Remembering People

What were the most defining moments in your life?

1960 — asked for one year's leave — refused — went just married. Enjoyed living in a company flat that was big and in a posh place, and perks like a company car, entertainment, and a cook!!!

Enjoyed it — met Bonnie and Joan who lived in Nizamuddin, and a Bohri couple on the ground floor. Used to drive every Sunday — Bonnie knew the roads because he was on the Planning Commission. Her dad used to send parcels of food those days — samosas, chapatis, and fish — by courier and through Uma Aunty's husband Alfie, who was a purser in Air India.

Before going to Delhi, went to Fufijaan and learnt basic cooking — the khandvi dishes and pau ka salna would be hit dishes at her parties (by the way, they still are, and our friends relish them) — Fufijaan, how much we loved your warm, soft hugs. Thanks for the recipes.

Party time would be when Mom would take her special shiny thali and make the samosas as the guests came in, sitting by the dining table. That itself became a talking point and something that engaged and intrigued guests.

Once the khandvi did not form. Tearful at the non-success, she got a brainwave — innovatively she mixed it up with tarka and garnish, and found that the guests loved this. The taste was the essential part, not the form.

This was a lesson learnt from a wise old caring art teacher. When she once ruined her submission and was distraught at the fact that she would have to redo it, he said — never stress, there is nothing that a few lines won't resolve. He taught her how to add a line, and soon the picture was reconstructed.

She met the British Mrs Connelly, who taught her the skill of candle decoration. I too remember, as a child, the delight in helping Mom melt wax and sprinkle silver powder to make candles that looked like they had shimmering snow on them.

Her sister, whom we called Khalama, who wrote for Femina, interviewed Mom — yes, my shy mom — and featured her candles. Khalama was the first in the Muslim community to be a graduate. She became a lecturer. I still remember her melodious voice as she would sing beautiful, haunting, lilting songs, both in Hindi and English, accompanying herself on the harmonium.

My favourites were "Somewhere the Sun Is Shining," "Ramona," and "Duniya Ki Mehfilon Se." Parties were incomplete without her singing. I remember every time I hear her songs. Always smiling and big-hearted, we enjoyed her lunches at her house. The bond between the two sisters was unspoken and strong.

Mom remembers Khalama, her brother Akbar (Mamoo), and Juby Aunty (my dad's sister) going to Land's End with a little picnic basket packed by my grandmom. It had hand-churned homemade ice cream!!! I can never forget the taste of that ice cream — yellow and pink and melting on the tongue. It was a wow dessert at all occasions, and as kids we would love to help churn and turn that ice cream bucket.

Delhi was also the place where she realised she was expecting her first child. No wonder Delhi has such a special place in her heart, even though it was just one year of her 88 years.

THE COOK AND HIS REPERTOIRE:

Mom reached her new home in Delhi a few months after my dad had gone. The cook would serve white gravy one day and brown the next. This went on for over a week. Mom then asked quietly — is this all you know how to cook? And from the next day there were speciality dishes daily, from biryani to kid roast and continental delights.

Apparently, when he would ask my dad what he wanted, my dad was okay with the default option of white or brown gravy!!! So he thought that is what we all liked to eat!!!!!!

Today, after all these years, Bonnie, Joan, Atika, and Mohsin are still in touch. Still talk and care. Still recall and share their life's moments to this day.