Landscapes Of The Mind
  • Home
  • Musings & Reflections
  • Glimpses Through The Lens
    • The Feathered Beauties
    • I Saw,I Clicked... >
      • Vishnupur
      • The Tantalizing Landscape Of Uttaranchal
      • Amidst The Sand Dunes Of Khuri
      • Chatris Of Shekawati
      • Havelis Of Shekawat
    • I Saw, I Clicked Part II >
      • Hosaholalu
      • Pristine Havelock
      • Pichavaram
      • Chidambaram
    • I Saw I Clicked Part III >
      • Yosemite
      • A Day At The Vatican Museum
      • Norcia
      • Moscow
    • Butterflies & Flowers
    • Close Encounters At Corbett
    • Bijapur & Beyond
    • Enchanting Athirapalli
    • Splendours of Seatlle
    • Monet's Garden
  • Glimpses Through The Lens: II
    • Poetry in stone >
      • Brihadeeswarar Koil
      • Gangaikondacholapuram
      • Dharasuram
      • Thanjavur Art Gallery
    • In The Land Of Enlightenment
    • Charming Chitrapu
    • Exploring Orissa >
      • Mesmerizing Mangalajodi
      • Bewitching Bhetnoi
      • Daksa Prajapati Temple
    • Birding Down Under >
      • Parrots Galore!
      • Lyrical Lyre Bird
      • Honey Eaters
      • Kingfishers, Wrens, Wagtails, Warblers...
      • Orioles, Golden Whistlers
      • Cockatoos, Kookaburras & Magpies
      • Pigeons, Doves
      • Birds Of Prey, Bower Birds
      • Water Birds & In Flight
      • Others
    • Murals of Pundarikapuram
  • Contact Me

Bonds That Endure . . .

4/15/2020

101 Comments

 
Picture
This morning as I was listening to the bird calls, something caught my attention. A small leaf shimmering in the early morning light was twirling in midair. Its pirouette would have put a talented ballet dancer to shame. It was careening through space as if testing an invisible force in the air. Slowly it descended down and found its home, secure among the other leaves under the tree.

For a moment I pictured myself sitting under the tree and that leaf falling on my lap as a book.

As we course through our lives, we try to seek comfort in those persons or things that convey a sense of belonging, and for me personally it has always been amongst books.

My passion for books has its origin in my mother, Saraswathi Ramnath. She lost her father who was a Gandhian and a popular doctor early in life and was married at the tender age of sixteen. In addition to being a housewife, she had to bring up her brother and an infant sister. Caught up in these demands, she couldn’t pursue higher education. She too was drawn to Gandhi and when he gave a call that learning and using a common language, Hindi, would unite the nation against the colonial power, she pursued it on her own with zest and qualified as a Vidwan. That opened up an immense vista of discovery of Indian literature and she commenced writing, focusing on translating from Hindi to Tamil and vice versa.

My earliest memories of her are the ones when I see her quietly sitting by herself, after finishing household chores, writing furiously. This practice continued all through her life. Her days were filled with bring up three children, one of whom was differentially-abled, taking care of the household, teaching students Hindi and writing. Even now I am amazed as to how she found time amongst all these demanding tasks to pursue her call.

She was the one who introduced me to books. There was no cake on birthdays but a stack of children’s books. I devoured them as fast as they came and my ambit of reading expanded with years. She would take me to the Connemara Library when she had to do her research for her writings and I would wander among its beautiful environs with soaring ceilings and books stacked on high racks. There were volumes of the Illustrated London News beautifully bound in leather and art books containing beautiful reproductions. Running my hands over them was itself an idyllic experience. It was a tantalizing world, just waiting at my fingertips. I devoured all the books I could lay my hands on and it wasn’t surprising that I needed glasses at an early age!

It wasn’t just books but also authors I was besotted with. All the leading writers in Tamil would visit our house and there would be lively exchange of ideas. I would watch silently from the side amazed at their breadth of knowledge. As a child, I would keenly look forward to visit Azha Valliappa’s house where he used to arrange weekly story telling sessions “Kathai Sollum Nigazhchi”. His wife would provide us with snacks, and we would settle down to listen to his stories. He would also encourage us to sing along with him. Another visitor was the poet Namakkal Ramalingam Pillai. He used to collect all the children in the place where we stayed and tell us stories. As I grew older I was smitten with the writings of Jayakanthan. To hear him articulate his ideas with such conviction and clarity was an unforgettable experience. I had a long personal association with Ashokamitran. He would often sit in a quiet corner of a park near our house and write.  He was a keen observer of human feelings and frailties which he described with a subtle sense of humor.

