Friday, July 17, 2020

And she is Hundred

Ten years ago when I attended her 90th birthday party, she told me "if all goes well, the next milestone should be 100"  


clicked 10 years ago

All is well and she made it, but unfortunately it is a different world. There won't be a birthday party, nor can the near and dear ones come and wish her. 



Before the lockdown, whenever I visited her, I could see her sitting at her table, painting a fabric or knitting. 


The usual time when she sits at the dining table and paints is from 9 am to 1 pm.
Whenever any machine stitching has to be done she uses her grandson's room.


There are many well wishers who are waiting with sarees and fabric so that she will find some time to paint them. (there is some voluntary payment too done by the well wishers)  
Two months ago this saree was picked up by a well wisher for Rs 11000/-  


First she draws the outline 


Then she fills it up with colours. Painting on tussar silk is not an easy task.  Each saree takes about three months.


Imagine, being 100 and still earning, and in the bargain keeping yourself occupied both mentally and physically.


Padmavati (Padmam) is ninth in the line of ten siblings. You can have a glimpse of her family tree in this short video.

the family tree

standing, third from left

Having lost her husband at an early age, she brought up her five kids in a very disciplined way. She spend her early life in Kerala. After getting married, she moved to Bombay and later settled in Pune with her daughter. 


In keeping up with the changing times, she is deft at sending e mails and receiving messages on WhatsApp.  
Some of her work adorning her drawing room.


Another activity that I enjoy at her place is having the Onam sadhya (lunch) with her every year.


Her daughter in law (Dr Geeta) writes "I am in awe of her. She radiates this calmness and peace to people around her. She has the unique ability of occupying herself and never getting bored. Exceptionally talented, she occupies herself by painting, knitting, writing, embroidery and thereby creating happiness and beauty all around her"

The mandatory cake cutting with just the immediate family


and the rest of the family participated  through a zoom meet 



Some of them were dressed up for the occasion and one wore the duppatta that was painted by Amma.  



I have put a one minute video on the 100th B'day celebrations on FB. 

Update on 23rd July 2020 
Her daughter Lata saw her enjoying a Malayalam rap. 

For those who want to make further enquiries regarding work done by her, the contact mail id is given below in the comments. 
More of her work can be seen in the links given below.











75 comments:

Liz A. said...

I hope she has a very happy birthday.

Jim and Sandie said...

What an amazing woman. Happy happy birthday. May all your wishes come true.

Anvilcloud said...

Congratulations. She certainly won the gene pool lottery.

Krishnamurthy said...

Hearty Congratulation on achiving her milestone with a grand century.
The secret of her healty longitivity is her willingness to work with pleasure and keep herself totally occupied.
God bless her with many more years to come with good health
with due pranams
Murthy & family

Shiny Kanattu said...

Glad to know Padmam Amma. Wish her a very graceful birthday.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to her.. and very nicely written!

Krishna (കൃഷ്ണ) said...

Happy Birthday to Great Grand Mother....

Pradeep Nair said...

Happy Birthday to this wonderful lady!
I guess one of the reasons for her cheerfulness and longevity is her agility, activity and aptitude to adapt to changes in life.
May her be blessed with happiness and good health.

Elderberry-Rob said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elderberry-Rob said...

sorry deleted previous post as type error... Many happy returns to this wonderful lady - this is the best post I have seen on Blogland for a long time, if she was in the UK, she would be receiving congratulations from the queen on reaching 100! Her painting on silk is incredible and to have a steady hand at her age is unusual - her work is so beautiful, I would love something made by her - I'm not surprised she has a queue for her work. Please post more of her lovely work whenever you have the opportunity - you must be so proud of her and must keep her extra safe in these uncertain Covid times - Blessings - Betty (UK)

Milind Bodas said...

Great! Hats Off for art!
'Namaskara' on account of 100th birthday.

Anonymous said...

Dear Joe,
Thanks for sharing story of healthy, busy in work lady.
Story will be an example for us to follow.
Something positive in today's situation.
Thanks
With Best Regards
R. P. Madiwale

Mathew said...

An amazing lady with amazing skills who finds fulfilment in life thru using her talents to bless others! Wow... Happy Birthday Ammachi!!

Unknown said...

So inspirational!

Christine said...

what a fantastic lady!

CAntony said...

I feel honored to have met her! Happy birthday, Padma Amma! Many thanks for being an inspiration!

Anonymous said...

She is so inspiring. I have so many questions about this amazing lady.
She is inherently creative but how did she pick up so many different skills in an age before internet and minimal resources? That is truly amazing, does she have some art background?
Does longevity run in the family? Did her parents or any siblings live to a long age?
How old was she when she was widowed? - Sindhu George

Haddock said...

@ Sindhu George,
Longevity runs in the family..... mother passed away at 90, her older sister at 99. Her younger brother is still alive at 97.
she was widowed at the age of 49.

Anonymous said...

She looks hale and hearty - Martina Joseph

Anonymous said...

Wishing a very Happy Birthday. If she was here in UK, the Queen would have sent a personal handwritten card. All those who celebrate their 100th Birthday gets a card from the Queen. - Cyril Gregorious

Anonymous said...

To be enthusiastic and occupied with hobby at his age is really marvelous.! In addition to this, other family members are getting peace and motivation from her presence. What is more success of life ?

I bow to the senior Lady!

Anonymous said...

Wow. This is a beautiful blog.
Good job Joe uncle - Kristo Tom

Marilyn Miller said...

What an impressive woman. I hope to be like her when I am 100. Her painting is beautiful. Give her my best wishes!

Anonymous said...

Amazing Lady and a befitting blog. Very well written and illustrated Joe.
Thanks, I enjoyed reading it - Dr Nandini Ramachandran

Unknown said...

Amazed and in awe of this personality. Thank u for the article. It's good to be aware of such unique people at this age of 100 - Simon

Saucy Siciliana said...

What an amazing woman, all my best wishes to her. Sending emails and Whatsapp...she is technologically knowledgeable, good for her!

Mary said...

I really needed a beautiful story like this today - thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful lady's story and showing us her amazing handiwork. I wish her - and your entire family - well in these troubled times, and am happy you stopped by my blog and now will follow you so I can see more of your photos etc.

I have visited Mumbai, Cochin and the Kerala region - would love to see more of your beautiful country. . . . .if I can ever travel overseas again, sigh!!!!!

Mary - North Carolina, USA

Jeanie said...

She looks and sounds amazing -- gifted, talented, strong. I hope she is flooded with cards or other messages from all who love her -- and it sounds like quite a fan club. This is truly one of the stories that really boosts spirits in these odd times. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Amazing ...to emulate... Her beauty of soul is radiated in her being... A happy 100th Birthday of sharing love and bringing joy --- do wish her from me - Jean Marcedo

Ellen said...

Amazing lady. Happy birthday to a wonderful person. God bless her.

Elephant's Child said...

She does incredible and beautiful work. A very happy (belated) birthday to her, and I hope that you can visit her soon. Very soon.

Anonymous said...

Her saree is beautiful. I was lost in my own world and could not send her my thank you note for the saree - Mona Shankar

Himawan Sant said...

I was really surprised and amazed to see that he was 90 years old but he still looked fit and active.

Haddock said...

She is 100 Himawan

Ygraine said...

Oh WOW, she really is an amazing lady...and so very talented!
Truly a great inspiration to us all!😊😊
I hope she had a wonderful birthday!

Have a great day...and stay safe!

KParthasarathi said...

It is hard to come by such a talented and enthusiastic lady even in her advanced years when most would be content to remain dozing in bed.It is very nice of you to have written this inspiring post

Ginnie Hart said...

Man alive. She looks like she could live another hundred years!

Anonymous said...

All our best wishes to her. Have never met her but know of her through you guys. Truly a remarkable lady. God bless her - Aiman Wordsworth

David said...

Amazing! Alert, learning and creating at 100 years old... I didn't look that good when I turned 70. Beautiful creations too... Hope her birthday was a happy one. Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Anonymous said...

Wow.... a century old! And. yet being active and healthy! Wish we all could be like her!
Happy 100th Birthday Amma - AnnMary

hobbyloes said...

What an exceptional lady, so strong and always working!
And she looks not that old.
Congratulations!

Natalia said...

What a beautiful, inspiring lady! Love this post, congratulations!

Natalia said...

I am following now, you have a wonderful blog, greetings from Poland ☺

gloriadelpilar_1994@yahoo.com said...

What beautiful and amazing lady !!

Theresa Mahoney said...

What an incredible woman. Not only making it to , but still earning at that age too. I wish her all the best on her birthday ♥

Anonymous said...

Thats real blessing from Almighty above. Great - Banan K M

Tanza Erlambang said...

aww...fantastic life....happy 100th birthday

gigi-hawaii said...

Happy birthday to her!!! Aloha from Hawaii.

RaeAbigael said...

wow, amazing! happy birthday to her all the way from the Philippines! :)

xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Lata Menon said...

Joe, I don't know how much to thank you for being the biggest supporter my mom has ever had. Thank you, for always being there for her.

Lata Menon said...

I have shamelessly used your blogs for their content and beautiful pictures when publications have asked for information on her. Thank you, again.

Adithi said...

Very nice to hear about her and her passion. Does she have a fb page or something wer we can purchase something from her like a dupatta

Haddock said...

Well there is no professional site as most of the time she does the painting on confirmed orders only. she is doing this because of her passion for painting. There are no two similar designs. They are all different. But surely. Samples of designs done can be sent. Will give you a mail id for correspondence.

Haddock said...

@ Adithi, you can contact at latamenon58@gmail.com

Marisa Cavaleiro said...

Happy birthay!! Long life and beautiful art works!!
xoox

marisasclosetblog.com

PipeTobacco said...

How wonderful for her to reach 100!!!!

PipeTobacco

George said...

What a remarkable woman! I hope she has many more birthdays.

Lisabella Russo said...

She sounds truly amazing. Thank you for sharing her.

Anonymous said...

Goodmorning Joe.
Really a great person, working at her age.
She is an inspiration to all of us.
Hats off to her!!!
Regards,
Sanjeev Mahajani

Tammie Lee said...

100 years of life, how wonderful and wonder-full.
Wishing her much happiness, always.

Premier Digital Mark said...

Good Article

Premier Digital Mark said...

Very nice and informative article

Premier Digital Mark said...

Wishing her much happiness, always.
Very nice and informative article

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh my gosh Padmam is a wonderful inspiration to us all Haddock.. having one of her hand painted saris would be like having a treasure. Loved all the videos but when she was groovin' to Rap music, that was brilliant. Thank heavens for Zoom, not quite the same but for the present time, excellent 💜

Anonymous said...

Very nice Joe,
It's always great to read your Blogs.
Keep up the good work.
Best Regards - Sushil Paralikar

Anonymous said...

Dear Joe,

This post gives lot of inspiration.

Regards,

Rajesh Bhandari

Sonia Puri said...

Very nice! So inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.

Mala Raman said...

Hi Joe,
How does one reach her if we want to buy something.?
My e mail id is malaaraman@gmail.com

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irshad Q said...

Very Nice Article

irshaad said...

Wow. This is a beautiful blog

Premier said...

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am said...

Her art work is splendid. It is a joy to have found this inspiring post today!

premier Digital Mark said...

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