Sisterhood across NYC, Mumbai, Ghana, Dubai and Bangalore
A Matriarch born in 1908 in present day Pakistan has left a wonderful legacy, four generations ahead.
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of staying true to her legacy. From her Son (84 years), her grand daugters (in their 50s and 60s), her great grand daughters (40s and 50s) and great great grand children (from 10 year olds to their 20s), reconnecting has never felt more wholesome.
To the outsider these meet ups over chole bhatura in Bangalore, or a Broadway show in New York may seem like an innocuous catch up of family and cousins. But there is a beautiful story woven into the narrative about why all of us make the effort to meet each other.
There is an intrinsic magnetism of wanting to go back to one's roots and the ability to pick up after 30 years and have that same sense of familiarity. It has included an evening in Dubai over dinner with cousins, or a dinner at the Soho House in Juhu / Mumbai. It has also included flying from Ghana to Bangalore, driving from Bellandur to Budigere and Boston to Manhattan. Flying from London to Mumbai and Bangalore to Dubai.
Once the niceties are exchanged and the evening progresses, the sense of rootedness and familiarity appears. More often than not, it is in the way we all look. In history books, these are described as ''Indo Aryan'' features. Then there is food. Definitely a strong throwback to something punjabi. Could be a chicken tikka, a bharta or chole bhatura. However, one striking similarity is the work ethic. Mataji as she was popularly called, 118 years later has left a legacy of some incredibly smart and hard working family members, and I am immensely proud to be part of that legacy.