My mother was also involved in organizing the First All India Writers Conference in which all leading writers from across the country participated. As a small boy in half shorts I ambled among them clutching my autograph book requesting them to sign in it. The first person to sign in it was Tarashankar Banerjee. It is my most precious possession which I have guarded against the ravages of time.

Books continued to flow from the pen of my mother. She had three major surgeries and a very rare malignancy later on in life. But travails of the body had little impact on her abiding engagement with literature. She must have written more than a hundred books across various genres. She wrote a series of books on the major rivers of India, chronicling their history, legends associated with them as they traverse the land from their origin till they merge into the sea.

Her forte was translation. That was no mean task especially at a time when Hindi was anathema in Tamil Nadu. Through her work she opened avenues of readership across the nation for all leading writers in Tamil. She translated Kamba Ramayanam into Hindi and the President at that time Sri Shankar Dayal Sharma, read the book and invited her over to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan to personally felicitate her. Many accolades and award came later in life, Dwivageesh Award from Bharatiya Anuwaad Parishat, Akshara Award, Kendriya Hindi Sanstan Award, Souhardha Samman from Uttar Pradesh Govt, Saraswathi Puraskar, Award from Shantiniketan in recognition of her contribution to Indian literature through translation and then the Sahithya Academy Award.

Her passion for the world of literature was infectious. She taught generations of students, encouraging them to explore works of literature. Hearing her explain Kabir’s dohas was an unforgettable experience.

Understandably she has had a huge impact on me. With her by my side I have ventured into the vast landscape of literary works, unraveling in the process the far reaches of creativity expressed through words. Though I miss her physical presence, every time I discover an unknown author or savor a new book, I feel that she is along with me relishing every word of it. When I leaf through her books which have weathered with time and whose pages have become brittle, I am reminded of her unabated struggles in writing them.

Much has been written about how pain and suffering interweave with creativity. The connection between suffering and creative expression is one of the most elusive of human stories. All through her life my mother’s body was ravaged by one illness or the other. But that didn’t reign in her spirits. She embraced her pains and they became a partner in her life. Her creative trope transcended the travails of her physical body. She had to endure a plethora of adversities, yet in the midst of them her spirits soared like the phoenix.

Her life has been an inspiration in my professional disposition in addressing the needs of those who are in throes of suffering. I strive to provide space for patients to tell their stories, uninterrupted. We all live in storied lives and want to share our stories with a responsive listener. Often stories that are told in therapy are the ones that cannot be told in everyday life.

My love of books continues unabated as witnessed in the shelves overflowing with them at home. In spite of Ahalya cautioning me not to add to them, I follow Oscar Wilde’s dictum that “the best way to get rid of temptation is to yield to them” and keep buying books. Turns out that bibliophileness is genetic! I seem to have passed the bibliophene gene on to our son Rahul too! For me books are like a Borgesian kaleidoscope, in which each reflection sparks another one..no pattern is ever the same and every book is a new revelation. And I owe that debt to my mother…

I am a book
Foreward
Written by my mother…

101 Comments
Meena link
4/15/2020 05:17:26 am

Beautiful essay. Your mother must have been so passionate about letters the power of books and writing. Remarkable lady.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 05:19:21 am

True...passion overrode all her ailments and pain

Reply
Narayanan Parameswarann
4/15/2020 05:26:37 am

Wonderfully written.i salute your mother's indomitable spirit in adverse physical conditions and congratulate you on carrying her mantle .

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:03:33 am

Thanks...I consider myself fortunate to have been her fellow traveler in her life

Reply
bala fischer
4/15/2020 05:26:41 am

Your art of writing is so infectious, Sir. Thank you for sharing your story while highlighting your mother’s invaluable contributions to your passion and the nation.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:03:57 am

Thank you Bala

Reply
Ramanan Earat
4/15/2020 05:28:05 am

Excellent writing.
I understand how much your mother has influenced you.
Keep it up Ragu

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:04:22 am

Thank you Ramanan

Reply
Bharathidasan.S link
4/15/2020 05:33:36 am

I admired your mother contribution to the society. I also wonder about you. Following word suits to you also. 'Even now I am amazed as to how she found time amongst all these demanding tasks to pursue her call'. You also had an wonderful opportunity to meet those legendary writers. You are blessed doctor.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:05:03 am

Truly blessed...yes Bharathi

Reply
Ramesh Santhanam
4/15/2020 05:34:04 am

With such a foreword, no surprise that the book has come out so well !

