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Mother, writer and daydreamer. Also chocoholic and chick-flick lover. But mainly mommy. To two boys, at that! When not escorting my Elder One (EO) to karate class, I'm trying to get in as many cuddles as possible from my Younger One (YO). And when not doing either, I'm hard-at-work trying to maintain a steady relationship with my laptop. And as for the Man I Married (MIM), well, let’s just put it this way – even though we share a bedroom, our most meaningful conversations are held over the cell-phone!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Goodbye to an Era of Grace and Beauty...

In a terribly short span of two days, India lost two of her most beautiful jewels, Leela Naidu and Rajmata Gayatri Devi.

I have never loved the stick-insect concept of beauty. Sour grapes? I think not. To me beauty was all about charm, elegance and a sense of timelessness. Both of these ladies epitomised my ideal concept of beauty to more than its fullest.

They were both featured in Vogue's Top Ten Beauties of the World list, putting India very much on the beauty map. Remember, this was decades before Vogue came to India, so in a way, it was the world celebrating our style icons, our visions of grace, poise and DDG looks. It was a toast to what India's modern-day treasures and an affirmation that we were not just about the exotic, like nautch girls, temple dancers and Khajuraho muses.

Rajmata Gayatri Devi is my own, personal hero. Leaving her beauty aside, I was always in awe of her grace and dignity. I wanted to be 'her' when I grew up.

I still do.

What a fascinating life she had! And I'm not just talking about living the charmed life full of royal parties and education in the best schools abroad. She was grace and graciousness personified. Her politics were gentle yet passionate. The dignity with which she conducted herself during her incarceration during Indira Gandhi's infamous State of Emergency, could only have come from a latent strength and self-belief housed within.

Rest in peace, Leela Naidu.
Rest in peace, Rajmata.

An era of grace and beauty has come to an end with your passing.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too thought all this yesterday :( They were truly beautiful and truly timeless, ageless and their beauty was also borderless in that they were beautiful to all races and nations.

I agree with you that beauty like theirs is real beauty, our concept of stick insects or even of bodies sculpted in gyms can never compete with their beauty.

RIP, Leela Naidu.
RIP, Rajmata Gayatri Devi.

Mama - Mia said...

so true.

RIP stunning women.

Monika said...

i felt so sad reading this in the papers today. Both were lovely women!

workhard said...

Oh what a relief people think like that

Work from home

Indyeah said...

MM? these are my sentiments too

..you have expressed it beautifully here..
May they rest in peace..