It’s Father’s Day today, June 16, a day when children are planning brunches or dinners with their papas, in effect, spending quality time with each other.
Here are a few instances of children who found inspiration in their fathers and followed in their father’s professional footsteps.
As a little girl, Celfra Azavedo loved to be around her father Francisco Azavedo. And, it was her dad who taught her to play various musical instruments and tuned her singing skills.
“As a kid, I was always surrounded by music, and my father would always encourage me to take up music. It was only after I started seeing him play and perform that I too decided to take it up as a profession,” said Celfra, as she posed for a photo with her father.
"There are times when he corrects me and asks me to get better at honing my skills. He feels very happy when he sees me excelling in music,” she added.
Artist Siddharth Kerkar and his sister Sharadha Kerkar are following in the footsteps of their dad, artist Sudodh Kerkar.
Chatting with Gomantak Times Digital, Subodh said, “Art was my passion – to wake up to create art; when I sleep I dream of art. My kids have watched me and this has inspired them, too. They took up this naturally, there was no coaxing. We are each other’s biggest critics."
"Most of my travels with my kids were visiting art exhibitions and art biennales all around the world. A kid should be in the shade of Papa, never in the shadow of Papa,” he added.
Speaking about her dad’s influence on her art, Sharadha said, “Throughout my childhood, I was fortunate to have Papa as a constant source of encouragement, valuing and nurturing my creative endeavours."
"From scribbling on walls to doodling on sandy shores and crafting heartfelt greeting cards, he consistently emphasised the importance of artistic expression,” she shared.
While some followed in their dad’s footsteps naturally, others were nudged towards it, as in the case of advocate Gideon Noronha who took up law after his dad, Ashley Noronha, who retired as a district judge in November 2018, suggested it.
“My dad suggested that I take up this profession, and I could be well established in three years if I tried. I didn’t hesitate much and plunged into it. Even now, I get my father’s full support and help when I take up cases and how to go about it,” said Gideon.
On asking if he feels the pressure to be like his father he says, “It's not so much pressure to perform, but an ambition to understand and solve problems at a deeper legal level than most people,” said Gideon.
His father, who loves adventure, quickly added, “The best time I remember is when Gideon would mimic my voice in the morning while travelling to work, directing my staff while I was driving my car.”
Brian and Benzer Fernandes love to watch and perform at tiatrs, and are the sons of famous tiatrists, Peter and Roshan Fernandes.
“We were always surrounded by tiatrists and actors, and over a period of time, we learnt the skills and took up directing and acting,” said Brian who directs tiatrs under the banner of PeteRoshan.
Talking about his father, Benzer added, “My father is always concerned about our whereabouts. He will wait till we reach home. We discuss ideas, plots and story lines with him.”
Following in a father's professional footsteps indicates that one doesn't have to hunt high and low for a mentor because he is already in the house, ever ready with his wisdom and guidance.