” Vrichika mAsam, Hastham- that is on 19th November- your birthday,” reminds my younger brother from Hyderabad. I have two more birthdays- Official, October 15 th, stamped on all my records and December 7th written by Mookkunni astrologer, in his own hand in a pocket note book, where he had mentioned the star and … Read more
Mother was upset when learned about my job transfer to Hyderabad. “No, you are not going” she was assertive,”anywhere in Kerala, yes. Coimbatore or Chennai, where we have relatives, too is acceptable. Not a mile beyond that” Father’s reaction was not immediately known. “Get my chellapetty,” he asked mother to get his betel leaf casket, … Read more
My father left for Palakkad leaving me with our relative Doctor Vaidynatha Iyer who arranged my accommodation in Korangnathu pishAram, in the Vadakkan angAdi Road. PishAram is the house of pishArodi, or Sharodi in short, an ambalavAsi, traditionally a supporting staff for the temple activities. They used to serve temples and temples used to take … Read more
Father accompanied me in my maiden trip to Trichur to take up my first job, despite my telling it was not necessary. “I I’ll introduce you to Dr. Vaithukkutty Athimbar and Vadakkunnathan, who will be your local guardians at Trichur,” he said. The former was our relative and Vadakkunnathan, the presiding deity of Trichur. During … Read more
October 31, is important for me too. It was on that day, at 58, exactly 20 years before, I retired from service. Mahtab S Bamji, 60, was another colleague who retired along with me, the same day. While thanking the Director and other colleagues at the farewell get together, I didn’t forget to mention Smt. … Read more