There are some characters from your childhood who get etched in your memory. They stay with you. One such character from my childhood is an old lady who we knew as 'Hapar Khan ki Biwi'.
This is from the eighties. This is from the time when my grandfather was alive and we used to live in Kanke, Ranchi (Now capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand). This was the house where I spent my childhood and have the fondest memories of that period. The summers spent there with all my cousins is something we all cherish. All that needs another blog......
Coming back to 'Hapar Khan Ki Biwi'.............I knew only bits and pieces about her. Firstly, as is obvious from her name she was the wife of one Hapar Khan. From what we heard from the adults, Hapar Khan was known to my grandfather but had passed away many years back. We also heard that the son (or sons) of Hapar Khan didn't treat their mother well.
Every year out of the blue she will come to our house and stay for weeks. We would never see her otherwise. I don't even know where she lived. My grandmother would make arrangements for her in one of the rooms. Perhaps the reason I have never forgotten her is because of her eccentricities. She was very thin and frail but would talk in a very loud voice. I think she was a bit hard of hearing also. Also perhaps the trial and tabulations of life had made her a bit cranky. She would always be very animated. She will always be wearing white Shalwar Kameez. At that time older women would generally wear saree. Even muslim women. I think that is still true. It was also clear that she had fallen on hard times in her old age.
She was extremely religious. We were told that she kept 'roza' throughout the year expect for those days when it is Haraam (like on Eid day etc). We used to marvel at this, as we kids found the fasting in Ramazaan so tough !! Everyday my grandmother (Dadda) will get Iftaar prepared for her so that she can break the fast in the traditional manner. She will never miss her Namaaz.
I always saw her alone. God knows where her sons or relatives lived. She will come to our house unannounced and will stay for weeks. My Dadda would never ask her of her plan. Then one fine day, she will decide that is time for her to go.
When I think back, those were the traditions of the times. A guest comes unannounced and is made to feel at home immediately. The guest would stay as long as they wanted and the host will happily take care of the guest. Those traditions are lost in the hustle and bustle of the life today.
As was also the tradition of those times, we never came to know her real name. She was always 'Hapar Khan ki Biwi'.......though I never saw Hapar Khan himself......
She was a noble soul. Though life had been tough on her she bore it with 'sabr' and fortitude.
I am sure my sister, my parents , my cousins, and my Chachcha's and Chachchi's will all have her recollection and may perhaps have lot more to add about her.
She was such a unique and eccentric character that all of us kids were fascinated by her. After growing up I never saw her again. Perhaps she passed away and hopefully got a place in Jannat........
Note added on 11 Apr 2014 -
My mother had called me up today and gave me more information about this lady.
She was a very active Congress worker, and she had even met Indira Gandhi. She was very proud of this fact. In the pre-TV days and for a small town like Ranchi these things mattered a lot and will do even today.........
After my grandfather passed away in 1986 she had come to our house and had said that 'all the roza I am keeping are for him'.......which was very generous and kind of her.......
This is from the eighties. This is from the time when my grandfather was alive and we used to live in Kanke, Ranchi (Now capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand). This was the house where I spent my childhood and have the fondest memories of that period. The summers spent there with all my cousins is something we all cherish. All that needs another blog......
Coming back to 'Hapar Khan Ki Biwi'.............I knew only bits and pieces about her. Firstly, as is obvious from her name she was the wife of one Hapar Khan. From what we heard from the adults, Hapar Khan was known to my grandfather but had passed away many years back. We also heard that the son (or sons) of Hapar Khan didn't treat their mother well.
Every year out of the blue she will come to our house and stay for weeks. We would never see her otherwise. I don't even know where she lived. My grandmother would make arrangements for her in one of the rooms. Perhaps the reason I have never forgotten her is because of her eccentricities. She was very thin and frail but would talk in a very loud voice. I think she was a bit hard of hearing also. Also perhaps the trial and tabulations of life had made her a bit cranky. She would always be very animated. She will always be wearing white Shalwar Kameez. At that time older women would generally wear saree. Even muslim women. I think that is still true. It was also clear that she had fallen on hard times in her old age.
She was extremely religious. We were told that she kept 'roza' throughout the year expect for those days when it is Haraam (like on Eid day etc). We used to marvel at this, as we kids found the fasting in Ramazaan so tough !! Everyday my grandmother (Dadda) will get Iftaar prepared for her so that she can break the fast in the traditional manner. She will never miss her Namaaz.
I always saw her alone. God knows where her sons or relatives lived. She will come to our house unannounced and will stay for weeks. My Dadda would never ask her of her plan. Then one fine day, she will decide that is time for her to go.
When I think back, those were the traditions of the times. A guest comes unannounced and is made to feel at home immediately. The guest would stay as long as they wanted and the host will happily take care of the guest. Those traditions are lost in the hustle and bustle of the life today.
As was also the tradition of those times, we never came to know her real name. She was always 'Hapar Khan ki Biwi'.......though I never saw Hapar Khan himself......
She was a noble soul. Though life had been tough on her she bore it with 'sabr' and fortitude.
I am sure my sister, my parents , my cousins, and my Chachcha's and Chachchi's will all have her recollection and may perhaps have lot more to add about her.
She was such a unique and eccentric character that all of us kids were fascinated by her. After growing up I never saw her again. Perhaps she passed away and hopefully got a place in Jannat........
Note added on 11 Apr 2014 -
My mother had called me up today and gave me more information about this lady.
She was a very active Congress worker, and she had even met Indira Gandhi. She was very proud of this fact. In the pre-TV days and for a small town like Ranchi these things mattered a lot and will do even today.........
After my grandfather passed away in 1986 she had come to our house and had said that 'all the roza I am keeping are for him'.......which was very generous and kind of her.......
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