It’s very rarely that you meet a centenarian. What’s more, one who is fit, healthy, mentally alert, fiercely independent, cheerful and happy and above all a truly lovely person, inside and out. Well, that’s Aunty Mani and I was privileged to meet with her post her 100th birthday which fell on 13th April. In fact, this wonder woman still accepts orders for dressmaking as well as her Jaffna specialities which are delectable and much sought after by all who have sampled them. 

What is the secret of Aunty Mani’s longevity, and above all, her wonderful disposition and the fact that she is still fighting fit!  “It’s very simple, I have always and still do live a simple life with God as the foundation of my existence. I owe everything to him”. This amazing lady till the age of 98 which was just two years ago, would wash her own bathroom and sweep and mop her house. Sadly she had a toss which has now put a stop to those activities but Aunty Mani is still active, very independent, mentally alert and very much a working woman. 

So how did it all start?
Aunty Mani was born Manomani Kandiah in 1921, in her grandfather’s house in De Saram Place, Colombo 10. She was one of 16 and was the fourth in this large family. She schooled at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya under the Irish nuns and of course, even at that time loved sewing and cooking. “I had a very happy childhood. Life was simple and wholesome and god-fearing. Our pleasures were simple but we were happy and content”. 
Aunty Mani’s father worked at Whittalls, while her mother was a very enterprising lady and had a large farm where she had a thriving poultry business. “My mother would sell around 300 eggs a day. An egg was two cents, while a bottle of fresh milk was 25 cents. We all helped my mother with her daily chores as there were so many of us and we all did our bit”. 

Having always been interested in the fine art of cooking, especially Jaffna cuisine, Aunty Mani mastered this under the guidance of her great grandmother  Mrs Ponnacchi Naganathar who hailed from a prominent family in Manipay, Jaffna.  To this day Aunty Mani’s home is redolent with the aromatic spices of Jaffna.

At the age of 23, she married Cadiravel Ladd. “Of course it was an arranged marriage but I was very fortunate as nobody could have wished for a better husband”. Mr Ladd first worked at the Colombo Municipality but thereafter moved on to the Cargo Boat Company when it was bought over by one of his cousins. 

Aunty Mani and her husband had three children, Nadeswaran, Sharmala and Sri Shanker, and today she has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. “My husband knowing my interest in clothes and fashion, made me follow a course at Kathleen Labrooy’s School of Dressmaking where I studied for seven years and obtained a Diploma and went on to become a much sought after seamstress. In fact, Kathleen wanted me to stay on and join her in teaching at her school but I was not keen to do so, instead, in 1973 I got my big break when Orientations owned by Kem Martenstyn, a well-known figure in Colombo, approached me with an order for cutwork and embroidery. We did literally hundreds of garments all of which were exported to Germany, Denmark, London, Italy and many other countries. It was such an exciting time and we produced so many beautiful pieces of embroidery and cutwork”. 

Indeed Orientations was the go-to destination for any fashionista at that time as they really had the most gorgeous clothes. I clearly remember to this date the beautiful outfits my sister Tara and I had from Orientations. Wrap around blouses, Smocks, wrap-around skirts, embroidered bell-bottoms, the array of garments was endless and I think I still have or two of them in my cupboard and so does my sister!

Aunty Mani’s relationship with Orientations continued until 1993 when Orientations was sold, but she continued with her dressmaking orders and does so even today. “My husband encouraged me every step of the way and I was able to have a career thanks to him”. Kem Martenstyn’s daughter Maeve with whom Aunty Mani has a close and loving relationship says of Aunty Mani, “she always was and still is a LADY and in all our years of association we have never had even the slightest misunderstanding”.

Aunty Mani’s husband passed away in 1985 and she misses him to this day. In 1999, Aunty Mani commenced catering in a big way with Chariot, the well-known pastry shop and restaurant. She set up Chariot’s speciality  Jaffna Kitchen with delectable Jaffna specialities that were the talk of Colombo. This relationship continued for 10 years. She published a cookery book titled ‘A Taste of Jaffna’ which was on sale at Barefoot and needless to say all 500 copies sold like hotcakes.

Having lived now for over a century, Aunty Mani has witnessed history enacted before her very eyes.  “During the 58 riots we were living down Moor Road in Wellawatte, just by the railway lines and our house was pelted with stones. It was a terrifying experience. Independence and so many other landmark events were part and parcel of my life and I feel privileged to have witnessed so much”.

When asked about the biggest changes when compared to life in her time and now, her answer is prompt and simple; “ there is so much sickness and disease today which was not the case in my time. It’s just terrible. We had such a lovely childhood and a simple and happy life. Cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, all this was unheard of. Today even children are suffering from diabetes, heart and so many other ailments, not to mention the pandemic that is raging. I have never in my long life been sick except when I fell two years ago. Even today I lead a normal life, I don’t wear glasses, my hearing is perfect and I eat a normal diet”.

Commenting on children today and in her time, Aunty Mani has this sad comment to make. “Our childhood was normal and natural. We played in the sun, on the beach, in the garden; today children lead an artificial life and play on their phones. Need I say more?".

As for fashion then and now, Aunty Mani gives a naughty chuckle and with a mischievous gleam in her eye says “ in my time fashion was meant to cover you, today fashion uncovers you!!"         

As to her secret for living life the way she has, being healthy, happy and at peace, Aunty Mani’s mantra is simple; “live simply, do unto others as you would have them do unto you and above all live a godly life. God is the foundation of my existence and it is owing to his goodness and mercy that I am what I am today”.

I’m sure that every reader would want to wish Aunty Mani many more happy years and order her Jaffna specialities including Prawn Varai, Mutton Poriyal, Aunty Mani’s very own Chicken Curry, Sura Varai, her special brand of Jaffna Curry Powder and the many other Jaffna delicacies she still prepares. And if you want something special sewn, well do call Aunty Mani and she will be only too happy to oblige.

Happy birthday Aunty Mani, may you continue to be showered with blessings.

By Anusha David