“GINNI” she was.. The word “ginni” in Bengali means the wife and the decision-making lady of the house, the homemaker who manages and controls everything, the most important woman of the house.. Ginni had passed away in February 1988, just two years after Mago and Jethu visited.. We visited Talabari with Mago and Jethu when Ginni met them after decades. Pisimoni (that is our Sunanda Pisi) was about to get married and Ginni, frail and old, was eager and inquisitive to know about the would-be-groom.. Baba had a hard time explaining “Korean” to her.. then Baba said, “Ginni, your family has spread worldwide”.. I remember that.. Ginni’s sons were Gijukaka, Robikaka, Sintukaka, Mintukaka (kaka-s of my dad and yours, i mean).. I do not remember the 5th name.. She was Ginni for all.. I dont know who started this address, but irrespective of generations and relations, everybody called her Ginni.. we also referred to her as Ginni.. in our childhood, Ginni was an integral part of Talabari.. when the autumn Kalipuja (worship of Goddess Kali) took place every year at that house (it continues even today), Ginni praying to the Goddess by bumping her forehead continuously on the floor (which made a black or purple spot on her forehead) is a memory I can never erase..She loved my Dad and Im sure your Dad too..
But, I really didnt know that our grandfathers had a sister.. its a shame that I didnt know this..when Jethu remembers, then it must be true that she had spent a part of her life in Talabari and may have passed away early? or what.. I dont know..
The place where Thamma’s and Mago’s father stayed where Jethu spent his young childhood was Beadon Street.. (all these Iv heard from Thamma, Baba..).. we have to solve this Pisimoni (Jethu’s and Baba’s , i mean) mystery.. Im sure Niapisi and Monikaka wl be able to say.. sadly, my Baba cant right now..
I will send you my Muniya’s Diary.. written about that 1986 visit of Mago and Jethu and a lot more.. do make Jethu read that.. it is written for kids (i dont mean Jethu is one, though :P)..
Yes, leaving Delhi and these libraries and archives are bound to make you emotional. they have treated you well with so much to offer.. having goosebumps reading Kalinath’s mercy plea.. just cant download that part yet.. but, such beautiful English, Anjoli : “Can be better imagined than described” .. No wonder he was THE EDITOR of The Tribune.. no wonder he was BABU Kalinath Ray without whose editorials Gandhi thought The Tribune to be defunct… A Great-Grandfather in every sense of the term.. .. this research is invaluable.. and no one can dare to thank you, Anjoli.. Kudos
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