Lead kindly light….

Dear Bhau,

It’s that time of the year when we gather our thoughts and put them down in print or paper to share with you!

Yet another year has gone by and there is so much that has happened which you would be happy and proud to know. 

Sidd has found the love of his life and wants to settle down next year. Geena is a lovely girl and we are very happy to welcome her into our family. 

You and aai are Panjoba and Panaji of three grandchildren now !

Cora, Arjun and Takshvi ….

Really adorable grand children for all of us! 

We enjoy their videos and pictures regularly  on WA and video calls.

And you would have been really proud to see the parenting and how all the grand children are coping so well in their new roles as parents.

Keep blessing us all and guiding everyone to make the right choices !

Sharing a part of a poem which I always remember …

Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
Keep Thou my  feet;
I do not ask to see the distant scene;
one step enough for me ….

Let wisdom, humility and empathy be the guiding forces for the choices we all make rather than pride and prejudice.
Let there be courage and to-do spirit in each one of us rather than fear and discontent. 

Let there be peace and hope in this world and let light prevail….

Love,

Shruti

 Dearest Bhau, 

Yet Another year has gone by…. 

You will be really happy to know that we all connected today over a zoom call initiated by Shubhada tai. Aai sang a beautiful bhajan in the beginning and we all were  reminiscing over memories about your creative skills in music, drama, your social skills, your love for travel, cooking and many such fond memories. 

Shubhada tai played many of your favorite songs sung by some of your favorite artists. Sharmilee shared the meaning of Atharva Shirsha,  which she has been reciting regularly, like you used to.  Kalindi atya and mama shared their memories and were remembering your enthusiasm during Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi padwa. Sharwari tai was very emotional and shared her thoughts about her journey of self discovery.  Satyajit dada was reminiscing over the times you had spent with them at Muscat and Dubai. 

I shared the poem ‘If ‘ by Rudyard Kipling and was surprised to know that you had shared the same poem with Parikshit many years ago. 

You live on in our memories and in each one of us in different ways. Please continue to guide us and inspire us through each other ……

Lots of love

Shruti 

 Dearest Bhau,

Hope the sweet fragrance  of home grown Juhi flowers, Frangipani and rajnigandha reaches you. Aai has very lovingly made this haar for you today. We talk about you so often, and aai has so many memories to share with us. 

Time is flying and days turning into years. Whole world is still dealing with COVID and so much of uncertainty prevails everywhere. Please keep watching over us all and guide us to lead  a balanced life in these uncertain times.

Love you and miss you!

Shruti

It’s been 14 years ,we remember you often dear Bhau ....

Dearest Bhau,

The year 2020 has been dreadful and life everywhere has come to a standstill due to lockdowns and Virus scare. Despite that, there have been some silver linings we all should be thankful for.

Some of the highlights are - Aai is safely with me  since January and Darling Cora’s arrival on January 26th !!

One of the silver linings which would have really made you happy is that the  Kanitkar family (extended) members have connected together through WA. Some old memories and photos have been exchanged and we have all connected over zoom calls. 

It’s a pleasure to be connected and to appreciate that family bonds can grow if we invest just a little bit of our time and effort despite distances and different time zones. 

Some lyrics from a ghazal which resonate today ..

Duniya jise kehte hain jadoo ka khilona  hai 

Mil jaye to mitti hai Kho jaye to sona hai 

Gum ho ki khushi dono kuch der ke saathi hai

Phir rasta hi rasta hai hasna hai na rona hai ....

Bhau - You live on, because you live in our thoughts , a person could cease to exist if we don’t think about the person! you are in our thoughts, in our hearts, in our genes. 

We all miss your presence but know you are watching over all of us....

Always be there.......

Lots of love and regards

Shruti

Remembering Bhau on his 13th Death anniversary

Dear Bhau,

Would like to share with everyone your handwritten notes about the Kanitkar family and the love for dramatics and music.

Your handwriting is so beautiful that it flows like a tune....




Love you and miss you so much!!

Shruti

Pasayadan for you Bhau

Dear Bhau,

Since morning I have been humming 'Pasaydan' and so I decided to write about it here.

I remember you reading  Dnyaneshwari in your last days, a commentary on Bhagwad Gita written by Marathi saint and poet Sant Dnyaneshwar in the 13th century. There were a lot of teachings you shared with me when I visited you in  Pune.

