Schools Days-2
During my stay in Tiruppathur, I gained friendship of many fellow students. I was exposed to lots of books on international literature – most were translated versions of many leading writers from Europe.
My father also gifted me books – House gardening by Mr. Arunachalam, Tamil Arium Perumal, Panchathandra stories, Vikramadityan and Vedalam, and many other books.
I read lots of stories by Tamilvanan – thru’ his weekly magazine – Kalkandu . Besides, I read stories from the Tamil weeklies like, – Thekkadi Raja, Veera Vijayan, maragatha chilai, Thuppu arium Sambu etc,
There was one picture story KARUPPU KANNADI –presented in Daily Thanthi. The one named Sind bad is still continuing now, even after several decades!!. I love picture stories that came in many magazines – LIKE Phantom in the Illustrated weekly of India / Garth in The Hindustan News paper – published from New Delhi..
I read (mostly) originals or translated originals – not abridged editions, for. I loved the complete version without any reduction of information. Robinson Crusoe was one of my favorite novels which I read several times till date.
During this period, I became member of the YMCA club in Tiruppathur and learned a lot more about many things. I was taught handcraft and I made flowers, leaves, and also put them together as a presentable bunch- a bouquet. I was taught Bible and there were tests to pass from portions of Bible as the session continued. I won certificates for passing these tests and had them till recently and lost them, during one of the house shifting. I learned to play indoor games like Carom and table tennis.
I could not succeed in becoming a good table tennis player, but learned badminton, and shuttle cock. I played foot-ball while studying in 8th class besides cricket. I stopped playing cricket, as I felt it is not a game involving quick result or exercise for whole body.
In Tiruppathur, I used to visit American Hospital and meet people working there just to learn about what they did as medical professionals. There was no denial or refusal in getting basic information. I also got fruits from trees maintained there. I still do not know what the name of that fruit is. It was orange in color, and paste like content with a hard nut.
On the way to American hospital was the house -for the then Deputy Collector. His nephew Prasad was one of my class mates. So, whenever I visited him, I got good treatment without any show offs. (Cannot be so these days!!??)
I wish to add a lot more about my life in Tiruppathur. My friends were Dr. K.G.Usha,
K .G.Surendranath, K.G.Murali, their Alsatian dog , Raman, Subramanian – both sons of leading lawyers then, Rajkumar son of another lawyer Mr.Dhasarahi and Dr.Padmasani, Swaminathan, N.Nagarajan, V.varadharajan, Ramamohan and many more.
My, Teachers were, Mr.Vasu, Mr.Balan – P.T teacher, Isac Thyagarajan. Some teachers were nick named (by seniors, and I only saw them as they were not taking any classes for me) – like, Bommai Vadyar. Mr. Balan was Volley ball teacher and was champion in his days.
In the school also, I learned hand craft and learned to make national flag using a plank, twine, and appropriate color threads. I met leaders like the then Chief Minister Mr.K.Kamaraj, who came to open a room for class 7 at that time. All students stood in line, sang welcome song and said Namaste to him, while being enquired by the C.M. we all student had sweets – chocolates.
The Headmaster, Mr.Chinnathambi Nayanar was a very nice person- he looked like Pundit Nehru and took classes as well. One time he took class for moral science and told a story of a miser, who will not even drive a crow if there is even a grain of rice in his fingers. He advised us to be selfless and broadminded with mentality to help the needy. The school fees then, were Four and a half Anna per month.
There was no hue and cry during visits of any dignitaries in those days. These days, even a peon of an office is escorted by police!!?? A laughing / and concerning situation??
My father had orderlies – one for house and one to accompany during his camps. They were treated by my father at par with us and always maintained discipline with them as well. My father was a very flexible person and was never lenient to any one. They were by name, Ramamurthy- driver, Rengaswamy, Varadarajan, Abdul Aziz from Alangayam (he maintained correspondence with me till he passed away few years ago) Perumal, Krishnan- Ex-serviceman, Sebastian- driver, and one another Krishnan.
All these persons were gook cooks and my father was satisfied with their work. I met some of them in my later years as they too visited my father many times, I will be only too happy to visit their children wherever they are now.
There was one tragedy I experienced, while studying there. My class mate (I for got his name) son of one Dr.Ramaswamy drowned in a pond opposite to the railway signal tower. His floating body was seen by the point’s man, who informed police and so on; I attended the funeral. His body was taken in a cloth cradle and was buried.
I never knew why and what happened to him. I never knew what death is and why people cried when someone passed away. I was told on such occasions, that the individual has gone upstairs to see his/her friends gone there.
We had few family friends in Tiruppathur. One was Dr.K.G.Usha – who was our best friend and family doctor. I lost communication after we left Tiruppathur in 1961.
The other one was Sh. Parameswara Iyer. A jolly good old man, whose only son worked in Malaysia. His grand daughter Hema- 5 years- was frequent visitor to our house. I received from him stamps of Malaysia is still in my collection. Many years later, I learned that Mr.Iyer died, (in 1968) while performing Shiva Pooja on one sivarathri night.
