Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
An autobiography of a middle class man - chapter 2
10th January 2008
Chapter 2
Creating a blog and writing was my desire since I heard about blogs. I was not well conversant with the technicalities of computer. I was postponing it and was spending lot of time on my computer. Quite often the computer used to go out of order, and I had to wait for the technician to come and set it right. Slowly, I gathered confidence, that I can handle this art of technology and started my venture. Incidentally, when my daughter-in-law,was introduced to us, by my son, she told that her hobby was writing, and she was going to write a novel. Her statement woke up the sleeping giant in me and my urge to write was growing.
Story telling, i.e.,imagining certain things and narrating them, in an interesting way to others was one of my in born quality, and it was once again encouraged by my mother by talking to me and asking me to narrate things to her, during my early days. In my pre high school days, I used to lose my pens quite often, and tell different stories to my mother, whenever I lost one.
Once, I told her that somebody interrupted me, while coming from the school ( We had to walk up and down four miles from our home to school and back), slapped me on my cheek and taken away the pen. My mother believed that story, and sympathised with me and did not scold me for the loss. Unluckily, the same evening, my uncle (who was the youngest brother of my mother, who was also studying with me in the same school)came home and inquired to my mother, " did Hari get back the pen he lost in the school?". The truth was that, I lost the pen when I was in the school itself and was searching for that. My uncle who was senior to me by two classes in the school, was also searching the pen for me. We walked back home after our search was futile. I parted with my uncle at his house at Thalaiyur which is half a mile before my village
and then proceeded to my village, building the imagination of a story to tell my mother. I never anticipated that my uncle will come to our home after one hour, and also check with my mother whether I recovered my pen. My mother got annoyed, not only because I lost the pen, but also for telling a lie, to escape from her scolding. At that time she told me sarcastically in anger, "You can start writing stories. How beautifully you narrated the incident and about the person who robbed the pen from you!".
Even though, I faced admonitions from her for my wrong act, that statement inspired me to become a writer. Becoming a writer was my dream and ambition, since the age of ten, and I wanted to read lot of stories, to build my talent, and subscribing to "Aananda Vikatan" was one of them.
The school, where we studied, was four miles from our place, and in those days, there was no other mode of transport to go to school, except by walking. There used to be groups to go together, and these groups will split on petty quarrels and join on advantages of going together. My younger sister, my younger brother, and some of my cousins and friends used to form a group and walk to and fro from school. It will take nearly an hour or an hour and half to reach the school. Normally, while going to school, there used to be only chit chats, and the concentration will be only to reach school on time. But, while coming back, we all used to be in a relaxed mood, and that is the time, I started telling stories to my group.
The stories generally used to be consisting characters of King, Queen , Prince, Princess and Villain, (mostly commander-in-chief of the army). There will be fights, horse riding, sword fights etc. All these stories were mixtures of films I have seen and the stories I have read, with little bit of my own imaginations. As the time passed, I started building up my own stories and I had lot of fans. Other than summer, or before the harvest season, we cannot go to our school by taking the short cut through the fields, and were forced to go through the road only, which is one mile more than the short cut route. This gave lot of scope for stretching my imagination to narrate the story, until, we reach our village.
My mother was always admirer of my lies, I mean, my imaginations and build up of stories. She sincerely felt that I have the talent to become a writer one day.
Once, after reaching Hyderabad, for my higher studies, I happened to write a letter on the occasion of my Grandfather's cousin's sixtieth birth day. The letter had beautiful narration of the characters of the person who was celebrating, his wife, his sons, and the close relatives, and was written in chaste Tamil. It appears, that the letter was read in public on the occasion, and everybody clapped and appreciated the letter. It seems one lady came and told my mother "I have not seen your son. But, I like to see him. You are very lucky to have a son who can write like this." My mother proudly told me this, when I went to my village for vacation. ( to be continued)
Chapter 2
Creating a blog and writing was my desire since I heard about blogs. I was not well conversant with the technicalities of computer. I was postponing it and was spending lot of time on my computer. Quite often the computer used to go out of order, and I had to wait for the technician to come and set it right. Slowly, I gathered confidence, that I can handle this art of technology and started my venture. Incidentally, when my daughter-in-law,was introduced to us, by my son, she told that her hobby was writing, and she was going to write a novel. Her statement woke up the sleeping giant in me and my urge to write was growing.
