80 is the new 40 - C'mon Pops, my evergreen hero :)..

As I sit down to put my thoughts today, words fail me. Not because, I have nothing to write. I am unable to figure out where to start from. But start, I must. Write, I must. I have never been the best when it comes to expressing my emotions face to face. I have always hidden behind the garb of writing/penning my thoughts down as an easier way out. Maybe, that is my comfort zone 😊!

But this post is not about me. It is about a thoroughbred gentleman, because of who, I am in existence today – My dearest Appa 😊!

I have tried to bring as part of this blog some known and unknown facets about Appa in no order as such. For those who know him for longer than I, please feel free to add in your best moments with him in the comments section. For those who don’t know him, I have tried to put some thoughts interlaced with memories.

Many happy returns of the day, Pops! 80 does not come easy and to everyone. As we celebrate your 80^th birthday today, I bow in absolute gratitude to the God Almighty for giving you good health and your continued presence in our humble abode.

In you, I see a hard-working, service oriented & persistent man, who till this day goes about his daily chores with minimum fuss. No expectations from anyone, but always willing to lend a helping hand or a shoulder. A content and cheerful demeanor, that brightens up this house of ours and uplifts the spirits of anyone who comes in contact with you. A curious mind – to read, to unlearn, to learn and bring it to daily practice. A loving & an open heart – to accept people, behaviors & circumstances, as they are and yet not judge. A man of complete honesty & integrity! Simple are the ways of life, as you have aptly demonstrated and continue to do so till date. The ability to hold on to your values and ideals yet put others before self is core to your existence. You were, are and will always remain my role model and guiding light. I try every day to improve myself and live by these ideals. I still have a long way to go….

An avid sports enthusiast, with a very strong bias (love) towards Tennis 😊! I still remember those days in Kudremukha when yourself, Amma and I would get to “The Club” in the Yezdi, our priced possession then. I would tag along with you to watch you play Tennis. Never understood the sport then, but it was an early & good initiation to the world of sports. And yes, who can forget your duels with A-listers from the “Film Industry”, who would visit Kudremukha for movie making and insist on a set or two with you. The rapt attention & enthusiasm with which you watch FedEx, Rafa or Novak battle it now, is the same with what you would watch an Edberg, Becker, Lendl battle it out during the early days of Television. Hopefully, someday we could go to one or all of the Grand Slams in the near future!

Your love for Man U (EPL) & Real Madrid (La Liga) rivals my love for Arsenal (EPL) & Barcelona (La Liga). That’s a friendly rivalry in the backyard, with an odd banter over a win/loss for each other’s favorite 😊. Someday, let us do Old Trafford & Santiago Bernebeu!

With IPL in full fervor, who can dispute our common love for “Namma RCB”. Despite heartbreaks, we still hope year after year, season after season for the #ESCN to become a reality 😊.  Hopefully 2020 is the year, Mr. Kohli, please win it for Appa 😊! Always game to get to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to watch Ranji Trophy, IPL or Test Match. Your enthusiasm for the sport is infectious.

I am transported back in time to Kudremukha again. It would be the room in the cellar, old cassettes playing Hindi Music. You would be working away on the iron box & whistling away to Hindi Songs 😊(Mohd. Rafi + Shammi Kapoor). Your love for good music transcended the language barriers. We have been to numerous music shows over the past 2-3 years and seeing you relish, enjoy and at times get disappointed (owing to a specific number not be part of the list) are memories that I cherish the most. Our biggest regret on this front is having missed out on the SPB Concert last year in Bangalore, despite having tickets for the same. Hopefully, when things do get better, there maybe a show dedicated to SPB @ Chowdaiah Memorial!

The movie buff in you needs special mention. Always game for a movie, be it Kannada, Hindi, Tamil or English. Early Evening, Evening or Night Shows would not dampen your spirit. PVR @Forum Mall – Koramangala has always been our Go To Movie Adda. I have lost the count of movies that we have gone to, but will always cherish those wonderful memories & moments that we spent together as family.

Your love for good food is as simple as the way you have lived your life till date. MTR Masala Dose, Rave Idly, Dahi Vade + Badam Halwa, Vidyarthi Bhavan Masala Dose, GTR Masala Dose + Poori Saagu, Sukh Sagar Koramangala Roti + Dal Palak(without Garlic) + Aloo Jeera, French Fries (anywhere, anytime), Good Filter Coffee Or Tea are some that come to my mind. Your special liking for Vade Sambhar is worth a mention, given the banter that comes from Amma every time we get into a hotel 😊. Your love for good sweets (home made & bought from the shops) is probably the reason of such sweetness in your heart and soul!

Appa, you spent a good 47 years of your life, working hard to provide for us & make us feel comfortable. In this entire melee, you have sacrificed many a times on personal needs like many men of your generation may have. It is time to put out a bucket list and seek possible avenues to make it happen. Needless to state, I pray to God Almighty to give you good health and also grant me the capability to make these happen for you.

Appa, many happy returns of the day again to you.

Keep Smiling, Keep Inspiring!