The women my tables became

Roshni

We reached out to some writer /artists friends to write about their workspaces for this series, when I suddenly asked myself this question.

What do these writing spaces mean for me?

The three tables that I routinely sing about are actually as simple as they come. What then about them makes them so integral to my work life. As I mulled over these, three women emerged, let me tell you a little about them.

Chechi (elder sister)

A regular longish rectangular table

I recently heard of chatter around the elder daughter syndrome and realised that I have only one or two traits. This table though has it all. She can hold together a lot.

Today at one point she held my laptop, a big screen, a keyboard, a mouse, notepad(s), medicines, water bottle, Begum (our cat), food and miscellaneous little things. I could probably place the laundry basket alongside all this too.

She is the Chechi I never was and the Chechi I needed. When I’m with her, I multitask, switch between one kind of work and the other, get up and come back repeatedly. Many things are done and anything is possible.

Kunjamol (little one)

A regular smaller table

She is tiny but mighty. She is a specialist and has a single mindedness that I envy. She can either be a bedside table or a writing table or a worktable. She refuses to be actively more than one thing at a time.

So, I approach her with intention and a timer.

Usually to try morning pages or writing. She assures me, that all else can wait. The writing must not. Usually with her it flows. There is play and such joy.

She likes being useful. So during the dry spells, she becomes a table for the clutter. Things that don’t really have a defined spot or I have simply forgotten to put away.

Kootkari (girlfriend)

A floor table, bigger than usual

She is a custom made beauty. I work with her when I know I don't want to get up for at least two

hours (knees and all). Short meetups don't really work when it comes to old friends.

So I take what I need and sit on the floor and plonk stuff around me and on her and start on whatever task needs this level of ease and focus. Usually writing or research and work related reading... sometimes doodling.

Like girlfriends, there are no rules of propriety here, we take to Sukhasan in dresses and sit. In winters she comes onto the bed. Begum can snooze next to under it, or if I get up she may choose to capture it entirely. A woman needs friends her cat can trust.

(We have a new and improved version of the kootkari as our latest offering from Thadi)

***************************

Objects of Our Affection is a series exploring our connections to the furniture and objects that make our spaces home. Through stories of tables, chairs, and that odd-shaped thing only you love, we celebrate the inanimate pieces that hold memory and witness our lives.

If you'd like to contribute your own story to this series, we'd love to hear from you. Micro-essays, poems, reflections, and fragments welcome. Write to us at hellothadi@gmail.com. Word limit 400.