Over Indulgence

Little Mubaraka greets the guests

The effects of over-eating were evident in the Garden this morning. Attendance had dropped drastically. A majority of those who had attended Yusuf Rassiwala’s big bash last evening did not show up today. And most of those who, for various reasons, absented themselves yesterday, turned up for the exercises today morning.
Like every year, Yusuf had hosted an evening of high tea post-Eid at his residence for members of the Club. This year, there was another reason for celebrating.

Autograph please!

His grandchildren, Hussain and Mubaraka have been making waves in the world of glamour and entertainment (ref post of August 13) and quite naturally, Yusuf wanted us all to join him in his moment of pride and bless the talented kids.
Eleven-year-old Hussain is no small star (being a veteran of several movies and tele-serials) and like other busybodies of his ilk, was away on a shoot when we landed at his place.

Belated Happy Birthday, Nasir-bhai

We therefore missed him. But six-year-old Mubaraka, being relatively a fresher, could take time out for us after her ‘beauty nap’ in the afternoon. Dressed in bright crimson, the pretty little lady came down from her bedroom and gracefully greeted everyone -- even obliging her fans with an autograph!
Yusuf had made elaborate arrangements for the evening, with his full family in attendance. As a gracious host, he had called up every member (including Arun Patil, Siba Prasad Maitra and Teja Singh Bhambra) making sure nobody got left out. He and his wife, Niloufer personally attended to the guests, entreating each with the choicest of delicacies – be it vegetable lollipop or springroll, barfi or sheer-korma.
And then, there was Vasudev Batheja with his non-stop singing and random shayaris with Maitra and Harish Wadhwa chipping in for good measure. The ladies had formed their own singing group, with a round of antakshari as usual. But the one to have a real ball was Shekhawat. He was the only male to be seated, bang centre among the females and enjoyed every moment of it. Even this morning he had not got over the ‘special position’ he could occupy. “The other men could be burning with jealousy, but I damn care,” he declared. “I had a blast!”
Bihari Milwani:
Yusuf-bhai ka jawaab nahin, Sabh ko rassi se bandha...