The sudden passing of Sona on Sunday has shocked his family, relatives and friends.
At his home many gathered for the wake readily shared their fond memories of him. Naresh, a childhood friend, said that whenever he called, day or night, Sonaji always responded. Kenny Ramgobin, a renowned drummer in the Satsangh arena, equated Sona to Seedas Sadhu who has toiled silently to promote Sanatan Dharma. Devashish Ramdath, a bhajan singer and a nephew of Sonaji remembers his uncle as fun loving, always taking him to Maracas Beach where he was taught how to ride the waves.
I came into contact with Sona working with the Hindu Seva Sangh Youth Development Program at the Longdenville Temple. Living opposite the mandir Sona’s yard was used for the Shakha or outdoor activities.
I distinctly recall the tremendous work Sona provided at the first Divali Nagar of 1986 at Mid Center Mall under the guidance of Raviji. He constructed the traditional dirt wall huts and choolas that cooked the sada roti and roasted tomatoes and baigan for the making of chokas that was nostalgic for so many.
Sona was rewarded with a scholarship to India by Raviji to study fine arts. Sponsored by Dr Vijay Narayansingh, Sona spent three years in India. I recalled him telling me that he witnessed the storming of the Babri Majid by Sadhus and its total destruction to make way for the reconstruction of the Ramjanmabhoomi.
Sona returned from India with much enthusiasm. He immediately put to work the staging of the first exhibition at his home. He had excellent reviews and noted that Basdeo Panday was so impressed that he came two consecutive days and brought along one of his daughters. Also impressed with Sona’s exhibitions is Deo Seerattansingh of Rock Road, Penal. He was never tired of showering praise on Sona for his artistic excellence.
Discovering that earning a livelihood from the arts was challenging, Sona bought a Bedford truck and returned to transporting blocks from the Abel factory to the homes of customers. This was a work he learned from his father and it was natural to him.
Sona has left to mourn his daughter Vandana, an undergraduate student at the St Augustine Campus of The UWI. Proud of her academic prowess, Sona always ensured that she had all the essentials to facilitate her academic pursuits.
Always contented, Sona had no desire for wealth and fame. Knowledgeable of Hindi and Hinduism, Sona participated in Satsangh at the homes of friends when requested.
Sona was lying in the hammock when the daughter felt he was motionless. She shook him, and getting no response she contacted her mother and others.
Sona was entering his 65th birth anniversary but had the agility of a 40 year old. Only two months ago I engaged him for two weeks to lay blocks at my home and he would arrive at 5 a.m. to begin work.
Never angry but always displaying joy and happiness, Sona would always remain dear to me. He did not have academic papers but he understood the value of excellence and friendship. He will always be remembered by me as a symbol of Hindu sangithan and one who resisted the hero worship culture that is damaging the psyche of Hindus.
May his atman merges with the Paramatman to realize eternal bliss! Hari Om.