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:05:41 am

The book has to live up to the forward Ramesh!

Reply
Mala balagopal
4/15/2020 05:34:55 am

Your narration and remembrance of your mother is very interesting to read. The talent runs in your family.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:06:03 am

Thanks Mala

Reply
Lakshmi V Pandit
4/15/2020 05:42:06 am

Wonderful reading sir! So blessed to have a mother such as her. Your inspiration....

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:06:47 am

Thanks Lakshmi...the task of inspiring continues!

Reply
T.N.C. Vidya
4/15/2020 05:58:25 am

Wonderfully written and touching. I remember your mother as very down to earth, kind, and passionate about teaching people things. I didn't know till much later about her awards.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:08:46 am

Thanks Vidya...she nurtured a whole generation of student who kept in touch with her all through her life

Reply
T.N.C. Vidya
4/15/2020 07:24:05 am

Yes, and the students made their children study Hindi! :)

Nihar Burte
4/15/2020 06:00:03 am

Great to know your Mother through your words Sir. Did not know she was such a great personality. This blog has definitely been inspiring

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:07:15 am

Thanks Nihar

Reply
Krithika
4/15/2020 06:32:38 am

Such a delightful read Raghu mama. Loved the descriptive writing, letting me imagine the scenes of Saraswathi athanga writing diligently. What a rich childhood that has enabled you through your professional life as well!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:42:10 am

yes...truly blessed...

Reply
Subramanian Sankar
4/15/2020 06:34:27 am

A very moving tribute. I have often wondered about the creative process; how some integrate their experiences to create works of art despite their adversities. A resplendent leaf falling from a tree into the floor below to join its own kind seem to have triggered the flow of thoughts that has been recorded beautifully.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:43:14 am

Thanks...often a small observation on a quiet morning reverberates within kindling memories...

Reply
Sowmya srikumar
4/15/2020 06:37:01 am

Your narrative poignantly explains your mother's passion and love for literature and books.It also shows her drive to achieve something beyond being a homemaker.It must have been really difficult for her to pursue the same.She is always going to inspire me.My dream has always to be among books .So work in a library or a book store.Nice inspiring read sir!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:45:02 am

passion sustained amidst pain is quite ennobling and inspiring

Reply
Ravi M
4/15/2020 06:44:20 am

Knew your mom and did interact with her a fair bit though seldom on literature
Remember taking her around the temples of Mangalore with your dad
I don't think my memory fails me in that I gave her a steroid jab for plantar fasciitis
Those were the days when there was a mismatch between my confidence levels and ability levels!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:45:48 am

Always on call as a dedicated surgeon!

Reply
Asha
4/15/2020 07:45:37 am

Now I understand the love of listening , and then converting it into a smooth path for all of us with your affectionate words and absorbing us in you is inherited from your mother doctor. How divine she is . 🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐. I want to keep reading everyday about your experiences.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 06:59:42 pm

The journey continues Asha..

Reply
Malathi Swaminathan
4/15/2020 07:49:17 am

Sir, very very moving. Your mother was so alive and breathing while reading this - she in those soft cotton sari. Your writing is such a delight to read. What a writing style!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:00:27 pm

In my writings I rediscover her...

Reply
Shripathy Bhat
4/15/2020 07:50:29 am

Memories of a few brief interactions I had with your mother, invariably in Hindi, were brought back to my mind on reading you today. The calm and pleasant expression on her face I can still feel. Despite being such an erudite scholar in Hindi, she was simple and down to earth while interacting with me, a young man, friend of her son. No wonder she has bestowed her son with such intellectual legacy and accompanying empathy. The write-up is a glorious tribute by a worthy son to his Mother.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:01:17 pm

Deeply touched Shripathy

Reply
Janaki.k.n
4/15/2020 08:07:32 am

Sir,
I had the good fortune fo meet your mother ,just once at your quarters.At that time I did not know she was a great literary figure.Pranams to that great lady,and my regards to the 'silent,strong'lady behind the successful You,sir....Dr.Ahalya,

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:02:05 pm

Of course where will I be without that "silent, strong lady" besides me!

