…..There is this couple who stays not too far away from my house. Amma (the lady) and Bhau (the gentleman) live in an apartment which is made of 3 rooms, a kitchen, a hall and a bedroom (trust me its more like a gate way to Narnia of their own). They have 3 biological kids and about 1000 odd adopted ones over different time zones of their lives. And more join the ilk as they encounter them. Such as me…

Amma is in her late eighties and Bhau in his mid nineties. The house they live in has an old world charm, sofa with cushions, art pieces made by Amma using everything from small seeds to colorful beads, wasted cloth, paper, and what have you. The framed paintings, the photo frames of J Krishnamurthy, Rabindranath Tagore, bespeak their faith and their beliefs. Amma’s colorful embroideries don the the coffee table on which the TV set rest , the make shift stools, the telephone set, etc…

The aroma that emanates from the house is always different …

The kitchen is always awake, no matter what time of the day, date, month or season… there is always something new getting invented. Amma has been blessed with golden hands; whatever she cooks lets out an appetizing flavor, and an irresistible magic. She has this uncanny memory and tact; the recipes are executed so perfectly that perhaps the best chefs of this planet ought to learn a thing or two from her, to avail of this godly gift of proportion and the human palette. The kitchen mind me has an antique Godrej fridge, most certainly 50 years old…. the ones that we see in old Bollywood films or the olden memorable ad films. The striking contrast to her kitchen is the microwave that sits opposite the fridge on an extended platform along with other things… a slog horse if there were one.

Amma’s abode is a place of solace where everyone comes with a baggage and leaves refreshed to fight yet another battle of life. All are always welcome, cajoled and soothed by her warm smile and big hug, entertained and inspired by Bhau’s tales of yester years. Amma’s grand cuisines and list of recipes form the better part of any conversation, almost as if it is the staple diet of a chitchat. And amidst all this, she will ever so gently enquire about your well-being, your family, your life as an individual… and without much ado, you willingly open your heart to her, and thereby cleanse it.

She is the only soul i know in my life of 36 years who is non judgmental and has no qualms at accepting anything you do or say with a new age open mind… sometimes i wonder how on earth she manages that… refraining from forming opinions, jumping into problem solving, or reprimanding, or advising… sometimes i feel she is just a guardian angel for me and oh for so many more like me..

The bedroom of this house is small room with two big cupboards and a small cot, and the remnants of an old style cupboard with a flap that opens up to make it a table, quite reminiscent of old Hollywood films furniture. The quintessential writing desk often used to sit and write letters. Well it is now filled with treasures that kids explore with or without permission. The far end of the room opens out into a small balcony, which is full of herbs and plants… The taste of the salad Amma had made from the mustard leaves of her balcony garden still lingers in my mouth. Surprisingly, no matter how hot the city is, the balcony is always pleasant, and I have spent many a hot summer afternoon enjoying the view of the temple across the road through the balcony grill.

The couple has had their own share of joys and sorrows, ups and downs and yet nothing from yester years ever shadows the present. This is a place of welcome, of warmth, of love, of aromas and tastes, of unbridled affection, and solace for the soul. Since 2008 when I was first welcomed in, Amma’s house has encased me and soaked in my problems, my depressions, my mood swings and circumstantial woes, and freed me of my own fears…

I wish someday when i grow old, as old as Amma is now, I mirror her in some way… I wish that my house becomes alike hers, a caccoon, a shell, a warm embryo to return to, to rejuvenate, to shed that old skin and glow yet again with the elixir of life, I wish I become like Amma and give and gift love, kindness, and warmth to all who will be welcome here.