Story telling, i.e.,imagining certain things and narrating them, in an interesting way to others was one of my in born quality, and it was once again encouraged by my mother by talking to me and asking me to narrate things to her, during my early days. In my pre high school days, I used to lose my pens quite often, and tell different stories to my mother, whenever I lost one.
Once, I told her that somebody interrupted me, while coming from the school ( We had to walk up and down four miles from our home to school and back), slapped me on my cheek and taken away the pen. My mother believed that story, and sympathised with me and did not scold me for the loss. Unluckily, the same evening, my uncle (who was the youngest brother of my mother, who was also studying with me in the same school)came home and inquired to my mother, " did Hari get back the pen he lost in the school?". The truth was that, I lost the pen when I was in the school itself and was searching for that. My uncle who was senior to me by two classes in the school, was also searching the pen for me. We walked back home after our search was futile. I parted with my uncle at his house at Thalaiyur which is half a mile before my village
and then proceeded to my village, building the imagination of a story to tell my mother. I never anticipated that my uncle will come to our home after one hour, and also check with my mother whether I recovered my pen. My mother got annoyed, not only because I lost the pen, but also for telling a lie, to escape from her scolding. At that time she told me sarcastically in anger, "You can start writing stories. How beautifully you narrated the incident and about the person who robbed the pen from you!".
Even though, I faced admonitions from her for my wrong act, that statement inspired me to become a writer. Becoming a writer was my dream and ambition, since the age of ten, and I wanted to read lot of stories, to build my talent, and subscribing to "Aananda Vikatan" was one of them.
The school, where we studied, was four miles from our place, and in those days, there was no other mode of transport to go to school, except by walking. There used to be groups to go together, and these groups will split on petty quarrels and join on advantages of going together. My younger sister, my younger brother, and some of my cousins and friends used to form a group and walk to and fro from school. It will take nearly an hour or an hour and half to reach the school. Normally, while going to school, there used to be only chit chats, and the concentration will be only to reach school on time. But, while coming back, we all used to be in a relaxed mood, and that is the time, I started telling stories to my group.
The stories generally used to be consisting characters of King, Queen , Prince, Princess and Villain, (mostly commander-in-chief of the army). There will be fights, horse riding, sword fights etc. All these stories were mixtures of films I have seen and the stories I have read, with little bit of my own imaginations. As the time passed, I started building up my own stories and I had lot of fans. Other than summer, or before the harvest season, we cannot go to our school by taking the short cut through the fields, and were forced to go through the road only, which is one mile more than the short cut route. This gave lot of scope for stretching my imagination to narrate the story, until, we reach our village.
My mother was always admirer of my lies, I mean, my imaginations and build up of stories. She sincerely felt that I have the talent to become a writer one day.
Once, after reaching Hyderabad, for my higher studies, I happened to write a letter on the occasion of my Grandfather's cousin's sixtieth birth day. The letter had beautiful narration of the characters of the person who was celebrating, his wife, his sons, and the close relatives, and was written in chaste Tamil. It appears, that the letter was read in public on the occasion, and everybody clapped and appreciated the letter. It seems one lady came and told my mother "I have not seen your son. But, I like to see him. You are very lucky to have a son who can write like this." My mother proudly told me this, when I went to my village for vacation. ( to be continued)
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Karatholuvu said... - Your story about your story-telling talent stimulated by your mother is itself a storey within a story and it is very fascinating. It is amazing what one's parents can do just by listening to their kids.
Awaiting your next installment.
AALAYAM THOZHUVOM said...- please visit,
http://picasaweb.google.com/slnvasu/PavatakkudiShivanTemple#
hvaidya said...- Thank you for giving me the link. I found the lingam lying in an open area in the first photos and a temple on the other photos. Has it been renovated?
