Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Kavita Chhibber - August 25, 2005
But words are things, and a small drop of ink
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions,
Think” - Lord Byron (1788-1824)
For as long as I can remember, there were two things that never ceased to excite my intellect or touch my soul - good music and good writing. Both had the extraordinary ability to transport me to a magical world that became a canvas where I painted the themes, composed the songs of my imagination. Each stroke created as a child colored the path I finally walked as an adult.
I grew up in a family where my father, a military man, had the passionate soul of a poet and my mother, the creative heart of a musician. She trained in classical music under Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, father and guru of santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. She is a vocalist but also dabbled with the tabla when it was not a woman’s domain - it still isn’t. Often, she would compose music to and sing my father’s poetic renderings. In addition to their creative pursuits, both my parents are dynamic athletes as well. My mother and father are two of the most unassuming, honest and dignified people I’ve known. They bear their sorrows quietly and their triumphs with humility. They have given generously of their time and money to worthy causes with the same quiet grace.
It was my maternal grandmother who was perhaps the greatest influence in my life during my growing years. She left me the legacy of an undying passion for books, music and the fine arts. She strongly believed that a divine power exists and it directs our course, but it was equally important (especially for a female child in India) that I become fiercely independent and stand for what I believe in. I’m told that I also inherited her temper, but hey that’s a small thing compared to what an awesome difference she made to my life. She died suddenly when I was 16 and to this day I miss her.
My paternal grandmother was truly the iron lady. She lost her husband and her only daughter when she was in her thirties. Undaunted, she managed to raise 6 sons single- handedly on meager finances in post-independence India. She lived long enough to see all of them do exceedingly well and got her many hours of fame when her youngest son became the Governor of Punjab. The newspapers carried her picture on the front page.
Growing up in India is an experience in and of itself. I feel sorry for the Indian kids who grow up here and never get to experience the many summer vacations filled with family reunions and incessant hugs. The mischievous gang pranks and scolding grandmothers giving chase. Memories of eating mangoes on sultry summer afternoons or the damp fragrance of red mud after the rain. Sailing boats in muddy little streams dotted with lotus blossoms. Steam emanating from cups of hot tea and roasted peanuts on a wintry December morning.
I wanted to become a veterinarian all throughout my childhood. I would bring wounded stray animals home and nurse them back to health. It was my older brother Parvez, an awesome published author currently in the Indian administrative services, who saw the potential writer in me (or maybe he was just fed up receiving long epistles discussing the dismal state of sports in India !) He insisted that I graduate in liberal arts and think of a career in writing. He then pushed me into meeting the editor of a Times of India publication, but forbade me to tell them he was my brother! They thought the world of him and his writing, but he wanted me to make it on my own steam.
If I have anyone to thank for being perceptive enough to know my true calling, it’s my brother. He is my hero in more ways than I can count... one of the most honest people I know, incredibly gifted and kind. Believe it or not, Parvez is also a very humble and honest bureaucrat. (I know, I know- an oxymoron!)
Today, whenever people tell me they are moved by my stories, and they ask “Where did you learn to write like that?”, I'm reminded of Lillian Hellman’s comment- “If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.”
I did not attend any workshops or graduate in the field of journalism. I believe, quite simply, that to touch the heart of others you must first be touched yourself. There is truth, beauty and inspiration to be found in every story, in every life. When one writes with honesty, passion, and a sincere belief in the words that come from his/her pen, it elevates all that is mediocre to another dimension.
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Posted by Kavita Chhibber at August 25, 2005 09:19 PM
Comments
BUDDHA SUPPLIES THE ANSWER IN THE LOTUS SUTRA
Hi Kavita, nice to see you on this blog! Your post did indeed move me, and it was because you are so sincere in your gratitude and admiration of the people you describe. I'm looking forward to reading your blogs.
Thanks Kavita.
Have always been an admirer of your work. My friends and I spent hours browsing your site.
I feel envious of your childhood. I grew up here far away from grandparents, other cousins. Like Rita's folks mine split as well and friends and relatives stopped inviting us to their homes.
