Read on Twitter
Time for a bit of nostalgia/Thread.1/
This beautiful bead mat revives many memories. In the 70's a cousin of mine ,double barrell IIT/IIM, fell in love with a daughter if the Rajkot Royal family.A beautiful , lively girl with thick jet black tresses.
We were preteens and we thought she was the epitome of royalty.
We were preteens and we thought she was the epitome of royalty.
She showed us her fabulous jewellery collection, her golden payals,(Only Rajputs can wear gold payals)and stuff to gladden young girls hearts.She had a retinue of hangers on ,who helped her in the household work ,she was incapable of doing.
Her mother and grandmother were expert at beadwork and would gift us small trinkets ,which we loved.She was generous to a fault, but was a pathetic home maker, which her orthodox, thrifty, Tam Bram in laws(my bua)disliked. She had 2 sons ,but the marriage floundered.
She was very good friends with late actress Parveen Babi,and another girl, they were classmates and room mates.This added to her aura, friend of a famous film star! After 20 years
of marriage, and my cousin's numerous dalliances, there was a divorce .
of marriage, and my cousin's numerous dalliances, there was a divorce .
She loved my dad, who had interjected on her behalf, (with his elder sister )before her marriage. She held him in great esteem. Dad kept in contact, even when he was suffering with last stage cancer.She too was semi paralysed,in a small house, abandoned, with just an old servant
By then , both Parveen and the other girl had died in similar sad circumstances.She called up a few months before my dad's death and said she was sending a parcel.
A month after hearing of dad's demise, she too died, all alone ,in misery,.Three roomates, all similar end.
A month after hearing of dad's demise, she too died, all alone ,in misery,.Three roomates, all similar end.
Years later, my mom opened the forgotten sealed parcel from her.And found a collection of these beaded trinkets.Everytime I look at it , I remember her laughing, full of life.She died, sad and broken. My cousin,an old man now, is enjoying himself with wife #3.,and pots of money.
Most of the extended family painted her as a devious vamp, but to me ,she will always remain a princess, maligned, and misunderstood,
but still Royal. (BTW, Parveen Babi also belonged to the Royal family of Junagarh.) Princess or Pauper,one can't escape the clutches of Karma .
but still Royal. (BTW, Parveen Babi also belonged to the Royal family of Junagarh.) Princess or Pauper,one can't escape the clutches of Karma .
Thread ends.
