Saturday, October 18, 2025

Padhu Athai (1938 to 2025)

Padhu Athai passed away earlier today (October 18, 2025) at her residence in Indira Nagar. As with Chakku Manni, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with her during my July-Aug India trip (earlier this year).  

Neela Akka  remembered her as a "vibrant personality". I was telling Neela Akka that I spotted her in a YouTube video in an event with Kanchi Periya at Ziva.  Vidya and I were thinking about her love for social causes, particularly go-samrakshanam, and how Neela Akka took us to the goshala at Ziva on our last visit. I will particularly remember her love for Jeeyapuram, and her efforts to celebrate Manimma's 80th birthday in 2008. Mami (Vidya's mother) forwarded me the message that was communicated in "Ziva news". Meera, Pushpa, Raja Anna and Geetha Manni posted condolence messages and shared their thoughts on a WhatsApp group.

Some photos from over the year are attached below.

At Uchi Pillaiyar Koil, Trichy, 1955

A few of Athai and Dhona Athimber's wedding photos from my father's album 




At my parents' wedding, 1958

After my father's return from the US, 1961

Besant Nagar residence (25 Beach Road), 12 June 1980


With Athimber, children, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren
Kalyani Sriram's wedding, June 2000

At Aarthi Rajiv's wedding, 2006

Some photos from Manimma's 80th birthday, Nov 2008



At my father's 80th birthday celebrations, Gandhi Nagar Club,27 Dec 2010 




Mayura, July 2017

L2R: Amma, Athai, Neela Akka, Nimmi Akka, 23 July 2022


Ziva, 22 July 2024 (almost exactly 2 years later)

Sadly, I did not take any photos during my 2025 trip.  

She will be missed dearly !

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