An Author’s Afternoon was taken by a storm on 19th September 2019 by the author of ‘Feisty at Fifty’, Sudha Menon, who bowled over her audience with her unpretentious, folksy disposition. Sudha Menon had everyone eating out of her hand from the moment the session commenced and she lodged into various episodes of this phase in her life. The ladies were all ears for her to share the woeful and not so woeful state of affairs of the much apprehended 50’s. Sudha was in conversation with Kolkata’s Ehsaas woman Esha Dutta who was already drooling over the book.
Sudha aspired to write this particular book probably to tick off those people who think turning 50 meant the end of one’s individual entity and now you are only meant to live your life through the lives of your children or choose to hibernate and seek Moksha. The peals of laughter and the giggles in The Chambers of Taj Bengal resembled a classroom full of chirpy teenagers. The excerpts she shared from her book addressed precarious issues such as menopause, marital relationship, maternal conflicts, parental disconnect with such ease.
The desire to buy a simple thing such as a red lipstick at the ripe age of 50 can cause such turmoil of emotions is definitely not something many would have the courage to disclose. Or for that matter her candid revelations of the transition in her marital affinity with Hassled Harry aka her husband. On having reached the Big Five-Oh, Sudha feels that she has started looking at life with renewed verve. Her bucket list has grown along it too. An all girls trip with her mother, siblings and the daughters is high on her planning agenda.
When she was younger her mother and she would invariably get into a “You should be doing this” zone. However with age Sudha has mellowed towards her idiosyncrasies and treasures and cherishes each moment spent with her. Despite her best intention she sees herself as being the reflection of her mother when it comes to her daughter and realises that we women are conditioned to be worriers and caregivers, as it’s our most innate quality. Humbly she declares that just the fear of not having her around forever has made her even more conscientious and tolerant.
Being 50 is all being you. If wearing red or colouring your hair gives you joy you should go for it she advises. Sudha acknowledges that this generation truly inspires her especially her daughter who has taught her some of the most precious life wisdom. Women of this generation have more courage. She had spent most of her younger years worrying about what people would say especially her parents but having reached Fifty, Sudha mirrors the image of a woman who is determined to get what she wants from life. She has no qualms in talking about her crush on Shahrukh Khan or about her relationship with Hassled Harry or for that matter what women want from life at this age.
Noted film personality Arindam Seal felicitated Sudha a traditional Dokra artefact. The welcome note was delivered by a representative of our associate Taj Bengal.