- AALAYAM THOZHUVOM said...
- Thank u HariSir, for quick response!The LINGAMSWAMI is in your mother's village[THALAIYUR],on the southurnside of agraharam,Sorry to say,it is still in the open area, i took the fotos only 2 days back,if u have any contacts there, please help us, atleast to put a shed there, thanks.
If u need more in formation pl. contact me,
KUMBAKONAM-LAKSHMINARAYANAN,
9443714218,THANKING U ONCE AGAIN
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Thirukkural - what is this?
When I was talking to a relative of mine, he told me that he does not have time to read "kural, kiral etc" (a way of expressing opposite things in Tamil). True. He is a man, who does not have time, to read anything, other than the subjects, which are necessary for him. Since he spends more time in the sky, than the earth, by touring the entire world, to make money, he feels a literature has no role to play in his life. Is that true?
Every speedy action has to halt at some stage. When that rest occurs, when there is no need for him to make money, and plenty of time available to him, because, he need not have to travel, what is going to give him company?
There is an impression among many, in the present day generation, that there is no need to learn any thing else, other than the subject they deal with, and they are afraid, any diversion will hamper the progress in the field, they are in.
May be true. But when they miss certain subjects, which they consider, that it is not necessary for them to read and learn, they are loosing certain important messages, which are relevant to their day today activities. Hence, it is necessary for everybody, to spare some specific time to read everything, and choose whichever necessary for their life, and apply them in their life.
For example,
A man wise enough to have men of
greater wisdom than he, to advise him
shall be a really powerful ruler.(444)
This English translation of 444th Kural does not require explanation. But, how many are prepared to have more intelligent men than him around them? May be few successful men. But if everybody, who reads this Kural and understand and applies this Kural in his carrier/life, is sure to win.
This is another one:
Where the leader has this company of
counsellors who could reprove him
None on earth can bring about his ruin (447)
How important and relevant even in today's life!
This one:
Placate and make friend with the enemies
even more swiftly than thou rewardest friends (679)
I can quote many like this, but many may feel that they already know these things. The truth always is that you do not know what you do not know.
So my dear friends, please spare some time to read these articles on Kural and derive the benefits and mind you, I am writing this only for those who have not read Thirukkural.
Every speedy action has to halt at some stage. When that rest occurs, when there is no need for him to make money, and plenty of time available to him, because, he need not have to travel, what is going to give him company?
There is an impression among many, in the present day generation, that there is no need to learn any thing else, other than the subject they deal with, and they are afraid, any diversion will hamper the progress in the field, they are in.
May be true. But when they miss certain subjects, which they consider, that it is not necessary for them to read and learn, they are loosing certain important messages, which are relevant to their day today activities. Hence, it is necessary for everybody, to spare some specific time to read everything, and choose whichever necessary for their life, and apply them in their life.
For example,
A man wise enough to have men of
greater wisdom than he, to advise him
shall be a really powerful ruler.(444)
This English translation of 444th Kural does not require explanation. But, how many are prepared to have more intelligent men than him around them? May be few successful men. But if everybody, who reads this Kural and understand and applies this Kural in his carrier/life, is sure to win.
This is another one:
Where the leader has this company of
counsellors who could reprove him
None on earth can bring about his ruin (447)
How important and relevant even in today's life!
This one:
Placate and make friend with the enemies
even more swiftly than thou rewardest friends (679)
I can quote many like this, but many may feel that they already know these things. The truth always is that you do not know what you do not know.
So my dear friends, please spare some time to read these articles on Kural and derive the benefits and mind you, I am writing this only for those who have not read Thirukkural.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Thirukkural - An ancient Tamil lietature of Moral Science Chapter 1
I was told by my niece in USA there is no Moral Science as subject in schools and so the youngsters there have no lessons on Moral Science, but they are taught moral in different ways.
