Defying norms, embracing passions: How this 75-year-old Mumbai mom never gave up

Cooking fashion designing organising drama shows feeding stray dogs running community clubs and groups ndash Mumbaibased mother Devyani Kothari isnrsquot one to give up on her creative interests even at the age of 75After she got divorced over 50 years ago at a time when it was still taboo her familyrsquos support empowered her personally and professionallyldquoIt was a love marriage I was very young and divorced him within a year of marriage Getting divorced back then was a taboo People would comment but I didnrsquot care The society doesnrsquot feed us it only talksrdquo she sharesWhile she didnrsquot get married again Kothari adopted one of her brotherrsquos twin sons and brought him up ldquoHis love became the purpose of my life and kept me goingrdquo she expressesldquoMy brother once said that Devaki Ma gave birth to Lord Krishna but Yashoda Ma brought him up So you are like Yashoda Mardquo the mother of one reflectsWhile her family was incredibly supportive after her divorce she saw her mother and brother struggle after her father passed away ldquoThatrsquos when I decided I wanted to work and support them I worked hard and proved myselfrdquo the VileParle resident statesKothari pursued several jobs primarily at apparel stores and learnt the tricks of the trade Eventually she started her own business ldquoI used to design a range of things from sarees to home linen I am not educated but using my creativity I would design prints on paper and send for stitchingrdquo she revealsBut her creativity passion and purpose couldnrsquot be restricted to one thing Over the years she has not only been a home chef but also a drama show organiser ldquoI cook dishes on order Ladoo and Shrikhand are especially popularrdquo Kothari states Sharing more about her drama group she says ldquoI have been organising drama shows for the past 35 years bringing exceptional work of theatre to my group members Because I love feeding people I also offer complimentary snacks at these shows I have received a lot of blessings from people of the group I also run a housie club and kitty party groupsrdquo she shares excitedlyWhile these pursuits keep her busy what she finds the most joy in is feeding stray dogs every day ldquoI wake up at 5 am every day finish all the food orders by 7 am and then feed stray dogsrdquo Kothari revealsHer son and daughterinlaw are wellsettled and she is also a grandmother but Kothari refuses to let go of her individual interests which have shaped her identity and continues to dream furtherldquoWhen my family asks me to rest I always tell them that Dhirubhai Ambani also had money but he still worked every day If I work Irsquoll be able to help others I am planning to start a musical group now And I really want to build a home for stray dogsrdquo she concludesatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params