I often think about how identities change over decades and centuries and the Illusion of Permanence. When Dada Harchandrai ( my Paternal Grandfather) migrated from Sindh to Delhi, he came along with few family members – There is (Late) Dada Kakumal’s family who stay next door to us and a few other Teckchandani cousin families spread across Delhi and Mumbai. Apart from them, we have no clue about who all were there in the broader Teckchandani clan in Village Jepota/ Kandiaro ( our ancestral hometown now in Pakistan). A couple of months back, the three of us ( I along with Monica and Nandhri Gauri) went to Haridwar for a short vacation. Given my interest in exploring family lineage, I contacted a Panda ( Brahmin) whose contact details were shared by Rajinder Nagar Panchayat Brahmin, Maharaj Shashikant. Maharaj Anirudh Sharma further referred us to Maharaj Balkrishna whose ancestors for two centuries have maintained family details of all those who were and subsequently migrated from Sahiti region . Maharaj Balkrishna immediately upon meeting us enquired if we had relatives in Mehsana, Gujarat. I told him that I was not aware of any Teckchandani family in Mehsana and queried as to why does he ask. He replied that the same morning, he had another Teckchandani family from Mehsana who had visited him and were also enquiring about their family lineage. He said whilst I wasn’t aware but as per Patri ( his records) both of us are related as we have a common ancestry. Such has been the brunt of partition that most Sindhi families are unaware about the extended relations that were broken during the movement from Sindh to India. It was a fascinating experience to sit down with Maharaj and have a look at the records with details of our ancestry which has proven to be of great assistance in developing the family tree that I have been working on. Not to forget, Haridwar in itself is a divine experience. Maharaj did share with me the insightful details of how one Mr. Gyanchand Teckchandani had visited Haridwar some 102 years ago and helped the Panda update our family tree. River Ganga ( Maa Ganga) is also known as Patita Pavani, the cleanser of all impurities and bestower of Moksha.
On another note, I am eagerly looking forward to Thadri next month ( 3rd September). Whilst every few months , I do ask mummy to pachao ( Sindhi word for Cooking) Lolas , there is something magical in eating Lolas on Thadri Day with loads of Butter. Whilst in many families, along with Mitho Lolas there is also Besani that is cooked, personally I am biased towards Mitho Lolo and Chautha ( Triangular cakes) !.
I end with a link to celebrity Chef Vicky Ratnani recipe for Lolas and Besani. I am so happy to see Sindhi cuisine now getting attraction from top of the league chef's like Saeen Vicky. I hope the trend continues in the future as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITla84gkuSM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0vl3Os2h-k
Thadri Jee Lakh Lakh Wadhaiyun !
