THAATHA - THE CLAN LEADER

The post independent period saw the rise of entrepreneurs from the city of Erode - and NMR, that's thaatha, was one of them. From a humble dyeing  mill set up in the then distant Pallam, he forayed into the area of Printing and agriculture and became successful, only by dint of his hard work, shrewd acumen and perseverance to make it big. He belongs to the lineage of ancestors who were all founding fathers of a small town called Erode and that stately heritage gave him dignity, a sense of power and authority over the rest of his peers. His golden touch made sure that everything worked well and whatever he touched turned into a goldmine. I've seen thaatha at the pinnacle of his glory, starting his day at the office in the front of the house, meeting a lot of people and then visiting the mill and the factory through the day and coming back home for lunch, siesta and a return to his office, till he came back home late in the evening. 

Today, at the age of 92, though restrained by a few ailments, he still retains that power and grip over the household. He ambulates between the hall, the room and the courtyard in between his loud and passionate supplicatory prayers to Ayyappa, his favourite diety., in the morning and evening. ( Tears come to one's eyes, when one listens to his loud, clarion call of Swamiye Saranam Iyyappa). He remains the focus of the clan, for we all come together to thaatha's house to visit him, spend time with him and to be blessed by him. 

The joy, when he sees his beloved sons and daughters, grand children and great grand children, is visible and I feel, he gains strength from his clan. The love he continues to give his daughters is amazing...he is proud of their growth, shares their sorrows and griefs and takes pleasure in the manner in which they have taken their responsibilities and families as an integral part of their lives. He loves his two sons and though he doesn't always say it out aloud, I sense the quiet feeling of satisfaction and tenderness he has for the two of them. He accepts Ilaveni maami as his eighth daughter and sees in Rajalakshmi athai, an intellectual and spiritual person with whom he shares a bond.

Yes, he is adored by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They flock around him, because he so palpably reveals his pride that they have all shown great academic successes and that they all hold responsible positions in life. His birthdays are special, for they tell us  that the reason for the clan is there to guide and bless us. He may be impatient at times, but what is character without a few flaws? He more than makes up for it with his smiles and hearty laughter when we are all around. 

I often wonder what he must be going through...restricted  by his body, but an agile and brisk mind reliving his past,  his achievements, his failures, his glories, his present with a large clan, all of whom take pride in belonging to the clan, his success as a father, husband and grandfather. Many roles, but one person. Many years, much achieved.Much gained, some lost. Wealth, name and power now giving way to the wealth of love, the power of being loved and the name of God on his mind...this giant takes his strides , slowly and in a measured manner.

He is the Clan's father figure, loved and loving... and I remember this song I learnt at school :

"Tenderly He watches over you,

Every night, every step of the way". 

This is thaatha power, may it continue to bring us together always.

Why I Love Coimbatore

Coimbatore is a special city for me... I share a vibe with it that equals the love I have for Salem. These are two cities I'd love to live in.

I feel my love for Coimbatore started way back when we used to holiday at CBE during the vacation in Jaya Chithi's house. These would be usually a week long holiday with Devanthi, Parthi, Kayathri, Karthikayani and usually the three of us from Salem.

There was method and organisation in the midst of all our games and fun here. Our breaksfasts were followed by washing the tables and the wash basins, since chithi always liked the house neat and clean. Her tiny kitchen in the housing unit house always held secrets to delight us - aamai vadais, athirasam, (I swear, chithi made the best, an anda full, which were cooked whenever we ran out of them, fresh and fragrant), whole palapalams cut with big oiled knives and murukkus.

Chithi gave us a taste of adult freedom with a sense of responsibility. We were encouraged to go out to R S Puram and explore the Rum and Raisin and Nutty icecreams at Richie and visit the slipper maker who fashioned slippers and shoes according to our designs ( we felt like Cinderallas). We took enjoyable, adults free walks along the GandhiPark to Maruthamalai road, enjoying the granular and creamy aavin icecream from the Dairy outlet and visited the Agricultural University Park, where huge green trees whispered in the mid morning breeze and spent time looking at the flowers and plants and running down the central walkway cutting across the middle of the Park to the entrance. 

From R S Puram we visited Aachi, Dhamayanthi aaya's loving younger sister, for whom she had a heart full of love, for she had brought up this kid sister after their mom's death. Aachi aaya and the houseful of chithis, maamas, athais and cousins welcomed us with open arms and we spent hours and hours playing carrom and Trade with Uma Chithi, Thilaga Chithi and enjoying Maami's theeni and Chandralekha athai's flawless beauty. 

I now realise that my growing years were influenced by the orderliness and discipline that was not thrust upon us, but shown to be a way of life that made it more enjoyable. The aesthetic sense of beauty and love of fine things, I think, I learnt from Jaya  Chithi. She still retains these and looks amazingly beautiful whenever she attends functions and get togethers, for she takes care of herself and wears very tastefully selected sarees.Her lesson for me has been in self-esteem, something that has stood by me all these years.