It was a buzzing morning in one of Bandra`s middle class
neighborhood. Nutan Nagar, located on the banks of the Bandra talao was home to
young couples, immigrants and nuclear families who started their modest living
in one room kitchens away from the hustle bustle of the so called proper Bombay .
In one such household of this buzzing neighborhood, a young
mother was busy completing some house hold chores, and supervising her 9month
old young daughter. Her 5 year old son, Gautam came running in like a hurricane
‘ Subhabi, Subhabhi he uttered enthusiastically, in a tone signifying that he
had discovered his biggest invention. “There is lady who stays on the top floor, He name in
Nimbuben and she knows how to make beautiful clothes, let’s go right now and
meet her. She can make frocks for my sister’
Subhabhi tried to calm her son down and told him she would
go and visit her later in the day. When Subhabhi meet Vimuben( not nimbu ben), both of them
would never have imagined that this simple meeting would be transformed into
such strong friendship between them and their families(Patels & Shahs)
Both of them bonded immediately, while Vimuben stitched
frocks for Hema, she taught Subhabhi to knit, sew and dream. Subhabhi introduced
her to her cuisine and her husband Satish an engineer helped repair her sewing
machines. Hema become sister to the Patel brothers.
When Vimuben`s family decided to move from Nutan Nagar to a suave apartment on
St Martins road, Subhabhi`s humble request to Vimuben was to sell the bigger
room of Nutan Nagar they lived when they vacated it . Vimuben insisted,
Subhabhi to come and have a look at the apartment, and purchase a flat in the
same complex . Subhabhi could not afford
to buy such an expensive apartment, but once she visited the place, she
promised herself to buy the apartment at any cost and she did.
Anand Vihar began a new chapter in the life of these 2
friends and their respective families. Vimuben started her sewing and knitting
classes in her house. She also made unique bags, and dolls with cloth and
crotchet.
Vimu Dadi was always a loving grand mother to me. She
stitched a beautiful white dress for my
first birthday and many more through my entire childhood. I still have very
fond memories of eating the handva she made. I used to really like it and she
would always send it, whenever she made it. I applaud her enthusiasm, in the last
few years in spite of a weak eye sight she was determined to teach and share
her knowledge of cloth and wool craft. Unfortunately, I was never interested in
learning any of this, although Vimu Dadi did try to teach me one summer.
We have often laughed on her birthdays and spoken about her
celebrating her 100th birthday. She was determined to celebrate a
century. But unfortunately she had to get out at 97.
Well played is all I can
say…
