Her Dual Hues

Tejaswini Sikka on her mom Durgamba Bagare

They say Mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. Today I am going to talk about my Icon whom I always look up to, my Mom. My mother is the only daughter of my grandparents with three brothers. She grew up in a most protective atmosphere, with lots of love, care, and affection yet very strict family values. Her early childhood and teens were spent in Mysore. My maternal grandmom was the daughter of Marathi Chaudhari and settled in Mysore for 3 generations. My grandmom was the most beautiful lady I have ever seen. She left us to the heavenly adobe 18 years back and I miss her very much. Being the first granddaughter in the family, I was pampered with lots of love, attention, and care from my maternal grandparents and my uncles. My mom was the first child who was a graduate in her family. And pursued her masters in Hindi literature after marriage, which was a very great thing in those days. Mom was married and shifted to Hyderabad. After I and my younger sister were born my parents shifted to Bengaluru. So that’s how we settled in Bengaluru for more than 30 years now.

I and my younger sister got to grow up with a mother and teacher. I feel without a teacher – no profession can exist. According to Mom, teaching is one of the most respected professions. Mom’s day used to start at @4.30 am. Finish the household chores, make us ready for school, pack our lunch box, and start towards school. After returning from school, Mom used to take tuition. She loves languages. She teaches Hindi, Sanskrit, and Kannada. Being born and bought up in Mysore Mom knows Kannada very well. She is a great learner. Even now at the age of 60 plus her routine is the same irrespective of weekdays and weekends.

I always look back to our childhood days and think about how Mom used to handle everything with so much zeal and enthusiasm. I have never seen her telling tired. I have always seen her with a beautiful smile on her face. The choice to work instead of staying at home with her daughters was not an easy one. But she did it all with great interest and dedication to her family. I and my sister had the privilege of being with her at school where mom used to work. In that way, we used to always be in front of her eyes. She never left us alone. I have seen her work to be the best mom while having a career. Now I understand how difficult it was, to have a family with two daughters and pursue her dream job. She always tells me we should enjoy and love whatever work we do. Whether being a homemaker taking care of family and kids or pursuing your job along with family. Just do it wholeheartedly and enjoy doing it.

Our childhood was always busy with more studying and playing in the evening with limited time given by mom and with only a few known friends who mom also knows. She is a very protective and disciplined person and this follows even now. Her daughters are her life. Our lifestyle was very simple yet with more values and morals. Our summer vacation used to go with the wait for when mom will finish her exam paper valuation and make progress cards ready and hand it over to the school. Only after that, we were allowed to think about a vacation to my Aaji’s house in Mysore. Easily one month of our summer holidays used to go in this wait. In that one month, we were helping Mom with her household chores. Morning and evening prayers are a must in our house. Mom is a very religious lady and Devi bhakt. Our mornings used to start after bath with chanting and prayers. Perform Tulasi maa pooja. Only after that, we were allowed to drink our milk and have breakfast. Mom engraved spirituality like no one. My maternal grandmom was the most religious lady of her time. The same quality has come up in my mom and us too. I and my younger sister used to enjoy helping mom during festivals. I used to be always keen on helping Mom in the kitchen and experimenting with new dishes. My love for cooking started at an early age. And more creative and artistic since childhood. This quality came from my mom. She is a great artesian.

My parents did their best to give me and my sister the best secure life. They did everything for us. My mom always stood as a rock for her family and see to it that her daughters always get the best. Now after I became a mother, I feel parenting is the toughest job on earth. As you are responsible for the physical, emotional, and mental development of another human being. when I get some challenges in life I sit and look back at how mom used to handle them. Mom always tells read books and gain knowledge. It is the greatest treasure and it can’t be taken away from one. I always try to do my best and achieve at least half or one-third of what Mom achieved in her life. Mom’s love has always been sustaining force in our family. Now I and my sister are grown-ups into successful individuals and well-settled with our life, Mom says it is her greatest joy in seeing her compassion, integrity, and intelligence reflected in her daughters.

I still remember how you brushed our hair, kissed our cheeks, and told us fairy tales. I miss those innocent days to the core. Before marriage girls, 1st priority is their goals and dreams. After marriage girls, 1st priority is family and responsibility. Successful mothers are not the ones that never struggled. They are the ones that never gave up despite their struggles. You are emotional, yet the rock. Tired, but keeps going. At times worried, but full of hope. Overwhelmed, but never quits. Wonderful, even in the chaos. Life changer, every single day. Above all, you are the most charismatic lady playing your dual hues. We are blessed to be your daughters.

We love you, Mumma.

About Tejaswini Sikka

I am Tejaswini Sikka from Namma Bengaluru. A Maharashtrian, born and brought up in Garden City. Writing for me is like therapy and passion. Spiritual and a true Karma believer. A vivid reader. Blogger, Author of “Panache – Bountiful Living”, (Kindle edition) a trained Kathak dancer. Self-taught artist. Worked in the IT sector for 10 years. Now a hands-on mom to my 9-year-old prodigy boy. I feel writing is an emotional outlet for my creativity and thoughts. It’s an amazing way to share my ideas and experiences.

My Blog site: https://mycolorsmystories.blogspot.com/?m=1