Good News From Jayam September 1, 2025 Pls Scroll Down 35 items

Tea Pluckers of Sri Lanka (The smile adds to the flavor!)

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My Relationship with My Amazing Sister, Indrani Wye By Jayam Rutnam (Excerpt from My Book)

“Amazing” is truly the best way to describe Indrani. The word was first used by her daughter, Paddy Anne, after Indrani’s recent passing . No description could be more fitting.

My journey with Indrani began when I was a baby and she was just five years old. As the youngest in the family, I was no doubt often cuddled and cared for by my big sister. I still have photographs of her taking me for walks down the lane when I was three.

As the second child and a girl, Indrani received special attention from my father’s sister, Mary Aunty, who considered her a favorite niece.

When we were both at Bishop’s College, Colombo, I was eight and Indrani was thirteen. We shared simple but precious moments. One of our favorite songs was Would You Rather Swing on a Star, Carry Moonbeams Home in a Jar! Indrani was always protective of me, a quality that stayed with her all her life. She was protective not only of her brothers and sisters, but also of her own children. A fact proven time and again.

Later, when I was sent to St. Joseph’s College boarding school, Indrani often accompanied my mother on visits to see me.

Indrani was a beautiful girl who grew into a beautiful woman. It wasn’t long before Jayanta Padmanabha, who was visiting his aunt Mrs. Ramanathan next door, noticed my sister and asked my father for her hand in marriage. They had one daughter, Kshirabdhi. I often kept my sister company at her home in Barnes Place when she was alone. Eventually, Kshirabdhi went to school in Oxford, England, and Indrani later divorced Jayanta.

Years later, when Indrani was living with our parents on Guildford Crescent in Colombo, a chance encounter changed her life. A car broke down in front of our house, and the driver, an English gentleman named Patrick J. Wye, came to our door asking to use the phone. He noticed Indrani immediately. Patrick soon asked my father if he could take her to a party. My father hesitated and sent me to “check him out.” Patrick lived nearby, and that meeting was the beginning of their relationship. 

Patrick eventually married Indrani, but as a result, was dismissed from his position as manager of the British Bank, due to a rule forbidding him from marrying someone from the country in which he was stationed. The couple left for England.

Around the same time, I was traveling by ship to England to attend school. Indrani and Patrick met me at the pier in Southampton. Before school began, I stayed with them in Gerrards Cross and later in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. Those were happy days. Patrick had many warm and lively English friends, and they introduced me to the British pub life.

Though I lost regular contact with Indrani once Patrick joined American Express and they lived in various countries, Assam, Malaysia, Jakarta, Hong Kong etc., she never failed to write to me.

When Patrick owned property in Beverly Hills, I became his contact in Los Angeles and managed the houses, one of which was rented by the famous singer Dusty Springfield. I handled rent collections and deposits.

Many years later, when Indrani and Patrick visited Los Angeles, I mentioned to Indrani that I was dating a young girl and that we were thinking of getting engaged. Indrani immediately insisted on hosting our engagement party, and what a celebration it was! One hundred and twenty-five guests, a three-tiered cake, music, dancing, all at the Cap ’n Quill in downtown Los Angeles, fully paid for by Indrani and Patrick. She even gave me an expensive genuine, alexandrite ring to present to Gina.

Eventually, Indrani and Patrick moved to Westlake Village, California, and we saw them more often. She hosted wonderful gatherings, was always the life of the party, and had an impeccable sense of style. Her home was beautifully furnished, and her best friend and neighbor, Melanie, was a constant presence. On her 70th birthday, Indrani surprised Patrick with a tap dance performance. She had been secretly taking lessons.

Her pride and joy were her children. Kshirabdhi, Paddy Anne, and Maria, and her beloved grandchildren Rachel, Louis, Tara, Devon Liam, Brixton, and Gracie. She loved them fiercely, was always protective, and took immense pride in their achievements.

Indrani’s life was defined by beauty, generosity, and boundless love for her family. To me, she will always be, in every sense of the word — amazing!