We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Radha Balakrishnan. There are so many memories to celebrate..let us all get together to pay tribute to her.
From Kumar and Deepa ( UK):
I met her for the first time in Anna Nagar before our engagement in 2005 and I remember how she stood out amongst everyone in the family - tall, majestic, charming with the most beautiful smile. Barely 2 weeks after our... moreFrom Kumar and Deepa ( UK):
I met her for the first time in Anna Nagar before our engagement in 2005 and I remember how she stood out amongst everyone in the family - tall, majestic, charming with the most beautiful smile. Barely 2 weeks after our marriage, when we landed in Pune for Ravi’s marriage to (her) Deepa in April 2006, she welcomed and pampered us with what I then came to realise was Mami’s trademark hospitality.
Whilst I have never had the good fortune of visiting her in her Bombay home, me and Kumar were lucky to spend time together in UK whenever she came here to visit Ravi and family. I remember that afternoon vividly, when sitting in London Greenwich Park 3 years ago on 10th June 2017 , she was so happy that we are all having this great family get-together abroad and especially raving about the falafels and humous that we had for lunch :) Whether at home or outside, the joy and cheer she spread around her was absolutely infectious. We had a wonderful time together again in Ganesh’s wedding and never did we imagine that the bye she told us when she sent us off to the airport would be the last I ever saw her..
A proud mother, a proud mother-in-law and an even prouder grandmother, she was the most loved Dadi!!! Whether it is her grandchildren or our kids, the pampering that she showered on children was a sight to behold - she was really an epitome of unconditional love!
Distance never mattered to her and just as she connected seamlessly with her family when they were seas apart, there is no doubt that her soul will always be with us all from high up there and bless everyone especially the new-member-to-be.
Rest in peace Mami knowing that your family here are staying strong and celebrating your beautiful life.
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From Ganesh :
Radha mami ... Where do I start? She has been associated with my life probably from day 1 ... I was born in Garodia 😊 So it always holds a special place, everytime I go by that place I think of the place and the only apartment/flat that I know of - Nishant Bhavan. Neat and tidy house like no other (mami ensured nothing looked out of place ever) and the food 😊 Mami was a pro in making wonderful dishes and hospitality … still remember first time she gave me home-made ice cream (the famous ice cream maker 😊)
Being in Chennai and with limited communication facilities, my interaction was limited to one-off visits and family functions. The mami who always wore a charming smile and fun to be with 😊 Always loved the enthusiasm that mami had when it came to travel and having fun. The memories from our UK trip as a big family group will always remain very special 😊
My wedding happened to be the last big family function and being the eldest mami around in the wedding, she played a crucial role in all events of the marriage…with so much life and enthusiasm. Luckily, mama and mami decided to stay with us for few days after marriage. What a gala time we all had. Looking back, am glad we got that chance to meet and spend some time with her.
I would like to remember mami for her smile and charm with which she used to carry herself. Hence, the smileys above as I am sure she wouldn't want us to lose the smile on our faces 😊 She will be missed big time and may her soul rest in peace.
Balan mama and family - Prayers from all of us to help you get through this. Though physically she may not be around with us, she is ever present in the smile of Ravi/Rajesh. Sure she wil be watching over you all from time to time. Also, no matter where we all are, we are always there for you guys. Take care. less
From Ganesh & Vidya:
Dear Ravi ,Rajesh,
God could not be everywhere, so he created A Mother. Radha chithi has brought up the both of you with so much love, care, affection and good values and that has proved itself in the way you both have been... moreFrom Ganesh & Vidya:
Dear Ravi ,Rajesh,
God could not be everywhere, so he created A Mother. Radha chithi has brought up the both of you with so much love, care, affection and good values and that has proved itself in the way you both have been raised to such high levels of achievements and laurels in your education and career lives. She has always been a smiling and warm person with so much love for Life itself. May the Lord Rest her Soul in peace.We pray that the family seeks strength through this testing times. Last to say -The body leaves by the Soul stays forever .So Our dear Radha chithi will be remembered and is here to stay with us to eternity! less
From Kumar (Hyderabad):
you will be remembered as a person who spread happiness wherever you went. I can longer see with my eyes but you will always stay in my heart for ever
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From Chitra (Hyderabad):
Radha mami was such a lovable and warm person... moreFrom Kumar (Hyderabad):
you will be remembered as a person who spread happiness wherever you went. I can longer see with my eyes but you will always stay in my heart for ever
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From Chitra (Hyderabad):
Radha mami was such a lovable and warm person who gave each relationship and each person a special place in her heart. Her presence created an aura of happiness and comfort feeling to me when ever I met her.
