SachiAmbi

Every winter, like migrant birds, we head home to India. Our time is measured not in years but by counting these trips. Ofcourse, life happens in between; here as well as there. Time seems to move imperceptibly in seconds but adds up in decades real fast. This time's trip, like many others, was specially memorable. Two strapping young men of the family were getting married. Added to this fact was the excitement of Suraj and Ravi accompanying us after almost six years (wow!) gap. One of their childhood friends, Torry, joined them to see 'Incredible India'. With everyone carrying a camera the visit is lovingly recorded in candid detail. We have so many pictures and memories to share that inspite of editing this tale is going to be long. We have decided to divide it up into smaller units of time; wonderful days that we spent with you all. Here is the first instalment.

Bhubaneswar

Sachi started his visit to India ahead of us so he could attend the two weddings. I agreed to stay back and let the boys finish their semester exams. We joined him three weeks later. Due to work schedule Sachi got ready amidst a flurry of packing but made it there on time. The first auspicious event was Booby's wedding.

Booby is Manu Bhai and Putul Apa's eldest son.

They had made grand arrangements for their first born's special day.

The Mahapatra gang got together in big numbers. With close family and friends it turned out to be a time to remember.

It gave time for father and son to strenghten their bonds

And others to catch up with the latest news in the groom's life. Here Swaroop babu, veteran of 43 years of matrimony, seems to be havig a jolly good time. Have some advice for the groom?

Bobby, Booby's younger brother, first sent a message that he would not be able to come from America; then showed up at the nick of time to become everyone's darling. His presence gave a big boost to all the festivities.

Booby got all decked up to bring his bride home. He got a preview of her on the digital screen before joining her on the vedi for the ceremonial rites.

While the older brother was busy in the buisiness of getting married, Booby had all the fun he could fit in, in his short reprieve from studies. Looking really good Bobby. It will be your turn next!!

The wedding was beautiful. The bride's family spared no effort in making the baraat feel welcome and special.

It was good time for the family to get together and enjoy each other.

To re-energize life long bonds

To make new memories

To pose in all different combinations

And to capture those whom we do not meet often enough.
(Basu Mamu amd Mai)

Here is Vicki, down with flu but present all the same. Pink looks good on you.

Hey! Hey! Watch it Leema. Your food is in danger. Is that kofta I see on your plate?

Swaroop Babu and Nandini have some secret in their pocket. They are not geting old at all.

Meena Apa has seen everything that goes on in the house, absorbed it and become an integral part of the Mahapata clan. It is hard to imagine any function without her.

Together, Apa and Bhai, they are gracefully taking place of the elders that we are slowly losing to the hour-glass.

Here are others joining them to form that protective wall that the younger generation takes for granted.

Our pillar of strength, ofcourse, is very much holding the fort. Bou could not attend the wedding but waited patientely for the bride and groom to visit.

When they came, she duly inspected the bride, checked her bridal jewelry and satisfied, declared her a gem.

With the blessings of the elders the newly weds, Booby and Risha, are ready to settle down 'Happily Ever After'.

Pretty Bahu !! Welcome into the family.

********

Here is our Joy (joy indeed), all ready to follow in cousin Booby's footsteps.

Joy is Sini and Sanju's younger son.

Their older son, Jeet, is happily married to Geetu and has a baby girl - Shradha.

Sini and Sanju had a get-together at their home, with family and friends, to start the festivities.

It was announced as a small party but turned out to be a grand, warm affair.

Look at these beauties enjoying the time.

There was enough time for one to one talks

And ofcourse group fun sessions.

Leema and Achintya still look newly married.

Sachi enjoyed capturing candid shots

And cute posed ones too.

Three sisters?
(Evergreen Bandana Mousi with daughters Mitu and Mama)

Mai was there, sick or not, to bless the event;

Closely watched by daughters Ruby and Rakhi.

Everyone had a smile on their face.