There were others by name Vembu Iyer and Appukutty who also frequented our house with their families.
Tiruppattur being in the vicinity of a sizable Muslim population, I had lots of friends among them. I learned Holy Quran briefly in Tamil from one of the elderly Muslim known to our family. We stayed in a house rented by one Mr.Appadurai Gounder, Mr.Gounder and his brother another Murukesan Gounder were civil contractors in that area.
Both these men and their families were very good people and their children too were equally good towards all in the area.
There was one Mr.Mohammed Basheer, who lived next door (same block rented by Mr.Gounder). He was bachelor and lived there with his mother and sisters – (Akamliza and Mehurunisa.) He was an IFS officer (Indian Forest Service) and was in-charge of all operations in the area. He brought to me flower seeds and fruits from the Kollimalai Hills.
I met him in the seventies (During one of my vacations as I was passing thru’ Madras) in Madras in his Head Quarters (State Forest Officer). Then he was married and had children. I learned many years later that Mr.Basheer passed away in a relatively young age. He wrote about preservation of forests and natural wealth in many magazines. Once I read his article in Ananda Vikatan.
There was also a theft / robbery of Rs.37, 000 from the State Bank of India by one of its cashier. He ( I know the name but not willing to state it here),coolly took away this amount stashed inside a bag topping up with mangoes. He was caught and paraded near our area. I was told he was imprisoned for 7 years or so, besides loosing the job.
I saw many Tamil films during this period. To name a few – Kalyana Parisu, Vanjikottai Valban, pava Mannippu, Pasamalar , Nadodi Mannan, Nan Petra selvam and many more. I also saw few English films- mostly of very short duration. Some were Ghost stories, Cartoons, and adventures.
There was a park behind the school I studied (Municipal High school – co-education), we often spend time discussing familiar matters once in a week or as and when the time permitted. I have a group photograph taken there with my fellow classmates during this period.
Once I went to a place called – Jonai – a place people went to worship Lord Muruga. Till date I do not know the real name or purpose. I was told this happens every year.
It was a fun trip, eating and going round. Got coconuts, jiggery and puffed rice and ground nuts. We also drank water mixed with ginger, jiggery, cardamom etc;
I wanted visit this place again but never had a chance to repeat my visit.
Another incident related to Election is very much in my memory. The year was 1962. Some one by name Mr.Thiruppathi Gounder, was declared elected. There were others. As soon as the announcement came on the Radio, trouble started on the roads in front of our school. This incident was not like these days, but a small quarrel between the party won and the other which lost the election. The incident died down with the intervention of police.
This was the first time I learned about something called politics and politicians.
I had the privilege of visiting temples, and meeting (not personally) Kanchi Sankaracharaya of that time- I think his name is Shri. Swaminatha swamigal. I had his picture in my pooja room in Delhi.
In this year (1961), I lost my maternal Grandfather. I learned to chant HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE and HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA , KRISHNA HARE HARE.
Here I would like to add, one more incident. There was a picnic, organized by my class teachers. Basically, each one paid ONE ANNA for food and drink – coconut water. All students have to walk to the proposed spot – a kind of forest with a pond nearby.
One of my class mates told me to arrange a camera. It was difficult to get a camera from any one as maintain one was considered Luxury in those days. I knew one of my father’s employees had a camera which can take a 620 film.
The gentle man agreed to trust me with his camera, but asked me to buy the film meant for it. My friend who requested camera, agreed to load a roll of film – only one for the whole program. So he purchased the film after showing the camera to the studio staff. Studio staff offered help in loading the film, but my friend refused and told them that he will load the film by himself.
The camera was used for 12 snaps and I agreed to deliver the film and get it developed. When I took the film, to studio, the staff told me the film has been loaded wrongly, but agreed to develop it for 12Annas.
In the meantime, I asked my friend, if there is anything wrong with loading the film. He replied that he has checked the film thoroughly; it was light green and clean, before loading it. – Of course the wrong way. The studio fellow said that some one had opened the film in the day light and spoiled it and loaded it the opposite way.
I learned one more thing that, a film should not be exposed except thru’ a camera. For long time, we used the spoiled film to see the sun and other objects as fun.
This gentle man – I do not know his name. He also, gave to us a tin of biscuits – made by M/s.J.B.Mangaram and company. I found out that the cost of this beautiful tin of biscuits was Rs.15 – a very high price. I learned that, his brother worked for this company in Andhra and so got few tins every month at subsided price. Since he was alone, he shared the biscuits with our family.
The container was more attractive than the biscuits, and hence I retained of one for keeping my personal items for many years.
The period of stay in Tiruppattur, was a memorable one in many other ways too. I had the privilege of attending one of my aunt’s marriage in Perambur. (The aunti is Ms.Valli - daughter of my grandfathers’ step brother Mr.K.N.Anantha Krishna Iyer – retired controller of Southern Railways.) My paternal grandparents took me their and I was very happy to be with them, especially in Madras.
