Monday, November 10, 2008

Nobel Nadine

How does one feel spending an evening with a living legend?? Nadine Gordimer wears her greatness lightly (like truly great people must!! And do). Her tiny presence is enough, given her towering reputation. She speaks with the alertness of an inquisitive bird warbling away.... her eyes are alive and watchful.... she doesn't miss a trick..... doesn't mince her words. She is firm and imperious, entirely in charge and on top of life. At 85 she travels the world restlessly, and observes the minutest details of her surroundings. Travelling with her lovely grand daughter Paule (whose sister is named Pascale!!!), Nadine's schedule in India was punishing enough. She was leaving for Kolkata at dawn and then on to Mexico, after meeting several Bong intellectuals , the guv of West Bengal, the press corps. Phew.I watched her eat a small serving of saffron rice with meticulous precision. She wanted to know all about gulab jamuns.... and papdi chaat, naans and parathas. Sprightly and vivacious, she was aware of being Nadine Gordimer - Nobel Laureate - but it did not weigh her down. She must have to process dozens of strangers a day, and force herself to be polite and charming to bores and pests. She does so like a trouper, a seasoned pro, never allowing the hint of a smile to leave her small, weathered, chiselled face. Her words are gracious, measured and queenly. She even flirts!! Discreetly pointing to a young and handsome waiter, she sighed, "Isn't he beautiful?" He was. She'd noticed! Nadine is a babe. A super babe. I want to be like her at 85. Now all I need is a grand daughter....

8 comments:

Harish said...

Amen!

you paused at 40... and show no signs of aging...

a super babe you are! and will be.

And grand daughter... wish she comes soon in your life.

P.S. Why just grand daughter??? na na... Ask one of your kids to adopt me. I need a Sexy Granny too...

lol!

rainboy said...

i second *Aham*. ;D

Kush said...

Nice to have a first person account, she seems a very interesting personality. Hope you can somehow include something abt her in STOI.

♥ Braja said...

Shobhaa, I stumbled across your site and was surprised to see the same as my own blog. I have been ambling thru your posts and will possibly spend more hours doing the same; drop in sometime, it will be a pleasure to have you.
Cheers :)
Braja

Anonymous said...

:)

Anonymous said...

oh You will make a sexy granny..alrite!!

Pinku said...

i think Aham has said it all...you are too good...and even as a granny you will be really awesome...no worries..

Anonymous said...

Nadine Gordimer is a JEW and I dont like her - she sounds very FAKE and canniving... and I doubt she really gives a shit for blacks or indians or even christians.. she only cares about other JEWS really... like they all do.