The Secret Superstar!

My mom, the Secret Superstar! I say this because, this multi-talented lady, if would have given wings, would have been someday else today.

Both born and married in orthodox, male-dominant families, her talents did not get out of the packed box. Still, some of her qualities like a tension free life, cheerfulness, keep herself always busy, active, are intact.

She has got an exceptional excellency in stitching. Without any proper professional training, but simply learning basics from my maasi, and after that learning by herself, using some books and practising hard with whole dedication, she developed herself.

Recently she got hands-on YouTube and it has become her best friend now. Not familiar with the English language, she was reluctant in using mobile in general at first. But now, she is pro at searching on youtube. She stitches the latest fashioned blouses for herself and my bhabhi by watching youtube videos. She also stitched nightdresses for my kids. They feel so proud when they wear naani ne sila hua nightdress.

She wishes to take stitching classes. She even started taking classes. We had planned good online marketing for it. She was very excited. But my dadaji stopped it. It was very sad. All I could do is, learn from her when I went for a 1-month vacation this time. She felt so proud when she taught me to stitch a lehenga, blouse, nightdress. She is so happy that at least her own daughter now learnt from her.

Another talent of hers is cooking. I don’t say, “Maa ke haath ka khana”, for the trend going on, but I really crave her hand cooked food like anything. Most importantly, wo dil se khana banati hai, aur logo ko khilaane me unhe sabhse jyaada khusi milti hai. Kisi ne unke khane ki taarif karni chahiye bas, phir to wo aise yaad rakhti hai, aur kuch bhi ho jaaye unhe wo dish banake khilati hi hai. She even thought of taking cake making classes. But again, it just remained a dream.

She is very fond of music. Wanted to develop her career in singing and dancing, but could not do. In her school days, she used to have a diary in which she wrote all songs, sung them and would have fun. After marriage, she was not allowed to sing songs, dancing was out of the question. I got Saregama Carvaan for her. She enjoys it so much, doing her stitching and other stuff listening to the songs on it.

Recently at my cousin’s wedding, I and my son hosted antakshari. The best compliment I got was, “Tere bete me, tere se talent aaya, aur tujhe teri mummy se”. So her other talent is no stage fear. That day she sang so many songs and enjoyed the program to the fullest. I felt so happy to see her like that. Also, I have seen her bold and confidant at many other places, like she handles her doctor’s appointments, tests, reports, even in other cities all alone by herself. She took care of my grandparents at the Dwarkanath tour so courageously, when their hotel was on fire. The way she enjoyed with us in the water park(while my dad was sleeping in the hotel room). The way she takes care of kitchen tasks, whenever she goes to my relatives.

I feel so proud to be her daughter, as she always taught me to be self-dependent, keep myself busy always in something or the other and not wasting my time, cooking, taking care of my family as well as working sincerely in the office, keeping my room clean and organized and lots more.

Before Corona, I and my sister planned a Goa trip with my mom. She wants to sit in an Airplane. I hope along with this, there are lots of other wishes of my mom that I can fulfil.