Announcements and Celebrations, Enjoy the Paintings, On The Road, Uttar pradesh
Published on 12/12/2023
Comments 88

End of an Era

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My grandfather who saw through most of the 20th century, someone who was highly expressive yet quiet; one who taught us to be firm, to stand and lead in the times of crisis, one who moved mountains during the Indian Independence movement as my grandma used to narrate his stories; my grandfather was a formidable figure in his younger years, one who was known to attract problems only to solve them like a pro, one who knew how to remain content. He was probably the first one who enticed me into smoking a hookah, an old Indian way to smoke a water-pipe. He loved nature and above all his teak tree under which he sat and slept for over five decades.

Here with my Road to Nara family, I wanted to share that my grandfather died last month on the auspicious day of Diwali in the early hours of dawn. Partially, it was the reason for my absence from the site. Even though it was strange how people and even in the family were waiting for a news such as this for as a long a time since my Grandma’s death. Anyhow, as per documents, he relished his 104th monsoon this year. He was born on 21st August 1919.

He had started getting popular as he had become by far the only living centenarian in the village. People and even strangers used to come to see him, sit and talk with him in general about life and the world at large. His age in itself could be one achievement as he saw through one of the worst pandemics that we saw in our lifetime, unscathed. And another feat could be that he lead a life of good health. Under no medication or disease. He lived quietly in his one room hut, outside the village under a Teak tree that he himself had planted decades ago.

Also read: Silent Poems from my Ancestral Village- A Photographic Tribute

And with him died and era, a part of me and my father, as we both loved my grandmother. I still have so much to write about her mysterious life. She had an uncanny way of talking in the air(to someone of course) and predicted many things that my father kept repeating(still does) in astonishment while remembering her many a times. And one such prediction that we kept talking out loud amongst family was she predicting grandfather’s death; on her last day on earth, when she held his hand and asserted that she is dying 10 years prior to him. And it nearly came true, as my grandmother left her body on 17th November 2013, and my grandfather on 12th November 2023.

Yet I would like to say that I wasn’t close to my grandfather, apart from asking him if grandmother came in his dreams, there was nothing else we talked about. He never rose to be a storyteller that I wished or thought grand people are supposed to become. Even though i tried knowing about his younger days, and about his travels but he spoke of it dryly, without enthusiasm or details. and it would soon dry out the listener, or the story-collector in me. To an extent that I don’t remember taking a walk with him ever, anywhere, even if I had done, I don’t. But I do remember him for one thing, that he often took the names of four grandfathers before him in the lineage, and a line that I am supposed to carry forward.

Rest in Power, Grandfather.

Aum

Some images of him that I made over the years, curiously yet mostly unenthusiastically, of him visiting home that he rarely did, or me going to see him in the village.

Also see: A Visual Diary of a Day in my Village

Outside village home, where once there was a well.

Over a decade old image of grandfather’s room, his cot and the leafless tree, in the winter of 2009.

Grandfather in his room, praying.

Grandfather at home in 2007

Grandfather at home in 2007, smoking a betel leaf filled with tobacco.

Our potato field in the village

Grandma looking at me for a portrait, after peeling the potatoes taken from the field.

Grandfather at home in 2007

Grandfather with his two out of 3 sons, my father and his elder brother in 2018

I think it was in 2007

The last walk with him, that i even walked was also the longest as he had to stop and sit several times before we reached home from the fields. One winter morning in 2017.

: ँ :

Thank you


If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste

ROAD TO NARA : Stories of Culture, History, Passion, Art, Folk, Mystic Travel, Mountains and River Valleys of India and around the World to your mailbox.

Follow NATURE


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I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly

As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.

Also read: 9 Most Read Stories from Road To Nara in 2022


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You might also like to know about My Little School Project. 

If you wish to come over for a visit someday, that you must, you will be heartily welcome here


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If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at narayankaudinya@gmail.com

To visit other long-term photographic works, please visit here.

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Unknown's avatar

Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

88 Comments

  2. Béatrice's avatar
    Béatrice says

    Good morning Narayan Kaudinya,

    I read your publication about your grandfather with great attention. I looked carefully at your photos. I really like your photographic gaze which was able to capture something sober, humble and secret. I love the simplicity of your grandparents and it’s the way of life that speaks, alone, without the need for words.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Peace be upon them!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      • Béatrice's avatar
        Béatrice says

        It’s not important to know who I am or not, what matters is to have lived your moment through your photos and your written testimonies.
        Even though I don’t comment a lot, when I visit a blog, it’s a meeting for me.

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  3. gabychops's avatar
    gabychops says

    An eloquent and moving account of your grandfather’s life, as you knew it, Narayan.
    The recollections of your beloved grandmother’s life are always fascinating as she was
    able to see into the future, and by writing about her, and your grandfather
    and then, passing on their memories, you have immortalized them as we will remember them too.
    I still recall your story of when you were born, and the well outside her home had dried out. Much later, the advanced satellite technology confirmed that there was once a stream feeding this well.
    As your grandparents led simple but well-lived lives, they will be well-remembered,
    and an inspiration to you and your children and their children in perpetuity.
    May they rest in peace!
    I am sorry for your loss, Narayan.

    As always, Narayan, your excellent photographs add voice to the words. Thank you.

    Joanna

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Yetismith's avatar
    Yetismith says

    God Speed, grandfather. Condolences to you and your family. I look forward to your grandmother’s stories.

