HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
BIBHU MOHAPATRA
On his first, and lifelong inspiration—his mother
There were things she loved and reasons why she loved them. There was jewellery that she had, or how she took care of her saris. The way she did her Or the way she picked the colours of her glass bangles; the ritual of taking them off and putting on new ones. These visual memories of my mother are seared into my brain. The way she got ready, in beautiful but simple ways, that gave her the strength and defined who she was, and how much people around her revered her. She was a kind and gentle soul but also a strong woman. As a young boy, I was drawn to these details. When I got sick, she would bring the thermometer to check my temperature, as she would shake it, her glass bangles would make a beautiful noise. I loved the sound and would ask her to keep doing it. I loved that she would wear a different sari for her or get dressed to go to the temple or for a relative’s wedding. She was my first inspiration. She also taught me about colour. She would talk to
