Me and my didi call him 'Bhalo mamu', roughly translated means ' Pleasant uncle'. He is my elder maternal uncle. Bhalo mamu has always been one of my favourite relatives whose visit and whose company I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years and continue to do so. He was the first to introduce me to the world of encyclopedias ( i still have the first one he bought me from the Kolkata book fair years ago), western music and everything that is new and futuristic. An engineer by profession he has retained his immense thirst for knowledge and anything that is new in the world. Yet he has not done this at the cost of traditions and values. He enjoys the company of old friends and relatives and large family get togethers with large family group photos :).
Whenever he meets, he will invariably quiz me on latest movies and music and books.. 'Have you seen this movie?' or 'have you bought any new cd?' or 'have you read this book?' these are obviously things which are close to both our hearts..movies, music, books, politics...
My earliest recollection about Bhalo mamu is of his Yezdi bike and his Hara jeans. I remember him advising ma to never say no to us, or never stop us from doing anything we wanted, or exploring new things... Now that I am a father myself I have made it a point to never say no, or hold back my son from anything he is exploring, lessons I remember from my childhood.
Oh yes, one cannot talk of Bhalo mamu and not talk of cricket. Himself a prolific cricketer in his days he has retained his love for the game till date. Never missed a single India match in his life and not to mention a die- hard fan of Ganguly.
Today he might have grown old, but his thirst for knowledge remains, his positive attitude towards the future remains... he will remain young at heart for ever i believe. Looking forward to meeting him soon...
Whenever he meets, he will invariably quiz me on latest movies and music and books.. 'Have you seen this movie?' or 'have you bought any new cd?' or 'have you read this book?' these are obviously things which are close to both our hearts..movies, music, books, politics...
My earliest recollection about Bhalo mamu is of his Yezdi bike and his Hara jeans. I remember him advising ma to never say no to us, or never stop us from doing anything we wanted, or exploring new things... Now that I am a father myself I have made it a point to never say no, or hold back my son from anything he is exploring, lessons I remember from my childhood.
Oh yes, one cannot talk of Bhalo mamu and not talk of cricket. Himself a prolific cricketer in his days he has retained his love for the game till date. Never missed a single India match in his life and not to mention a die- hard fan of Ganguly.
Today he might have grown old, but his thirst for knowledge remains, his positive attitude towards the future remains... he will remain young at heart for ever i believe. Looking forward to meeting him soon...
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