Little frocks and many frolics: Memories of my Father (4)

Our childhood memories always give so much warmth as we go ahead in life. Exactly like the old wine which becomes better as it gets older. Those sparkling memories almost resemble gold as it shines brighter with time. We never felt the worth when we have been creating those precious memories. Nevertheless, we always tend to go back whenever we are little low in life and seek happiness in the folds of our warm memories. It is a surprising fact that, people normally are always in a hurry to go ahead in life but in fragile moments, the past only can reassure to maintain the balance in life. It can be a latent source of inner strength to fuel up the passion of life to win the race no matter whatever is the desired destination. The affectionate memories of childhood days can be the entrenched source of pure inspiration for which we are not dependent on any external perception. It is not always that we have only fond memories. There may be some embarrassing as well as sad incidences in our early lives also. But we should never be unhappy for those and rather we should try to collect the strength from them to learn from every negative incident of our own life so that we do not encourage what we do not appreciate to repeat again. In the series of ‘Memories of my father’, as a fourth episode I am gathering this hub about some qualities of my Dad which I adore very much.

My Dad was an Electrical Engineer and very much devoted to his works. He was working with Assam State Electricity Board. He was actually a workaholic. He was also very popular among his associates. That I remember well from the crowd gathered after his death. Even when I used to accompany my mother to complete many official formalities the way all his colleagues used to come forward to help, it was really amazing. But being an engineer and his official works never stopped him from pursuing his hobbies and interests. As far as I can remember he always used to be busy in something. That may be his official work or his other interests. He used to enjoy frolicking among his many interests always.

The earliest memory of mine was those beautiful and colourful frocks I used to wear. Many hues and many more designs of frocks to go with every occasion. The interesting part is that all those beautiful frocks were stitched by my Dad. All colours, fabric combinations and other accessories were also designed and handmade by him. He used to take extra care to design it in a way so that I seem to be little healthier (You can read it as fat, that time I used to be very thin. Now if Dad could have only seen the way I am and he would be surprised to see me struggling so much to lose weight!!!!!!). Many were with layered designs and different colours and patterns. Frocks which were made to suit some occasions like festivals used to be pleasantly colourful. Then the birth day frock, that always used to be with extra special care and decorated with little bows, buttons etc. I specially remember this one birth day frock of mine in pure white colour. The fabric was little fluffy kind of and the waist was adorned with many handmade roses with different colours of ribbons. Now I really miss those frocks so much and I just wish if I would have kept at least some as a memory for times to come! I just wonder a lot about his level of perseverance that he used to make those frocks only out of interest and concern for his daughter. He was not trained in stitching. But the finishing of those frocks would make any trained craftsmen shy away. After his office hour he used to stitch those frocks for me till late in the night. Now I understand that, I was exactly my dad’s little and precious princess.

From the very childhood till I was in my eighth grade Dad used to shape and cut my hair. Not even mine only but my brother also. But he used to give complete professional shape and style to me like a beauty salon. He was not trained hair stylist either! Though, that time the beauty salon culture was not very much here in this part of the world. I used to have short hair to suit my thin frame that time. He used to say me that I look little healthier in my short hair style. I was a blind follower of my Dad and never questioned anything he used to pronounce. I used to be pretty happy with my hair style as it required low maintenance in those childhood days. It was again his interest and thus was the level of involvement with me.

My Dad was an inborn artist. He could do flawless water color, pencil sketch, portrait, landscape etc. Many of his sketches were just so brilliant that I am repenting so much now to misplace them. The many portraits of my Aunt’s were so accurate which simply can be thought to be maneuvered by different art software available now. I also inherited this quality however not to his level of precision. He used to inspire me to carry forward this hobby but never allowed to train or go for any course. He used to tell me that art should flow without any boundary of any courses and limitation of certificate or degree. That was his view and he always used to encourage me to paint anything that I wish just spontaneously. He helped me to participate in an exhibition in my sixth grade with thirty full size paintings of differed form. Two paintings were still I remember very much, one of Budha and other of a bunch of flowers done by my fingers. After my tenth grade I stopped painting. Dad was sad and told me to start on my own time as he always opted for the free flow of artistic expressions. From then till now it’s a long gap I know but one day, I will start painting again….. may be for my Dad.

Yeah…. and he used to enjoy clicking photos as well. Though I never used to see him developing his photos on his own but well I have seen the ultimate results in many beautiful photographs. He used to tell me and show how he used to make his dark room in a corner of a corridor of our old home to develop his photographs from negatives. It was amazing to know that he could in actuality get into the matter at hand to the depth and so deftly master the art. There were many photos developed by him which he showed me. Another interesting part was that there were numerous photos he used to make it as colored prints with vegetable dyes. I repent a lot for not learning the tips. Now it would have been so exciting to use handmade color prints of photos with vegetable dyes !

I adore him always for what he was and the way he cared for me. Though I could not achieve half way of what he was. Nevertheless, Dad you are always with me…from then to now…and to my end. Thank you for what you have taught me to be and I will always try to make you proud of your little princess !

The hobbies and interests are kind of a way to relate with own inner self in life. My Dad taught me the importance of learning to live through many interest areas in life. Though I am not a perfectionist like him but I have many interest areas in life and never tire of learning. Another important thing he taught me is to focus hundred percent in anything we do any given point of time. Just to get completely involved in any kind of thing/work is the key to success of life. That way one may get a sense of fulfillment in life. There may be many outer things to disturb in life. But if we know the trick to be happy within our self then world becomes truly wonderful. Life is very hectic and competitive now a days. So if we can apply these simple tricks of life practically then we can be happy from within. We won't even tend to feel lonely here as we can be happy alone with our hobbies and interest being creative at the same time. It is important even to inculcate the value of creativity among the children in a proper time so that they get to know and experience the finer side of life.

Thank you for reading this hub here !!!!