I though it will be useful if I post some important Thirukkurals in this blog, it will be useful to many youngsters.I am beginning with the first chapter. Please read this and explain to your kids or make them to read. Please spread this news to every one whom you know irrespective of Religion, Language. I do not think you have to do any other social service, than spreading this to as many people as possible, to attain Greatness.
Chapter 1. In praisCe of God
Agara mudhala Ezhuththellaam Aadhi
Bhagavan mudhatre Ulagu.
"A"gara as in "And"
"E"zhuththellam - E as in End
"U"lagu - U as in Utopia
English translation
The alphabet begins with A;
So does the Universe, with God.
Just as the letter"A" begins and energises all other letters of the Alphabet, God is the origin and sustenance of all the Universe.
Though we may admit that the basis of the Poet's religious though is Hindu and ethical philosophy is Tamil, Valluvar ( the author of Thirukkural) has so carefully and ingeniously worded these Kurals avoiding denominational names and exclusive doctrines, that every religionist all over the world is able to see the God of his own conception in the references by the author.
In this particular couplet, there is more in the comparison of God to the first letter, of the alphabet,than is obvious in the ordinary context. Linguists would realise that the sound of the letter "A" is that which energises all other letters and is the indispensable origin and source of utterances for all letters of the alphabet of most languages. In this way the letter " A" and its sound not only from the starting point for all the letters of the language,but also give life and integrity to all other sounds and letters. In the same way God is the fountain-head and source of all life and activity in this Universe.
This is not only in keeping with the Tamil tradition of hailing God as the prime mover of all things at the commencement of the poetical work, but also in accordance with the general practice of acknowledging God as the origin and source of life itself. This has parallel in the Biblical lines, " I am the Alpha and the Omega"(Revelations 216) meaning, the beginning and the end(i.e all of life). That is why Spinoza called God, "the first cause" in his philosophic discourse on Ethics. So does Thomas Acquinas and, from a more rational angle Decartes. This idea is found equally well in the Bhagvad GitaI am the origin and dissolution of the whole Universe and in Zorpaster's teachings as well in the Holy Korann>style="font-style:italic;"> and the sacred books of almost all religions of the world. That really is the special feature and vital core of Valluvar;s universality of religious outlook. And it is not as if it is all a patchwork. On the contrary, what he presents in Thirukkural is a well digested happily integrated universal philosophy which is all his own and at the same time, acceptable to all thinkers, including those of all acknowledged religions.
I though it will be useful if I post some important Thirukkurals in this blog, it will be useful to many youngsters.I am beginning with the first chapter. Please read this and explain to your kids or make them to read. Please spread this news to every one whom you know irrespective of Religion, Language. I do not think you have to do any other social service, than spreading this to as many people as possible, to attain Greatness.
Chapter 1. In praisCe of God
Agara mudhala Ezhuththellaam Aadhi
Bhagavan mudhatre Ulagu.
"A"gara as in "And"
"E"zhuththellam - E as in End
"U"lagu - U as in Utopia
English translation
The alphabet begins with A;
So does the Universe, with God.
Just as the letter"A" begins and energises all other letters of the Alphabet, God is the origin and sustenance of all the Universe.
Though we may admit that the basis of the Poet's religious though is Hindu and ethical philosophy is Tamil, Valluvar ( the author of Thirukkural) has so carefully and ingeniously worded these Kurals avoiding denominational names and exclusive doctrines, that every religionist all over the world is able to see the God of his own conception in the references by the author.
In this particular couplet, there is more in the comparison of God to the first letter, of the alphabet,than is obvious in the ordinary context. Linguists would realise that the sound of the letter "A" is that which energises all other letters and is the indispensable origin and source of utterances for all letters of the alphabet of most languages. In this way the letter " A" and its sound not only from the starting point for all the letters of the language,but also give life and integrity to all other sounds and letters. In the same way God is the fountain-head and source of all life and activity in this Universe.
