Kirtana: You read grand pa's poems, didn't you, Kaeya?

Kaeya: Yes, I have. I know only English. I have only read those poems that are translated into English. I can not say which one I liked the best. Each poem is different. His poems are very philosophical. I too write poetry because I am inspired by him. We loved to travel. He would always mention Sneha Angel. I cherish a dream and that is to become a brave person like my grand mother.

Nandana: Kaeya Zui's name has been an object of curiosity to many. Kaeya means the Ketaki flower in Marati. It looks like the sweet smelling Sampenga flower. Zui means Jasmine flower in Kannada. Didn't Pabi combine these two and name her Kaeya Zui, Kirtana?

Kirtana: That is right! Kaeya adores her grandfather, but to me he was an inspiration. He loved the character of Shakuntala. Even in his last days he underlined the sentences on Shakuntala in a book he was reading. We are working on a project to produce a play on Shakuntala. I am playing the character of Shakuntala.

Nandana: You say that there are many things in common with Pabi...

Kirtana: Yes. I did my M.A. in English literature like Pattabhi. He loved theatre and art, so do I. I love poetry like he did. I am a singer and sing in Konark's music band. My associatiion with Pattabhi is 25 years old. I perform in Tamil, Hindi, Tulu, English and Kannada. I always consulted Pattabhi on performing plays. Nandana, as you said, our house is charged with the all round enthusiasm and exuberance of Sneha. I find many a thing common in Konark and Pattabhi. Our affections aside, your association is deeper with Pattabhi. You have moulded your career according to their values. People say you resemble Sneha.

Nandana: It's individual opinion. I feel I cannot be like either Pattabhi or Sneha. I have lived with father for 54 years. Mother passed away when I was 21 years. When she was imprisoned she would telephone me often when she was sick. Whenever I visited her in jail I wanted to break the walls of the jail and run away with mother. I was emotionally traumatized seeing her there! When I was emotionally torn when she passed away, Pabi consoled me saying 'See shoe looks as if she is sleeping....See how beautiful she looks.....' He tried to bring me out of the grief very slowly. He filled the void that her death left in my life. But, I am still not able to come to terms with her death...It is a void that no one can ever fill.

Kirtana: I agree with you. The love and support he gave us will continue to give us inspiration ever, forever.

Nandana: That is true. I shared a special relationship with him. He gave me life. He taught me how to live. He had a stoic attitude, but had a great acumen for progressive thoughts. He was an inspiration to many, but he never idolized any one. Mother was very straightforward. She never hesitated to say anything. She was emotional and demostrative. She always implored to develop an originality that was inimitable. Creativity is the legacy that they left behind for us.

Kirtana: You have acted in films, didn't you?

Nandana: Yes. I am a theatre artiste. I act in Hindi and Kannada plays. I work as a trade union leader. I run an NGO that looks after the health and education of poor children in rural areas. I hope to see people participate actively in the functioning of democratic India. I am working from the grass root level. We now have a corrupted, violence abetting polluted democracy. My other ambition is to fight against privatization.

Nagasundari - in Telugu

Translated - By Sujatha Gopal

(Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi, 'Navya')