Saturday, January 13, 2007
Our Childhood with Uncle Farry
The Hallmark of that period was "Simplicity" probably necessisated by conditions prevailing at that time. Houses were tiny, hearts big; money was limited, families large. Children were left to their own means- we had to find our friends, devise our games; there were no clubs or gyms, the fields & backyards doubled up as playgrounds!
Sneakers, rackets & such equipments were beyond the reach of most families, but we still had plenty fun playing with marbles, raw cashewnuts etc. It was truly Community living, all children played together.
"We" (Daddy & I) were however lucky: we lived in a compound owned by Uncle Farry (Farriera). He had worked closely with British officers. A very colorful personality, tall & of huge build, well tanned from his many exciting pursuits.
He was a "Godfather" to us, with a store of funny anecdotes about British officers & their interactions with our leaders. The backdrop was the freedom struggle, or the escapades of the babus on their "shikars" mostly painting the Babus in very poor light. Nor did he spare the Nehrus, Gandis & the rest.
He was virtually an encyclopedia & played a major role in shaping our personalities! We are what we are largely due to him.
He had a huge library from which he read to us Shakespeare & other greats on rainy evenings, introduced us to various games like hockey, table tennis, carrom, drafts, a number of card games, & cricket of course! We prepared the ground for hockey & pitch for cricket! We organised full fledged matches Children v/s parents, score board, commentary, et all.
I can never forget how he taught me cycling and was so proud when I could manouvre the bicycle in a figure of 8 in the narrow pathway in his garden!
Birthdays were celebrated- don't laugh - with a packet of sweet boondi or laddoos would be distributed. Cakes, candles, return gifts were unheard of!
Daddy & I were his favourites! We shall ever remain grateful to him!
Sneakers, rackets & such equipments were beyond the reach of most families, but we still had plenty fun playing with marbles, raw cashewnuts etc. It was truly Community living, all children played together.
"We" (Daddy & I) were however lucky: we lived in a compound owned by Uncle Farry (Farriera). He had worked closely with British officers. A very colorful personality, tall & of huge build, well tanned from his many exciting pursuits.
He was a "Godfather" to us, with a store of funny anecdotes about British officers & their interactions with our leaders. The backdrop was the freedom struggle, or the escapades of the babus on their "shikars" mostly painting the Babus in very poor light. Nor did he spare the Nehrus, Gandis & the rest.
He was virtually an encyclopedia & played a major role in shaping our personalities! We are what we are largely due to him.
He had a huge library from which he read to us Shakespeare & other greats on rainy evenings, introduced us to various games like hockey, table tennis, carrom, drafts, a number of card games, & cricket of course! We prepared the ground for hockey & pitch for cricket! We organised full fledged matches Children v/s parents, score board, commentary, et all.
I can never forget how he taught me cycling and was so proud when I could manouvre the bicycle in a figure of 8 in the narrow pathway in his garden!
Birthdays were celebrated- don't laugh - with a packet of sweet boondi or laddoos would be distributed. Cakes, candles, return gifts were unheard of!
Daddy & I were his favourites! We shall ever remain grateful to him!
Growing up - the 1950s to the 1970s
We are a very lucky generation!
We have been witness to the biggest changes happening-
on the social & economic front in the country;
in the fields of science & technology worldwide.
We have also enjoyed the fruits of these changes in our lives. We have actually been part of these in our own small ways!
We started life in the old custom-bound families where we learnt implicit obedience, where asking too many questions was frowned upon and life travelled in a straight line- the safe & proven track! That was our childhood!
But as we grew, we saw the doors thrown open to a myriad new possibilities -
We started life in the old custom-bound families where we learnt implicit obedience, where asking too many questions was frowned upon and life travelled in a straight line- the safe & proven track! That was our childhood!
But as we grew, we saw the doors thrown open to a myriad new possibilities -
computers(the new brains), first man on the moon, television, telecommunication; new worlds beckoning (jobs in the gulf, far east); new careers; new & affordable housing options (the cooperative movement was just taking shape); the Freedom movement & its aftermath, Womens' Lib - a college degree leading to a job was being accepted as the way forward for girls at least in the metros.
We had many options our parents did not and we were excited and grateful!
We had many options our parents did not and we were excited and grateful!
We were the "Intermediate generation"! We could understand & appreciate the changes unlike our seniors! We could compare the old with the new & pick & choose what was best! We tried to hang on to the niceties of the "old" and yet embrace the "new"!
We were the buffer between the 'old' and the 'new'; we understood tradition(our parents) and emancipation(our children). As we come to a close, life has permanently changed; some of the innocence unrecognisable to the new generation!
This is what I regret most for this generation - they have lost the option of choosing the 'old' - that world is closed to them for ever!
This is what I regret most for this generation - they have lost the option of choosing the 'old' - that world is closed to them for ever!