This is not only in keeping with the Tamil tradition of hailing God as the prime mover of all things at the commencement of the poetical work, but also in accordance with the general practice of acknowledging God as the origin and source of life itself. This has parallel in the Biblical lines, " I am the Alpha and the Omega"(Revelations 216) meaning, the beginning and the end(i.e all of life). That is why Spinoza called God, "the first cause" in his philosophic discourse on Ethics. So does Thomas Acquinas and, from a more rational angle Decartes. This idea is found equally well in the Bhagvad GitaI am the origin and dissolution of the whole Universe and in Zorpaster's teachings as well in the Holy Korann>style="font-style:italic;"> and the sacred books of almost all religions of the world. That really is the special feature and vital core of Valluvar;s universality of religious outlook. And it is not as if it is all a patchwork. On the contrary, what he presents in Thirukkural is a well digested happily integrated universal philosophy which is all his own and at the same time, acceptable to all thinkers, including those of all acknowledged religions.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Music Season in Chennai - 2007
3rd January 2008
It appears there were more than 4000 concerts in Madras city alone at various auditoriums. More than 300 artistes, of various field i.e vocal, violin, mridangam, Ganjira, morsing, Ghatam, Veena, Flute, Mandolin, Chitraveena, were performing morning 8.00 A.M to 9.30 P.M. People from various walks of life, gathered, enjoyed, discussed Carnatic Music, as though, that is the life.
Out of all cultural organisations, which conducted at various places, Music Academy stands tall in every aspect. Every good artist except, K.J. Yesudoss were performing here. Those who had purchased tickets were having reserved seats of their choice, and there names were displayed in the seats.
Excellent arrangements were made to car parking, with valet parking. You just enter the compound and leave your car and rush to the performance. Your vehicle is taken care of, and delivered to you when you come back at the place where you stand. The funniest problem was, the same people who waited in queue for hours together to purchase the tickets, and waited in the queue to enter into the auditorium, had no patience to wait in the queue to hand over the token and ask the driver to bring their vehicles. There was a mad rush at the token counter. Had not this valet system introduced, it would have been bedlam, while parking and while taking out.
There were enough volunteers, to guide the people to their respective seats, and prevented to talk in between the concerts, and mobiles were not allowed to be used within the auditorium.
The lighting and acoustic system were excellent, and there was pin drop silence from the audience, mostly, during the concerts.
The Music Academy, which arranged the concerts, in such a dignified and decent way for the Artistes as well as to the audience, should also insist on people to occupy their seats before commencement of the concert and prevent the people, entering the auditorium any time they want and disturb those who are immersed in excellent music, by crossing the rows with great difficulty. The Artistes, who are seniors and in demand should dictate their terms in such things. Indifferent, and not bothering for anything and mountain of tolerance are bad of our Artistes. Their are advertisements showing the artist walking out, when even a small shoe noice is created, is well received, but in fact nobody is bothered. Mr. Unnikrishnan pointed this outin Margazhi Mahotsavam organised by Jaya TV, in answer to a question, that in foreign concerts, people once come inside the auditorium will never stir out of their seats, until the programme is completed. Mr. Ganesh of Ganeshkumaresh, had to declare that the "Kutcheri" (concert) is not over, when few people started walking out within one hour, after the performance was started, yet he could not prevent them from doing so. I really do not understand, why people come when they can't spend two hours in the concert when they know pretty well that it is for two hours or two and half hours. If they do this, we can also insist on the artist to keep up the time schedule.
Music Academy was once again, very punctual in commencing and finishing the concerts in time as announced, except in few cases by few minutes, since some artistes exceeded their limits.
The arrangements, for daily ticket booking was excellent. Even though they announced that the booking will start at 10.00 A.M. people, in their anxiety to get the ticket, since only limited seats were available,started gathering from the early morning. I was told, people started gathering for Ms. Aruna Sairam's concert, from 5.30 A.M, when the counter for booking was to be opened at 10.00 A.M. When there were people, than the seats, those who are likely to get tickets were issued tokens, and others were asked to leave or stand in for another queue, for LCD display in the mini hall.
On the day of Mr. Sanjay Subramaniam's concert,chairs were provided for people in the queue and mineral water with coffee was also served.
