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!
# posted by rdbelite @ 11:12 PM 
