Chotu Bhaiya / Mama /Kaka
Some people remain close to us not merely because they are family, but because of the warmth, affection and ease with which they become an inseparable part of our lives. S. G. Varkhedkar ..our beloved Chotu Bhaiya, Mama and Kaka.. was one such person.
My memories of him go back to 1973, when our D. N. Dhanagare family returned from London and, on our arrival, stayed with Chotu Kaka and Manda Atya. That was the beginning of memories that have remained deeply cherished.
Chotu Kaka was an exceptionally affectionate person, yet what always struck me was how contemporary and progressive he remained. I never felt a generation gap while talking to him. He was always up to the times, interested in people and life, and had a wonderful ability to make conversation easy and comforting.
My admiration and affinity for him were strengthened during our time in England. Through his close friendship with Ajit Wadekar, then captain of the Indian cricket team, we had the extraordinary opportunity to meet the entire Indian team in 1971 at the Sussex County Ground. For me, that remains a very special memory and one of the many ways in which Chotu Kaka opened doors to experiences that stayed with us for life.
His friendships extended across every sphere. He had friends in the film industry, including Sudhir Dalvi, and connections with the Date family, associated with the legendary singer Arun Date. He seemed to know people everywhere, but more importantly, he valued those relationships.
He was also one of the closest people to my late father. Their bond was special. They shared their joys, their sorrows, their irritations, their opinions and their little peeves. They could talk freely and understood each other. Their friendship was one of those relationships that needed no explanation.
Living at Sunny Side in the prime area of Matunga, Chotu Kaka was, without doubt, possibly the most handsome person in our family. But his real charm went far beyond appearances. He was always ready to advise, help or simply listen.
For me personally, talking to him was therapeutic. A conversation with Chotu Kaka could make me feel lighter and de-stressed. There was a reassuring quality about him — an affection and familiarity that made you feel that things would somehow be all right.
I last met him in November 2024. He had been battling health issues since 2025, and during this difficult period, my cousin Janhavi and her daughter Tanvi were physically there with him and Manda Atya, both of them being over 80. Pallavi, despite being far away in Canada, was always there with her support and concern.
Chotu Kaka and Manda Atya shared almost 58 years of togetherness. Their journey together was long, rich and filled with the experiences that make a marriage a life partnership. I am sure that Manda Atya will be the one who misses him the most.
It took me some time to come to terms with the news of his passing. Perhaps because some relationships are so deeply woven into our memories that accepting their absence takes time.
But, as life moves on, memories remain.
And my memories of Chotu Kaka will remain forever nostalgic, affectionate and filled with gratitude for the love, friendship, guidance and countless moments he gave us.
Farewell, Chotu Kaka.
You were not just an uncle by relationship.
You were a friend, a confidant, a guide and a very special part of our family.
You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
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