Our organisers are improving very much in a professional way to conduct the programmes for the comfort of the audience. Only, this professionalism should come to those who attend the programmes and in a more disciplined way.
It appears there were more than 4000 concerts in Madras city alone at various auditoriums. More than 300 artistes, of various field i.e vocal, violin, mridangam, Ganjira, morsing, Ghatam, Veena, Flute, Mandolin, Chitraveena, were performing morning 8.00 A.M to 9.30 P.M. People from various walks of life, gathered, enjoyed, discussed Carnatic Music, as though, that is the life.
Out of all cultural organisations, which conducted at various places, Music Academy stands tall in every aspect. Every good artist except, K.J. Yesudoss were performing here. Those who had purchased tickets were having reserved seats of their choice, and there names were displayed in the seats.
Excellent arrangements were made to car parking, with valet parking. You just enter the compound and leave your car and rush to the performance. Your vehicle is taken care of, and delivered to you when you come back at the place where you stand. The funniest problem was, the same people who waited in queue for hours together to purchase the tickets, and waited in the queue to enter into the auditorium, had no patience to wait in the queue to hand over the token and ask the driver to bring their vehicles. There was a mad rush at the token counter. Had not this valet system introduced, it would have been bedlam, while parking and while taking out.
There were enough volunteers, to guide the people to their respective seats, and prevented to talk in between the concerts, and mobiles were not allowed to be used within the auditorium.
The lighting and acoustic system were excellent, and there was pin drop silence from the audience, mostly, during the concerts.
The Music Academy, which arranged the concerts, in such a dignified and decent way for the Artistes as well as to the audience, should also insist on people to occupy their seats before commencement of the concert and prevent the people, entering the auditorium any time they want and disturb those who are immersed in excellent music, by crossing the rows with great difficulty. The Artistes, who are seniors and in demand should dictate their terms in such things. Indifferent, and not bothering for anything and mountain of tolerance are bad of our Artistes. Their are advertisements showing the artist walking out, when even a small shoe noice is created, is well received, but in fact nobody is bothered. Mr. Unnikrishnan pointed this outin Margazhi Mahotsavam organised by Jaya TV, in answer to a question, that in foreign concerts, people once come inside the auditorium will never stir out of their seats, until the programme is completed. Mr. Ganesh of Ganeshkumaresh, had to declare that the "Kutcheri" (concert) is not over, when few people started walking out within one hour, after the performance was started, yet he could not prevent them from doing so. I really do not understand, why people come when they can't spend two hours in the concert when they know pretty well that it is for two hours or two and half hours. If they do this, we can also insist on the artist to keep up the time schedule.
Music Academy was once again, very punctual in commencing and finishing the concerts in time as announced, except in few cases by few minutes, since some artistes exceeded their limits.
The arrangements, for daily ticket booking was excellent. Even though they announced that the booking will start at 10.00 A.M. people, in their anxiety to get the ticket, since only limited seats were available,started gathering from the early morning. I was told, people started gathering for Ms. Aruna Sairam's concert, from 5.30 A.M, when the counter for booking was to be opened at 10.00 A.M. When there were people, than the seats, those who are likely to get tickets were issued tokens, and others were asked to leave or stand in for another queue, for LCD display in the mini hall.
On the day of Mr. Sanjay Subramaniam's concert,chairs were provided for people in the queue and mineral water with coffee was also served.
Our organisers are improving very much in a professional way to conduct the programmes for the comfort of the audience. Only, this professionalism should come to those who attend the programmes and in a more disciplined way.
Music Season in Chennai - 2007
2nd January 2008
We have attended more than 50 carnatic music concerts, in a span of 35 days. There were days, we attended four concerts a day. Even though, I was attending the concerts regularly in all the other days in the year, with a feeling that carnatic music is losing its patronage and people are not interested in listening Carnatic music. In November and December, I was proved wrong. People were thronging at the auditoriums, and all the auditoriums were overflowing. People waited for more than four to five hours in the queue to enter the auditorium to get vantage seats in free concerts. Even in concerts, which were not free, people waited to purchase tickets for limited available seats. For a free concert at Chettinad Vidhyashram, people were waiting from 2.00 P.M for 6.30 P.M concert. At Music academy, people were standing to purchase tickets, from 5.30 A.M onwards at the booking counter which was scheduled to open at 10.00 A.M.
