The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh

Introduction

• First chapter of Class 11 Hornbill book
• Written by Khushwant Singh
• Author creates a pen sketch of his grandmother

Grandmother's Description

• Author knew his grandmother for 20 years as old and wrinkled.
• Grandfather's portrait: old, white beard, turban.
• Grandmother told stories of her childhood; author found them illogical.
• Physically described: short, fat, bent, wrinkles.
• Always wore a spotless white sari, chanted prayers, silver hair.

Village Life

• Author and grandmother's close relationship.
• Parents settled in city, left author with grandmother.
• Grandmother's morning routines: waking up author, reciting prayers.
• Walked to school together; she fed village dogs.
• At school, grandmother read scriptures in temple while author studied.

City Life

• Moving to city marked a turning point in their relationship.
• Author's new English medium school, grandmother couldn't help with lessons.
• Grandmother unhappy with modern education and music lessons.
• Their bond weakened; she spent time spinning wheel, feeding sparrows.

University & Beyond

• Author attended university, had separate room.
• Bond weakened further, grandmother became more private.
• When author went abroad, grandmother said goodbye without sentimentality.

Grandmother's Final Days

• Author returned after 5 years, grandmother unchanged.
• Her happiest moments were feeding sparrows.
• Fell ill after a day of joyous singing, felt her end was near.
• Spent last moments in prayer, passed away peacefully.
• Sparrows mourned her death, didn't eat crumbs left by family.

Conclusion

• Three phases of relationship: Village childhood, city life, university/adulthood.

Instructions

• Drop messages for doubts and queries on Instagram or comment section.