Renowned playback singer and actor Chitra Iyer recently shared a deeply moving tribute on her social media following the tragic demise of her sister, Sharada Iyer. The 55-year-old Indian expatriate lost her life in a trekking accident in Oman's Jebel Shams region earlier this month.
A Sister's Unconventional Farewell
Chitra's note was not a typical elegy filled with soothing words. Instead, it mirrored their real-life relationship—infused with sharp humour, brazen honesty, and a bond that transcended conventional expressions of grief. She posted nostalgic photographs of her sister from happier times and travels, framing her message more as a paused conversation than a final goodbye.
What made the post profoundly striking was its light, banter-filled tone, which gently veiled the immense pain beneath. Chitra admonished Sharada with tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, expressing how she missed the incessant chatter and the "irritating" yet cherished intrusions into her daily life. In a line that captured the surreal agony of loss, she wrote about the helplessness of wanting to tell the person on the other end of the phone not to hang up. She signed off with a poignant assurance to her sister, promising she would "catch up with" her soon.
A Niece's Heartfelt Homage
The family's grief was echoed in a separate tribute by Chitra's daughter, actress Anjali Sivaraman. Anjali mourned her "aunt, mother, friend and guidance," capturing the sudden void left by Sharada's passing. Her post spoke of unfulfilled plans and conversations left unheard, conveying a deep sense of incompleteness and the confusing alterity that follows an abrupt farewell.
Remembering Sharada Iyer
Sharada Iyer, a native of Thazhava in Kerala's Kollam district, was a former manager with Oman Air and an avid traveller. Her death comes as a second devastating blow to the family in quick succession, following the recent passing of their father, the well-known agricultural scientist Dr. RD Iyer.
As Sharada's body is being repatriated to Kerala for the last rites, Chitra's raw and heartfelt message stands as a powerful testament to an unbreakable sisterly bond, remembered not with somber platitudes but with the vibrant, honest, and often humorous love that defined it.
