My paternal grandmother Ratni Bai Chordia is an amazing woman with the ability to make everyone feel special. Among her 28 grandkids, I’d like to believe I’m one of Amma’s favourite granddaughters! Despite being traditional, she has adapted herself to changing times; she is strong and independent, goes to restaurants and movies, and loves to cook for us. In fact, every time I visit her, she prepares my favourite dish kath chawal (a tempered soup-like dish served with steamed rice and tur dal) for me.

One of the most striking things about Amma is her attire—she has always dressed in the traditional Rajasthani ghaghra odhna, with lots of jewellery. As a child, I would be mesmerised by all the colours and bling! Amma is 94 now but her love for jewellery remains intact. Even though she dresses rather simply now, she scolds us lovingly when we do not dress up in finery. One of my beautiful childhood memories is how Amma adorned her feet with anklets, something I love wearing too.

When I got married in 2012, she gifted me a beautiful handcrafted gold necklace—it was given to her by her father-in-law and has been in the family for generations. I wear the necklace ardently—it is my favourite piece of jewellery not just because of its beauty but the legacy it embodies. Indeed, Amma shines on in her own life, and through all those whose lives she has touched.

—Manasvi M, 30, Chennai

Photo: Sneha M
Featured in Harmony — Celebrate Age Magazine
September 2017

• Legacy of love

• Crafted with devotion

• True love points North

• When time stands still

• Wrapped in love

• Threads of memory

• Silver lining

• Sharing her ‘mettle’

• Pocketful of love

• Katy and me

• The whole kit