Thank You Dear Mother!!!

Hi
 A compliment from children makes any mother emotional, at the same time a feeling of fulfillment engulfs her. The effort of a mother in bringing up a kid is no joke and is unmatched in terms of co-ordination and multitasking. You think ahead of a solution to an oncoming concern, when out-of-the-blue, something else crops up and you have to handle so many different things at the same time.... the final result being the welfare of your children. Child rearing is a challenge for every mother and she tries to rise to the occasion to the best of her ability. 

I am thrilled to receive the following poem from my daughter Preeta, which is written on behalf of both my kids, Priya and Preeta. My heart swells with happiness  as I read the postscript... It says that I should send it to 'MY' mother and express my appreciation of my mom being there for me!! Is there anything more to be considered richer?

Enjoy! - Shanta

Thank You Dear Mother!!!

Dearest Amma,

Thank you so much ma, 
For always being there
For all the words and actions
That ever said, "I care"

When children thought they were wrong
For seeing the positives in each
You taught us to be strong
The way you practiced, not just preached

Thank you amma for your cheerfulness
That lightens every worry
From you, we also learnt to be healthy
To go low on hurry and curry!

Endurance, patience, alertness
Are traits we got from you
You taught us to be humble
To put ourselves in others' shoes

To understand the intricacies of life
And live it with a simple outlook
You gave us pearls of wisdom
That's not found in many books!!

We love you so much mum dearest,
Hugs and kisses come your way
Wish you a wonderful day, ma
Today and everyday!!!

Thanks for always believing in us.....
Love,
Priya and Preeta
12.09.2013
(Written by Preeta Iyer, Singapore)

A Loving Homage to Thyagu Athimbar!!

November 1938 - May 2013

Shri T. K. Thyagarajan, my dear brother-in-law ie athimbar, passed away early this month after a brief illness, patiently borne. Even while he was in acute pain, his mind was clear. He knew his end was near, and the thought never embittered him or his attitude towards life. He discussed various things practically with his family and was living each day fully. He loved music... he played mridangam, ghatam, ganjira, sang songs, bajans etc. He loved sports and he enjoyed adventures and travel. He loved good humour. He was attracted to people of all age, size, colour and background,  as he learned about life from each one! He loved to help anyone and everyone and he has a great crowd who knew him and who are recepient of his kindness and generosity. He was a great cook and loved good food too. I remember once, during my visit to Daramsi Bhuvan, he made hot 'adais' and served me in a  plate with jaggery, butter and mulaga-podi!! Can't forget the way I hogged the tasty adais that day.  Padma and athimbar saw that their guests are always well fed and satisfied!

He was ever a well-wisher to each one he met.  He was also a person with a high level sixth-sense and surprisingly, many events  he had foreseen came true later in life.

Personally, there is no limit to the affection he showered on my family. He, alongwith  my sister Padma, played a very important role in my life whenever I desparately needed a straw to hold! Not once has he felt conceited about his assistance to innumerable people.... and THAT is the humility we learn from such a great man. May his soul rest in peace.

Thyagu athimbar's two sons Harish and Vijay had arranged for a musical homage befitting his love for music. Accompanying his Guru's daughters - the three sisters who played flute, veena and violin- there were dual mridngam players who were very special to Thyagu .... his younger brother T.K.Ramakrishnan and his elder son Harish Thyagarajan. Each song selected to be rendered was a masterpiece in itself and touched the heart of the audience. I had written the following poem on  behalf of my siblings and read it out during the homage ceremony. Enjoy the same while praying for Thyagu athimbar's departed soul. Thanks.

Shanta
23-May-2013

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A Loving Homage to our dear Thyagu Athimbar

No words can describe the loss of our 'jiju'

Who won everyone's heart

His qualities touched all the persons he met

In each life, he played a part

To think of Thyagu Athimbar is very easy

What first comes to you is the smile,

The genuine, warm, open laughter

That takes you many a mile....

An artist to the core, an excellent one

He played many insturments

His devotion to music is indeed well known

The rhythm, the tune... had its moments!

'Compassionate' was his middle name

He was sympathetic and very kind

You would seek his help, or he'd just render

Even before it comes to your mind....

He was devotional, religious and serious too

Broad-minded at the same time,

A man who lived life fully

With positive thinking - sublime!

A good friend to his two sons, he was,

To Padma, a loving hubby

We'll all miss Thyagu Athimbar, his smile, his help,

And his charismatic personality!!!

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE...

Written by (c) Shanta Ramakrishnan on 23rd May 2013

(Athimbar (Tamil) = brother-in-law ie sister's husband)

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