The marriage took place on 22-06-1962. I had lots of people of my age to interact – cousins, their friends and so on. For the first time I went around Madras with my senior cousin – Mr.Sivamani who was working as regional Manager for an MNC then.
The day I left was the day actor Sivaji Ganesan arrived from his first trip overseas. He was also to appear on stage for a film ( I forgot the name – I think it is Bale Pandya) the next day or so.
I’m maintaining communication with most of the people I met during this trip, till date. One of my cousins Shankar died of Kidney problem on 18-8-1972. The rest are around and living in various parts of India. All grown up like me having the next generation of problems and enjoying life as it is.
I just retrieved from my notes, two pages, dated, 17-2-1972 and there are names of my friends I had then. (All are of my age)
1. From Paternal Grandparents place – North Parur: Jaya, Komala, Vijayam, Rajam, Valli, Gomathi, sumithra, Parvathi, Radha,Meenakshi, Lalitha – to name a few
2. From Maternal Grandparents place – Trichur: Chandrika, Malathi, Santha, Leela, Annamma, Parvathi – to name a few
3. Tiruppathur- Sulochana, Hemavathi, Miss.David, Surendranath, Murali, Rajkumar,Ramamohan,Subramaniam, and others as mentioned in the above pages.
4. Madras: Sankaran, Kamakshi, Saroja, Chenbakavalli, Usha,Srikala etc;
NOTE: I was always studied in a co-educated school where all students co-existed without any discrimination, and hence I mixed with boys and girls freely without any difficulty.
I shall share some more information later before continuing further about my life elsewhere.
To be continued
Sivasubramaniam
10-04-2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
School days-1
In my times, basics were taught while still at home. There were no nursery schools or any such institutions in the vicinity, to take care of young children.
In my case too, I was given orientation and basic tuition and I was admitted in class three at the age of FIVE. There was only one restriction, that a student must have completed 14 years of age to appear the school final exams, conducted by the government.
My memories about the first school I studied are very shady and difficult to recollect as experienced.
The location of the school was in Waynad in Kerala State then. Myself along with my sister walked to the school along with many fellow children. We had to cross a bridge to reach the school. The school was located at a high level ground, and had contour pathway to reach it. There were mango trees and flower plants.
I’m told that I spent more time under the trees than in the class room and my parents were informed about it. My uncle (Balan Mama) represented my parents once, and made me to promise that I will abstain from this habit in the future.
My nature was that of a normal child, as told by my mother. But I was a bit naughty at times.
My next schooling was in Tatabad – Coimbatore. (The year was 1957) Here, I was admitted to class one, as I had to change the language from Malayalam to Tamil medium. So, the years gained earlier were evened, but not lost. I learned basic lessons once again – now in Tamil.
On 01-04-1957, currency system of our country was changed to metric conversion. I was given a set of the first edition coins – and I still have them in my collection.
One of the daily routines in the school was, a senior student will read - a newspaper of the day - on the stage and all other students will be listening. This practice was on rotation (different students every day) on daily basis for few minutes... Mostly it will be from English and Tamil dailies only. My observation of this routine made me to start trying to read the papers at home.
My father was getting The Mail- English daily and Swadesamittiran- Tamil daily regularly. Later, the English one was changed to The Hindu. The Tamil dailies were different at times as the taste of the content was different for different members in the family – My mother had flair for all kind of news.
This practice introduced me to library and with the help of my father (as I could not become a member, but could accompany him being an officer’s son.) I could choose story books of few pages both in English and Tamil.
In this school at Tatabad, I was trained to act in a Drama. I remember very clearly, that I portrayed an African. The dialogue was very brief and was in English. I got prize too! - A diary Pencil small and beautiful – Elephant brand – most expensive brand and was priced 4annas in the shops.
My next schooling was in Attur – Salem District. Here, too, similar routines were followed daily and everything was like a clock work. This is the period; Hawai type foot-wear was introduced in the market – cushion / pad like base with fork like strap. (The year was 1958)
I could not afford a pair of foot-wear in those days due to very tight expense control by my father. One day my mother saw my feet and examined it and found it was contaminated severely. Immediately, she decided to get me a pair of foot-wear. Same time, we set out hunting for a decent pair and ended up costly leather made footwear – Rs.4.50 per pair. (The cost of Gold at that time was Rs.18 per grm, so you can compare the cost of such pair of foot-wear now-days)
My father did not agree with the brand and blasted us for not choosing BATA – the best brand even to-day. In the later years, I only opted for BATA make shoes or slippers.
I was given additional coaching, by a teacher by name Mr.Vadivelu, from the same school I studied. He was probably the only teacher I sat in-front with rapt attention and could learn a lot from him besides the routine text book knowledge. Later in the years, I corresponded with him and his last letter to me was in 1976.
While studying in Attur, there was an incident involving a fellow student by name Gandhimathi. Her mother had a petty shop in the street behind our house and was well known to all in our family and in the neighborhood
One, day by mistake, Gandhimathi, took away my math’s note book which was over 200 pages. Usually, most students had 200 page note book for math’s, as it needed more space and was used up very fast.
