Childhood days – 4
As I mentioned to you, I will tell you some information about my paternal Grandfather. He is by name Sivasubramani Iyer and my Grandmother by name Alamelu Ammal. ( Both are not around any more)
He retired as school teacher – served in the same school he studied and passed out. He lost his father few days before his birth and was looked after by his mother. He worked hard to come up in life by sticking to his noble profession.
Like many people of his time, he too under went financial hardship. He was an excellent teacher in many subjects – Sanskrit, English, Mathematics and General Science.
He also practiced Astrology( Not Palmistry) and was responsible for making the Birth Chart of almost all babies born in the family till a couple of years before his death on 13-11-1972( Monday)
I met him during my summer vacations. Most of the time, I was in my grandparents house along with my father. I cannot remember a time my mother too was also there. For some unknown reason, my mother never stayed there more than once or so. (Before I was born)
He was very affectionate towards everyone except my father. My father was financier to him, but still there was rift between them. I could sense this nature, but never understood why?
At this point I wish to add that I inherited his personal diary and learned about his own- life and time- which I will add some times later.
My first visit to him was when I was in studying in class 8(Third Form of olden days)
This was around 12 years age and I travelled by an express train from Morappur to Alwaye. I was seen off by my father. Before sending me, my father did post an EXPRESS LETTER CARD to my grandfather. Unfortunately, I was earlier than the card and received it on my grandfather’s behalf!!The letter arrived by 8AM. I reached there by 7AM
I had a small metal brief case, and some eatables for my grandparents – given courtesy of my mother, and I took a rickshaw from Parur bus stop to our street (Karakad street.)
I hated a man pulling the rickshaw especially with me inside, and so, got down at the entrance to the street and paid him off his charge- 50 paise.
As I walked thru’ the street, almost all occupants came out and stared at me. I did not bother about this, as it is a common practice by all, when some one comes there to any of the families residing on either side of the street.
My grand father was chanting his usual prayers when I entered the house. Very quickly, he ordered me to leave my footwear at the entrance pavement and instructed my grandmother to provide me with sufficient water to wash my feet before entering the house.
I was told to leave my clothing out inside the open bathroom and change over to a dhoti provided by grandmother. I requested my grand parents to stand up and acknowledge my namaskarams. So, they both stood facing the west while I threw by body in front of them. My grand father directed his ears to my mouth with rapt attention -to confirm if I was uttering the usual manthras before falling to his feet.
Please note, that it is necessary for a Brahmin to chant the mantras meant for taking the blessing of elders. Also, one should offer their namaskars after arriving and also before leaving. But not when elders are leaving.
He seems to have uttered some Godly words, and gave me VIBOOTHI when I stood up. I handed over to them the eatables I brought for them.
My grand father was very happy for a moment and returned to his routine of chanting the holy script. My grandmother started getting queries from the next door aunty if Iam the eldest son of Shr.Mani( My father was known as Mr.Mani in his home town)
I got a glass of hot filtered coffee and was directed to have bath before breakfast. Since it was around 9AM, Iwas prohibited from taking a dip in the local tank/pond. (One should use the tank well in the early hours of the morning)
So, I took a quick bath using well water. There was, always kept a bucket with rope and a large brass vessel to collect water for the bath. Later I had breakfast.
Then, my grandfather, who by then has completed his morning prayers, enquired about my parents, brothers and sisters. Then he told me about forth coming visits by other grandchildren during this vacation.
During my stay with him, I met most of the neighbors who visited him often – particularly to consult him with horoscopes of their children particularly girls. During this period, many came with worries on the fate of their Money / Deposits held with Pala Bank which just collapsed.
My grandfather never charged any one for their consultancy on any matter but always joked with them what they will do if everything comes true. But none gave him a straight answer and returned with a funny smile.
There was some thing I want to share with you all now. The residents respected my grand father – as he was teacher to most of them and they feared him out of sheer respect. The same thing was extended to me as well for some reason unknown to me till date.
The vendor in the weekly market used to stand up at the very sight of my grandfather. When I went with him – for the first time, he told most of the vendors, that I will be buying items from them and they should treat me like they did with him.
I experienced this whenever I went to the market. My grandfather never accepted anything from any vendor free of charge and instructed me not to fall prey for them. He will bargain down to earth and succeed in all his buying.
There was one vendor, he was very touchy – he always told him to give good education to his children and not to make them rot like him. I found out that this particular vendor was his student and never passed 5th class despite my grandfather’s pursuing him.
My grandfather never trusted any one before the person passed his questionnaire. For example, one day he asked me to post a card in the red box kept in the post office on the first floor of a building on the way to the weekly market.
He told me not to post it in another post box kept in our street corner close to Lord Krishna Temple. He doubted that, this box was seldom cleared - as per the time schedule mentioned.
So, I posted the letter in the red box kept in the post office itself. I too verified if the letter will reach the destination on time and only after the post master replied affirmatively, I posted the letter.
I returned home fast and my grandfather quickly asked me why I was early – if I posted the letter in the close by box. I told him that I did as per his instruction only.
Days passed and there was no reply for this particular letter which apparently was addressed to my youngest uncle Mr.Devarajan who was having some problems in his workplace.
Once again, my grandfather accused me of telling a lie and doubted if I have posted into some other box. I did not know what to tell and how to prove what I have done.
Fortunately post man delivered an inland letter (my uncle never used a post card ever to write a letter as he felt it is indecent to do so) This letter was reply to the letter card I posted, which was received by my uncle within 5 days but reply was delayed. So, my grandfather now convinced but did not like to show his appreciation kept quiet.
During this vacation, I went to local temples regularly and walked thru’ the areas close to the back waters around.

Will be, continued.
26-03-09