Kolazhi

Another memorable trip to Kolazhi Village My birthplace

This was my fourth trip in 16 months – never visited so frequently in the previous years, except during school / college days.

The occasion is – Balan Mamas’ birthday, and gathering of other family members. So, I decided to attend the function.

We only had returned from Bangalore – after attending AYUSH’s second birthday – the previous afternoon. But, decided to leave for Kolazhi in the early hours of 27-2-10.

I got up as usual at 4AM on this day, and called the CALL Taxi Company, only to learn that no taxi is available. This is despite my reservation made on the previous night. So, we had to speed up our routines, as we could only get a bus to the stop. After completing all routines, we started walking at 5.10 AM towards the bus top. We waited for 10 minites. Luckily, managed to spot a three wheeler and hired it to reach Thiruvalluvar Bus stop by 5.40 AM I saw a sizable crowd near the booking counter and realized that it was Saturday – a rushing day for holiday travelers.

I had to book TWO seats in the next leaving KSRTC by paying Rs.10.00. Managed to get seats numbered 36 and 37. There was initial confusion, as the seat no. was on the back of each seat. Many thought the nos. indicated the seat in front of the nos. Then we managed- after seeing the first seat and its sequence which confirmed the actual location related to the number marked.

The conductor was grim faced and rough in his attitude, demanding each one to buy ticket – instead of the courteous way of asking. After all it is KSRTC and one cannot expect decency from most drivers and conductors. We paid Rs.66 per ticket up to Trichur.

We could have opted for another Luxury bus - @Rs.200 each, but stopping about 20 KM away from Kolazhi- as it was going to Guruvayoor, leaving Coimbatore at 6 AM. This could upset our reaching the venue on time- before 9.30 AM. So, we took the KSRTC bus.
In my earlier trip I had no problem in getting a seat – in the same route bus leaving at 6AM- as the day was a working day and very few people seeking to go for a trip.
We reached Trichur and took a three-wheeler to our village. On the way we procured some fruits for the elders. Our vehicle could not pass thru’ the normal route from the main road as new tarmac was being prepared. The alternate route was a parallel one but was also found to be very narrow and learned that this too was blocked with pebbles.
The other choice was to go round about – twice the distance and hence decided to cross the paddy fields across our house.

The driver dropped us at the edge of the field. This route was taken by me several times during my vacation and so I did not find it unusual. But, Saro found it to be little inconvenience, as she had to step into water wetting few inches of her golden feet. But joyfully, we reached home in few minutes and were there precisely at 9.28 AM.

The first phase of the function was ON and about to go for break(fast). We were welcomed and greeted by aunties and cousins. I changed over to standard dhotis (two piece attire). The priests had breakfast before the rest of us had our turn.

We met our cousins- Subramanian from Bombay( met him during Sheeba’s wedding), Kannan,( met him several years ago) from Bombay, Girija and Ramakrishnan from Bangalore and those in-house.

During break fast, we spoke quickly of day-to day and familiar matters of mutual interest. Later the function continued and ended by 2PM. I took some snaps, besides making moves around the house.

There were references to Poonal function that was held in Coimbatore on 17/18 of February- for Sachu and Viji’s sons. We did not attend due to prevailing situation in the family. Papa Mama, Girija, and Raman Mami seem to have attended the function on invitation.

We were asked to stay back for the evening function as well, but requested them to relieve us by afternoon itself.

We decided to return home by 4PM after having a quick cup of coffee. Aunty gave us idly and side dishes for us to save our time in making dinner after reaching Coimbatore.

My cousin, Venkadi, suggested taking KERALA EXPRESS from Trichur to Coimbatore, if no KSRTC bus was available. The family auto driver took us to KSRTC stand and, I found that no bus was available and the previous bus also has not reached there. So, sensing trouble, we decided to travel by train, especially when we have no luggage and free to travel.

The ticket was also cheaper by 16 rupees per person and I paid only Rs.100 for us. There were many people who probably had never traveled by opting a reserved seat / berth till this day. While we were waiting for this train on platform 2, we saw a goods train coming and stopping in front of us. We heard an announcement informing of the train arriving on platform 3. Platform 3 was behind us and hence no need to cross over the bridge.

The train came by 5.25 PM, we boarded into a compartment full of passengers, as the exiting ones were equally rushing out. Fortunately, we not only boarded the coach, and also got two comfortable seats. The engine was next to our compartment. This means, at Coimbatore, we have to walk a full length of the train to reach the exit there.
I also learned that this train passes through Podanur junction as well. The thumb rule is, any train passes / touches Podanur does not go / halt at Coimbatore. But this train did stop at Coimbatore.

In the train, we could see different type of travelers- men women and children. One of the boys was about the age of Ayush, and was talking so much amusing all the fellow passengers. There were two other boys, (family going to Katpadi) giving trouble to their mother. They were rolling on a dirty bed sheet which was placed on the equally dirt floor of the compartment

We talk of healthy food, clean environment etc; but the scene reminded me of hundreds of children living and leading a miserable life like this- at home and during travel. There was a very old man who just climbed over to the top – luggage rack and his dirty sandals showered dust storm and hit a baby girl and her mother. The fellow was very casual in his attitude and did not seem to bother about anything. He had three pieces of luggage and was ducking around it. He also said, that this train passes thru’ Podanur and stops at Coimbatore. Apparently, this person seems to be a regular traveler as he was making fun of some one else by asking ARE YOU TRAVELLING IN TRAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Most women were domestics from areas close to Katpadi, working for contractors in Kerala and going on a short vacation. Our politicians talk too much of upgrading our women by granting 33% of everything- but I think they instead giving them 100% trouble only. The so called women’s organization – majority of them do nothing to the masses but conduct meetings and seminars for publicity and getting (notoriously) famous.

In the core of my heart, I prayed for these poor women / children and the like for improved condition at least by next generation.

As the train passed the jungle area, we saw rings of fire, kept to keep off the elephants from reaching the tracks and get run over by trains. Several baby elephants were killed by speeding trains in this area during the past few months.

We reached our destination by 8 PM and home by auto at 8.45 PM. paid him the usual justified Rs.120.00

We completed our evening routines and had our dinner – thanks to Aunt who gave take away food for us.

I quickly browsed for any mails, got Anushruthi –my D-in-Law on chat, and briefly told her of the function.

We went to bed by 10PM, thinking of the events covering the previous day’s activities.

V.Sivasubramaniam
02-03-2010