In Memoriam — Keki Daruwalla: A Tribute, by Anju Makhija

I first met Keki when I was launching my first  book in Delhi. I had just returned from Canada and did not know him at all. When I called him, he said, of course I will be there! Genuine friendliness, no pretentions. That was a start of a friendship  that would go on for decades. Keki made everyone feel special because he was special…

And while the pandas calculate

the amount of merit that accrues to you

at each specific ghat, you cross the pyers

bowing your head to the finality of fate.

Behind the heart-haze rising from the fires,

objects shimmer, dance, levitate.

You face reality on a different plane

Where death vibrates behind a veil of fire.

We all know of  his immense contribution to literature, his academic excellence, his accolades, his many positions…but,  above all,  he taught us what it means to be truly human. For me, whenever I was with Keki, I felt  the presence of an unknown power that drives us to do our best. And the ‘lightness’ surrounding him–even in serious circumstances–was exemplary. One may attribute this to his sense of humour or maturity…but I believe it was something that defies mundane explanations.

Years later, when Keki was invited to be chairperson of the English Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademie…he called, one day, and said: I will not take no for an answer. Why me, I asked…better you seek a serious scholar. He insisted that I would give him a new perspective’.

So that was it ! A wonderful 5 years followed as we held meetings in different places and discussed ideas with other Board members like Alok Bhalla.

I could go on…but, at this moment, I only feel gratitude to have known him. And there is comfort in the knowledge that he was looked after by his two daughters right till the end, Keki received the care and respect he deserved. Delhi friends were also always ready to help. I had planned to spend 2 days with him next month in Delhi… But fate willed otherwise. I ask myself now: do such souls really depart?

Dearest Keki, thank you from all of us. You wanted to be a musician in your next birth…

I close my eyes and listen…