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From Sirisha (Hyderabad):
first thing we can think about Radha attai is her smiling face. That radient smile which lit up her face is ingrained in my memory. Radha attai has a way with people. She can make anyone feel at home talking to her. She took a part of all our heart with her. less
From Raman:
I was staying with her in GARODIA Nagar since 1976 till I shifted to Borivali in 1981. There were lots of events and functions in the family where she was in the forefront. The most remembrances were: Along with Narayanan we went to Night... moreFrom Raman:
I was staying with her in GARODIA Nagar since 1976 till I shifted to Borivali in 1981. There were lots of events and functions in the family where she was in the forefront. The most remembrances were: Along with Narayanan we went to Night show at Sahakar Theatre to watch Don in 1978 and Hum kissise kum Nahin in 1977 watching in the front row at Odeon cinema Ghatkopar when we had rush to the theatre in the last minute. Her untimely death is really shocking for all of us and will take longer to get over.
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From Usha:
31st August 1981 is the day when I entered Nishant BHAVAN. Right from that day we were very good friends. So many jokes many secrets and exchanging so many gifts. Every weekends meeting going to eat street food ,going to parlour, exchanging sarees etc.How can I ever forget her. Outings together to Europe trip. We four of us had lot of fun, Trivandrum attended a wedding where we had a special funny named ice-cream for which we had a hearty laugh .At Trivandum we had backwaters boating also. We had a family picnic in London.Whenever she was there for NEMMARA trip it was fun sharing the same room talking , joking etc. So many get-together s always in the forefront. Always smiling and well dressed. When Ravi was a small child they used to come to Borivali used to go for bachan 's movies-
Her favourite actor. She used to get excited when there was any fighting scene. I used to get lot of pinches from her. Our last meeting was in Chennai this January. Stayed with us for 2 days. Went out for dinner had fun which is unforgettable .Never ever dreamt she would leave all of us and go.Many more memories are there but I am not able to put in. I pray God for her soul to rest in peace.
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From Anusha:
Radha periamma was a constant in my childhood...I don't remember many weekends that were not spent in Garodia Nagar. I even remember spending some summer vacations there. Our houses were 10 mins away and I have literally grown up with Ravi and Rajesh. Ravi, jaishankar, Rajesh (later) and I used to play whole day...board games, cards, running around the house ...not once do I remember periamma telling us to not make noise or to not mess up. She used to maintain her house so well, so imagine what a mess we had made of it!
I also have pleasant memories of watching a circus with all of them. The one thing I will always remember is her smile and energy when she opened the door. The first thing she used to give me was a nice hot cup of tea.
You name a function or ritual ...it has been conducted in garodia and Periamma was a master at conducting them.
When Rajesh was a small baby, periappa and periamma not only gave me full freedom to play with him but also let me name him!
Her craze for movies was well known and she had great company in Appa and Narayanan chitappa! After a few years, we went to watch Abhishek bachchan's flop movie together at Sahakar theatre.
Over time,however, the interactions were limited to family functions. Unexpectedly, She stayed with us for 2 days in February earlier this year and it was good to connect after so many years.
Her world revolved around her happy family and they meant everything to her.
As a family, we have some great memories with her that we will treasure forever.
