Invisible imprints...

My father was the youngest of four and mother, the eldest of seven. We had a rich mix of elders, very diverse personalities who took to each of us in their own way. Here's a small tribute to some of them who are no more. We grew watching them and am sure each left their own imprint on me and my generation... 

Chellamal & Sundaresan

Chellama Paati, my paternal grandmother in early 70s adopted the orthodox life of a Brahmin widow after her trip to Kashi. Saw what abstinence was and how puritan an orthodox life is. Handling her chores herself, clothes had to be washed and dried separately , to be untouched till she completed the Prayers and had food. She would read religious books, sleep on the floor or a wooden bench and come evening after sunset, we could go and sit on her lap as she would tell stories. She never went to school but much later, when I was in secondary school, as I would try to recite from memory studying Tamil poems be it Thirukural or Kamba Ramayanam as part of study, she would correct from her memory if I erred. She would admonish if one held anything to the mouth and took a bite, which was annoying to us then, but she would keep correcting - break it with your fingers and eat, you can that way share with others if need be and control the spill.She made us see absolute purity and divinity!

Samiamma & Vichappa

Parvata Vardhini and Viswanathan were my maternal grandparents. We all called my grandma Samiamma (mother of Swami her youngest son). She was Annapurni personified, without doubt the best cook I know to date and almost anything she touched tasted divine. She was all of patience and perpetually worried we may get hurt and will ask us to be careful -Jagirathai Jagirathai! was her call. Vichappa as our grandpa was called, worked in EID Parry. His morning routine till he left for office was meticulous and every one of my uncle's and aunts would stay clear and not tresspass. Grandchildren could take liberties but he liked it more when he got back from work, when we he would surprise us with candy's from his pocket. He brought up his 7 children and supported many nephews and nieces and was a true patriarch taking care of all things to be done the way it has to be traditionally done. He was fond of Lord Karthikeya and will keep fondly calling Murugaa. When he was amused he had a very trademark - rattling laugh! Vichappa did a lot, but quietly!

Saraswati & Rajagopalan

Rajagopalan & Saraswati my Periappa and Periamma were the first family of Arumbakkam in my time. Periappa practised farming, Ayurveda of the Arumbakkam Vaidhiyar tradition and led a brahminical life. He commanded great respect, always composed and quick to get to basic principles on any issue. He always encouraged us to explore and easily conversed with all ages whether a toddler or an old man. If the 'Swift' bird were to be on feet it was Periamma. She was so quick with her work, her speech and such a simpleton. She managed the home, the temple and the numerous rituals annually at Arumbakkam and never tired of writing 'Sri Rama Jayam'. Will cover more of them when I capture Arumbakkam later.  

Venkatesan (Attipa) and Rajalakshmi my paternal aunt fondly called Papu athai were often the family's anchor in Chennai. Attipa had retired from a publishing firm and enjoyed English. He felt the British built institutions and would often taunt with 'the Marvel of the British Empire' outburst while discussing the state of local governance. He would tell his trademark Kottapuli Gundan stories and encourage us kids to be fearless. When you are restless - he would say, just pause-meditate-say gayatri and calm your mind. Papu aunt liked kids but was stern if one got naughty. She spotted who did what well and will ask it to be showcased. She was fond of music and had her favourite song requests and will cajole us to sing them. 

Attipa Papuathai Samiamma Prema & Rajiathai

 

Rajammal (Raji athai) was our younger paternal aunt and the darling aunt of kids as she would pamper us. She lived a spinster, was the Head Mistress of Sarada Vidyalaya and she was all about 'just giving'! Whatever was not allowed with ease, she would let us enjoy. Softy ice cream, trips to beach, thenga maanga pattani sundal, movie tickets, one can go on.. we would wait eagerly for the day during our holidays when she would be able to take off her school routine and take us out - the most memorable one was our first trip to VGP Golden Beach. While she lived alone, she was never alone and was always sought after. She was the only one, from the set reminisced here, who came and stayed with Vidya & me in Mumbai. We were fortunate to discover her fondness for music when she would listen to Yesudas's Hindi song collection I had, painstakingly write down lyrics and hum them!

Sundari

Sundari Chitti my mother's youngest sister was my pet aunt and I hers, till my junior cousins arrived. She had unique nick names for each of us, she liked the latest stuff and got us latest goodies. We were upset when she got married and left for Bombay. I remember she suggesting, when I was 6 or 7 and had games around what will you become when you grow old, that I should become an IFS or IAS officer. I did not know what it was then but understood she wanted me to achieve something that's recognised. We first saw Mumbai with her in 1980 and soon after she had a fire accident and left us. 

I have not been able to capture all of that generation but looking back they all were calm, patient, cool and lived a simple life. Food & Fun bonded the family and pulling each others legs was a great pass time - some resembled Tom & Jerry and other Laurel & Hardy.