Four Ladies on Song

This gang of girls has three mothers, three daughters and three sisters in its fold. At matriarch Geetu Hinduja’s home, joined by siblings Neha Raheja Thakker, Avani and Veda Raheja, they open up to Shashi Baliga about family and celebrating differences.

- Shashi Baliga

Avani Raheja’s three-month-old son Neev has just woken up. And all the action in her mother’s living room suddenly swooshes towards the third gen rep in the house. Her older sister Neha takes over the baby and coos away. Younger sister Veda, awaiting her turn, is delighted: “I was hoping he would get up before I left.” The air is high on love and estrogen, the room is filled with comfortable chatter and laughter. And Geetu Hinduja, rockstar grandma and our host for the afternoon, presides over the scene with a blend of contentment and poise which lights up her face and the conversation.

At 57, Geetu is entitled to a sense of fulfillment. This family scene has not come easy; it has taken some work on all their parts. And their story is testament to how important it is for a mother to first find her own happiness and journey.

Geetu was a young mother: she had all her three children in her twenties. When she was divorced in her forties, she had to carve out an entirely new life for herself and her daughters. Those were difficult years: “From living a life where I was surrounded by family and staff, I went to a very pared-down life. I had to re-learn how to live. But I’m very grateful I got a second chance at life. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says, the rich timbre of her voice adding depth to her statement.

In her new life, she channelled her love of art and music into deeply fulfilling career streams. She started off as an art consultant, setting up The Fine Art Company, and working on various consultancy projects. After she decided to get full-time into music, she has released three music videos and has been singing, writing songs and performing for over two decades now.