Although I don't have any memories of falling asleep while he drove me and my baamma (grandma) in our Fiat Premier Padmini, I recollect being told about it many times and that it was a bonding activity for us. My brother and I enjoyed watching cricket matches with him on TV and spent many summer vacation afternoons playing carrom while laughing at silly shots we would sometimes make. I still chuckle about a photo of tatayyagaru with Bill Clinton from my grandparents' first trip to the US and being impressed by the "fact" that he met Clinton.
He was a handsome man with sleek, backward combed hair and loved wearing the Ray Bans my aunt gifted to him. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life - hangout with his family and friends, enjoy the occasional ice cream, travel or car rides around Bangalore, which he continued to relish till the end. I got a glimpse of Bangalore from his teenage years through his recollections with his siblings or cousins. During weekends, we would drive him to memorable places around the city from his younger days and I remember him insisting on wearing his Ray Bans on these rides cause honestly, he looked stylish in them 😉. As I grew older, he shared a lot of life advice which seems obvious now, but was quite valuable at that time - like setting aside 10-20% of my earnings for a rainy day.
I have plenty of such memories of him and thinking of them makes me happy that he was a big part of my of life, but equally sad that he is no more. He had a charming smile and he will forever remain alive in my heart with that smile. Loving and caring husband, father and grandfather - I miss him a lot and cherish my time with him!
