved husband passed away, she had locked away the piano along with the love in her heart. “Ujwala, we long to hear you play again,” pleaded her friends. She had shaken her head. Two years flew by, but no music had echoed in the cottage. Till today. Ujwala welcomed the group in, as the music played on. “Who is the magical artiste?” asked Namita, surprised. “How well she interprets the world through her music!” added Annie. Ujwala led them in. They gazed at the delicate girl whose long fingers tripped across the keys. “Naina!” called Ujwala softly. The music ceased; the girl turned, smiling. “How well you play!” Annie suddenly stopped. Shocked, they gazed at Naina’s beautiful but sightless eyes. The Piano #FridayFotoFiction