    Like

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  8. Ashley's avatar
    Ashley says

    This is a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. He will, like your grandmother before him, be held in your heart forever. 💙💙

    Like

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  9. Sunra Rainz's avatar
    Sunra Rainz says

    So beautiful, Narayan, the photos and how you honour your grandfather’s memory with your words. I was moved reading this. It reminds me in some ways of my own family. Much peace and love to you ❤

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  15. Cheryl Batavia's avatar
    Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says

    Narayan, thank you for sharing the photos and stories about your grandfather’s life. It is a wonderful tribute, and I look forward to reading more about your grandmother. These writings and photos will undoubtedly be cherished by your children. Your grandparents will always be a part of you, a source of strength and inspiration.
    ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you Cheryl. Writing about Grand Ma has been a dream and probably thats why I am scared to delve in deeper, may be I am only getting ready, cheryl, thank you again. I hope you and family are doing good. And importanlt ready for the Christmas and Holidays.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. lisaonthebeach's avatar
    lisaonthebeach says

    I enjoyed reading about your grandfather, thank you for sharing the story, and the photos. It is hard to imagine a life so different from mine. I really enjoy learning and hearing stories from around the world. Very nice tribute, Narayan.

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  18. Michael Graeme's avatar
    Michael Graeme says

    My deepest sympathies and my respects, Narayan. Such a long life, and conveyed to us with a loving eye. The end of an era indeed. Keep well.

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  19. graham mcquade's avatar
    graham mcquade says

    My condolences. It’s strange that the questions occur to you when they’re not around to answer. You kick yourself when you think that you could have been more inquisitive at the time. I see my daughter missing her chance with me, but you cant force interest into someone.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you for writing in kind Graham, absolutely, that is how it is, many a times over, we never know how, even with our best of intentions, it all plays out. Thank you again 🙏🤍

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Crystal's avatar
    Crystal Byers says

    Dear Narayan, a life of good health, no medication or disease, a one room hut, under a teak tree—your grandfather’s life and the mystery of your grandmother’s prediction speak to me. Thank you for sharing these thoughts and photos of the era. Sending my love and deepest condolences.

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  25. Lakshmi Bhat's avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat says

    Please accept and convey our condolences to your family. Both my grandfathers played a very important and loving role in my life. My paternal grandfather passed away in 1980 and maternal grandfather in 1999. Both still live for me.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      I will Lakshmi Ji. And you know it’s wondrous to learn about those years in 1900s, feel like a different era, society, time completely. My Namaste to you and both great fathers.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Ana Daksina's avatar
    Ana Daksina says

    May your grandfather’s spirit journey onward in great peace. It seems as though he made good preparation in this life.

    Hey ~ I can comment on your site again. Hooray!

    Like

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Aah dear Ana, thank you for writing in kind Dearest Sis. To leave on Diwali day in itself is a bang on preparation for the end and the afterlife.

      I didn’t know there was something that was stopping you from commenting!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Cindy Georgakas's avatar
    Cindy Georgakas says

    Sending love and my sincerest condolences Nara.
    He sounds like a man of few words with a wonder of his thoughts.

    How wild he passed on Diwali.

    ‘I do remember him for one thing, that he often took the names of four grandfathers before him in the lineage, and a line that I am supposed to carry forward”.

    You will do well carrying his essence as you weave your stories and stay true to you.
    ❤️❣️❤️

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Cindy, how aptly you said ‘wild’, for the most weird thing to have happened. A life that long chooses to leave on probably the best day possible to become an ancestor. Only the spirits know. Thank you for writing much in kind dearest Cindy. ❤️

      Thank you

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  28. restingwithitall's avatar
    Susan says

    Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing this intimate experience x

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Dear Ali, apologies for being distracted lately. There has been a shift in how things move in life and adapting to it has taken a little time. Yet as you know Indians are a close knit society, with support of family, things keep moving. Love to you and Don, coming this new year, I wish for health to Don and strength to your resilience and writing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Alison and Don's avatar
        Alison and Don says

        Thank you so much. I do understand those shifts that happen in life, and that it can take time to adjust. I hope you are well. Look after your self, and your loved ones. Stay strong.
        As for me and Don, thank you for your kind wishes. I’m pleased to be able to say Don has made a good recovery, and we’re both well.
        Wishing you all the strength and resilience you need, and much joy.
        Alison 🤗

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  33. rothpoetry's avatar
    rothpoetry says

    So sorry for the loss of your grandfather, Narayan. I am sure it is a great loss for your family. It is amazing to live 104 years! You come from good genes! You have a lot of years ahead of you to match your grandfather! I can’t imagine living that long! My thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend.
    Dwight

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  36. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch says

    “Liking” this post seems so wrong but please consider it as my feeble way of honoring your Grandfather’s life. May his spirit reunite with your Grandmother and they rest in eternal peace together. Sending gentle thoughts of comfort on your loss.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  37. gc1963's avatar
    gc1963 says

    I do not know whether to condole or congratulate you. Condolence for your bereavement and congratulation for being part of such a rich familial legacy. Stay blessed always.

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  39. MousumiSays's avatar
    MousumiSays says

    Your grandparents seem to have led an ascetic life. It’s very rare in today’s materialistic world. A prayer for the eternal peace to both of them.🙏

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  41. Silver Screenings's avatar
    Silver Screenings says

    Deepest condolences on your loss. You write so vividly about your grandfather, it’s almost as though we knew him, too. Thank you for sharing this tribute.

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