A Different Kind of Suchanda

"I am always in a garden, a garden that has many-hued flowers. These flowers have a bittersweet smell and an inescapable aura. I while away my entire day taking care of them, talking to them. Sometimes a sense of fulfillment resonates through the bosom of my heart, yes I always had longed for this garden that I could call of my own. These flowers are my grandchildren."

Suchanda is an incredible name of the Bangladeshi entertainment industry. A name that probably leaves all the compliments inadequate. She is a timeless beauty. The heartthrob heroine of the 60s still shimmers in the light, as if a light illuminated her from within. Her radiant smile and bewitching eyes still cast their charisma on everyone.

This woman has witnessed a number of transitions in life, several ups and downs, victories and downfalls. Yet, she never surrendered to the destiny and was resolute in her battle of life. She always had shielded her sisters from all the hazards like a shelter.  These days the only reasons to her happiness and delight are her grandchildren. She treasures them.

"Our mother died at a very early age. Baba often used to fall sick. Suddenly Jahir left us too. I took all the responsibilities of the family on myself but never gave up." Personally Suchanda is a wonderfully helpful woman. Even while going through the golden era of her career, she was known for her innate tendency of helping others. Suchana has treated every human being equally throughout her entire life.

Suchanda is now a busy woman. What does she do? That is one common question she faces these days. The answer does not really change. Her whole day passes in a twinkling of an eye, looking after her dearest grandchildren.

"I have eight grandchildren. Their existence stirs such an omnipresent emotion in me that I feel they were always there with me. This life seems so familiar to me. This is the life I have been living from the beginning. I want to rear and nurture them." This is Suchanda's dream about her grandsons and granddaughters.

The sentiments and emotions are mutual. Her grandchildren share a natal bond with her. To some of them she is a great cook and to some, an eternal lighthouse.

Eid with Suchanda is always fun and happening. “All of them are before my eyes, traipsing all over the house, laughing. I tell them my life stories. They sit around me and I become their center of their attention. Thus the day ends in a moment. My grandchildren love eating the food cooked by me. That is a different level of satisfaction. I sometimes hand-feed them and they devour the food in a second”, said Suchanda.

“Once my grandkids had organised a play. It was a surprise. They brought all of us and made us sit together. All on a sudden one entered the room and started imitating me. Then Babita in disguise entered. And Champa came to sum up. We laughed a lot. At the same time I was very happy and proud to have them as my successors.

My Eid is all about them now. I breathe for these flowers. Their fragrance keeps beguiling my heart and soul. I want their essences to cross all the boundaries to offer help to all. I will not live for eternity. But my ideology and principles can obtain immortality through their lives. May they learn to walk barefoot on grass.” Mariam, Suchanda's granddaughter, suddenly interrupts, "We won't let you die Nani. You will live for us, within us, forever!"