SAFFRON - SESHU'S DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & PORTRAITS BLOG

"Ammapati": June 30, 1930 - January 16, 2009: RIP

04.07.09

Remembering Sangeetha's Grandmother

This post was authored by my wife who lost her grandmother in January. I had the honor of photographing Ammapati on a trip back to Bangalore, India, in 2006.

I coined the name "Ammapati" – "Amma" meaning Mother and "Pati" meaning Grandmother. Though she came to be known as "Ammapati," her real name was Shakunthala.

She was an incredible person. I can never forget the love she had for everyone around her. She was full of grace and dignity. She was a fantastic cook and some of her delicate flavors are still embedded in my taste buds. I have some of her recipes now and when cooking those, I remember how her original dish tasted.

She loved children and had a knack for being able to calm down the most cranky baby. She raised us with hope and love and a positive spirit. She may not have finished formal schooling, but she was a self-taught soul and read the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran in three different languages (Kannada, Tamil, Telugu).

Her smile will forever be remembered and so will her voice. Even in her last days when she could barely sit up, she would always muster the strength to say a few words to me and my sister when we called. The first words out of her mouth even the very last time I talked to her were: "How are the children?"

Need I say more?

It's hard to explain the special place I have for my late grandmother in my heart. I was her first grandchild and I believe she had a very special place in her heart for me as well. I know she will always be around to guide me and bring a smile on my face even on the gloomiest days. I know I will see her again.

She suffered for the last four months of her life and lost a short but painful battle to cancer.

Ammapati is gone, but she will always be there for me.

I captured Ammapati right next to her favorite puja room. While she read voraciously about other religions, she was a devout Hindu.

The few days I spent at her home gave me a glimpse of her personality. Just as soon as she had showered, combed her hair and wore her special sari, she parked herself in the courtyard to read a newspaper. She was oblivious of my presence as she was so focused on soaking up the news of the day.

I wonder if Rohan will ever remember this moment. One of the first days in Bangalore and perhaps the first time he was experiencing his great-grandmother's love for him. She was banging away at the chair he was sitting on just as he was playing with it. She really knew how to entertain kids.

This is quite likely the last package of chutney powder that Ammapati made for us. Written in Kannada, in her own handwriting are the words, "Chi. Sow. Sangeetha." If you ever visit, we'll be happy to share. I am sure Ammapati would have done the same.