NIRMALA SIPANI 1969-2008
This post is in poignant memory of beautiful Nimmi whose loss is a deep void in our hearts that is going to be so hard to fill. Here is a touching poem by her young niece:
MISS YOU MY SWEETEST BHUA
Memories divine remind me of you
For our love was boundless, all know that’s true
your love, your care still keeps me alive
Truly painful though without you is this life
For my lessons, my learnings have all been from you
my world has revolved around you and just you
another word for love is truly your name
your words, your voice still flow in my vein
I wish this wish of my heart comes true
If there is a next birth, may I see my mother in you
- by Meetha Jamad
I still can’t get myself to believe that the next time I attend a family wedding or function, the beautiful and gorgeous Nimmi won’t be there. All of us used to wait with bated breath to see her. She had impeccable taste and graciousness was her middle name. Her cheerful and affectionate nature was the icing on the cake. These were qualities she imbibed from her Papa, Mr. Gyanchand Jamad. She was her Papa’s doll and he was her best friend.
It is with a shock that I suddenly realize the usage of past tense in writing about Nimmi. It is simply unfair that at six o clock every evening, the phone doesn’t ring at her parents home any more with her cheerful voice saying hello – a ritual she maintained however busy she was, however far away she was.
I have known Nimmi since she was 16. My first impression of her was – simple and sweet. Over years, that impression remained with just one more added adjective – stunning.
Her maiden name was Nirmala Jamad and that changed to Nirmala Sipani when she married. But for all of us, she remained Nimmi. She was my husband’s niece and the bond I shared with her was special. It is strange and speaks highly of her that each of her bhabhis, and her innumerable aunts and cousins felt the same way. I remember how she looked like a pied piper with her nephews and nieces trailing after her whenever she visited.
More than anything else, what I learnt from this young and lovely person is to take life in one’s stride. She never had a bad word to say about anyone. In fact, whenever she sensed any tension between people, she would always take extra effort to ease things for them. This made her truly special because most of us are either busy bodies or on the other hand, afraid to interfere. She was loving and childlike in her simplicity.
A good hostess who loved to cook, her favourite dish was ‘lapsi’, a sweet dish. Whenever she visited her mother’s home, lapsi would top her humble wish list to her mother, Mrs. Sushila Jamad, from whom she learnt to be a perfectionist at whatever she did.
Here is the recipe for ‘lapsi’ as given by her mother in Nimmi’s memory. May her soul find peace and find joy wherever it sojourns.
‘Lapsi’ is considered an auspicious dish, made on most festive occasions in our homes.
What you will need:
Broken wheat – 1 cup (readily available in the size of sesame, but it is uneven)
Jaggery – 1 cup, crushed (check that the jaggery is sweet and has no taste of sourness)
Ghee – 1/2 cup
1) Heat the ghee and add the broken wheat. Lower the flame and roast the broken wheat. This step requires patience because the broken wheat has to be roasted for 12-15 minutes until it turns a deep golden brown. The amazing thing is that only one side of each grain turns brown. The other side remains white.
2) Meanwhile, heat 2 cups of water in another vessel and add the jaggery. Bring to a boil.
3) Strain the jaggery liquid to remove any dirt or scum. Add the strained liquid to the roasted broken wheat. Carefully and gently stir with a wide ladle in one direction ensuring that no lumps are formed. Continue to stir unless all the liquid has been absorbed.
4) Garnish with sliced almonds, pistachios and crushed cardamom.
Serve hot.
All of us simply love the photgraph above which shows Nimmi’s three elder brothers gazing at her adoringly at her wedding. Their expressions take my breath away…with Rakhee (the festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters) around the corner, my heart just breaks for them.
POSTED BY PRATIBHA
POEM BY MEETA & PHOTOS COMPILED BY MANASVI
She was such a darling, so smiling and chirpy always. ohhh…I miss her so much
.
I know how much Meetha loves n misses her bhua…lovely poem written by her.
Very sad knowing about Nimmi! Thanks for sharing with us Pratibha.
Lovely to have been a person like Nirmala. Meetha, your poem clearly shows that your lovable aunt still lives in your heart. Her memories are everlasting…
Lovely thoughts poured thru beautiful words by Meetha.
May her “BHUA’s soul rest in peace.
We have also been associated with that divine soul who was always charming and highly courteous…
Arriving to and leaving this human existence is beyond one’s design, but what one does during this period of life is determined by how people around remember them…and we can see and feel personally the void Babyji (as Nimmi was fondly called by many of us) has left in each of our hearts.
Raju & Lalita Sanklecha
Meetha had expressed her love towards her BHUA in such a way that we can imagine how much she misses her. BHUA’s blessing will always be for Meetha. May Nimmi’s soul rest in peace.
After reading the poem, I can understand the true affection between an aunt and her niece. I will pray for Meetha’s bhua…to continue the love shower…
She was so caring and simple that she lives and will always live in the hearts of her loved ones…I miss her a lot!!! And ya, though love cannot be fully expressed in words, Meetha has designed and well captured her emotions, for her Bhua, in the form of that lovely poem…truly nice!
Words fall short after going through this page…I look at it and wonder what to write…should I comment on the love of a niece towards her motherly “bhua” as expressed in the poem, or should I comment about the sweet, caring and exceptionally humble natured Nimmi?
One thing is for sure Nimmi, if you can read this from wherever you are now, I am sure you would love it. What a lovely family you had, your parents, brothers, and all – a necklace you wore with nieces such as Meetha like the perfect pendant…closest to your heart. Life is sometimes unfair, it seems…but we know in our wisdom that it is not…it has reasons we can’t fathom in our limited understanding.
I don’t know Nimmi, we all miss you…you were one of the most cherished and loved ones in your family and among those who knew you.
May God give strength to all those who feel her lose all the time.
Hi Pratibha,
Your post brought back vivid memories of Nimmi… thanks. As Rakhi approaches, my heart too goes out to those three brothers who so adored her. I have not seen such devotion and affection as in the bond between Nimmi and her brothers.
It was nice going through your blog and I really enjoyed it. Anything to do with cooking fascinates me, and I like the way you make the most simple things look so attractive and interesting.
Shubha Chordia
Dear Pratibha,
One of the most poignant tributes I have ever read… my condolences to Nimmi’s entire family and everyone touched by her life.
It is a nice poem. It expresses so many rich emotions…a heart touching poem.
I keep reading this blog again and again, whenever I feel very jitteried – There seems to be no rationale – I knew ( i typed know – in the present tense !) Nimmiji for quite some time, and lot of memories of our trip to mumbai, in the mayra fn.
But life decides otherwise.
God bless, she is always around.
Shanti
It is a nice poem. It expresses so many rich emotions…a heart touching poem and I like the way you make the most simple things look so attractive and interesting…I don’t know Nimmi, but i will miss you…