Mom's birthday
Birthday are always special especially for children. As kids esp. for those from a middle class Maharasrtrian families, of my generation we never knew elders had birthdays too. We thought they were always there as grown ups. Mothers birthdays were of least significance because any celebration meant a whole lot of work for her. Those days we never had a concept of home delivered meals and hotel visits were rare_ reserved for rare and specials occasions.
Mothers birthdays could never figure out in the" special occasion" list at least not till she touched 50.
My spirtis were always high after 15 August because I was getting closer to my birthday and plans to make this special day of mine even more special was all that I had on my mind.
And each plan would mean an extra bit of work for my mom.
So moms birthday just 6 days before mine would just fade off from my mind like an ordinary garment picked up from colaba market.
Now talking about my mom birthday like most of the Hindus it fell on two days, hindu calendar wise on Narli poornima (coconut day) and on 29 Aug as per the English calendar. In my mom's case she enjoyed a special status like the north indians do there was an official birthdate too.
I have found that the north Indians increase or decrease the age of the child depending on the strata of society they belong to, when the child is admitted to school.
The kids age will be decreased by the educated family so that he has more chances to appear for competitive exams which has an age bar. The lesser educated ones increased the age so as to avoid the pre schooling expenses.
In my mom's case I guess it was neither but sheer loss of memory by a forgetful father(my grandfather) that her birthdate was written as 31 August in her school record.
So now with three birthdays she was special but she didn't stand at an advantage when it came to celebrations . We forgot all three of them
As teenager we would tease her she is special and has three birthdays to celebrate though not contributing to either of them.
That was not the era of Watsapp groups and messages, face book, online gifts and shopping etc. so you see there was no public display of affection PDA as the new generation calls it.
Infact there were no mothers day business then. It was mother's day everyday she would ensure that it was her day and her way till we grew out of teenage after which we were suddenly treated as adults and she was glad she had resigned from this post .
Coming back to moms birthday
Mummy preferred the coconut day birthday maybe because it meant making one special sweet and meal catering to two occasions and eat to remember.
When landline phones got common my mom would get calls from her sisters and brothers on her this birthday (coconut day one) and those 2 or 3 calls made her feel very special.
My dad on the other hand with his western influence was not like a typical spoilsport marathi navra of yesteryears. He would remember to get flowers for her and a pineapple cake (her favourite) from Monginis (the best bakery then). This is a gesture I haven't seen in today's generation husband's too (no hint at anyone, I am not complaining)
Dad remembered her real date 29 August and would make her feel special on her second birthday.
This gifting tradition he followed since they were newly weds and continued till her last birthday.
Today remembering mom fondly on her birthday.
Now that I am in her shoes I remember her just everyday not just on birthdays. Mom's are special and will always be.
The video is a musical Keychain my dad gifted my mother on her birthday when she was a young bride.
Preserved and cared just like our love for her.
Sharing this with my very special people 💐😊
Mothers birthdays could never figure out in the" special occasion" list at least not till she touched 50.
My spirtis were always high after 15 August because I was getting closer to my birthday and plans to make this special day of mine even more special was all that I had on my mind.
And each plan would mean an extra bit of work for my mom.
So moms birthday just 6 days before mine would just fade off from my mind like an ordinary garment picked up from colaba market.
Now talking about my mom birthday like most of the Hindus it fell on two days, hindu calendar wise on Narli poornima (coconut day) and on 29 Aug as per the English calendar. In my mom's case she enjoyed a special status like the north indians do there was an official birthdate too.
I have found that the north Indians increase or decrease the age of the child depending on the strata of society they belong to, when the child is admitted to school.
The kids age will be decreased by the educated family so that he has more chances to appear for competitive exams which has an age bar. The lesser educated ones increased the age so as to avoid the pre schooling expenses.
In my mom's case I guess it was neither but sheer loss of memory by a forgetful father(my grandfather) that her birthdate was written as 31 August in her school record.
So now with three birthdays she was special but she didn't stand at an advantage when it came to celebrations . We forgot all three of them
As teenager we would tease her she is special and has three birthdays to celebrate though not contributing to either of them.
That was not the era of Watsapp groups and messages, face book, online gifts and shopping etc. so you see there was no public display of affection PDA as the new generation calls it.
Infact there were no mothers day business then. It was mother's day everyday she would ensure that it was her day and her way till we grew out of teenage after which we were suddenly treated as adults and she was glad she had resigned from this post .
Coming back to moms birthday
Mummy preferred the coconut day birthday maybe because it meant making one special sweet and meal catering to two occasions and eat to remember.
When landline phones got common my mom would get calls from her sisters and brothers on her this birthday (coconut day one) and those 2 or 3 calls made her feel very special.
My dad on the other hand with his western influence was not like a typical spoilsport marathi navra of yesteryears. He would remember to get flowers for her and a pineapple cake (her favourite) from Monginis (the best bakery then). This is a gesture I haven't seen in today's generation husband's too (no hint at anyone, I am not complaining)
Dad remembered her real date 29 August and would make her feel special on her second birthday.
This gifting tradition he followed since they were newly weds and continued till her last birthday.
Today remembering mom fondly on her birthday.
Now that I am in her shoes I remember her just everyday not just on birthdays. Mom's are special and will always be.
The video is a musical Keychain my dad gifted my mother on her birthday when she was a young bride.
Preserved and cared just like our love for her.
Sharing this with my very special people 💐😊
Very well written.
ReplyDeleteVery well written.
ReplyDelete