a flow of Memories of Nephew Ravindra Seshu with her
Rajeswari-Amma embodied many “Ammas” (mothers) in her style, dialogue, conversation, philanthropy, love, affection, renunciation, rhythm, and functioning in dealing not only with her children but also the people surrounding her in day-to-day life. She looked like Annapurna-Amma while serving food to the people who came to her house. She even used to supply food to the hospital when her near and dear ones from far-away places were undergoing treatment. She seemed like Mahalaxmi-Amma in her housewife (Grihini) attire, with kunkuma on her forehead, wearing bangles and ornaments. She used to look like Saraswathi-Amma while explaining the facts of Vedantha of Sankara Bhagvadpada and advising children like us not to be drawn to worldly attractions. Though busy with household matters, Rajeswari-Amma would still participate in PURANA PATANAM (reading of Puranas) in the Sivalayam during festival occasions. Though he passed away fifteen years back, the heirs convened a get-to-gather on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
Rajeswari-Amma was a great philanthropist, even though she did not maintain cash on hand. She once easily removed her ornaments and dropped them into the hundi (offering box) of the Saraswathi Devi temple in Basara within moments. It was a surprising moment for the other devotees in the temple. At that time, her gestures were equal to those of Maharshis who had renounced all their wishes.
A Festival in Her Presence
We felt as if it were a festival whenever she came to our house in Rythupet in Nandigama on various occasions. Rajeswari-Amma (who is my paternal aunt) and her presence in my childhood were a celebration for all of my family members. My father, Amaravadi Sri Ramachandra Murthy’s face would light up with a smile upon seeing her, and he would call her “Ammayi”. My mother, Sitamma‘s face would glow as she noticed Rajeswari-Amma, calling out, “Rajeswari—raa—raa” (come, come).
“We my elder sister Kamala, elder brother Karuna Sagar, myself Ravindra Seshu, and younger sister Kavita used to sit around her and listen to the conversation between the elders.” She used to visit our house for various reasons: to see her mother Kanthamma (Mamma) and when my elder sister Prabhavathi came to Rythupet from Sobhanadrigudem. Raajeswari-Amma was younger one in our grandfather’s Narasimha Murthy family of eight members. Rajeswari-Amma’s calling her brothers (All four brothers are elder to her) as “Annayya’ is a sweet and affectionate one. Though we were kids then, Atha’s call as Annayya used to resound in our ears.
When she would stand up to leave for her house, all of us family members would appeal in one voice for her to stay for some more time. We would all join my mother’s appeal: “Kasepu kurcho Rajeswari” (Sit for some time, dear). Those were all fantastic moments. Both Rajeswari-Amma and Sitamma (my mother) would cooperate with each other in preparing food items during festivals and functions. The occasion of them making Appadalu (pappadams) was an interesting event for us because we would wait to get the Appadala Pindi (pappadam dough), which was very delicious.
Witty Exchanges and Family Bonds
It is interesting to note that my mother Sitamma and aunt Rajeswari-Amma used to have witty conversations with each other. At that time, Rajeswari-Amma, alias Atha (aunt), would share interesting witty dialogues with my mother, who considered her (Rajeswari-Amma) as her elder daughter. In one occasion, Rajeswari-Atha shared a witty dialogue on my marriage in the presence of my wife. I will share it in personal meet, who is interested in it.
As kids, Ramakrishna, Ramesh, Ammalu, Karuna, Ravi, and Kavitha, we used to have a petty quarrel over while we inviting my sister, Sachi Devi, to our house from Athavarillu. She (Sachidevi-Mohan Sastry’s wife) used to land in Athavarillu after coming from Hyderabad. Rajeswari-Amma (Athayya) would settle the quarrel by saying, “Sachi will come to your home after two days.”
All the bavas (brothers-in-law), including Mohan Sastry garu, Prabhakar garu, Mahesham bava garu, Narasimha Murthy garu, Tarakam garu, Ramakrishna, and Ramesh, and Rajeswari Atha’s daughters, Parvath vadina, Lalitha vadina, Vijaya vadina, Krishna Kumari alias Papai, and Rama Devi, are lucky enough to have such a mother, Rajeswari-Amma alias Rajeswari-Atha. Mahesham baava used to participate in Congress party programs while running a medical shop.He had a massive following of people in seventies and eighties. I and Narasiham baava visited Tirumala on the way to Chennai on Ramadevi;s visa work. We offered Lord Venkateswara in 1989 by using ‘Porludu Dandam’s Seva in Tirumala, which is completed in a short span of time. Mohan baava and Tarakam baava helped me a lot in getting my intermediate marks list in 1979, which was pending in Intermediate Board. In one occasion, Papai came to KVR college and met principal Krishnaih on getting board exam hall ticket of mine.
Here, I have to mention Chaturvedula Suryanarayana Murthy garu (CS Murthy), husband of my aunt Rajeswari, who runs the Khaddar Medical Shop on the main road in Nandigama. He is called “Khaddar Panthulu garu” by his co-businessmen. Touching and handling a rupee note in his hands is a spectacular and respectable sight. Mamayya used to give high respect to a rupee note while holding, taking, and giving it to the customers. CS Mamayya is famous for being precise in using resources. The other shop owners used to adjust their watch times to match his shop’s opening and closing times, as he is known for maintaining strict punctuality.
Rajeswari-Amma’s sons and daughters have settled in various fields like education, medical, and technology. Recalling these memories on her 100th birthday celebration is a good experience for us. Mohan Bava’s book titled as ‘Jeevude Sivudu’ (The Soul is Shiva), is a fact that Rajeswari-Amma was truly a Goddess in Jeeva (life/soul).
The grandsons and granddaughters of Rajeswari-Atha too excelled in studies and settled in various professions like CA, Dean, director of an MNC, and software engineers. It is appropriate to recall Rajeswari-Amma by chanting with the famous Telugu verse of Bammera Pothana in Sri Madandhra Mahabhagavatham, frequently recited my father Sri Rmachandra Murthy, ‘Ammaluganna Amma – Mugguruammala Mulaputamma-Chala Peddamma- Surarulamma – Kadu Paradi Puchinayamma – Thannulo Nammina Velpulatammala Mananmmula Nundedi Amma – Durga Maa Amma Krithabdi Ichutha Mahathwa Kavitva Patuthwa Sampadal’.
అమ్మలఁ గన్నయమ్మ, ముగురమ్మలమూలపుటమ్మ, చాలఁ బె ద్దమ్మ, సురారులమ్మ కడు పాఱడి పుచ్చినయమ్మ, తన్ను లో నమ్మిన వేల్పుటమ్మల మనమ్ముల నుండెడి యమ్మ, దుర్గ, మా యమ్మ, కృపాబ్ధి యిచ్చుత మహత్త్వకవిత్వ పటుత్వ సంపదల్.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
As said, she is Annapoornamma Talli. She will never send anybody without offering food. I had my own experiences in this regard. And she has got helping nature. She used to help financially many. It is her wish that others also should grow financially. She is a great lady. Many miss her and feel her absence.