“True friends are never apart Maybe in distance but never in heart”
Yes! A true friend accepts who you are, as you are, but also helps you become who you should be.
Today I am going to talk about one such friend, my best friend Sudha Chaudhary who died in 2022.
An artist by profession, freelance illustrator and graphic designer, Sudha Chowdhry specialized in detailed, realistic, and stylized work for children’s books – both fiction and academic. She had to her credit over 10 postal stamps, 38 First Day Covers, and brochure covers.
She held a solo exhibition of oil on canvas – Colours of the Sand -2001. She was awarded, ‘Best illustrator 2005’ by AWIC India, for artwork in the picture book, “The butterfly who said on the Rainbow.”
I met Sudha Chaudhary at the crosswords of life we both were going through. We held each other’s hand and the time spent was no less than the stardust on our palms. We created our own little Paradise of happiness. She told me one day “Kiren, always remain well dressed, that you carry your confidence in your own eyes, and not seek validation for it.” These words became the maxim for my life. Whatever I am today, I owe it to my best friend Sudha.
1st April 24, was her 2nd death Anniversary. It was my ardent desire to compile her work in the form of a book and launch it on her 2nd birth anniversary posthumously. I’m grateful for all family members who were in unison with the idea and we launched the book “In Her Words” at her younger sister Dr Geeta Tara’s and also connected online with family members abroad.
It was an overwhelming moment for all of us. I baked a cake for my friend followed by dinner. All the dishes were made of her choice. Thank you Dr. Geeta for being such a wonderful host.
MY LAST LETTER TO MY FRIEND
My dearest Sudha,
With teary eyes and an aching heart I’m writing this letter to you. Ever since I came from Ranchi in the last week of December, I had called 2, 3 times to know when I could come and see you. My phone calls went unanswered.
Time slipped by, but your frail self-kept coming into my thoughts now and then. When Sanju called and broke the deadly news that you were no more, it
was no less a bombshell to me.
Just look at the irony, I couldn’t come either to be by your side one last time bidding you that last goodbye.
My prim and proper friend!
Whatever I am today is and was because of your unconditional loving support in life. You taught me to rise and shine again, reposing my self-esteem and instilling confidence to stand up in life with dignity.
The time spent together partying, drinking Peach schnapps, Bailey’s, etc. while holding a toast to our friendship was a golden period of my life.
Those times will never come again. You have left me with an aching heart and a desire unfulfilled.
I wish you were there in my lap when you breathed your last…just as you did for your mother.
Rest in peace dear friend till we meet again in some life together rejoicing again with a toast to our friendship. Praying for your happy transition to the next life Kiren.