Aai introduced me to the poem 'Pasayadan' which is written at the end of  Dnyaneshwari and its rendition by Lata is beautiful. The composition set to music by Hridaynath Mangeshkar is aptly set in rag Bhairavi!
Through this poem Sant Dynaneshwar has asked for the welfare of the entire universe, as blessings!
Cruelty should be replaced with kindness and good will, light should replace darkness. Every being should be a friend to one another, and should get what it desires and deserves! The belief in divine powers should strengthen and spread goodwill.
Goodness should prevail unblemished like the sun and the moon.
Those who read and follow the teachings of  Dnyaneshwari will always be the winnners!

आता विश्वात्मकें देवें । येणे वाग्यज्ञें तोषावें ।

तोषोनिं मज ज्ञावे । पसायदान हें ॥ 

जें खळांची व्यंकटी सांडो । तया सत्कर्मी- रती वाढो ।

भूतां परस्परे पडो । मैत्र जीवाचें ॥ 

दुरितांचे तिमिर जावो । विश्व स्वधर्म सूर्यें पाहो ।

जो जे वांच्छिल तो तें लाहो । प्राणिजात ॥

वर्षत सकळ मंगळी । ईश्वरनिष्ठांची मांदियाळी ।

अनवरत भूमंडळी । भेटतु भूतां ॥

चलां कल्पतरूंचे आरव । चेतना चिंतामणींचें गाव ।

बोलते जे अर्णव । पीयूषाचे ॥

चंद्र्मे जे अलांछ्न । मार्तंड जे तापहीन ।

ते सर्वांही सदा सज्जन । सोयरे होतु ॥

किंबहुना सर्व सुखी । पूर्ण होऊनि तिन्हीं लोकी ।

भजिजो आदिपुरुखी । अखंडित ॥

आणि ग्रंथोपजीविये । विशेषीं लोकीं इयें ।

दृष्टादृष्ट विजयें । होआवे जी ।

येथ म्हणे श्री विश्वेशराओ । हा होईल दान पसावो ।

येणें वरें ज्ञानदेवो । सुखिया जाला ॥

Tribute to Dear Bhau on his 10th death anniversary

The years just flew by, so much has happened in the last decade.

Events you would have been proud of, events where your presence was truly missed.

But surely you have been watching over all of us and giving your blessings and sending your love to each one of us.  Please continue to do that to eternity.... 

Love you and miss you !

Shruti

Remembering Bhau

We remember you fondly this day when you would have entered 75th year today
your memories are still green in our life may god keep you Happy and cheerful in your heavenly ABODE
With our fond memories

Another year passed by...

Seems like yesterday we were together laughing, singing, dinning and rejoicing...

Little did we know what those days taught us...

the values of sharing, caring, bonding and a vision way ahead of time...

Being humane, having compassion and giving back to the community was what we learnt....

Your poetic passion, rhythm for music, golden heart and flair of acting are some of the traits that we carried forward...

Thanks for being our Father dear Bhau...

Missing you for the 9th year...

Sharwari

Dear Bhau,

Last Sunday we your daughters, discussed about which songs you liked. Shruti has posted many of your selections on this blog. 

Your choice of music was very wide and very large-ranging. From rap to classical; melody to pathos; natya-sangeet to gazals and so on......... 

This we all have inherited from you, to listen to good music of any genre. But you didn't like any artificial compositions. 

Your music was always easy flowing, in one tune without complexities and without too many high or low notes. But you did like the variable tones of music of Ghulam Ali. He was your favourite.

I always wondered why did you not enjoy some numbers and didn't like some of my selections of songs with complex tunes and expressions of rare ragas. 

Your choice of music was easy to understand, easy to connect with mood of the song, easy to feel and easy to remember.

Bhau, thank you for making me understand the difference between good and bad and the discern needed to develop the taste for good music.

We remember all the beautiful moments we shared with you attending different musical programs from stars to upcoming talents.

At the end-

Phool khile hain gulshan gulshan
Lekin apna apna daaman............

Love you Bhau, always and eternally.....

Shubhada

Remembering Bhau fondly on his 9th death anniversary !