I saw my note book with her and demanded it back. She refused and yelled at me on top of her voice. In a rage, I took a small stone and hurled at her and it stuck her on the forehead injuring enough to get blood out.
Gandhimathi’s mother came from somewhere and abused me, badly, but could not do much fearing my parents with whom she had very good relationship. I told that, her daughter had taken away my notebook. She demanded proof as my name was not on the wrap or on the first page. Since everybody had similar book it was not possible for her to say anything else.
I told her that my name is there and that’s the proof. I always put my signature on the inner side of the last page and in two other places inside the note books, and never on the wrap or first page. This is still my habit except for personal books.
So, it was easy for me to prove that the note book belonged to me. Now the issue was where is Gandhimathi’s book? It was found in the school only, on the next day, and retrieved it from math’s teacher, who heard the previous days’ incident. He had few more left with him for correction.
Later in the days we stayed there, we were good friends and I never heard of them after we moved to Tiruppathur ( N.A. Dt then)in the next year.
In Attur, I had another experience. Some days in the afternoons, I joined fellow students to go to the river – after skipping the classes. The students, I accompanied were of higher age, as they over stayed in the same class fore than a year. The students were, Balamuthu, Balakrishnan, Muthu and Athimoolam.
As you know, it is not possible to carry a towel or soap and dress for changing over while going to school for studies. So, it was a grand swim in school attire, sun dried hair and soaked dress after the dips.I managed to dodge my mother, as the house had rear entrance. I was caught once and warned as my mother feared my safety in the river which already had too much causality.
So, I did not continue this venture but went to a village – of fellow student Balamuthu. His house was located behind a hill named KALLADICHAN KUNTRU. The time was harvest season for Ground nuts and sweet potato, and tapioca.
I had a rousing welcome at the hands of Balamuthu’s family. I got tender coconut, fruits - banana and gua, as I told them, that I cannot eat rice but wheat products only. I was also given these items to carry home for my family members. It took me long to convince my mother about this venture. Till to-day I never had another chance to visit that place again.
In another incident, one day, some one called me from the window of the house (third or fourth) next to ours. There was an old but well built person appeared with slow voice. He gave me one rupee note and asked me to fetch a soda immediately which I did very promptly and gave to him. He asked me to hand over the empty bottle and I returned with balance and handed over to him. The soda was costing 10 paisa only.
He gave me 4annas as tip for doing this favor. I refused repeatedly, but he insisted and I took it. He told me that he is a priest and was suffering from stomach pain hence was looking for some one to help him which I did. This money wit explanation I gave to my mother who used it for temple activities in that week.
One day Balakrishnan took me to KAMALA THREE RING CIRCUS which was having two shows daily. On our way, we went to the market place. There he showed me a large black van parked on the side of the road. There was a small crowd around it. I clarified with Balakrishnan, what was happening. He told me that it was the van of one Mr.Ramaswamy Periyar who was visiting and meeting people in Attur.
He took me to him. The person was well built and had dense white beard. I was introduced to him by Balakrishnan and he told Periyar that I’m a Brahmin boy studying with him. Periyar asked me in which class I was studying and advised me to work hard and study well. There was no other talk. Periyar never showed any hatred towards me, eventhough Balakrishnan warned me earlier, that Periyar is anti-Brahmin. I never understood this till many years later, after learning about him, that, he only hated bad things of Brahmins and not Brahmin persons.
I deliberately took to reading of NATHIKAM - a paper published by him. I admired him for voicing certain fact about Brahmanism.
The other experience was about food from Rama café owned by a very elderly Brahmin lady. My mother met her in one of her visits to the local temple, and they became thick friends. The grand lady occasionally used to send for us food, and sweets from the hotel. Many times she came to our house with her daughter and grand children carrying with them large quantity of food and sweets. Once we were taken to her hotel Rama café and I had lemon juice along with ice-cream.
The grand old lady travelled to Malaysia and Singapore alone and returned after few months of vacation there with her other kith and kin. We moved to Tiruppathur, when she was away and never had a chance to meet her again.
There was one another class mate, by name Sridharan – from Kerala whose family owned mills manufacturing tapioca products. He often gave me samples of products.
Then we moved to Tiruppathur in the year 1960. Mr. Vadivelu gave an introductory letter (to my father), for another teacher in Tiruppathur for easing our admission requirements. This teacher was by name Mr.Isac Thyagarajan working in the then Municipal Boys High school there.
This school has become a girl’s school and named MEENAKSHI GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL - WIFE OF A LOCAL BUSINESS MAN. There is theatre named Meenakshi Theatre - just close to the school.
There was a café named Venus café, and a bookshop named after a person by name Jayaraman.
In Tiruppathur also, I was initially entrusted to Mr.Isac Thiyagarajan, for regular tuition. His family was small- had two sons and a daughter.Mr.Isac Thiyagarajan,taught me a lot of good things, discipline, told me lots of moral stories and guided me affectionately to become what I’m to-day. His children gave me company in playing the game called TRADE. Mrs.Isac was also a nice lady who often gave me fruits and eatables.
