Thursday, November 8, 2012

My 'Maa' in Norway....... Et Norsk Hjem - 2



I am so glad writing this post for home Shanthi home today .  I have been contemplating this since I entered the blog world. Finally today I crossed the Granddad's street (Bestefars vei )and went down the Grandmom's street (Bestemors vei) to meet my Maa in Norway – May  (84yrs) and Harald (93yrs).

When you straight land from India into a land where everything is so different  - the culture, the language and the weather (I landed in the end of December ),  and where TV channels only relayed Norwegian programs, with not a single Indian vegetable in sight in the shops,  trying to understand the Norwegian names for Aata, Suji etc ,  I cannot tell you how special it was to chance upon meeting May . She is so special and just radiated warmth.  For me she is my Maa in this land and was always there to help me with any information / help I needed - as recently as this Sunday she helped me planning  a trip to Egypt :-).


Paintings on the wall show the town her husband grew up and cute pics of her great grand children.


Her’s was an open house to guests and specially to foreigners . We were always greeted to warm cups of tea and freshly baked cookies and it is still fresh in my mind how I enjoyed watching her lovely home with things from all her travels. 
She is one of the pioneers who started the Ås international women’s group which just celebrated 25 years and she has been given many awards recognizing her contribution to the community and to the women in particular.
I have always seen her well dressed, lady like and fashionable with special liking for chunky Amber and silver Jewelry.  She and Harald visited India to attend my daughter’s half saree ceremony in 2002.  She takes Harald in his wheel chair around the world. They travel to Spain, Denmark, around Norway  and many other places round the year. While in Norway she attends concerts, café’s , wine drinking sessions  with Harald and plays bridge with her girl friends once a week.



Bed room with paintings, self potraits of her daughters and photographs of children , grand children and great grand children.


 Organised to the core ... Her books and Albums..... and mind you she did not know that I was going to take the pictures....
  The silver and brass thalis used as trays 
An antique french clock and candle set she inherited which her Grand parents got as a wedding gift
 Though she followed her husband  to Egypt for 3 years in 1964 ,posted in the UN,  its her friends and love for the country and its culture that took her back every year since then till date. Many people in Ås and Norway saw Egypt in its entirity due to May. She is also the international member representing Norway in Alexandria. 

Some old woven textiles dating back to 300 A.D from Egypt

Hand woven tapestry from Egypt - speciality of this she says is that no picture is drawn first and is conceived in the mind and progresses henceforth.


Coaster made from an old wedding gown of a bride in Egypt

 and cermaics d art resembling the old greek leather documents lie on her table along with her magnifying glass and other knick knacks. 
 
I salute her for her sunny optimism and the spirit with which she loves and lives the life to its fullest.

Pics source:taken by me at May's place this sunday 

9 comments:

  1. How fortunate for you to have her around! God Bless this wonderful woman! She has a lovely home, and thanks for sharing the pics, Shanthi!

    Sharon

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  2. loved the cozy look of this home, the pics are truly inspiring, nice post Shanthi.

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  3. A lovely home out of love and care.lakshmi

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  4. I have heard so much abt her from you.I just wonder why we missed meeting her..a real beautiful woman!

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  5. It was pleasure knowing abt ur maa

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  6. Anpu Somanath How beautiful, serene and warm the home is..

    Shanthi Nagothu and how wonderful she as a person is :-)....

    Anpu Somanath Yes...the home reflects the person...

    Sanghamitra Mukherjee Bhattacherjee Gorgeous home -:)

    Anuradha Varma lovely

    Reshma Sharma Lovely home and what an amazing lady !

    Vandana Choudhury A cozy home!

    Rekha Nambiar Such a lovely story Shanti :) May has a beautiful home it reflects her journey in life and her warm personality.

    Shanthi Nagothu Thank you all. She is holidaying in Spain now and will show her all your comments when they return.

    Lakshmi Arvind shanthi,such a heartfelt post...loved this

    Vineeta Nair LOVED the post Shanthi. It is always a privilege to see any home. And this one is so special and well loved.

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  7. Jinny Alex Very nice post and very nice lady!!

    Brinda Pant lucky you are to have such a woman in your life!

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