Anasuya Sarma

Obituary Anasuya Sarma (Garigipati) née Kameshwari Varanasi, 85, of New Delhi, passed away in her sleep on Monday, April 13th, 2020 in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was born in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, on February 6th, 1935. She was the only daughter of her mother, Krishnaveni Gabbita Vangala, with whom she was very close. Her father, Surya Narayana Varanasi, was a postmaster, and she often remembered him fondly, though he passed away when she was only a child. Anasuya had an older brother, Krishna Murthy Varanasi, who was a chief officer of the Reserve Bank of India. She had a loving marriage of over sixty years with her late husband, Garigipati Ramaswamy Sarma, who was a Cost Accountant, and who wholeheartedly supported her professional development as an actress, social worker, and bank executive. Anasuya earnt her Bachelor of Arts degree from Punjab University in 1963. She also studied acting at the School of Drama and Asian Theatre Institute of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (or, the National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama). She then went on to act professionally in full length Hindi and Telugu plays across India for the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; she eventually directed several plays in Telugu and was a founding member of the Dakshin Bharat Natee Nata Samakhya. Even in the final years of her life, she could still perform the most tragically moving lines from her favourite onstage role as a madwoman in the play Kohinoor ke Lootere. Simultaneously, Anasuya worked as a social worker for the National Co-operative Development Corporation, Council of Women and Children Social Welfare, and Indian Co-operative Union. She organised and supervised the work of refugee societies in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, working mainly for the benefit of rural women workers. In the 1960s, she retired from acting and earned several advanced finance degrees from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Institute of Bankers. She went on to work in market research for several industrial companies and contributed articles on finance to leading newspapers such as The Economic Times. She was recognised for these accomplishments in being named one of India's most distinguished persons in Famous India: Who's Who, 1977. She spent the remainder of her career working for the Oriental Bank of Commerce in central New Delhi, eventually rising to the level of senior bank manager before retiring. In her old age, she loved to go on walks, watch movies, knit, cook, and be with her family. Anasuya was a voracious reader and especially liked the Harry Potter series. She also enjoyed playing card games with her family, and watching sports games, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud with her children and grandchildren. Though always progressive in her mindset and religiously tolerant, she was a devout Hindu and often led prayer services for the community in her home. She is remembered as the life of the party due to her incomparable sense of wit and humour, and her ability to connect with each and every person she met. Even in her final days, she showered her family with love, telling them stories and jokes, and reassuring them of her full and blessed life. She is survived by her son, Ravi Shankar Garigipati and his wife Sasi Garigipati of Glastonbury, CT; her daughter Aparna Rao Gollapudi of Fort Collins, CO; her grandchildren, Atindra Garigipati of Chicago, IL, Shiven Gollapudi of New York, NY, Rudrani Sarma and her fiancé Zachary Clark of Highland Park, NJ, and Apoorva Garigipati of New York, NY; her extended family, including the Cheemalakonda family, who were like her own siblings; and several of her cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. She is predeceased by her husband, G.R. Sarma of New Delhi, India, and her parents and brother. A Hindu funeral service took place on April 14th, 2020 in Colorado. A celebration of life will be announced after Covid19 restrictions are lifted. For more information, or to get in touch with the family, please contact rudrani(dot)sarma(at)gmail(dot)com. "Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore, grieve not for what is inevitable." - Bhagavad Gita You will always be in our hearts. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Anasuya Sarma