A Tribute to a Desi Diva!!!

I can’t believe Anita is gone , gone forever!

The last I saw her was almost a year back, dancing gracefully, like poetry in motion to the beats of “Desi girl. “She is so fresh in my memory, lingering like the delicate fragrance of a lily!

Such a beautiful Doll, broken and can’t be fixed and gone forever, what a sad and sudden ending to a life so beautiful!

Though my interaction with her was for brief episodes during the last three decades or so , when she became Bathina’s “ BAHU “, though we were living apart in different continents as Life often demands, whenever we met she used to welcome us with her all pervading and infectious smile.

She was large at heart, a genuine, selfless person, always caring and affectionate, so much so whoever came into her perimeter simply got mesmerized and overwhelmed by her unconditional love!

It was her simplicity, openness and her genuine feelings, made people go to her, not for any ulterior motives. Myself being a party animal, I used to enjoy her parties thoroughly, whatever may be the occasion, she used to organize things in her own style and personally took care of every finer detail. She always wanted everyone to enjoy the moment. She enjoyed, people enjoying themselves in her company, truly a perfect host! We never felt alienated in her company- it was like home coming, whenever we visited her!

Never were her parties without Dance, herself a fine dancer: dance was natural to her, rather she was a born dancer!

I still remember the last time I danced with her, during Sri Rams wedding festivities, though she was exhausted and enduring immense pain for the last three years and knew what was in store for her and literally counting days and facing the certainty of death; she took pains and choreographed a dance sequence- “Om Shanti Om“and made the entire family dance to her tunes, can you believe it? Yes, chronologically she lived a short life, but what a life she lived! Her zeal and enthusiasm for life is so great she lived every moment of it! Most of us know her as a stylish and charismatic lady, but only a few know or have seen the other side of the coin.

She was a devout wife and a loving mother, God fearing and spiritually enlightened, and always in service of ‘Sai’. She has done a lot of service for the poor and needy, specially the school for the blind.Such a contrasting personality!

One moment you find her on the stage bedecked in a beautiful dress and dancing away to the latest tunes of bollywood- and the next moment you can see her gracefully draped in gorgeous Kaanjeevaram sari at the feet of her ‘ Sai “.

A perfect blend of tradition and modernity – a rare trait to see in a person!
Whatever she did, she did it with grace and style and derived joy, and gave happiness to all around her.

I do not know where she has gone, but wherever she is, she will make it a better Place! She used to affectionately call me ‘Bava” and used to play pranks with her’ Dammakka’! “Now that you left us, who will call me Bava and play pranks with your Damakka???”

She will be forever in my thoughts and memories and prayers!

Miss you Anita my P.Y.T.!!!

Madhubava.

P.S:
A strange thing occurred, which I wanted to share with you all. The day she passed away, she was in my dreams, as usual dressed in an impeccable sari and waving and saying “Bye Bava!!!” Bye.