We were reminiscing over his favorite songs and I thought of compiling a short list....

भाऊँ चीं आवडती गाणी

भाऊँ ना नाट्य संगीत अत्यंत प्रिय होत !

नाटक कुलवधू चीं गाणी
क्षण आला भाग्याचा , बोला । अमृत बोला , मनरमणा,मधुसूदना ।

नाटक संगीत मानापमा मधिल
खरा तो प्रेमा ना धरी लोभ मनी, नमन नटवरा विस्मयकारा,आत्मविरोधी कुतूहलधरा,
युवतिमना दारुण रण रूचिर प्रेमसे झाले , शूरा मी वंदिले ।

नाटक - संगीत शारदा,
आम्ही मुलिंनी गायलेली गाणि ...
श्रीमंत पतीची राणी, मग थाट काय तो पुसतां , घेउनि ये पंखा वाळ्याचा जा जा जा झणीं,
मूर्तिमंत भीती उभी मजसमोर राहिली , म्हातारा इतुका न अवघें पाऊणशें वयमान ।

नाटक संगीत सौभदै मधिल
प्रिये पहा रात्रीचा समय सरुनि येत उषःकाल हाँ,
वद जाउं कुणाला शरण करी जो हरण संकटाचें ।

भाऊँ चे काही आवडते अभंग ...

इंद्रायणी काठी, देवाची आळंदी, ज़ोहर मायबाप जोहार, तीर्थ विठ्ठल ,ज्ञानियांचा राजा गुरू महाराव ।


He loved listening to Ghazals especially to Mehdi Hassan and Ghulam Ali.

Aab ke hum bhichade ,
Chupke chupke raat din..., awaragi ,
And many many more

Bhau enjoyed listening to lively songs by Kishore Kumar, some of his favorites were
Phoolon ke rang se, bhaware ki gunjan hai mera dil, rimzhim gire sawan,
Zindagi ke Safari mei ...


Another favorite singer was Harry Belafonte !
And his favorite song ....Jamaica farewell - down the bay where the nights are gay

The list is endless and we remember him when Many of these songs are played!




Love you and miss you dear Bhau!

Shruti

In memory of Bhau

Our respectful tribute to Bhau

 

On his 8th DeathAnniversary

 

 

From Vasudeo and all of us here

Remembering Bhau on 8th Death Anniversary!

Fun loving Bhau,
Kind and thoughtful too,
A smile on his face, exuding positive energy,
Always ready for new creative ideas and adventures, 
Undeterred, resilient, ready to take on the world !

Love 
Shruti
6th Aug 2014

Remembering fun loving Bhau.....

Dear Bhau,

You live in our hearts ,  we think of you often,

But today is the day,

 when you had set off on your journey yonder ...

Calm and at peace, one with the universe!

You are just a thought away but

Thoughts are more powerful than words! 

So help us achieve......

peace in our hearts, restraint in our speech, 

compassion for everyone and kind & worthwhile deeds!

Love you and miss you

Shruti

06-aug-2013

बघता बघता सात वर्षे वाळू सारखी हातातून निसटली

बघता बघता सात वर्षे वाळू सारखी हातातून निसटली

पण आठवणी तुमच्या माझ्या मनात नेहमीच रुतत राहिल्या

कधी त्या आठवणी अलगद स्पर्श करून मनाला आधार देतात

तर कधी त्या आठवणी अंश्रूच्या रुपात डोळ्याच्या कडा भिजवतात

आसमंतात राहून तुम्ही असेच .......

शुभदेला शुभाशीर्वाद द्या, शर्वरीला सूर्याची किरणे द्या, श्रुतीला मनमोहक तान द्या आणि शर्मिलीलाफुलाची वाट द्या....

खूप दिवसांनी लिहित असलेली

तुमची शर्वरी

१७ मार्च 2013

06-08-2012 ...Bhau's 6th death anniversary

Six years have gone by and Bhau is missed so much but yet feel his presence in all of us! So he's there with us, in us and for us. So wanted to tell you all how much he's missed and hope his spirits and our spirits always weave and bond and strengthen through the years. Love you and miss you dear Bhau! 
Much much love,
Shruti

On sad demise of Mama Ajoba on 7th April, 2012

प्रिय भाऊना, 

सप्रेम नमस्कार

खूप  दिवसांनी खरे तर खूप महिन्यांनी मी तुम्हाला पत्र लिहित आहे. आयुष्यात खूप घडामोडी झाल्या आणि तुम्हाला पत्र लिहायचे राहून गेले. 

