I was a lonely child. No i have three other siblings, but like in those times i was brought up by my grand parents. My naani had rheumatic arthritis. The doctor whom she regularly consulted was abroad, so the junior doctor gave her a pain medication which had heavy side effect and overnight all her joints twisted dastardly.
We hired rajeevi who cooked and acted as a nurse maid.
My grand father encouraged me not to make friends at school. Because if i was invited to their homes , i needed to reciprocate. Nani could not manage that.My grandfather was a busy man. To compensate he introduced me to books at a very tender age. By the time i was 7 i had read many enid blyton books. I use to dream and lose myself in the illustrations.
Later on when i shifted to my parents house, my mom too discouraged me from making friends. My father had heart condition and though he had a big position at the bank, the finances did not look good, added to that we had guests/visitors to the home regularly..people who wanted to see mumbai, people studying/seeking jobs etc.
Even now i find i cannot make/ maintain friendships..i am very awkward around people. I am the happiest being alone, surrounded by my books and regular cups of chai...i have half a mind to change my name to mala'tea'..
My daughter was planning to specialize in economics or psychology where she was a centum scorer along with french..imagine my surprise when she chose to make a career as a childrens book illustrator.
This acccordion book in hindi 'char chitiyaan' is my favorite. The illustrations happened before me and i helped a wee bit in finalizing a few colours.
Pssst.... this a favorite book of Soha Ali Khan. she mentioned this book in a video where she records her fav books to read to her daughter.
If you haven't yet got this book..look for it on Amazon/pitarakart/kalpvriksh etc
Few other books illustrated by Niharika Shenoy
Shaljam- the big book
Pedru and the big boom
👍😊
