Back in Mumbai at my cousin’s place in Bandra West. I spend my final days relaxing with family and friends. Mumbai feels like a home away from home.
Crows in Bandra West, Mumbai – January 15, 2012
Ashwini, my “sister-in-law” (really my cousin’s wife), spotted these crows from her kitchen window in Bandra West – neighborhood in Mumbai that’s home to many Bollywood stars. Ashwini has quite an artistic eye. Recognizing what a beautiful picture the crows would make, she urged me to come quietly out to the terrace to capture the moment.
Bandra West Crows 2012
My cousin Sachin, a Bollywood screenwriter and director, shared a beautiful story about the passing of his father (my mother’s brother). He died over 10 years ago. In Maharashtra, India, when a family member passes away, family and friends come to the house on the 13th day to pay their final respects — on the last day of mourning. The family takes a plate filled with their deceased relative’s favorite meal, and leave it outside for the crows to eat. It is said that the deceased comes in the form of the crow to eat the food. Once the crow has eaten, everyone else may begin to eat.
On the 13th day after my uncle passed away, a plate of food was taken to the roof of their family home by my aunt and the younger son, Sumit. Crows sat on the ledge of the roof top, but did not touch the fresh plate of food. They sat their for what felt like ages, and were bewildered at the sight of crows ignoring food. The family’s housekeeper asked Sachin, the eldest son, to please take the plate of food to the roof, and personally offer it to the crows. As Sachin lays down the plate, and looks at the crows, one of the crows appears to give him a nod. The crow then swoops in to eat the food, and the others follow. My uncle always had a special relationship with his eldest son, Sachin. Old traditions are performed, guided by beliefs passed on from one generation to the next. We all carry different degrees of faith within us. Some more than others. This story touched our family’s hearts, and made us all want to believe that Sachin and Sumit’s father’s soul came in the form of a crow that day to say his last good-byes.
Inspired by the photograph I took, and Sachin’s story, I recently drew the above picture with markers and pastels.
Mojitos at Sachin and Ashwini’s place, Bandra West, Mumbai
This photograph is not quite in chronological order, but I think a nice way to end the memory of a beautiful trip back to India. I remember speaking with Ashwini on the phone to let her know I was minutes away from reaching their home. As I walked in, I received a healthy dose of Indian hospitality at its best. Sachin and Ashwini cheered my return with lovely mojitos along with some savory snacks before Ash and I hit the salon for an afternoon of pampering. Greeting your guests and relatives with tasty delights when they visit is a custom in India. As I visited various cousins and aunts, they made sure my tummy was constantly filled beyond capacity with all of my favorite foods; whether it was my aunt cooking a classic Goan Saraswat Brahmin meal of spicy fish fry with a kokum-coconut curry on rice, with countless veggie dishes; or my cousin, Sangeeta, taking me out to her country club for cucumber chutney sandwiches (an Indian twist to an English tradition) paired with a delicious falooda shake; or simply the ever so classic and constant cup of chai – food is the currency of love in India. It is how Indians openly express their love for you, and boy do I feel loved when I visit India.
Life is good…
travel with pallavi 