Amitabh Bachchan Remembers Father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan On His 17th Death Anniversary

There was a time when a relationship shared between a father and a son was of few words and little gestures. There was a kind of distance and fear that used to create a gap. But then comes a day when they will turn into friends and walk hand-in-hand. They will share secrets and the art of living life. And one day, the roles will be reversed and a father will turn into a child and his child will take on his role. A kind of similar bond was shared between Bollywood superstar, Amitabh Bachchan and his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan. (Recommend Read: Sanjay Dutta Shares An Adorable 'Full-Split' Picture Of Son, Shahraan, Calls Him Little Karate Kid)

The legendary writer, Harivansh Rai Bachchan needs no introduction. His poetries have inspired millions and millions of readers across the nation and the world. Amitabh ji has also inherited the 'love for words' from his late father. He had often called him as a man of immense will power, humility and simple taste. His father had lived a life in extreme poverty yet he had given a plethora of poems to the Indian Sahitya. It was on January 19, 2003, when Harivansh Rai Bachchan had breathed his last breath and had left for heavenly abode. 

Today, on January 19, 2020, Amitabh ji took a journey down his memory lane and remembered his father's last moments. He took to his Twitter handle and penned a note that can be read as "A few moments ago he had breathed his last. My Father, as I held his hand, soft, still vibrant, the hand that wrote genius."

 

T 3414 - ... a few moments ago he had breathed his last .. my Father .. had held his hand .. soft .. the hand that wrote genius ..
अभी कुछ क्षण पहले ही , उनका स्वर्ग वास हुआ था ; बाबूजी ; हाथ पकड़ा हुआ था उनका मैंने ; निर्मल , कोमल, मुलायम , ; एक प्रतिभा वान लेखनी pic.twitter.com/rbpB3qwzR7 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 18, 2020

In a throwback interview with the IANS, Amitabh ji had shared that he has no legacy to take and it is his father's legacy that he is interested in. He had said, "It is coming on to 50 years in public life... That is as far as I am personally concerned. But I have been in public life from the day I was born. I was always the son of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, eminent poet, litterateur, having public presence far greater than mine. I have no legacy. My father's legacy is what I am interested in, and I shall try always to further it." (Also Read: Shabana Azmi And Her Husband, Javed Akhtar Met With A Road Accident, Actress Sustains Injuries)

Amitabh ji has maintained an online blog, wherein he pens his deepest emotions. In one of his blog entry, the actor had revealed how he had gotten the 'Bachchan' surname, "Babuji was born in a Kayasth home and a Srivastav. But his temperament was always against the ailment of caste, so his nome de plume, his ‘takhallus’, his pen name he designed as ‘BACHCHAN’. Poets and writers of great eminence often designed their names with a nom de plume. So ‘Bachchan’ became my father’s pen name, his poetic nom de plume, but it lent credence of its concept later when I was born, on being admitted to my first School, and being asked by the teachers what surname of this boy was to be filled in the admission form my Mother and father had a quick discussion and it was decided that ‘Bachchan’ would be the family surname."

In one of the episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Amitabh ji had shared that he is the first bearer of the 'Bachchan' surname and how his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan inculcated the right values in him. He had stated, "My surname 'Bachchan' does not belong to any religion as my father was against it. My surname was Srivastava but we never believed in it. I feel proud saying that I'm the first person to hold this family name. When I was taking admission to Kindergarten, my father was asked my surname and then he decided that my surname would be 'Bachchan'. When Census employees come to my place, they ask me about my religion and I always answer that I belong to no religion, I'm Indian."

He had further revealed a family tradition started by his late father, "I have no shame in saying that my father respected the people around him. It was our tradition that a person during Holi puts colour on the feet of the eldest and highly respected man. My father Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to put colours on the legs of the person who cleaned toilets before starting his celebration." (Don't Miss: Kamya Panjabi Shares A Glimpse Of Her Wedding Card, All Set To Tie The Knot With Beau, Shalabh Dang)

Amitabh ji had once said that our parents hold a permanent residence in our heart and hence, we don't need to do something special to remember them. Well, we totally agree with him! What about you?

Cover and Images Courtesy: Amitabh Bachchan

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