Reply
Neena agrawal
4/15/2020 08:14:07 am

Very inspiring against the backdrop of her pain and illness sir lovely foreword isaliye the son and author and the listener in you

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:02:37 pm

Thanks Neena

Reply
Dr Madhavan
4/15/2020 08:33:14 am

Awesome mother and an equally worthy son. Kudos.....
Ragu, hats off to your inimicable style of writing.....
Somewhere, it keeps you wondering if you can follow this style in your next birth😊

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:03:11 pm

Thanks Madhava...I will transmit it onto generation next!

Reply
shiny varghese
4/15/2020 08:55:48 am

A perfect tribute to a great mother ...

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:03:27 pm

Thanks Shiny

Reply
Dr. Kusuma
4/15/2020 10:30:58 am

Sir very well written. Such beautiful choice of words to express all that you wanted to tell about your love for books and gratitude towards your mother who instilled that love for books...

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:04:02 pm

True...she is alive in all her books

Reply
Dr K A Kumar
4/15/2020 11:05:29 am

I remember your telling me about her. I have the malayalam translation of her book on Ganga.
Hearty tributes and narration, Ragu

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:04:46 pm

Oh! will treasure it if you could share it with me!

Reply
Ramakrishnan venugopal
4/15/2020 11:21:10 am

An excellent tribute to my dear Athai Pandit Saraswathi Ramnath. I have personally seen her good efforts and never die attitude. She had a passion for all languages and she learned Kannada after after shifting to Bangalore at a later stage. Thank you for this excellent writeup

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:05:14 pm

Thanks Dhililp

Reply
Saranya Devanathan
4/15/2020 11:26:38 am

In the lawns of JIPMER, when i met you for the first time, i knew you as Saraswathy's son. Now i know you are Raguram - a book hoarder.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:05:45 pm

Ha ha!

Reply
Kaberi Rajendra
4/15/2020 01:49:18 pm

Enjoyed reading the beautiful bond between you and your mother.Pronam to your mother🙏

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:06:54 pm

ধন্যবাদ🌷

Reply
Shabbir Amanullah
4/15/2020 02:12:32 pm

The memories we accrue over our lifetime, serves as a fertile field from which we can harvest the sweetest of them to relive ever moment!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:08:06 pm

True Shabbir

Reply
Jagdish
4/15/2020 03:54:59 pm

Brings back memories of presenting quality time with your parents,whenever I visited you at NIMHANS.
My Pranaams

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:08:24 pm

Thanks Jaggu

Reply
Radhika
4/15/2020 04:45:23 pm

What a tribute to an talented spirited lady!! Your command of the language is amazing! Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:08:45 pm

Thanks Radhika

Reply
Sudha
4/15/2020 05:08:30 pm

Great writing Sir. That was like traveling along with you in your childhood down memory lane and also knowing a bit about your mother,her essence and her impact on yourself & countless others who would have by inspired by her and her work.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 07:09:13 pm

Thanks Sudha

Reply
Venkat
4/15/2020 10:11:22 pm

That is so extraordinary, so profound and so touching!
Truly a loving gift from mother to son!

"My abiding love for books has its origins in my mother"
Imitation- No, it is not an imitation of mother's reading habits!
Inheritance- No, it goes beyond genetic inheritance of love of books!
Incorporation- Yes, of mother- her attitudes, her cherished values and her persona! That is profound influence!
Forms the basis of what Eric Berne called Life Scripts!!
Love and best wishes!

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 10:56:46 pm

Thanks Venkat. Life scripts are enduring and enriching!

Reply
Senthil (and Subhadra)
4/15/2020 11:01:53 pm

Sir, You have always been an amazing teacher and an admirable human being. I had the fortune of meeting your mother at your house and she was truly inspiring. You are a perfect son for such a legend. Amazing write up Sir! Thank you for sharing

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/15/2020 11:03:55 pm

Mikka nandri Senthil!

