My sister, my best friend
Our reader waxes lyrical about her beloved sister who recently passed another milestone in her life.
MY sister Saratha Devi turned 85 on July 6.
She is the eldest of five siblings and a magnet of love. After Saratha comes myself, Vasu Devan, Lalitha Devi and Ravi Kumar.
Here are some stories from the distant past and glimpses of the Arasu Family.
Saratha Devi Nayagam, daughter of Thirunavakarasoo and Ponnamah, made her regal appearance 85 years ago – a gorgeous baby girl, so beautiful that even father would let her be at the Post Office counter for all to admire and adore.
Two years later, came the second one: me. I was stout-headed and did all sorts of deeds to be recognised.
We were like twins, and very good friends. Mother would sew lovely outfits, exactly the same, and dress us like little dolls.
Saratha and I are Cancerians. As the astrologers say (including my dad who studied astrology as a science), the Cancerians’ love and compassion for family and friends flows like a stream of goodness. We adored our parents and were excellent companions for them. I’d be telling a lie if I said we did not have our differences; often, we agreed to disagree.
Saratha is my mentor and, I hasten to add, I am also her mentor. We complement each other very well. For weddings and other functions, she decides what I should wear and how I must do my hair. She is like a star – shining most of the time. She is so funny, witty, caring and giving that when I have visitors, I expect her to be there!
Saratha is my “news vendor”, bringing me up-to-date with all the happenings, be they good, bad or ugly. She combs through The
Star paper with a fine-toothed comb.
Saratha is also my dietician, supplying me with delicious mock fish and mutton (as I am a vegetarian), curries, traditional puttu, chapathi, chutney and thosai. The more she gives, the more she gets. In return, I shower her with an assortment of English chocolates, fruit cakes and digestive biscuits, to name a few. Saratha is also my “satellite navigator”. She does the directing or guiding as I drive. I feel lost without her presence in the car.
Saratha has an extraordinary imagination, running along the negatives, causing unnecessary worry and high blood pressure. I know how to calm her down and put her mind at rest; it is not a question of authority but having a genuine interest in her welfare, one of perception and action.
Saratha is harmless as a dove and wise as a serpent. But when attacked unreasonably, she’ll become otherwise. Beware!
Saratha has a mellow singing voice but seldom gives it a chance to develop. She does take things easy. We were the “Singing Arasu Sisters” as teenagers, and we even made it to the then Radio Malaya.
Long live Saratha!