VASUDEV MATTA

I first met Uncle Matta 35 years ago. I was doing MMS program at Jamnalal Institute in 1980-82. Every Monday morning I would be part of this eclectic carpool from Chembur consisting of Justice M.L.Dudhat, Mrs. Nalini Dudhat, Matta Uncle, Maruti Van Driver and Poonam. I would get dropped off first at Bajaj, Nalini Auntie at All India Radio, and the two bosses at Bombay High Court.

When we picked up Uncle at Chembur Naka, Uncle would say,"Oh aaj chhoti ladki hai, aaj maza aayega." The car drive passed much too quickly due to animated discussions ranging from AIR memories of Lata and Rafi recordings, AIR internal politics, High Court cases and gossip, my management case studies, updates on the Matta sons, Karachi ke kisse, Swami Vivekananda's teachings, etc.

Uncle would lovingly say that I would have married you to one of my sons of you were a Sindhi girl. The single Matta brothers fortunately escaped such a fate. Perhaps his 'chhoti ladki' had forgotten to mention the line of suitors in the swipe of her radar.

Uncle has left behind a great legacy of six wonderful sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

In Miami I met Uncle and Deepak in 1996. After Aunty Matta passed away I would love to hear his Karachi stories, RSS days, bomb blasts, Manu Karnik ki kahaniyan.

Deepak always included Uncle in social events. Deepak would not show up at social events if Uncle couldn't attend due to ill health.

When Uncle went on trips, he always wanted to come back to Miami. And Manju would say with total sincerity, "This is his home na." As his health and memory started failing, Manju watched over him fiercely and protectively like a daughter. Later the bahu-sasur rishta turned into a mother-son rishta as Uncle needed advanced care. She minutely watched his food portion and content, and jogged his memory cells. It is hard for an outsider to understand who needed the other more in the Manju-Uncle relationship.

Deepak's love for his father was obvious when every second sentence was about Uncle. He was like Ram to Dasharath. Deepak-Manju-Uncle relationship was anokha and anhonee, like a janam janam ka rishta. The beauty was that Deepak and Manju always managed to balance a sense of seriousness and a sense of humor during Uncles ups and downs.

Uncle Matta, I wish to thank you for the grace and feeling of completeness that you brought to my life.

Poonam Vaidya

Today we are gathered here to celebrate the life of a man known to all of us as Papa Matta. A man whose simplicity, kindness, humility and good heartedness has touched us all. Today we are here to express our gratitude that we had the good fortune of knowing him and spending time with him and being blessed by him.

A man who came from humble beginnings, who lived through the turbulent times of the separation of two countries and started his life as a young man from nothing, worked hard, raised a family of 6 boys and led an honest, righteous and dignified life.

I remember many evenings in Deepak and Manju's house when he would regale us with stories of Karachi and his younger days. I even remember one evening when he was younger and fitter when he insisted on arm wrestling many of us.

In recent years when I met Papa I was always greeted with a wide smile and a firm handshake. As we sat together, every few minutes he would say with a twinkle in his eyes and chest filled with pride "I was born in 1919, I am 95 years old". He was losing his memory but he never lost his smile and benevolence. Through these 95 years he was a loving husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend to so many. He made this world a better place.

Now he starts his new life in a new abode. And wherever he is, he will make it a better place by his graceful presence. So let us all pray for his soul and wish him happiness and peace in his new life. His memories will remain with us forever.

Thank you Papa, for giving us your love. We wish you the very best in your new life.

Our prayers are with the Matta brothers and their families.

Nitin Vaidya

Anyone who knew Dada will agree – he was a man of tremendous moral strength. No
matter the obstacle, Dada consistently stayed true to his values. He believed in purity of
mind and body, and refused to take artificial medications, even in the later stages when
many people in his life suggested that he do so. Instead of taking vitamin supplements,
for example, he would drink water out of a copper bowl. And whenever he had physical
pain of any sort, he would rub a magnet over his body to combat it.

Every morning without fail, Dada would go for a walk around the neighborhood. Often
times I would observe in awe of him, amazed that a man well into his 80s could still
function with such grace. I admired the way he would hold his arm around his back and
stroll through the world with the utmost confidence and curiosity.

Dada was a family man, and a loving one at that. As I reflect on my memories of him, I
can’t think of a single one, in which he displayed negative sentiments toward anyone. He
unwaveringly loved his sons, his grandkids, and his beautiful wife Aruna, and he forever
dedicated himself to his family. He had the immense courage to do the unthinkable: to
send his six children off to an unknown land in search of a better life. And without this
selfless act, who knows where any of the Mattas would be.

