Komala Seshadri

07/07/1931 - 08/18/2022

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Obituary For Komala Seshadri

It is my painful duty to mark my beloved mother's passing so soon after my illustrious father's death a few months ago. They were married for 75 eventful years, crowded in a tumultuous life. Mother didn't have much of a formal education, though she displayed a wide interest in many fields and instilled in us a propensity to work hard and cultivate discipline.

She had a passion for music, and sang in an exceptionally sweet voice. Throughout her life, she attended concerts, warmed up to musicians, encouraged numerous youngsters to develop. My parents regularly conducted Bhajans and I can recall countless instances of her sweet voice enriching the evening and making me get lost in the melodious air.

My father's career took her to many places - Jabalpur, Calcutta, Agra, Delhi, and Kuwait - she provided us wherever we went, with a super clean, well managed home, tasty delicious food, low key soft spoken advice - she held us to high standards and achievements - but without much pressure. She did all this even though throughout her life she suffered from crippling migraine which would have incapacitated a lesser person. She was also prone to depression and fought that malady throughout her life. She never let those handicaps interfere with her wide reading, her abiding interest in music and dance.

She was extremely fond and proud of her lovely family, with exceptionally talented elders - and because of her we are rich in family lore and love for them which has enriched our life.

She was always open to new experiences. She taught herself driving at the age of 60; accompanied father in a road expedition from Kuwait to London via 13 countries - staying in camp sites all along the way, and cooking the rigid diet that would please father.

Parting from us when we were still children in India in order to accompany father in Kuwait was very hard for her. She took on those responsibilities despite her sadness and her poor health.

Talking to the wide circle of friends and relatives that she touched has been very moving for me - to realize that this quiet lady with her soft spoken speech has inspired so much affection and love in so many.

Though she loved all the cultural delights that Madras life had to offer, she chose to spend her last years with me, among other reasons, so she could be close to her beloved grandchildren who doted on her - for this I am very grateful. I hope that God grants me the strength to bear the void that her departure has left in my life.

Services

28 Aug

Chapel Service

02:00 PM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • 08/28/2022

    We are sorry for your loss. "Komala manni " was always very warm and welcoming when we visited her at Chennai. We will miss her. We are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Anu and Sriram

  • 08/28/2022

    Kombli periamma was always there for us. She was kind and generous and gave me great comfort everytime we talked. She was also a source of tremendous support for my mother throughout her life. Her love for all of us is deeply appreciated and will be greatly missed.

  • 08/28/2022

    Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Komala Periamma had stood by me from the time I stepped foot into the family. Showing the way as an elder of the family and easing the pain of new bride jitters of adjusting to a new family. As the years progressed, and every time I was in India, I wouldn't miss an opportunity to spend some time with her. She would reciprocate through lovely gestures and thoughtful advices. One incident I cannot ever forget, is the time she came to help me handle my delivery of my second daughter. As she learned that there was no help coming for me, she flew in from California and stayed with me for three weeks. She was well into her seventies by then. She amazed me with her stamina and grit during that time and beyond. The presence of an elder during the early stages did wonders to calm a mother and help move on with handling a newborn and a preschooler. As the years progressed she would never forget to call and wish my daughter on her birthday from wherever she was. Her enthusiasm for life and facing challenges head on is a quality I admire from her. She will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace!!🙏🙏

  • 08/27/2022

    I have known Akka from a young age and have fond memories of being with her. She was a very kind, gentle and generous person. Always thinking about the well being of others. In the recent past visited her when she was in Adyar and we had a good time recollecting the past. Will miss her. Praying for her soul to rest in peace. Kala Santhanam

  • 08/27/2022

    I am truly sorry to hear about Athai. I remember Athai and Athimber's visits to our house in Madras. They cared for so much for extended family that they visited us in New York. Athai will be missed and will never be forgotten. May her soul Rest In Peace.

  • 08/27/2022

    Our heartfelt condolences to chitti's family. It is hard to digest 3 deaths in a short span of time. She is fond of all of us and esp Amma Thangachi akka. It is an irreparable loss to all of us. Pray and wish her soul reach the lotus feet of the Almighty .

  • 08/27/2022

    Komli athai......we knew from our young age as sister of my dad. And she stayed close to our place as well. She used to attend all family functions and was very fond of all of us. Visits to her house were never complete without a good dosage of foreign chocolates.... in those days it was a rarity for us. Later years, it became coffee.....don't know if she drank it, but the colour, texture, and taste was very similar to what my mom used to make. Now that she has embarked on another exciting journey, i will wait till i am summoned to join her. There is a big crowd of aunts and uncles congregating up above, and with all of them around, it is going to fun and laughter only......miss you lovely lady. Om Shanti.

  • 08/27/2022

    Kombli chitti from whenever I could remember her was a very determined person and a fighter to the end. She fought against all the sicknesses she had and the pressure of re-location to a foreign land being separated from her children. Amma and she shared a special bond and being the person she was Kombli chitti never called her Andu akka but only Andu !!! I remember all the times when Amma used to stay in Chennai in the Late 1990s & early 2000s she used to specially ask Amma to prepare chinna vengayam kozhumbu that she could come and enjoy. She visited us in Bangkok as well and the two sisters had a great time. Once we moved to Bangalore in 2009 the interactions became all the more regular. She really wanted Amma to move to Chennai to spend time together but unfortunately that was not to be the case. She is the only person who never forgot to call me on Appa's birthday, Amma's birthday and ofcourse my birthday. Taking about Appa, I think he was the only person I know to whom Chitti would listen to !!! Needless to say they their interactions were a joy to watch. When Appa died both chitti and chittappa were there for the entire 13 days and provided much needed support. She had a wide circle of friends and maintained touch with all known relatives and would go out of the way to be in touch with them. After I moved to Chennai, chitti's home was my second home and we would be in constant touch and at the very least some time every weekend would be spent in chitti's home. She was always rustling up some savouries and made sure I carried some back with me as well. For Kripa & Krithi she was their favourite Ipod paati. She would make them sing and dance and this was one home where they never said No. They in turn would always enquire about both chitti and chittappa as they were the home electricians fixing the TV or the phone for chitti !!! She gave them all her music books, religious texts and showered them with all her love and blessings. I cannot but quote from the last time I heard her sing where she sang Himagiri Thaneya Hemalathe which chitappa had sung for their wedding Nalangu: " Sree Lalita, you are the daughter of the king of Himalayas. You are also known as Hemalata, Amba and Eeswari. Please protect me. Lakshmi, Saraswati also adore you. You are the Raja Rajeswari and also the sister of Lord Vishnu. You have the 'pasa' and 'ankusam' in your hands. O Mother, you are transcendental. You are the cheerful and the embodiment of bliss. Your valour is limitless. " It has been tough to handle Mano anna's demise followed by that of Seshadri chitappa and now chitti's demise is a big blow. It brings to close an era when the four daughters of Rajam Iyengar and Sundaravalli Ammal spread love where ever they went and to them there was nothing more important than family and no sacrifice for their family was too big. Praying for her soul to rest in peace at the lotus feet of Lord Ranganathar.

  • 08/26/2022

    OUR HEART Felt Condolences MAY HER SOLE REST IN PEACE AT LOTUS FEET OF LORD SRIRANGANATHR RANGA And RANGASWAMY

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