आज हे पत्र तुम्हाला ति. मामा आजोबा ७ एप्रिलला ब्रीस्बैन मध्ये  देवाघरी गेले हे सांगायला लिहित आहे.  ७ एप्रिलला त्याच्या बरोबर माणिक आत्या, मंगला आत्या, सत्यजित आणि त्याची बायको आणि  नातवंड होती. ११ एप्रिलला त्याचा अंतिम संस्कार बापट काकांनी केले. शर्मिली, पराग आणि मी ब्रीस्बैन ला गेलो होतो. आम्ही तिघे कानिटकर आणि आमच्या सर्व परिवारांना तर्फे श्रद्धांजली द्यायला गेलो होतो. खूप खूप जुन्या आठवणी डोळ्यातून वाहत होत्या. मामा आजोबा गेले आणि एक पर्व संपले. मामा आजोबा आपल्या घरातले शेवटचे मोठे छत्र होते. आता मात्र खर्या अर्थांनी आम्ही पोरके झालो. 

काल मेल्बुर्न मध्ये त्यांना एक श्रद्धांजली चा कार्यक्रम महाराष्ट्र मंडळानी आयोजित केला होता. आम्ही सर्व सत्यजित, ऋत्विक, रोहित राजूरकर आणि पराग, प्राजक्ता, संनिधी लेले आणि शर्मिली व मी  गेलो होतो. मी काल आपल्या सर्वन तर्फे चार शब्ध बोलले आणि एक चार ओळि ची कविता लिहिली. मी मार्च २०१० मध्ये मामा आजोबा कडे ४ दिवस राहायला गेले होते. ८ मार्च ला त्यांनी मला शेवटचे पत्र लिहिले होते. त्यातला थोडा मजकूर मी सांगितला. 

------आमच्या लहान पणा पासून आम्हा चौघी बहिणींना मामा आजोबा आणि मामी आजी नेहमी एक कुतुहलाचे जोडपे होते. आमचे वडील आणि मामा आजोबान मध्ये मामा-भाच्याचे खूपच घनिष्ट संबंध होते. ८ मार्च च्या पत्रात त्यांनी मला लिहिले होते की ब्रिटीश आमदानीत उमाजी नायिक नावाचा एक बंडखोर क्रांतीफाटक होता व त्याला त्याच्या भाच्याची पूर्ण साथ होती तसे आम्ही मामा-भाचे होतो. तेव्हा एक चाचा-भतीजा हिंदी सिनेमा निघाला होता आणि  मी त्या दोघांना ह्या नावाने चिडवायचे. ताचे आमच्या आई सरोज कानिटकर बरोबर वैशोदेवी चे दर्शन, जयपूर, उदैपूर च्या ट्रिप्स चे वेगवेगळे किस्से अजूनही मामा आजोबा सांगायचे. आमच्या आजोबा अप्पा कानिटकर आणि वासंती कानिटकर  आजीनी त्या काळात मामा आजोबा व मामी आज्जी च्या लग्नाला खूप पाठींबा दिला होता. आमच्या आजी कडून मामा आजोबांनी नाटक व नाट्य संगीताची आवड निर्माण केली आणि ते सतत नाटके आणि नाट्य संगीत भाघायाचे व गायचे. मी मार्च २०१० मध्ये जेव्हा ब्रीस्बाने ला गेले होते तेव्हा त्यांनी सर्व गाणी म्हणायला लावली. खरे तर ती सर्व गाणी आम्ही चौघी बहिणींनी जपून ठेवली आहेत. जेव्हा एकत्र असतो सर्व गाणी गातो. मामा आजोबा चे आमच्या वडिलान बरोबर नियमित पत्रलेखन असायचे हे आठवण आमच्या लहान पणा पासून आहे. मामा आजोबा चे सहस्त्र चंद्र दर्शन पुण्यात करिण्या साठी आमच्या वडिलान बरोबर बराच पत्र व्याहावर झाला होता हे मला मामा आजोबांनी सांगितले होते. पण आमच्या वडिलाची अकाली ऑगस्ट २००६ मध्ये मृत्यू झाल्या मुळे हे काही घडू शकले नाही. आणि प्रिय भाच्याचे वर्ष श्राद्ध मामाला करावे लागले ह्याचा खूप मोठा खंत मामा आजोबाना शेवट पर्यंत राहिला.