The impact that my Dada has had on me personally is immeasurable. Every day he
inspires me to be a strong, mature, and loving soul. Although I miss him dearly, his kind
spirit always remains with me in my heart.

Dada, until we meet again, I hope you rest peacefully with Dadima. You will be sorely
missed with much love.

My name is Kamal. I am 2nd of 6.

Firstly we thank God for allowing our dad to live 96 years on this earth. Like any life is a combination of pleasures and pains. My dad's too, was same but more pleasure than pain. Therefore we have ever reason to celebrate his life rather than mourn his death.

I got married to Charmaine in 1983. Thereafter we lived with my mum and dad for over 5 years. During this time, she had opportunity to closely interact with dad. She has penned it all in a little poem:

Hope you like this:

Goodbye dearest Papa,
It's hard to see you go,
Ninety six years, your life on earth,
We are going to miss You so.

Reminiscing the years gone by,
Your day started with a walk.
You loved to meet and chat with friends,
In Chembur at Basant Park.

Magazines and newspapers
You loved reading them thru,
Politics and the Share market,
Always interested you.

Your life was moderation.
Your views forthright and true.
You were passionate about honesty,
There was no fooling around with you.

You were there for your boys and their families,
Always a helping hand.
Always words of wisdom,
Life's ups and downs to understand.

Gentle with your grandchildren,
Interesting stories to calm them down.
Always a smile, always a treat,
Sometimes a gentle frown.

Rest in peace, precious papa,
And with MUMMY, from up above,
Take care of those you've left behind,
We will continue your legacy of love.

Love and miss you papa......
Your daughter in law
Charmaine.

Eulogy for our Father: Vasudev Matta
Dear All!
Thank you for being here today, to pay tribute to our father.

My name is Raju and I am the last of my Dad’s sons.

My brother Kishore has just delivered a wonderful eulogy. For some of you know him and for others who did not interact with him personally, here are the 3 things I’d like you take away about my Father from this service.

Discipline: My father ever since I’ve known him has been very disciplined about all aspects of life. His breakfast will be at sharp 7 AM, lunch at 12 noon and dinner at 7 PM. In addition, he would eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper! I strongly believe, that this was one of the big reasons for his excellent physical health till his dying breath.

Positive attitude: There’s never been a single occasion ever since I’ve known him that he has talked negative about any one. If any such conversation came up about any person, he would always tell me: “Son, every person has pluses and minuses. Just look at their positive side”. This positive attitude resulted in less stress for him and a happy life.

Principle: My father was someone who faithfully followed his principle rather than abandoning them when convenient.
One such principle was staying active. Till about last year, he was a big fan of walking and would walk a mile almost on a daily basis. Even in 5 degree weather, he would walk inside the house up and down for about half an hour every day.
Second principle was Selflessness: Papa was highly selfless. He would always make sure that everyone else ate before he did. He would always make sure that he made sure that I had gloves and hat on during winter before he did. He would always make sure that I had my seatbelt on. He would always make sure I always kept kids before anyone else.

So, discipline, positive attitude and principles were the three tenets that defined my Father. I will carry this with my for the rest of my life and try to

As we gather here today to remember and commemorate his life, lets bid him farewell as we mourn the loss of a lively, dignified soul. A soul that taught boys to become men, a soul that treated his daughters-in-law as his own daughters, a soul that loved being around his grand kids, a soul that served this life a loyal friend, husband and father and brought joy and fulfillment to many, and whose legacy will live on forever.

Rest in peace, Papa.

Naresh and Family:
I cannot express to you how privileged I feel that you shared the tribute for your father with us. My what a wonderful family and how lucky your father has been to have you all around him. I had the pleasure of meeting your father a couple of times when he was in New Hampshire and I still remember what a handsome, pleasant man, who always had a twinkle in his eyes.
I was thinking of you and your family over the weekend and wondered when we would get the announcement of his passing. My heart is heavy with sorrow for you and the rest of your family but also with respect for a man who was well loved and cared for by such an incredible family.
You are all in my thoughts and please let me know if I can do anything for you, Naresh while you are away.
Karen

We deeply regret and feel extremely sorry.Please convey our heart felt condolences to all the families.May God bless the departed soul peace in the Heavenly Abode.May God bless all of you the strength and courage to face the calamity....
K. V. Das and Devaki Das