I can remember only the names of the boys – Sukumaran and Jayakumar.
Will continue later
V.Sivasubramaniam
04-04-2009
In my times, basics were taught while still at home. There were no nursery schools or any such institutions in the vicinity, to take care of young children.
In my case too, I was given orientation and basic tuition and I was admitted in class three at the age of FIVE. There was only one restriction, that a student must have completed 14 years of age to appear the school final exams, conducted by the government.
My memories about the first school I studied are very shady and difficult to recollect as experienced.
The location of the school was in Waynad in Kerala State then. Myself along with my sister walked to the school along with many fellow children. We had to cross a bridge to reach the school. The school was located at a high level ground, and had contour pathway to reach it. There were mango trees and flower plants.
I’m told that I spent more time under the trees than in the class room and my parents were informed about it. My uncle (Balan Mama) represented my parents once, and made me to promise that I will abstain from this habit in the future.
My nature was that of a normal child, as told by my mother. But I was a bit naughty at times.
My next schooling was in Tatabad – Coimbatore. (The year was 1957) Here, I was admitted to class one, as I had to change the language from Malayalam to Tamil medium. So, the years gained earlier were evened, but not lost. I learned basic lessons once again – now in Tamil.
On 01-04-1957, currency system of our country was changed to metric conversion. I was given a set of the first edition coins – and I still have them in my collection.
One of the daily routines in the school was, a senior student will read - a newspaper of the day - on the stage and all other students will be listening. This practice was on rotation (different students every day) on daily basis for few minutes... Mostly it will be from English and Tamil dailies only. My observation of this routine made me to start trying to read the papers at home.
My father was getting The Mail- English daily and Swadesamittiran- Tamil daily regularly. Later, the English one was changed to The Hindu. The Tamil dailies were different at times as the taste of the content was different for different members in the family – My mother had flair for all kind of news.
This practice introduced me to library and with the help of my father (as I could not become a member, but could accompany him being an officer’s son.) I could choose story books of few pages both in English and Tamil.
In this school at Tatabad, I was trained to act in a Drama. I remember very clearly, that I portrayed an African. The dialogue was very brief and was in English. I got prize too! - A diary Pencil small and beautiful – Elephant brand – most expensive brand and was priced 4annas in the shops.
My next schooling was in Attur – Salem District. Here, too, similar routines were followed daily and everything was like a clock work. This is the period; Hawai type foot-wear was introduced in the market – cushion / pad like base with fork like strap. (The year was 1958)
I could not afford a pair of foot-wear in those days due to very tight expense control by my father. One day my mother saw my feet and examined it and found it was contaminated severely. Immediately, she decided to get me a pair of foot-wear. Same time, we set out hunting for a decent pair and ended up costly leather made footwear – Rs.4.50 per pair. (The cost of Gold at that time was Rs.18 per grm, so you can compare the cost of such pair of foot-wear now-days)
My father did not agree with the brand and blasted us for not choosing BATA – the best brand even to-day. In the later years, I only opted for BATA make shoes or slippers.
I was given additional coaching, by a teacher by name Mr.Vadivelu, from the same school I studied. He was probably the only teacher I sat in-front with rapt attention and could learn a lot from him besides the routine text book knowledge. Later in the years, I corresponded with him and his last letter to me was in 1976.
While studying in Attur, there was an incident involving a fellow student by name Gandhimathi. Her mother had a petty shop in the street behind our house and was well known to all in our family and in the neighborhood
One, day by mistake, Gandhimathi, took away my math’s note book which was over 200 pages. Usually, most students had 200 page note book for math’s, as it needed more space and was used up very fast.
I saw my note book with her and demanded it back. She refused and yelled at me on top of her voice. In a rage, I took a small stone and hurled at her and it stuck her on the forehead injuring enough to get blood out.
Gandhimathi’s mother came from somewhere and abused me, badly, but could not do much fearing my parents with whom she had very good relationship. I told that, her daughter had taken away my notebook. She demanded proof as my name was not on the wrap or on the first page. Since everybody had similar book it was not possible for her to say anything else.
I told her that my name is there and that’s the proof. I always put my signature on the inner side of the last page and in two other places inside the note books, and never on the wrap or first page. This is still my habit except for personal books.
So, it was easy for me to prove that the note book belonged to me. Now the issue was where is Gandhimathi’s book? It was found in the school only, on the next day, and retrieved it from math’s teacher, who heard the previous days’ incident. He had few more left with him for correction.
Later in the days we stayed there, we were good friends and I never heard of them after we moved to Tiruppathur ( N.A. Dt then)in the next year.
In Attur, I had another experience. Some days in the afternoons, I joined fellow students to go to the river – after skipping the classes. The students, I accompanied were of higher age, as they over stayed in the same class fore than a year. The students were, Balamuthu, Balakrishnan, Muthu and Athimoolam.