All the leading Artistes were having full house, packed with even people standing and adjusting themselves in stages also. Ms. Aruna Sairam, in lady artistes and Mr. Sanjay Subramanian in male singers were drawing huge crowds beyond the capacity of the auditoriums, and all the other artistes also attracted good crowd. It was real festival with people well dressed, and arriving at the halls from 7.00 A. M onwards and spending the whole day in the auditoriums.
I will be interested to know, whether any where else in the world, a festival of this sort is being conducted for more than two weeks, continuously.
I will write about the other aspects tomorrow
We have attended more than 50 carnatic music concerts, in a span of 35 days. There were days, we attended four concerts a day. Even though, I was attending the concerts regularly in all the other days in the year, with a feeling that carnatic music is losing its patronage and people are not interested in listening Carnatic music. In November and December, I was proved wrong. People were thronging at the auditoriums, and all the auditoriums were overflowing. People waited for more than four to five hours in the queue to enter the auditorium to get vantage seats in free concerts. Even in concerts, which were not free, people waited to purchase tickets for limited available seats. For a free concert at Chettinad Vidhyashram, people were waiting from 2.00 P.M for 6.30 P.M concert. At Music academy, people were standing to purchase tickets, from 5.30 A.M onwards at the booking counter which was scheduled to open at 10.00 A.M.
All the leading Artistes were having full house, packed with even people standing and adjusting themselves in stages also. Ms. Aruna Sairam, in lady artistes and Mr. Sanjay Subramanian in male singers were drawing huge crowds beyond the capacity of the auditoriums, and all the other artistes also attracted good crowd. It was real festival with people well dressed, and arriving at the halls from 7.00 A. M onwards and spending the whole day in the auditoriums.
I will be interested to know, whether any where else in the world, a festival of this sort is being conducted for more than two weeks, continuously.
I will write about the other aspects tomorrow
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
An autobiography of a middle class man - chapter 1
Our house at Pavattakkudithe electric pole on the left of our house was not there when we were there
1st January 2008
I have decided to post my feelings, views and thoughts here now and then, to be useful to the future generation, to learn what to do and what not to do. This is an autobiography, of a person, who was born in a middle class family. I will be happy if my experiences could be useful to any person who is from a middle class family like me and learn from the ups and downs of this life.
I was born on 7 January, 1942 at a small village called Thalaiyur, Nannilam Taluk, Tanjore District, Tamilnadu (erstwhile Madras state) My father Mr. vaithianathan was an agriculturist, at a village called Pavattakkudi which is very near to Thalaiyur, looking after the cultivable lands, available with his family. My mother Mrs. Seethalaksmi alias Pattu is from a family of village Munsif in that village, and my grand father was a sanskrit scholar and was having huge collections of sanskrit books. He had a small place at the banks of river "Naattaar" called "Madam" ( a place to stay) and all these books were kept there and young people were taught Sanskrit and Vedas.
My Grand father Mr. Subramania iyer, played a major role in shaping my life, and to some extent, at my younger age. He was, basically a very good man, pious, God fearing , orthodox and was well respected. But, by the time I grew to seven or eight years, he was not financially very sound and had a difficult time to meet both the ends. He used to wear his dhoti always in "panchagacham" style with a small tuft (Kudumi) in the back of his head. I have always wondered why he puts his sacred thread ( poonal) in his ear, while passing urine, and washing his genital in the tank. He later explained to me that "poonal" is sacred to Brahmins and it should never get polluted. He was not very proficient in Tamil and Tamil literature, as much as he was a scholar in sanskrit. Even though my mother was also well versed in Sanskrit, none of us were interested in Sanskrit. Except my mother, nobody else in the family was interested in learning Sanskrit. Two of her brothers, learnt and Studied Sanskrit, very much on a later date, just as a subject in the High School and College on a very later date of their life. She was a ferocious reader and it appears, read almost all the magazines and Novels , which were coming out in 1930s
I had the pleasure of purchasing some of those old Novels (books) again in 2006, for her to read and enjoy. She was reading them at the age of 85 even up to 2.00 or 3.00 A. M in the nights. She has directly or indirectly induced and cultivated a habit of reading in me and it helped me a lot, even though not in my academic studies.