Reply
Chitra Nagaraj
4/15/2020 11:30:37 pm

Very very moving write up Sir
Enjoyed it.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 12:06:49 am

Thanks Chitra

Reply
Annie John
4/16/2020 03:33:13 am

How blessed are we to have had parents who by their very lives have given us so much. Your love and gratitude to her shines through your writing. You must miss her deeply.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 05:26:24 am

She's always in our thoughts...a source of perennial inspiration

Reply
S.S.Kumar
4/16/2020 04:42:35 am

Mami moulded not only you; a moving tribute beautifully written.
Her innate curiosity about routine, mundane things,her calm acceptance with a serene smile of life's various ups and downs,her zest for details always amazed me.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 05:27:00 am

True...and she continues to amaze and inspire!

Reply
Mitchell Weiss
4/16/2020 04:45:16 am

Ragu, this reflection from the heart on Sarasvati Ramnath, your mother, sparks memories of the pleasure of my having met her on several occasions at your home. It also fills in details of her accomplishments over the course of the life of this remarkable woman. I clearly recall and continue to appreciate her inscribed gift to me of her four-volume work in Hindi on the Stories of Rivers: Kaveri, Godavari, Ganga and Yamuna. She gave them to me with the idea of inspiring appreciation of the Hindi language and Indian culture. They have remained so, even as I now return to them once again after reading your lovingly written reflection.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 05:28:21 am

Thanks Mitchell. I personally feel that her work on the major rivers of India is a major contribution

Reply
Nalini. N. R.
4/16/2020 08:17:44 am

Sir, It is striking to note that your revered mother could balance life's challenges, responsibilities, burning passion and drive towards self actualization, so well which is definitely a source of inspiration to everyone. No wonder under her tutelage you have mastered the language, milked the essence of life and able to use in your profession. Lucky we are to get a glimpse of your perspective.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 09:12:28 pm

Thanks Nalini

Reply
Mohan Raj link
4/16/2020 10:23:45 pm

Dear Sir,
Wonderful narration and a tribute to your mother.
I am honoured to have interacted with her on many occasions.
I have seen her writing on many days.

But I am ashamed that I know very little about her volume of work in spite of knowing her. I was aware about her translations and the Sahitya Academy award for translation.

I did not know about her independent books on rivers etc.
Are they in Hindi or Tamil?

It would be great if you can write her profile and her body of work, year wise, in Wikipedia -to start with.

I

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/16/2020 11:04:23 pm

Thanks Mohan, She wrote about four major rivers of India in tamil and then translated them into Hindi. I am in the process of scanning her books which haven't withstood the test of time and plan to put them up on the web!

Reply
Madhava Rao
4/18/2020 01:05:07 am

Dear Ragu
Beautifully written- Free flow of thoughts (nostalgic),aptly blended with emotions-I could vividly visualise the whole thing,because of de ‘Art of writing ‘ - you are indeed ‘ Saraswati putra ‘
Hats off to your mother’s 100+literary work 🙏🏽- At least a part of it should be digitalised,so that it will be useful for generations.
I call people like your Mother are ‘ Chiranjeevis’ they live thru their work
Dr Madhav Rao Mangaluru

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/18/2020 09:54:50 pm

Thanks Madhava. Yes, I in the process of scanning all her books and once it is completed, will put them up online!

Reply
Chandramouli
4/18/2020 09:50:39 pm

Such a beautiful writing, The flow of thought is so excellent. I feel fortunate to have associated with her though for brief period. Your story illustrates how young minds can be influenced and moulded by their association.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/18/2020 09:56:44 pm

Thanks Chandru...

Reply
Melvin Chagas Silva
4/19/2020 01:55:18 am

Its obvious where your eloquence comes from Prof...veritably one who has suffered is the wisest...i i always guessed but now am truly amazed to know about your mother...regards

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/20/2020 12:11:00 am

Thanks Melvin

Reply
Rupa&Deepa Ranganathan
4/19/2020 11:41:58 pm

Very beautifully written and a great tribute to ur mother .Brought back old memories and the time she and Radhu spent with us in Delhi. She was very simple,soft spoken and smiling.Very passionate about her work,she made immense contribution in her field and won great appreciation from one and all. Mummy was also recounting her hindi classes with 'hindi teacher' as she was fondly known and how her family and urs have become friends for a lifetime . She was not only a good teacher/writer/translator,but also a very creative person good in fine arts and kept herself always busy, engrossed in some activity or other.A couple of days back when browsing thro . our album we came across the photo wherein she was receiving the award from the President and were reminiscing the great time spent together.we shall always remember her.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/20/2020 12:11:43 am

Thanks! Brought back a flood of memories about all of you too!

