Page 2 - Baby @ 75

Sudha

BABY

This is the story of Baby, born on October 9 1946 in Nagapattinam Holy land
of Soundararajan Perumal and Soundaravalli Thayar. Born to Raghavachari

and Padma Saini, she was named as Alamelu, grew up and did her schooling in
Nagapatnam and went to college in Delhi. She graduated from Venkateswara

College in Economics and history. She married Jagannathan Athimber on 6th
May 1976.

My association with Baby began in 1997 on my marriage. She tied the
naathanaru mudi - the Mangalsutra knot. She was tall lean at that time. It is

only during the last 15 years in Chennai, I got to know her and developed a
beautiful lasting relationship with her. I have heard stories from Appa about

her childhood days and how she was intelligent smart and talented girl.I
remember there would be days when Appa would talk fondly about her

childhood and all the ups and downs she faced in her life. He was a big moral
support to her. Ravi too shared many experiences of Baby and Athimber and

pampered by her when he stayed with them in Madras for two years. One thing
I remember vividly is he would say that she would always prepare fresh food

and serve it hot even if it was beyond dinner time. She would regularly visit our
home when Amma Appa were staying with us. I remember she would never

come empty handed. She will always make some sweet or snack and bring
home with those delicious chutneys. The moment she rang the bell, Appa

would say “VA Baby inniku enna kondu vandurukkai” meaning what did you
bring today? We all would excitedly take her basket and see what she has

brought.