शर्मिली आणि नंतर मी ऑस्ट्रेलिया मध्ये स्तायिक झालो ह्याचा त्यांना नेहमी आनंद होता. 

शेवटी मी हेच म्हणेन....

ते दोन प्रवासी पक्षी उंच झेप घेवून उडून गेले,

आठवणी ओजळीत टाकून दूर आसमंतात विरघळले ,

दिशा त्यांनी दाखवली प्रेमाची व नाती दृढ करण्याची,

निरपेक्ष आणि निसंदेह कर्म करत राहण्याची.

भाऊ, आता तुम्ही सर्व एकत्र आहात पण आम्हाला विसरू नका. आम्ही अजूनही आकाशात डोळे लावून तुम्हाला शोधात असतो. माहेर च्या चांदण्यात ..... चन्द्राच्या प्रकाशात...

तुमचीच

शर्वरी 

२३.०४.२०१२ 

On occasion of your 68th birthday it is my sad duty to post on this medium
my profound feelings of remembrance on the unique occasion that i understand your and Appa's
birthday also falls today as per Indian Almanac
My best wishes for you to be at peace in your heavenly abode

VASUDEO

My dear Bhau,
I have paid my silent tributes to your memory the day you got salvation from this world.
There not being any communication of any sort I've no way of knowing your mind about our not undistant relationship between two close brothers
I indeed have a great respect for your capability as family man, social person and as a person with great talent in drama,music,socialising and being an ICON in every field that you ventured.
In your professional field as well, you have been a shining star, being the youngest Manager of a fledgling Bank outlet in commercially powerful Market Place such as Karol bagh
You have exerted extensively during your mature years in totally unfamiliar world of drilling rigs moving here and there and everywhere
It is a pity that you did not have respite of taking it easy in your city of youth, home to drama and KARMABHOOMI of college days
It is great that I could express my bottled thoughts thro' this medium after almost a couple of years
I am sure you must be exerting with all your strength in your fond activities wherever you are
I wish and hope YOU ARE AT PEACE YOURSELF

Vasudeo

Written By Sharwari Rajurkar

Written by Shubhada Sakurikar (Moved from comment)

Dear Bhau,
I am sure you would be also celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Appa today.
I tried it my way little by saying it poetically.
Want you to read it,posting it here for you.

Inspiration

Eyes once again imagine the familiar silhouette of a tall man
Adorned in cotton white, with a cane, walking briskly.
Sea-blue eyes closed to clatter, deep in thoughts, rather meditating,
Strongly determined, walking the miles imperviously, step by step.

Leaving behind shadows of arduous childhood, full of sweat and toil
Fatherless at early age, brought up by winds of time, in adversity.
Youthful years full of hope and desire to excel in life.
And the will to succeed in spite of all odds, a true symbol of edification.
For warmth and happiness treading the path, tirelessly, with conviction.

Sorrow insurmountable after losing partner, but happy to have a fruit.
Knotted again to spend life’s beautiful moments, sharing and caring.
Existence full of ups and down, every mile crossed in faith, together, made for each other.

A persona of high intellect, discretion and passion hand in hand
Voracious reader, wit and wisdom oozing out of millions of cells.
Confidence almost intimidating all other lesser mortals on earth
Values and belief in oneself, of the highest order, unshakable, by the tides of time.

My grandfather taught me to think, act and perform on the canvas of life.
Let there be any season, fill your colors around make life worthwhile, living.
And do not worry about anything; the Supreme Intelligence will look after you.
Speak fearlessly, hold head high, seek perfection, be un-compromising towards mediocrity.

I saw him down only once during illness, on death bed, for a while, unanticipated.
Faint whispers, nonchalant even then, everyone around seeking his attention.
He, passing into the oblivion, seeking the eternal truth, veins frozen.