As you know, it is not possible to carry a towel or soap and dress for changing over while going to school for studies. So, it was a grand swim in school attire, sun dried hair and soaked dress after the dips.I managed to dodge my mother, as the house had rear entrance. I was caught once and warned as my mother feared my safety in the river which already had too much causality.
So, I did not continue this venture but went to a village – of fellow student Balamuthu. His house was located behind a hill named KALLADICHAN KUNTRU. The time was harvest season for Ground nuts and sweet potato, and tapioca.
I had a rousing welcome at the hands of Balamuthu’s family. I got tender coconut, fruits - banana and gua, as I told them, that I cannot eat rice but wheat products only. I was also given these items to carry home for my family members. It took me long to convince my mother about this venture. Till to-day I never had another chance to visit that place again.
In another incident, one day, some one called me from the window of the house (third or fourth) next to ours. There was an old but well built person appeared with slow voice. He gave me one rupee note and asked me to fetch a soda immediately which I did very promptly and gave to him. He asked me to hand over the empty bottle and I returned with balance and handed over to him. The soda was costing 10 paisa only.
He gave me 4annas as tip for doing this favor. I refused repeatedly, but he insisted and I took it. He told me that he is a priest and was suffering from stomach pain hence was looking for some one to help him which I did. This money wit explanation I gave to my mother who used it for temple activities in that week.
One day Balakrishnan took me to KAMALA THREE RING CIRCUS which was having two shows daily. On our way, we went to the market place. There he showed me a large black van parked on the side of the road. There was a small crowd around it. I clarified with Balakrishnan, what was happening. He told me that it was the van of one Mr.Ramaswamy Periyar who was visiting and meeting people in Attur.
He took me to him. The person was well built and had dense white beard. I was introduced to him by Balakrishnan and he told Periyar that I’m a Brahmin boy studying with him. Periyar asked me in which class I was studying and advised me to work hard and study well. There was no other talk. Periyar never showed any hatred towards me, eventhough Balakrishnan warned me earlier, that Periyar is anti-Brahmin. I never understood this till many years later, after learning about him, that, he only hated bad things of Brahmins and not Brahmin persons.
I deliberately took to reading of NATHIKAM - a paper published by him. I admired him for voicing certain fact about Brahmanism.
The other experience was about food from Rama café owned by a very elderly Brahmin lady. My mother met her in one of her visits to the local temple, and they became thick friends. The grand lady occasionally used to send for us food, and sweets from the hotel. Many times she came to our house with her daughter and grand children carrying with them large quantity of food and sweets. Once we were taken to her hotel Rama café and I had lemon juice along with ice-cream.
The grand old lady travelled to Malaysia and Singapore alone and returned after few months of vacation there with her other kith and kin. We moved to Tiruppathur, when she was away and never had a chance to meet her again.
There was one another class mate, by name Sridharan – from Kerala whose family owned mills manufacturing tapioca products. He often gave me samples of products.
Then we moved to Tiruppathur in the year 1960. Mr. Vadivelu gave an introductory letter (to my father), for another teacher in Tiruppathur for easing our admission requirements. This teacher was by name Mr.Isac Thyagarajan working in the then Municipal Boys High school there.
This school has become a girl’s school and named MEENAKSHI GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL - WIFE OF A LOCAL BUSINESS MAN. There is theatre named Meenakshi Theatre - just close to the school.
There was a café named Venus café, and a bookshop named after a person by name Jayaraman.
In Tiruppathur also, I was initially entrusted to Mr.Isac Thiyagarajan, for regular tuition. His family was small- had two sons and a daughter.Mr.Isac Thiyagarajan,taught me a lot of good things, discipline, told me lots of moral stories and guided me affectionately to become what I’m to-day. His children gave me company in playing the game called TRADE. Mrs.Isac was also a nice lady who often gave me fruits and eatables.
I can remember only the names of the boys – Sukumaran and Jayakumar.
Will continue later
V.Sivasubramaniam
04-04-2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Childhood days – 5
In the subsequent vacations, my cousins – P.Subramanian - alias Ramani (son of my uncle Sh.Padmanabhan) and Balakrishnan – alias Balu (Son of my aunty Smt.Kamakshi) also joined me. We went to many places around the town. We spent most of the time in the local park.
We discussed about many subjects and day-to -day- developments and what we all will be doing in our future studies. We never discussed politics.
Balu has been to many countries – as his father Shr.Ramanathan was attached to the ministry of foreign affairs. He helped me in my hobby of collecting stamps. Ramani read a lot of books and was showing the sign of becoming a sort of an economist.
I wanted to become an electrical engineer, as I had flair for it. I will tell you, how this was encouraged by my grandfather as well. During this vacation, I was staying back while my cousins left me due to their other program – scheduled by their parents.
One night, my grandfather woke up to the noise of the only available table fan and yelled that the fan was behaving like a drunken person.( This is exactly true) I was very happy to try and oil the fan and do a sort of clean-up / service to it.( This is a very heavy fan by USHA make from Calcutta) a very good fan of its time.
