Marriage, child birth, responsibilities. For most women, dreams and aspirations take a back seat as their life revolves around children and household chores. But learning has no age. Many housewives have reconnected with their childhood dreams and are getting full support from their families in chasing them.
Vibha Valia, a housewife in her 50s recently decided to fulfil her dream of singing. In her teens she was a keen music lover and would listen hungrily to voices wafting from the music school across her home. “I started learning harmonium two years back,” she says. However, she hasn't let this passion hamper her family life. “My family is my first priority. I believe in discipline and perfection. Music gives me satisfaction and releases all my inner stress,” she adds.
Sheelu Mehta, a senior citizen, started singing at the age of four. “I started learning at a very young age. However, after marriage, my family responsibilities grew and I had to quit singing. I am blessed with a good voice but for 10 years, I did not sing. When both my daughters grew up, I got the opportunity to sing again. Inspite of my age, I won almost all the competitions in Bangalore. Both the men in my life, my father and my husband encouraged me.”
Called the Lata Mangeshkar of Bangalore by many, she has also started 'saat sur', a club for old school music lovers. She adds, “I believe in perfection. I just can’t sing for the sake of it.”
Another example of such determination is Manjula Kumar. Her story has an uncanny resemblance to the Bollywood film English Vinglish. Finding it hard to cope up with the changing times, she decided to learn English in her mellow years. Her family supported her through this. Her kids helped her and got her enrolled in an English tutorial school.
“My kids grew up and I found it difficult to adjust to the new pace of life. I've always focused on my kids and family life. I felt the urge to learn English and be at par with the world. I'm currently doing my Masters in English literature”.
Meena Ramchandran, on the other hand is a travel freak. At the age of 53, she’s travelled the world and just has a few places left on her bucket list. She loves to travel alone. "Travelling and meeting new people keeps me going. My love for travelling started when I crossed 40. I'm also a fitness freak and I make it a point to participate in all the marathons across South India,” she adds.