I look up to him for strength, for living in paucity, with pride and hope,
And to fulfill life’s mission, explicit, without burning out.
The candle of light continues the journey, forward…....

Shubhada Sakurikar
April 3, 2008


Hope you will like it. Tell me your feed back in the dreams.
Shubhada

Written by Sharmilee Lele (Moved from comment)

With every passing year,
with every memory yearned,
you will strengthen my resolve to accomplish the hardest things of all!
Thank you for watching over us...

Written by Kalindi (Moved from comment)

Dear Bhau, You have always been my inspiration.It is hard to believe you are not there because you still reside in my heart.There are so many memories that it is not possible to put them in few sentences.I am sure where ever youare you are with all of us.

Written by Shruti Panandiker (Moved from comment)

Dear Bhau,
It’s 6th of August 2007. Time has just gone by - days into months and months into a year since your demise.
But it just seems like yesterday that we all were together. Everything keeps coming back and the memories are so fresh, so new that it’s hard to imagine that they will not be relived.
Yesterday I made your favorite Sabudana Khichadi and was reminded of how much you had relished the ‘Sweet Home’ khichadi at Pune. Today I made your favorite ‘phodni chi poli’ and was again remembering how you and I would try and take a bigger share. Whenever I play Kumar Gandharva’s ‘Uthi uthi Gopala’, I go back to the LP record days and to the times when you would play that early in the morning during Diwali.
I remember the Rangayan days and the days when you used to make my plats and ajji used to feed me scrambled eggs before going to school. I remember our days at Belgaum and the fun we had at the house on pillars. I remember our South India trip and the cake aai had carried from Delhi for me and I had cut it early in the morning before our visit to Tirupati.

Dear Bhau we have all the memories to keep us going but please watch over all of us. Just the thought that you are still somewhere close by, watching over all of us gives us a lot of strength!
Love
Shruti

Written by Shruti Panandiker (Moved from comment)

Dear Bhau,


It’s been four months since your demise and I just realized how soon the days are turning into months. I haven’t been writing on the blog because probably I have been constantly talking to you. You have been watching, guiding, smiling, frowning and I have seen those expressions reflected on your photograph hanging on my wall.

It’s almost as if you are in India with aai and we will soon see you again. Then when I recollect how the Pune home will be without your presence, or when I’ll see aai without you beside her, it brings tears to the eyes.

I think it’s good to cry every once in a while to face the reality of your loss rather than to pretend that you are in India and we will see you soon.

But then I also feel good that you are watching over me and guiding me.

I still remember the story you had shared with me from Saint Ramdas’s life history. The story was that as a young boy Saint Ramdas had set off from his home, in search of god. He walked along the banks of river Godavari as his mother had told him he would find god at the mouth of the river. He walked on for days and yet couldn’t find the mouth of the river Godavari. One day he met an old hermit living in a hut besides river Godavari. He rested at the hut for some time and then asked the hermit if he had seen the God at the mouth of the river.

Hermit told him that he too had set off in search of god and had spent days looking for him. He could get only this far and now he was too old and frail to walk any further. But he could guide Ramdas and show him the path to reach to the mouth of river Godavari. And so he did.

We too need a hermit in our lives to show the sign ‘this way please’ and I am glad you guided me like the hermit. I too have set off on a trail where I know I have a long way to go. I also realize that I can take a few people along with me. So my music classes have become my goal and I am enjoying them thoroughly. I also realize that sharing my knowledge with others increases it ten folds and there is immense satisfaction in that too.

I just wish that I could have spent more time during childhood and in growing up years learning from ajji . I remember her frequently and all the old songs, which she had taught, are coming back. It’s amazing how the childhood memories are imprinted in our minds, all we need is some stimulation to activate the defunct memory. I also wish that I could have spent more time with you as you had a lot of knowledge on varied topics and it was there to seek but we never had the time to do so.

Anyways what is past cannot be amended but the future can learn from the past. So I hope I continue to learn and learn and keep my heart and mind open to learning. Every experience in life has a learning and I hope I make the most of it. And I know I will have your and aai’s blessings with me forever.

Love
Shruti

Written by P W Kale Kaka (Moved from comment)

Remembering Shriram Kanitkar,as I knew him !!!!