So, soon I had my morning routines done, I quietly, took the fan to the open area behind the house. This place was shady and breezy as well. I took some coconut oil and cotton from my grandmother, and told her that I will just clean the fan. She cautioned me to un-plug the cable and then does the job. It seems some one had died among one of our relatives who touched a live cable of a switch – hence the caution.
I removed all the removable parts to access the oiling points. I could feel the felt near the metal bushes were dry and I soaked then with coconut oil. Besides, I also took the metal parts out and cleaned with soap solution. Finally, gave a clean wipe and switched it on.
There was no noise at all! I tested it on all three speed levels and still there was no noise. I placed the fan again where it was normally kept.
This success encouraged me to do something else. – To clean all the lamp diffusers and bulbs. I took the stool which helped me to reach out to the bulb and lamp shade. One by one I cleaned all the four lamps. Bulbs were of 25 watts each and lamp shades were of ceramic coated metal. It was painted white inside and green out-side.
in the evening, the lights were switched on. My grandfather was shocked to see the bright light from the lamps and jumped on me yelling that I have replaced the lamps for higher wattage. He never thought, I had no money for buying one nor I knew if he had any stock of higher wattage bulbs. I told him what I did. He took the stool, removed one bulb and looked at the writings on it. He was satisfied to find the bulbs were not replaced.
In the evening, he asked me to switch on the fan and complained that the fan is not working. He was so used to its noisy performance; he doubted very much if the fan is really working. Then I increased its speed and told him what I did. Then he was very happy and told me to inherit this fan upon his disappearance from this world. Believe it; I have this fan (more than 60 years since its manufacture) with me in working condition.
I had only one more vacation, before joining the college for higher studies. During this one, me and my cousin Ramani, lost our holy thread while taking the dip in the local pond. Usually we never cover our bodies after the bath. On this day, we had to cover but had only one towel between us.
I took the risk, and told Ramani to cover his body while I walked exposed. As we entered the house, my grandfather asked me, why were late and anything went wrong. Saying these words, he examined my body – only to discover the holy thread was missing. Immediately, he clarified with Ramani if he has his one intact. But he got shock of his life when he found his one was also missing. He then summoned our family priest, and asked him to provide us with new holy threads.
I was blamed for this careless incident and was grounded from going to the pond. But, were, allowed to go to temple after taking bath at home.
There were other incidents which are of not much importance.
Years passed, I went to Engineering College. I came on vacation only twice during this period. These vacations were different from the past. My grandfather looked at me with great respect. He provided me with lots of good guidelines to survive in this world. Told me of how my life will go for the rest of the years and cautioned me on certain engagements / involvements. Whatever he predicted and cautioned me, all has come true till date and I’m aware of what is in store for me in the next few years.
Only thing, I clarified with him was, why he did not believe that I will come thru’ from my pre-matured birth. He told me that there was only a scant possibility – due to positions of certain planetary alignments, but later all became favorable in sparing my life. He also told me that I was blessed by the past karmas especially some one in the family had performed (in the previous life) AGNIHOTHRI YAGAM and I got the benefit of it.
I met him only in 1971, while he was under treatment for piles. He was -in fact to be operated in a nursing home (Sunder Nursing Home) in Salem and was staying with my uncle Sh.Padmanabhan. he could not be operated due to his health condition then.
Then he was shifted back to native place N.parur and was there till his death in the next (11.30PM on 13-11-1972) year. My brothers and sisters looked after him closely during his last few months and were frequently visited by others who could not be close to him always, due to their individual commitments.
From the time I was employed, I managed to send him Rs.50.00 regularly. My first remittance from my first salary was sent to him (Rs.100.00) along with a registered letter. He wrote to me regularly till he went into coma two weeks before his death. I have all his letter cards, involving such things as the weather, plant condition in the house, information about neighbors, his encounters with trouble causing boys – who came to take away flowers from our garden and so on. At times, he will point out my mistakes in the letters and write to me of the correct version. Despite his being unwell he always spared time for all of us, new generation children.
Many times during his conversation, he mentioned about certain difficulties in his life at the hands of others – especially when he had to live away from his family for a brief period before returning to his native N.Parur. He told me of his brief notes in his diary which I never saw till after few years of his death. I read it many times and learned about him more than I learnt, from his own mouth.
I shall write the contents some time during the course of the coming months. Presently, I’m not adding any pictures at present, and will do so later after sorting the available ones, appropriately.
V.Sivasubramaniam
01-04-2009
In the subsequent vacations, my cousins – P.Subramanian - alias Ramani (son of my uncle Sh.Padmanabhan) and Balakrishnan – alias Balu (Son of my aunty Smt.Kamakshi) also joined me. We went to many places around the town. We spent most of the time in the local park.
We discussed about many subjects and day-to -day- developments and what we all will be doing in our future studies. We never discussed politics.
Balu has been to many countries – as his father Shr.Ramanathan was attached to the ministry of foreign affairs. He helped me in my hobby of collecting stamps. Ramani read a lot of books and was showing the sign of becoming a sort of an economist.
