Tendulkarji was a unique individual, perhaps somewhere else in the world another such may exist. I have known him since 1974-75, nearly 35 years of his earthly life. He was extremely humble and grounded with no airs or graces of being a famous playwright.
I once asked him if it had been his ambition to become a writer, journalist or a literate personality, his reply was ‘No, I was a school dropout and didn’t complete my studies. I was more interested in watching cricket in the maidan. I worked in my father’s printing press and started writing short stories, took up journalism, after which I never looked back; I kept on writing. It came to me effortlessly… not with the intention of contributing to society or literature, it just happened! This surprised me that a man could reach such heights effortlessly without having the intention to do so, to this he nodded and said it was a perspective and let it pass.
Tendulkarji had the same approach, attitude and behavior towards everybody he met irrespective of their economical or social status or otherwise. Be it a dependant person on the street asking for alms, the top most politicians, the most renowned literate personality or royalty.
I was very close to the family, right from Mrs. Tendulkar, his three daughters; Sushma, Priya and Tanu, his son Raja and even his grand children Bunty and Jhumki. In fact his last photo with me that I have was taken by his granddaughter Jhumki just 2 months before his passing.
I happened to be around when he breathed his last at 7.45 in the morning. I woke up sensing restlessness around me and saw nurses running into his room. I rushed in with them from the bench I was sleeping on outside his room and held his hand while they were attempting to resuscitate him. I was holding his hand while he breathed his last and the machine flat lined, his hand slipped out from my hand, which made me almost drop to the floor. This experience will stay with me till the end of my life.
Haidar Ali
A very heart touching article on Mr Tendulkar..Thanks Hyder!
Extremely heart touching article on Mr Tendulkar…
Thanks Hyder!
This brings back to me innumerable moments of togetherness with Baba. Yes that ‘s what I called him and always will be. Even today daily, I remember him with his family(Atiabai, Sudhamaushi, Raju, Priya, Ghanu Kaka Aee and himself Baba) at my “thanksgiving Mass” as I remember the departed souls. For me Baba was a true modern day saint. Reading your article made me think of the times he told me of you. He loved you Heider and had great admiration for you. That such a man walked this earth and God made his path touch mine was a great gift to me. Thanks for this beautiful piece of Memories. We must meet to just talk about Baba–Fr.Joe
thanks sir to give me new ideas on tendulkar sir…cos i am doing my research on vijay tendulkar ji…