Periappa, Ravi, Rajesh, Deepa , neha, Akshay , Arjun and the new member that we are all waiting for...pls know that ,we , as a family, are with you guys always.. let us all celebrate her life by remembering these moments. less
From Priya:
Dear Radha Periamma
I am falling short of words to express my heart-felt feelings. You have left behind a vacuum in my life which will never be filled in this lifetime. But I would always remember you with that beautiful smile on your face... moreFrom Priya:
Dear Radha Periamma
I am falling short of words to express my heart-felt feelings. You have left behind a vacuum in my life which will never be filled in this lifetime. But I would always remember you with that beautiful smile on your face that twinkeled in your eyes. You always treated me and Krithi like your daughters with immense love and affection. I have fond memories of you sharing the delicious cuisines that you tried your hands on and shared the recipes with me with so much excitement. I am going to miss you Periamma.
But I am sure you are up there and watching over all of us like you have always did. Will remember all the fond memories that will only bring smiles on my face. Rest in peace and love you always Periamma❤️
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From Krithika:
My beautiful memories with Radha Periamma are right from my childhood days when i use to look forward to all those family functions and birthdays every other month. Periamma made sure that every occasion was a smooth affair and memorable. Her taste for fashion was something I was always in awe of! Not once do I remember seeing Periamma's nails deprived of paint :) She was always impeccably dressed and graced every family event with her beautiful smile. Innumerable travels that we made together right from Nemmare to UK have only added to more gracious moments that will only stay in my heart forever.
"The family functions won't be the same anymore without your gracious presence Periamma. I am going to miss the vibrance and happiness that you brought along with you, the light humors that we shared and the small conversations we had whenever we met, which would be about anything and everything under the sun. I am going to miss you badly but I would want to treasure all the amazing memories I have had with you in this lifetime and will try and be happy thinking that you are watching over all of us from above."
Love you dear Radha Periamma :)
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From Narayanan:
The memories from1972 is still so fresh when you first time came to meet us in Nemarra as a family friend. At that time and point we never knew you are soon going to be one amongst us. From the day you got married and came home I shared a very special bond with you. Right from hanging out for movies to having lengthy chatters we four had a blast. You were more like a sister and friend than a sister in-law. I will miss our weekly catch-ups on the phone which used to run for hours together. I have so many memories with you etched in my heart which are irreplaceable. Wish we had more time to create many such memories! Nevertheless you will always be special to us for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace Radha Manni
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From Anandi:
You were our guiding light in each and every occasion in the family. Whether the occasion was small or big we use to look upto you for your advice...Now all those occasions are never going to be the same without you being around. But we know you will always be looking upon us from wherever you are !!! We will miss you immensely Radha Manni less
From Uma Natarajan (US) :
I remember the first time I saw Radha chithi, which was at her wedding! I remember the trip to Kolkata as part of a large entourage on the heels of Vasantha Athai’s wedding. (Not sure if that was true but that is what I recall... moreFrom Uma Natarajan (US) :
I remember the first time I saw Radha chithi, which was at her wedding! I remember the trip to Kolkata as part of a large entourage on the heels of Vasantha Athai’s wedding. (Not sure if that was true but that is what I recall so will stick with that)!
Some good times with (bada) Kumar (who got to skip school! ) aside, the wedding for some reason stands out in my mind. This was my first chithi (paternal) and she was gorgeous and oh so very polished and of course was actually tall!! Always with a ready smile and a husky chuckle.
Soon thereafter Balan Chithappa and chithi made their mandatory(😀) Kalpakkam visit (I think patti and Thatha May have been there as well) which gave us more one on one time. They sure made a happy and contented couple even then.
Next was soon after Ravi’s birth when I visited Bombay (all by myself) ... I remember was after fourth grade so I was 9 or 10 years old! I recall how brave she was to let me hold and play with Ravi, to my hearts content, who was literally the best plaything ever to my 10 year old self!
As luck would have it, sInce that visit my interactions with chithi have mostly been short and rushed with various family functions, but every time the infectious smile was there along with a clear sense of family. I simply don’t remember seeing her upset or angry ever (May have fortuitously missed those moments but suspect they were likely very rare).
She was the epitome of a home maker who made sure those around her and in her “care”, both her closest and extended family, were well taken care of and comfortable.
Consummate hostess and thoughtful in her actions.
Last meeting for me was in 2017 summer in London which was again a pleasant and memorable albeit short evening.
