→ January 1, 2023 | Reading time: ~1 minute
The year was a mixed bag. Of many happinesses: Chellam and Podimol coming into our lives and bringing along joy and responsibilities in equal measures; moving into this lovely old house in the Nilgiris; R exhibiting work at the India Art Fair; KL11 being able to mentor students for the first time; many long trips for work and otherwise; good food; family gatherings. Of many things that humbled and saddened in excess: Kalyani’s many old-age-driven health problems; P and family’s sudden passing in a road accident; R’s papa leaving us after a week-long ICU-stay; associated complications and stresses; being with the many old people (‘bystanders’) lost in the corridors of TVM Medical College.
The courses this year were all excellent — the students did more and better work in the weeks we were together than I had any realistic right to expect. The colleges often felt less like going home — thanks to the bureaucracy and general slowness in moving things. KL11 has had a wonderful and exciting — if a bit too full of meetings — year.
But it has mostly been about loved ones leaving. Here’s hoping for many better revolutions around the universe.
Sun sets in Kuppady. Chellam on a superlong makeshift leash. Mathai’s snacks. Mellow conversation. Fog.