Reminiscing Malgudi Days

Ta na aaa na na nana na na

Ta na aaa na na nana na na

That's the music of Malgudi days, I reminisce the memories as I hymn this tone! Simplicity breeds beauty. 

The story is about Mali, son of Jagan, who returns to Malgudi, India with his wife, Grace for the very first time. Jagan and his son didn't share a very affectionate bond. The personal bonding had forlorned long ago with time as Mali completed his studies abroad.

The scene is from the railway station when Mali formally greets Jagan and introduces him to Grace his wife. Jagan was surprised to know his son is married, forget about consent he was not even informed. Though this fact made Jagan unhappy, he didn't say a word to his son or his American daughter in law though it was evident on Jagan's face he was tensed with this development in his son's life.

Namaste! Grace, his wife greeted Jagan with folded hands. Jagan exchanged greetings and they headed to the car to go home. On their way home, Grace would innocently bombard questions on her husband Mali, about the places, statues they passed across as they drove their car towards home. The curious questions from her daughter in law at least made Jagan smile. Finally, they reached the Haveli.

Jagan helped his kids with the bags and on the insistence of Grace, took him to a tour of this ancestral haveli but after a while, Mali interrupted and said, "Dad we can continue the site seeing tomorrow, Grace must be tired and we need to rest ". Jagan just nodded and left the room. Next morning early, Jagan saw Grace  trying her hands on a broomstick, he got scared and immediately requested Grace, " Please don't do this, Mali won't like and if any localities find you doing this what they will think. Also it's my work and I prefer doing my work myself so please leave this activity". But Grace just smiled and said, "It's ok father, I am used to be active,  what else I can work here, so let me do it".

Mali would go out in the day to look for business expansion and meetings with localities whereas Grace would bond with Jagan and often insisted on knowing more about the place, their culture, Jagan's and Mali's childhood, ancestral families, etc. With time and days, the bonding between Jagan and Grace grew closer, the father in law and daughter enjoyed their company and Jagan was happy though he didn't attend his son's marriage or brought a bride of his choice and though her daughter in law is a foreigner, Grace believed and more easily adapted their tradition and values in comparison to his son.

Grace could see the cold bond between her husband and father-in-law and also sympathized with Jagan so would always make extra efforts to understand and keep Jagan happy. With the help of a family friend, Grace got information regarding Jagan's birthday coming in a few days which Mali was oblivious about. Grace was very excited and planned for a big surprise. She planned to bridge the relation between her husband and father in law and sought help from the females and friends working in Jagan's sweet store backyard.

A day before Jagan's birthday Grace ensured Mali takes a leave from work and insisted to spend the day with her at home. Early morning Grace cooks breakfast and keeps it ready on the table. Grace and Mali exchange birthday wishes to Jagan and for the first time, these days have their breakfast together. Jagan's happiness was evident on his face. Grace then secretly brings a childhood album to show the gentlemen and says, "Look Mali I found this childhood family photographs of you all when I had been upstairs yesterday evening, these monochrome photographs are so good, especially this one with you all split into laughter " and pointed to one of the photos with Jagan, Mali relishing together food along with their mother, all in laughter ".Jagan got lost in time as he started narrating the event when this picture was being clicked when Mali interrupted and said," yes dad I remember and later mom brought this sweet for all of us and we got clicked in laughter by Ram uncle".

The father-son duo was caught in a light moment as they shared laughter over the pic when Grace immediately captured them in camera and giggled, here you both men I caught you again in laughter and placed a plate of same sweets she had prepared which they had savored in the photograph. Jagan got up in surprise from the chair and asked, "How did you know this, Grace? It's her mom's recipe!"

"Father, the ladies of your shop helped me with the recipe and I tried my culinary skills, hope you all like it! Please have it ". And Mali wished his father, Jagan with a morsel of sweet. Jagan's face lit up in happiness.

Happy Birthday Pit-aaji (Grace tried to refer to Dad in Hindi ) and bowed to Jagan's feet as a mark of respect.

The father was bowed down with the weight of this happiness which left him teary-eyed, he hugged his son and blessed Grace for all her efforts and was speechless.