Reply
Ajit
4/21/2020 10:01:26 am

Wonderfully written about unforgettable Amma.
She had a resplendent personalty that your essay reminded me of: grand without a hint of loudness, commanding,though with the softest of voices and what she commanded was awe for her knowledge and respect for her humaneness. And her impeccable Hindi! All of us admired her ease with the language.
And to write 'auto biographic' mono graphs on the major rivers of India with hardly a visit to most of them,yet with such painstaking accuracy of detail, was something quite stupendous. How apt that she bore the name of the Goddess of learning, and of the revered yet mysterious River.
Also reminded of the lady who made the finest filter coffee Chanda and I ever tasted.
Thank you Ragu.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/22/2020 07:18:56 am

Thanks Ajit..memories linger on

Reply
Chauki
4/22/2020 02:43:24 am

Sir,simply amazing. Her interest in language,literature and writing is unbelievable and she managed all this with her regular responsibilities.My salutations and Pranams to Amma.It goes without saying you have articulated it so nicely.Amma influenced you not only in literature,love of books but also in prolific writing

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/22/2020 07:19:53 am

Thanks Chauki...what I also learnt from her is resilience in the face of adversity

Reply
Muthatha Ramanathan
4/22/2020 04:04:02 am

Thanks so much Doctor for this inspiring piece on your mother and you, and your love for books. You write very creatively of how books
are about relationships among people. Thank you also for sharing a most useful quote on temptation. No more guilt when I buy books. Hoorah! :-)

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/22/2020 07:21:10 am

Thank you! Mys soul resides among the pages of the books in my bookshelf!

Reply
Rahul
4/22/2020 05:31:06 pm

Such a wonderful essay! Beautifully captures the essence of Chachamma, I’m transported back immediately. And love for books is truly a gift we inherited from her (and despite her best efforts, that Hindi gene didn’t pass on to me...:))

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/22/2020 09:51:08 pm

True...and today is the World Book Day too! There is still sometime for the Hindi gene to catch up!

Reply
Adarsha
4/30/2020 08:26:27 pm

Sir you are truly fortunate to have known such a formidable passionate person as your mother! Among those who have inspired us to listen to people's stories and help them out, you are second to none. Thank you for sharing this with us sir - it inspires us to better ourselves every single day.

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/30/2020 08:49:59 pm

Thank you...I firmly believe that narrative dimension is extremely important in unraveling illness narratives, especially in the field of mental health

Reply
Paavannan
4/30/2020 11:07:16 pm

The travel of a fallen leaf from sky to ground is a powerful image. You have molded it as a book in a lap. Memories about Amma started unfolding from the point. Really interesting. The details how the practice of reading and writing kept her energetic in spite of all household difficulties will definitely help others . Meeting the stalwarts like Tarashankar Banarji and obtaining autobiographies are unforgettable experience. Development of friendship of veteran writers in the young age is a rare opportunity. I feel very happy to undertand that you got such opportunity. Really, this is a good artilce. Many wishes

Reply
Dr Raguram
4/30/2020 11:22:06 pm

Mikka Nandri!

Reply
Muthulakshmi
5/9/2020 07:41:58 pm


My respects to Saraswathi mami.

“Prano Devi Sarawati vajebhirvaajinivati
Dhinama vitriyavatu .
Vaagdevyai Namah” – Rig Veda
“salutations to mother Saraswati who is the originator of all vibrations and who removes the ignorance of the intellects. Salutations to the Goddess of speech.”

Reply
Dr Raguram
6/28/2020 05:20:10 am

Truly she was a goddess of learning...

Reply
Geetha Suryanarayan
6/28/2020 02:31:54 am

Beautiful write up of mami.As I was reading it,I could visualise her in front of me.Very soft spoken and amazing person.There was a lot to learn from her.

Reply
Dr Raguram
6/28/2020 05:20:54 am

Thanks Geetha...people like her continue to inspire us, even in their absence

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Dr Raguram

    Someone who keeps exploring beyond the boundaries of everyday life to savor and share those unforgettable moments....

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    May 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly