This write up is not about Mrs.SrinivasaRao P.N. but about Mrs.Shyla.S.Rao who has emerged from the shadow of her husband and come to her own. If one were to ask me about my mother as Mrs.SrinivasaRao she was like the water, which is apparently without force, but its own quiet strength can carve a mountain. She was the sense of practicality in my dreamer father; she let him fly by keeping the nest secure.
If one were to capture the character of my mother Shyla.S.Rao in an Asterix comic it would be difficult to choose between arachnia(spider) looking at the massive network of friends and family she has nurtured like a the intricate delicate web of the spider, or Formecia to honor her continuous hard work. Delegate is a word that does not exist in her vocabulary
Sometimes I wonder how she adjusted from a nuclear family in Delhi as the daughter of Mr. Krishna Rao a govt. servant and his wife Parvati to a rural joint family.
Life as the wife of an eminent ophthalmologist would not be simple, it meant being prepared for guests 24/7. It meant a large extended family. It meant single parenting to a large extent. She did it all dutifully.
A large chunk of energies went to her school, I assume she must have been as meticulous there too.
Her grandchildren Tanvi, Jahnavi, Madhav see her as out going, energetic, and hardworking and a great cook. While granddaughter Manasi thinks she is the best story teller and playmate that a 5 yr.old can have. My brother Shantaram, who is now in the states, sees her as his best friend, philosopher and guide. His wife Archana agrees with him, but she also knows that amma can be relied on for a good healthy gossip session.
To me she has handed the superwoman cape fortunately, it is too battered for use.
I’m glad she has found like minded friends, who love traveling, socializing and growing learning new skills. I would welcome it if you have another face of my mother to introduce to me.