One day in Pune in Oct’2004,Meena my wife,called me on my mobile to say that she met Mrs. Kanitkar( Saroj) and Shririam in Bal Gandharav Pune and she was bringing them home. Kanitkars were in our house and we renewed our ‘guppa’ all over after several years.The time seemed have not elapsed and we related to each other instantly.

Kanitkar’s were again Punekar’s after almost 40 years after their courtship years in Ferguson college.Roots, after all, take you to their origin.

I first met Shririam in 1971 in Mumbai where Bank Officer’s association was holding elections.Shriram got elected unopposed on the managing committee to represent Delhi & North.My first impression of him was suve,handsome,very well dressed in a light brown suit and a matching tie.It was December & he flew from Delhi all the way.When we met,he instantly related to his Pune days and wanted to know how’s theatre activity in Pune going on. ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ was a rage at that time.His turnout and command over spoken Marathi,Hindi and English impressed everyone.We became friends from that day. A real Chitpavan in his looks,light mischievous eyes and pink brown complexion.An appearance & intelligence inherited from his parent whom I had the pleasure to meet subsequently.I believe his value system came from his father and culture,and music,theatre from mother an excellent combination indeed.

Yes,Shriram was an active, knowledgeable, theatre personality.

The organisation where we were working had made plans to grow.The expansion was being implemented & I was assigned to go to Delhi in Jan’75 by the then Charman Mr. V.M.Bhide.On our debriefing session Mr. Bhide asked me’Do you know Mr. Kanitkar from Delhi ? I said ‘yes I do.Mr. Bhide said ‘then 50 % of your problems of settling in Delhi are solved’.He knew Shriram and his abilities well. Unfortunetly subsequent gentlemen heading the Bank affairs did NOT have close rapport with executives in Delhi.

Me, a pucca Punekar(then),landed in Delhi in a wintery February ‘75 evening by Forntier mail. My Puneri estmate of Delhi( hya,thandi,thandi mhanje kiti ?) winter was shattered with same intnsity of my shiver down the spine.Next day I called on Shriram in his office in Karol Bagh.He was Manager of Karol Bag office. He was very firm & effective in his mannerisam. What impressed me most was his command over Punjabi language.I made a mental note that if I have to take roots in Delhi spken Punjabi is mandatory.

Over about next week or so Shririam helped me to settle down.Took me home and went out of the way to ensure that I was at ease in a new city.This was a cultural shock to me coming from a city which suspected anybody trying to help.’What is his motive’ they would have asked ?

By Pune standards Delhi was ‘Khoop Laamb’.I was so moved by his help that I carried the tradition of helping to anyone one coming to Delhi from other states for the first time.

P.W.Kale

Your's Truly Said ... Written By Amruta and Apurva (moved from comments)

Hello! Amruta and Apurva Nargundkar here. (Sharwari's and Satyajit's nieces)

To us Bhau Kanitkar was always Bhau azoba, just as his grandsons Rutwik and Rohit called him. We didn't know him very well, but whenever we met him he was always smiling, telling witty jokes and being a friend to all the kids around him.

Rutwik and Rohit adored him very much, and through them we too grew to respect and be very fond of Nani ajji and Bhau azoba.

Whenever we met him, he was the grandfather we missed having, filling the void of a loving azoba in our lives.

We remember admiring him a lot, whether it was his habit of keeping physically fit even in his sixties, or all the general knowledge that he had and imparted to the kids, the memories our mami shared with us about Bhau azoba playing guitar and singing all the classic songs, or his great sense of humour.

When we heard that azoba had passed away, both our parents and we were shocked, but as we said to mami, his beloved family was there with him when he died, and he must have known how much everyone loved him and taken that love of his wife and children and grandchildren with him.

Over the years we've met all his grandchildren, Rutwik, Rohit, Prajakta, Sannidhi, Siddhart, Nandini and Parikshit; everyone of them must have felt the loss of their much loved grandpa greatly. But his teachings will always be with them and we're sure that they'll cherish in life all the qualities that he passed on to them.

Nani ajji is a very brave woman, and this quality of hers is in all her daughters too. Sharwari mami and Sharmilee mavshi who I know very well have carried on with their daily lives never letting the smiles on their faces show their sorrow. And this blog in honour of Bhau azoba is a very fine tribute to him, since it remembers him with creativity and love, in the form of poems written by his near and dear ones, and we're sure he would have been wanted to be remembered exactly like this, inspiring creativity rather than sadness.

