shivam Jamuns take back to childhood days There was a jamun tree, in the timber storage yard behind our house at Olavakkode. It belonged to Janab Unnikkammu Saheb. He was only Unnikkamu but when he became a rich business man, his name expanded with a prefix and suffix. There was a mosque and an elementary school … Read more
Poverty is unbearable. Absolute poverty is absolutely unbearable. Only those who suffered poverty themselves will understand the suffering of others. I remember these two lines from a Malayalam poem, which convey this message: ദാരിദ്രമെന്നുള്ള തറിഞ്ഞ വർക്കേ പാരിൽ പര ക്ലേശ വിവേകം ഉള്ളു Daaridramennulatharinjavarkkae Paaril paraklesa vivekamullu. Many families have survived with only Kanji, the semi liquid … Read more
‘Ammalu, how many languages your mother knows, one, two?’ ‘How many you know?’ ‘Eight. Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil. 3 ok? Three European languages. And in Samskritham, I’m a scholar’ ‘You are a hero of languages and a big zero in totaling. My mother will tell you, 3+3+1= 7 and not 8′ ————————— Ammalu, I have finally … Read more
Mathan bharani The ceramic storage containers which we called ‘Baranies’ were widely used in Indian kitchen and I hope those are still in use. Pickles were the primary item stored and then curd, buttermilk. With a brightly polished exterior and neat interior, maintenance was easy. ‘She is like a ‘mathan bharani’ -means she is short … Read more
If you are shining and spreading light, there is someone behind you burning and turning into charcoal. It could be your wife at home, who makes your food and bed and after feeding and putting the kids to sleep, awaits for your late return from the office. It could be your parents, who burnt their … Read more
‘Let us be friends Ammalu. All said and done, I can’t avoid you and you can’t avoid me’ ‘Agreed. Take me to a movie and buy me an ice cream’ ‘Agreed. Get ready for the movie’ ‘Which movie?’ ‘Kaathavaraayan’ ‘Forget about my friendship. I will go with my friends for a Hindi or English movie’ … Read more
‘Pathu pavan, how much? Pathu pavan, kudukkalam’. Worth ten sovereigns- what? Your Ammalu stories? Ha, ha, I won’t get pathu Kasu – ten paise. Then, what is that worthy stuff you have other than your friend circle? Sleep- slept for about three hours, at a stretch, after returning from the hospital. Amazing! Sound, dreamless, Devine … Read more
‘It is better to obey wife and lead a peaceful life than quarrel with her and make days miserable,’ says a friend. Intelligent guy. What say Ammalu?’ ‘I can also pretend ‘ ‘Pretend to obey me?’ ‘Pretend to make food, pretend to serve you. Pretend to have forgotten the names of the women who calls … Read more
‘Had I waited for a few days more, I could have obtained a better wife, says Kamakshi’ ‘Was she in the waiting queue to marry you?’ ‘I don’t think so’ ‘Then why is she worried now ? Is she prepared to leave her husband, five children, nine grandchildren and come with you, if I vacate … Read more
Glad to inform my friends that the first chapter of my treatment was over today, with the last dose of the Harmone injection. Originally, six monthly doses were prescribed, now reduced to four. So much so good. What the nurse pushed into my system will play havoc for a few days, I know from experience. … Read more