I wanted to become an electrical engineer, as I had flair for it. I will tell you, how this was encouraged by my grandfather as well. During this vacation, I was staying back while my cousins left me due to their other program – scheduled by their parents.
One night, my grandfather woke up to the noise of the only available table fan and yelled that the fan was behaving like a drunken person.( This is exactly true) I was very happy to try and oil the fan and do a sort of clean-up / service to it.( This is a very heavy fan by USHA make from Calcutta) a very good fan of its time.
So, soon I had my morning routines done, I quietly, took the fan to the open area behind the house. This place was shady and breezy as well. I took some coconut oil and cotton from my grandmother, and told her that I will just clean the fan. She cautioned me to un-plug the cable and then does the job. It seems some one had died among one of our relatives who touched a live cable of a switch – hence the caution.
I removed all the removable parts to access the oiling points. I could feel the felt near the metal bushes were dry and I soaked then with coconut oil. Besides, I also took the metal parts out and cleaned with soap solution. Finally, gave a clean wipe and switched it on.
There was no noise at all! I tested it on all three speed levels and still there was no noise. I placed the fan again where it was normally kept.
This success encouraged me to do something else. – To clean all the lamp diffusers and bulbs. I took the stool which helped me to reach out to the bulb and lamp shade. One by one I cleaned all the four lamps. Bulbs were of 25 watts each and lamp shades were of ceramic coated metal. It was painted white inside and green out-side.
in the evening, the lights were switched on. My grandfather was shocked to see the bright light from the lamps and jumped on me yelling that I have replaced the lamps for higher wattage. He never thought, I had no money for buying one nor I knew if he had any stock of higher wattage bulbs. I told him what I did. He took the stool, removed one bulb and looked at the writings on it. He was satisfied to find the bulbs were not replaced.
In the evening, he asked me to switch on the fan and complained that the fan is not working. He was so used to its noisy performance; he doubted very much if the fan is really working. Then I increased its speed and told him what I did. Then he was very happy and told me to inherit this fan upon his disappearance from this world. Believe it; I have this fan (more than 60 years since its manufacture) with me in working condition.
I had only one more vacation, before joining the college for higher studies. During this one, me and my cousin Ramani, lost our holy thread while taking the dip in the local pond. Usually we never cover our bodies after the bath. On this day, we had to cover but had only one towel between us.
I took the risk, and told Ramani to cover his body while I walked exposed. As we entered the house, my grandfather asked me, why were late and anything went wrong. Saying these words, he examined my body – only to discover the holy thread was missing. Immediately, he clarified with Ramani if he has his one intact. But he got shock of his life when he found his one was also missing. He then summoned our family priest, and asked him to provide us with new holy threads.
I was blamed for this careless incident and was grounded from going to the pond. But, were, allowed to go to temple after taking bath at home.
There were other incidents which are of not much importance.
Years passed, I went to Engineering College. I came on vacation only twice during this period. These vacations were different from the past. My grandfather looked at me with great respect. He provided me with lots of good guidelines to survive in this world. Told me of how my life will go for the rest of the years and cautioned me on certain engagements / involvements. Whatever he predicted and cautioned me, all has come true till date and I’m aware of what is in store for me in the next few years.
Only thing, I clarified with him was, why he did not believe that I will come thru’ from my pre-matured birth. He told me that there was only a scant possibility – due to positions of certain planetary alignments, but later all became favorable in sparing my life. He also told me that I was blessed by the past karmas especially some one in the family had performed (in the previous life) AGNIHOTHRI YAGAM and I got the benefit of it.
I met him only in 1971, while he was under treatment for piles. He was -in fact to be operated in a nursing home (Sunder Nursing Home) in Salem and was staying with my uncle Sh.Padmanabhan. he could not be operated due to his health condition then.
Then he was shifted back to native place N.parur and was there till his death in the next (11.30PM on 13-11-1972) year. My brothers and sisters looked after him closely during his last few months and were frequently visited by others who could not be close to him always, due to their individual commitments.
From the time I was employed, I managed to send him Rs.50.00 regularly. My first remittance from my first salary was sent to him (Rs.100.00) along with a registered letter. He wrote to me regularly till he went into coma two weeks before his death. I have all his letter cards, involving such things as the weather, plant condition in the house, information about neighbors, his encounters with trouble causing boys – who came to take away flowers from our garden and so on. At times, he will point out my mistakes in the letters and write to me of the correct version. Despite his being unwell he always spared time for all of us, new generation children.
Many times during his conversation, he mentioned about certain difficulties in his life at the hands of others – especially when he had to live away from his family for a brief period before returning to his native N.Parur. He told me of his brief notes in his diary which I never saw till after few years of his death. I read it many times and learned about him more than I learnt, from his own mouth.
I shall write the contents some time during the course of the coming months. Presently, I’m not adding any pictures at present, and will do so later after sorting the available ones, appropriately.
V.Sivasubramaniam
01-04-2009
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