I will remember you very fondly chithi as someone with a zest for life and impeccable taste who had her priorities very straight about family being first and foremost. I am sure there are innumerable positive memories for Chithappa and Ravi / Deepa/ Rajesh/Neha and for Arjun and Akshay that will keep you alive in their hearts for ever with a smile on their face! I know it will be so for me.
We will miss you so very much and hope you are happy and contented smiling down on us and looking over us wherever you are just as you did while you were among us. - UMA
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From Raja:
We are deeply shocked by the untimely demise of Radha Chithi and would like to convey our deepest heart-felt condolences to Balan Chithappa, Ravi and Rajesh!
I think my earliest memories of Radha Chithi is from Raman Chithappa's wedding, and memories of a few playful interactions with her. As a child, I remember thinking that she was the one exception in my entire family, both dad-side and mom-side, who was tall and matched her husband’s height! I also remember her looking surprised and sympathetically at me as the Nemmara brotherhood teased me for my infamous “kurruvi kadhai”. While I typically met the Bombay-clan at only weddings and periodic vacations, I have always enjoyed my conversations with Radha Chithi. I felt she had such a pleasant and endearing demeanor about her, and was fiercely attached to her children. I remember talking to her during the time Ravi was approaching college and asking her about his choices/preferences, her immediate reaction was that he stay in Bombay and close to her! I am so glad that things worked out that way and she was able to live her life exactly how she likely wished it would. Over the recent years, Visakha and I haven’t had the privilege of meeting up with Chithappa/Chithi as much as we would have liked, but the great thing about our family has always been its resilience despite long silences. We will forever cherish all the memories we have, and hope she rests in peace! less
Our beloved sister Radhamani, was not only a sister to us, but she was an angel who was our nurturer, well wisher, adivicer and caretaker! She will always be the first one to remind us, and our cousins on all important occasions of... moreFrom Jayaram:
Our beloved sister Radhamani, was not only a sister to us, but she was an angel who was our nurturer, well wisher, adivicer and caretaker! She will always be the first one to remind us, and our cousins on all important occasions of everybodies, whether birthday, marriage anniversaries, and or any other important occasions and all festivals. She is not physically with us but has left a bench marker in our hearts. We are joined by her love and affection, a binding which kept us bonded close all these years. I, Jayaram, recall the days when she used to take me on a tricycle in our childhood days. we used to have many fights, while listening to Binaca Geet Mala in regards to our favourite music director, playback singers and actors. hers being, RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, and mine, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, Mohammad Rafi and Dharmendra. - Jayaram
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From Jai Shankar:
I, Jai Shankar, remember pestering her for tiny toy animals, while she used to bring me back from school.Time is the only source of medicine to heal our wounds. But she will remain in our hearts and will be remembered forever.
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From Uma:
I, Uma Rani Jayaram, have lost a sister, whom I consulted before doing any function at home. she would always give the correct, apt and practical advices promptly as she will always be ready to help! Though we were very different, as she was a super home maker, and I was just an ordinary all rounder, but we were bound by one common factor, Our Children- Their interests, upbringing and their well being!
A Heart felt tribute from her brothers Jayaram and Jaishankar and Sister in law, Uma Rani Jayaram.
Finally it is for certain that she will attain Sathgathi. O Shanthi!
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From Aditya:
I still remember the times when me and atthai would share puzzles on whatsApp trying to challenge each other. I remember the times when I would travel often to mumbai when I was giving MBA entrance exams from pune and the times when she would tell me "next onnaku mumbai daan". I finally come here 3yrs later, but something far disturbing happens. To all the fond memories that I have had, for all the mumbai visits and to all of their visits to Bangalore, it is still unbelievable that we can't see her anymore. Wherever she is, she is with all of us. And her blessings with all.
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From Ambika:
Radha Athai, you're no longer with us, but our last memory of you is your beautiful smile, and that will remain with us forever, and remind us to keep smiling, no matter what comes our way, and deal with everything in a calm and poised way, just like you did... We shall stay strong, as that is what you would want ... In time, our grief may lessen, but not our love for you... May you find peace with the Gods above - Ambika less
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