Seniors' Day Out

With an invocation on Ma Sharada by a young team of amateur enthusiasts, in Mandolin, flute, guitar, mouth-organ…, to the thunderous applause of sixty or seventy participants, the exclusive programme for SFV seniors took off to a fabulous start this evening in Club House.  

Soon to follow was a popular Kannada foot-tapping folk song. Some found it irresistible to wait for the programme to warm up. They came forward to the ‘stage’ for a dance. Guess who was the first? Yes, none other than Vasantha Madam - in her eighties (?). Very few know that though she now tends to limp while walking, she was a champion in four sports events in her college days - as she confided to me the other day during a morning walk. 

Not expecting the audience to get into a trance so soon, the music troupe too changed gear and played some haunting Hindi numbers of the good old days - Pukarta Chala Hun Main (Mere Sanam, OP Nayyar), Aage bhi jaane na tu, peach bhi jaane na tu (Waqt, Ravi). By then many became restive and couldn’t remain silent spectators. Manikutti and Geetha, Viswanathan and Usha, Lakshminarayanan, and Vivek Jain’s parents visiting him from Bhopal sprung from their seats to jump into the fray with their own steps, and entertain the rest. 

No, it was not all play, and no work. That was it, before coming to brass tacks. Dr Aarthi Bellary gave a pep talk on how the seniors, more prone to a fall, should avoid it, and suggested practical ways for that. Then she did a spot check of the footwear the seniors were wearing. She was appalled to see most sporting chappals, and strongly recommended to switch over to belted ones that would hold on to their feet firmly, and not slip away. This was followed by a brief question-answer session.

Ms Subhangi Jadhav, an SFV resident who teaches Yoga, demonstrated some simple exercises, more so in sync with breadth control. Everyone responded enthusiastically. So much so that Mr Lakshminarayanan (in his eighties - I disclose this without his permission) came forward to demonstrate some of the workouts that he does every morning to keep himself fit. His Uttanasana where his hands touched the ground with his legs staying unbent, attracted applause from the audience. 

No event is complete without refreshments. But knowing that sugar, BP, and a few other ailments have a knack of holding seniors to ransom, the organisers, Ms Jyoti to be specific, had very thoughtfully prepared a snack that is filling, tasty, plate-full, nutritious and is a diabetic-diet as well. She then explained its features and also gave a snapshot of how one’s lifestyle can aid diabetes to make its foray into the human body. 

Earlier, on arrival at the Club House, seniors were treated to coffee and tea (with or without sugar), and snacks to go with.Yes, kudos to the SFV ladies who have by now earned a name for themselves for such initiatives as this. Who says, the seniors miss their daughters or daughters-in-law to take care of them?

Their plan is to make this a monthly event. And, if the going is good, perhaps they could even think of a day-long trip outside Bangalore exclusively for the seniors. Or, is it far-fetched?

V V Sundaram

Maple 3195

19 Feb 2017

Back Home, And On the Go

A call awaited us at home no sooner than we landed in Bangalore. “Come over to Coimbatore tomorrow for a family re-union cum housewarming function,” suggested my elder brother with a tinge of order. “Thereafter we will all leave for Tirukadayur to perform my and and Raja’s (brother in law) 80th birthday ceremony. Like the Visa Ganesh temple in Hyderabad where if one prays, one is sure to get a visa (a recent origin), Tirukadayur temple caters more to seniors. It is the venue for 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th birthday celebrations. The 80th signifies that the incumbent is supposed to have seen 1000 full moons, although hardly on 25 occasions one would have ventured out at night, let alone to see the full moon. Very much in the thick of jet lag, we denied ourselves the pleasure to be part of it. 

With a vengeance, however, we set out last week for a day-long trip with the couple from our earlier apartment complex with whom we plan long outings. We covered first Belur, Halebede, the ruins of both Shiva and Vishnu temples. We learn it took the artisans 200 years, 1900 years ago, to carve out this architectural splendor. It is a pity the invaders disfigured most of the statues. Then we headed to a Devi temple that opens only on one day in a year -  on Diwali. We were told that the Deva Gowda family visits this temple unfailingly. This was followed by a drive to Shravanabelagola, another architectural marvel. 

Since the trip had to originate from Sobha Forestview, we engaged Akram, the accredited driver for SFV, instead of Vikram who does for the Hebbal complex. The driving experience was very good. Akram is polite, never speaks unless spoken to, and never grumbles for any mid-course changes. He has earned his place, in short.

*   *   *    *    *

It is very nice of Sudha Kashyap, of Oak, to start Kannada classes, coinciding with our return - as though she was waiting for Aunty to show up. The class has attracted a good response. With a too-demanding Sudha, it seems the students have a hard time completing their home work.

I wish there was a similar class for the menfolk so that  each time I don’t have to take refuge saying, “Kannada swalpa gothi, jaasti baratilla,” to switch over to another. It seems my wish fell into Sudha’s ears and, at a morning walk, she stopped to invite me to join the class. “Doesn’t matter uncle if the present class is full of ladies,” she reassured. Unfortunately she doesn’t realize my predicament. Where Aunty and I study together, Aunty is sure to be way ahead of me in every Department - a situation I squarely wish to stay a secret.

Aunty has resumed her Narayaneeyam classes. This time with more vigor. Sometimes she stands up and takes the class like a school teacher. Nice to watch the students, some older to her in age, listening to her with rapt attention. 

We had the pleasure to be part of a few Gruhapravesh ceremonies in SFV. Prema ji and Prabhakar (younger brother of Lakshminarayan - of Maple 3133) will move to their own apartment in Ebony, 23rd floor. On entering his flat, I asked Prabhakar, “Sir, but you told me you were doing the Gruhapravesh at your house, not in a palace.” He showed me around his apartment. Yes, Prema and Prabhakar have an eye for the best in everything.

Usha and Viswanathan would bid farewell to Pine to switch over their allegiance to Maple (3161), more spacious with an extra room. Both had the puja ceremony yesterday. Shanthy, Shekar and their two young daughters, now in Oak 1191, will move to their own apartment in Cedar on the 21st floor. It presents a panoramic view of the entire Kanakapura Road. If only one were  blessed with a louder voice, one could shout one’s order through the window to Mariamart across the road.

Truth be told, the interiors in all these three apartments, by different firms, have been done very well. Thus, when my Delhi colleague who has an apartment in Ebony, comes here next month to get interiors done, I am going to take him to these three apartments for him to decide for himself. I know, I will in fact be doing him a disservice. Rather than helping, I will be confusing him in the process. But I am helpless. 

And, if the corridor news is correct, about 50 families (or, did I mishear 15 for 50?) are scheduled to relocate to Forestview during this summer vacation. More the merrier. So get set, friends.

V V Sundaram

Maple 3195

03 Feb 2017