I remember, that I requested her, when I was ten or eleven years old, to subscribe for "Aananda Vikatan" a famous Tamil Magazine on those days, ( even now it is a popular family magazine), when I came to know from some newspaper, that a new serial (Thodar Kadhai) by name "Justice Jagannadhan" by "Dhevan" is starting. She immediately told my father to inform one of our relatives, who was the newsagent in our village, to supply the magazine to us. Writers like Aarani Kuppuswamy Mudaliar, Vaduvur Doraiswamy Iyengar, Vai. mu. Kodhainayagi ammal, Lakshmi and Kalki and their writings were influential in shaping her life and her children's lives.
My mother was married at the age of 14 or 15. Imagine the feelings of a girl in 1930s about her marriage and her options to choose her husband, and what would have been her rights of expression. But, it appears, even on those days, my eldest uncle, my mother's elder brother, though not an educated man, was keen in selecting a person, who is suitable for her beauty and knowledge sans education. My grand father searched for many alliances, at various villages in and around, but my mother and uncle were rejecting them on some ground or other.
Finally, my grand father selected my father who was living in a village called Pavattakudi, which is just half a mile from her village, without consulting my mother, except informing her, about the selection. My mother was asked to see my father, when he was just crossing the road near her house, and she was shocked to see him. Because, she used to make fun of this man, for his tuft in his head, which was tied in a peculiar way. She never imagined to have a husband with tuft, but only a person, who had a neat hair cut. She objected for this alliance, but, nobody was prepared to listen to her, since my grand mother was pressing my grand father to fix the marriage immediately, before she attain puberty. Those days marriages were celebrated to the girls, before they attain puberty.
However, the marriage went through elaborately, and my mother went to her in-laws house. There was another shock waiting for her. Her mother-in-law was deaf, and was also of very cruel character. She ill treated my mother, and was always scolding her. My father was very attached to my mother ( I don't think on those days my father was matured enough to love my mother), but at the same time he was afraid of his mother. For that matter, everybody in that house was afraid of her, including my grand father. My father used to console my mother and requested her to adjust with her mother in law and advised her to be patient. It is now very funny to imagine, people living in a house surrounded by lot of people, without any privacy, meeting and talking to her husband only in the night, sleeping in a store room, still managed to get children. This lady, in forty years, learnt to adjust to office going daughters in law and in another twenty years to foreign living grand daughters in law. ( to be continued )
- Rahul said...
- Hi mama, waiting for your additions on the autobiography. Is it necessarily going to be chronological? Please post. And who is this mystery relative who spends more time in the sky then on land?
- sivaraman39 said...
- Hello Dear Friend, This autobiography is very absorbing and brings back very nostalgic memories for me too(I am 70 years old) of an era gone by ,never to be experienced again,since almost all the values of that era(social,cultural and religious) are now considered obsolete and out of vogue. More power to your writing elbow.Keep it flowing. Best wishes, Sivaraman. You may access my FTP Account with Sangeetapriya.org here to enjoy some divine music: http://www.sangeethamshare.org/sivaraman/
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Anonymous said... - I was born in Pavattakudy too in 1942. I now live in the USA for the last 35 years. I am nostalgic about my small village. I enjoyed reading your story. My father Malaiperumal Pillai was well known freedom fighter with Gandhiji.
Dr.M. Sundaramurthy
- hvaidya said...
- Dear Dr. Sundarmurthy, Glad to note that you are also from Pavattakudi and you were also born in 1942. Then we may know each other if you had your education around Pavattakkudi. By any chance, had you left Pavattakkudi at the younger age for your studies somewhere else?
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