(Sarojini Aai and Siddu Mamu)

It was a leisurely time for group photos

A time to enjoy the easy poise of the new generation.

And the haughty grace of the not-so-old generation.

The festive decorations cried out for warm fuzzy hugs

It was hard to say goodbye to the day, but there was a wedding to attend to.

The bride, Sunita, was waiting in her home for the Baraat.

The venue for the wedding was a charming rural setting.

The 'City Barat' arrived under the benevalent gaze of the cows

And was met by aspiring recruits

Here come the ladies!

Last minute consultations

Pooling the group together

A flurry of photographers around the groom

And finally - welcome by the purohit.

The groom was duly inspected by the younger generation before the bride was brought out.

There was a beautiful Pipli entrance gate welcoming the Baraat

Everyone had plateful of festive food

And from the looks of it cleaned their plates.

The bride came to the vedi, looking petite and vulnerable.

The groom prepared seriously for the great responsibility.

And the ceremony commenced

With Agni as their sakshi they took the oath

To be together for ever.

Sini and Sanju lit up their home with jag-mag lights

And celebrated the wedding with a colourful reception.

It was another occassion for family to get together

Friends were not forgotten either.

Mai was there again. Thankyou mai, for your courage and fortitude.

Weddings are good times for generations to meet and mingle. We all carry such memories in the recesses of our hearts; memories that warm cold days and sweeten bland ones. Thank goodness for weddings; And thank goodness for families.

The newly weds visited Bou soon after the wedding.

There was the traditional admiration of the bridal attire and jewelry

Approved and accepted they were heartily welcomed into the family.

Sini welcomed her bahu to the house she had herself entered, just like this, thirty-six years ago.

Welcome to your new abode.

' May the sun always shine on you

And the wind always be behind you.

May you wallow in milk
And be blessed with kids.'

(Irish and Indian blessing)

**************

Every year, come November

As the leaves change color

And nature puts on its fall wardrobe

We celebrate Suraj's Birthday.

This November 1st. as he turned 23.
We celebrated with his favorite chocolate cake.

Ofcourse he had other celebrations with his friends too.
He tells me that is Coca cola in front of him!!

We took him to the Mangolian Grill for a grand dinner where Jyoti and Jeff trumped our gift with their own. They took Suraj to Las Vegas for a few days of fun and frolic. Papa Ji gave him a hundred dollar bill. Papa Ji came from India with these bills and we never changed them to smaller notes for him. So he spent the whole ten weeks passing out $ 100 bills whenever there was a gift giving occassion. Thank you Papa Ji.

Just for old times sake;

This is Suraj at age one.

Doing what he liked to do most

(Fast forward)

And this is Surina announcing her First Birthday.

November 17, 2009

She ran around totally oblivious to the important marker.

Whereas we could not get over how fast the time has flown.

One year has transformed the single minded, hungry, feeding and pooping bundle of limbs to this lively, opinionated, all eyes, smiling 'heart thief'.

And she takes no prisoners.

Aja is putty in her hands.

She wakes up early in the morning and ushers in the sunlight for us.

Who cares if we wish to sleep a little more.

There is so much to do and so much to see.

Mom is willing to oblige anyway.

We are noticing the beauty of fallen leaves all over again with her. And discovering the pleasure of forgotten simple things

She is equally amazed by splendid treasures
As she is by daily menial chores.

She still gets bathed and fed and rocked to sleep with same fanfare

And admired and cuddled by both sides of the family.

But her favorite thing to do, however, is to take off on her own and explore.
She was quite enamored with the painting I made for her birthday.

And immediately paid me with a smile.

She also loved the soft baby doll she got from Suraj mamu

And the Barbie ride she got from Vivek mamu.

This year was definitely the year of the 'Rides'

We gave her this pink rocking horse

And she got this wagon from the other grandparents.

Ravi mamu had exams in the day time and worked at his job till late, so could not buy the gift on time. He spent late night chatting with Jyoti and gave his gift next day. No picture for a late gift!!!