We hope more great memories of Bhau azoba will be posted on this blog in the future.

Best of luck to everybody.

Amruta and Apurva.

Written by Arun K Tiwari (moved from comment)

I measure every grief I meet
with reasoned gaze;
I wonder if I grieve you,
loosing father feels so old an ache.

I wonder if it hurts to live,
and if we all have to try,
and whether, could we choose between,
we would not rather die.

I wonder if when years have piled--
decades after decades--on the mind,
Of hurt, of crave, of pain, of loss
could life give it any pause?

We go on aching still and more
through the years ahead,
Enlightened to a larger pain
longing for the elusive gain?

The grieved are many, I can see that;
the reason but deeper lies,
Death is but one and comes but once
and only nails the eyes.

There's grief of want, and grief of losing hold,
a sort we call despair,
there’s banishment from native eyes,
in sight of local air.

And though I may not guess the kind
correctly yet to me
a piercing comfort my memory affords
of the moments I spent with you.

I experience your departure
and watch standing alone
still fascinated to presume
that you were like my own.

___________
Arun K Tiwari

Written by Sharwari Rajurkar (Moved from comment)

Moments.........with love!

Every moment that I spent with you my dad has left an imprint on my mind
childhood,adolescent,teenage,youth,womanhood,
motherhood all in its own kind,
But never knew that your unending surprises would leave no place to unwind.....

You taught me to love the world with a throbbing heart full of passion and laughter
which elated me to a high pedestal leaving behind the sorrows of life.....

You were always a pillar of strength to lean-on in all my tough times,
though the frightful call told me you were in pain my eyes searched the
reassuring smile saying everthing was just fine.....

The sky was pouring through my eyes not knowing the floods of sorrow rise
all along till I saw you my heart was pleading for your life to the God in the blue skies.....

Then I saw the reflection of serenity beaming on your face
and that moment told me you had made up your mind for a graceful escape.....

I shook your heart,touched your forehead and reached to your soul
to let you know that its my turn this time at your bedside with a heart to console.....

We your daughters and your wife surrounded you with our boundless ties
and then we saw you fading away with tears in our eyes and a solemn prayer.....

You had waited for this Moment to give us a spark of your golden heart
Oh! my dad your final surprise gave us courage to let you depart!

Written By Shubhada Sakurikar (Moved from comment)

Bhau

The world says you are dead--

not seeing, not seen;

not hearing, not heard;

Not asking, not responding;

Not taking, not giving.

But I can see your light

Showing me the path.

I can hear your voice 

Inspiring and reprimanding.

I can feel your asking for a righteous conduct

I can feel your assurances when I am grieved.

You are receiving my prayers

and giving your blessings.

How can you be dead Bhau

When you are alive in my trillions of cells

Each of 23 chromosomes you gave me

Perpetuate a bloodline that was pious

And carry forward a tradition to which

You are a glorious link.

Bhau you live in me

Bhau you live in my children

O World, never say Bhau is dead.

Dear Bhau,
Where did you go
When you were lying in the ICU bed, oblivious to the goings,
Slithering tubes going in and out of you
With life saving drugs being pumped in your body.

Did you watch from a distance as
Doctors struggled to keep your body alive.
Mom shed tears till they were dried,
And prayed till time infinite.
You watched while it rained and flights were delayed,
Till we got to your bed, touched you and spoke to you.

Did you hear from a distance all our prayers for you?
And did you feel the love of your lifetime,
Of a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend?

Dear Bhau,
Thank you for waiting patiently despite the pain,
For letting us tell you one last time how much we love you.

For you waited before gliding any further,
Distant lights were beckoning you towards them.

Hope the blanket of love, the warmth of the pyre,
The breeze in the wind and the lapping waves of the river,
The sweet sounds of your favorite tunes,
Make your journey smoother.

अछेोऽयमदाोऽयमेोऽशोय एव च ।
िनयसवगतथाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः ॥२४॥

TRANSLATION

This soul is indestructible incombustible. It can neither be wetted nor dried. It is eternal. It is all-prevading, stable, immovable and everlasting.