I better stop or this blog will lead to intense therapy sessions for us all.But thank you for sharing the beginnings with us.
I think one of the reasons I have admired your work is because you have addressed so many difficult South Asian issues-divorce, Indian gays, southasians living with hiv/aids.
your interviews are stellar in the kind of homework you do and how you seem make your interviewees comfortable. I have seen some very honest and candid interviews, and the warmth comes through.The one that comes to mind immediately is with Ravi Shankar and his wife.I dont think the Shankars have talked to any one at such length.
Waiting to hear more of your magical words on cyber space!
Dear Kavita . . .welcome. What a moving tribute to your family . . .it is wonderful to see the passion within your words. Thank you for sharing the Byron passage and I look forward to more of your blogs . . .peace, love, kindness and bliss to all . . .Laila
Kavita, what can I say? beautiful words penned by someone who is a class act in so many ways.
More power to your cyber pen!
Hi Kavita,you write so well,your words are so expressive.When I read,about your parents,grandmothers,your brother,I went back to India in my minds eye.It did remind me of my maternal grand mother and all her suffering.
Kavita,it also reminded of a famous canadian author,L.M.Montgomery.She has written more than 28 books.She is the author of Ann of Green Gables.She has written 3 Emily books.They are supposed to be based on her life.The author talks about a young girl raised by her aunts,how she becomes a famous writer.These are books for young adults.But capture the heart of young and old.
Thank you for your post.God bless you.
Sorry to say that I have never read any of your works. Shall rectify that right away though!
C
Dear Kavita, your childhood sounds blissful. I can feel the energy through your words :)
.......I look forward to reading your future posts.
Hi Kavita.
nice to see a touching beautiful blog amidst all the obssession with negativity. May be we all need to return to what is good, inspiring and in harmony with nature in the next few blogs. Thank you for writing this. I want to visit India now.
I have been on your site since reading this. You are born to write.
Dear Kavita: Always great to read your writing, it is unpretentious, straight from the heart. Look forward to more posts.
Hey Kavita ...
I am a regular reader of your articles since they provide me with information, insight and feelings that I am always looking for ...
Nowadays, its difficult to find good articles on Indian culture, classical artforms and the artists. However, when I read your articles, I find all these things packaged in a manner as if the artist themselves are addressing me and telling me something. There seems to be a direct connection.
Your articles TOUCH the lives of the performers and TEACH the audience on how to live their lives. I am really very happy that you would be writing at this beautiful website and I am looking forward to reading a lot more from you.
Best wishes,
Apurva
Welcome to the blog, Kavita!
Hi Kavita,
This evening I am able to have lots of reading time. Hooray! And here I find your first post to intentblog - and just want to say, I am glad writing is your calling.
You really do have a special way of writing about Life, and the ordinary moments, and feelings - sadnesses, joy, even how delightful sipping a cup of tea can be.
Thanks!
~~ K
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Recent Comments
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K commented on Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Hi Kavita,
This evening I am ab -
Rahul Khanna commented on Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Welcome to the blog, Kavita!
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Apurva Mody commented on Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Hey Kavita ...
I am a regular reader of
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Arun commented on Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Dear Kavita: Always great to read your writing
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nick commented on Kavita Chhibber's First Blog
Hi Kavita.
nice to see a touching beautif
Hi Kavita,
Thanks for the comment on the understanding of what some Indians that grow up here do not experience. I didn't have grandparents. Perhaps in my case even more extreme since my parents later got divorced and our family/friends/communtiy that was so concerned on a daily basis of what was happening all of a sudden disappeared. No more invitations to weddings etc. Am I venting again? LOL
As soon I start on this which is considered venting people frown and say "oh poor girl" especially being of south asian/indian descent. Honestly is there like some certain way that society is supposed to be which is good/better and if you do not fit into that category is that bad?
I find my life experience all quite empowering. So my life hasn't been they way it was promised or the way it was "supposed to". It's all the reason why I am the one that can do anything. Free from all ties that bind.