“CMR
STORY “……. Part 1 …….” THE SOIL.”
Story so far: -
Chapter - 1. “Asiatic Society” – 1786.
A young man from London takes
up a job in “The East India British Company “and arrives in Calcutta city. - His visit that evening to a lecture hall exposes
him to new acquaintances and subsequently makes him accept a challenging assignment.
Chapter - 2. “Narayanan alias Nana”
- 1760
An adolescent boy in Madurai
town suddenly faces complete dislocation and breakdown of his playful boy-hood life
due to the forces of circumstances that not only leads to the migration of his
family but also to his early marriage. – Both, he accepts with grace.
Chapter - 3. “A secret burial to some of the
secrets”
The arrival of Nana’s family to a remote place called Chinnamanur
for re-settlement also has some mysterious happenings that go unnoticed in the
cover of darkness. – But, Nana thinks that his father, a high ranking official
of Pandya kingdom, has also a hand in it.
Chapter - 4. “ Nana’s muse ” - 1786
26 years after re-settlement Nana is Narayana Iyyan, a
family man and a rich land lord.
Thanks to father for his foresightedness and training, Nana has
become a lovable leader of the agricultural community, financing them and
guiding them in various ways.
As Nana’s mind muse over happenings of yester years what
floats on the surface of all thoughts is the secret tasks that his father in
his dying moments entrusted him with.
Consequently,
Nana feels the burden of the twin responsibilities pressing
his two shoulders.
One is domestic and involves bringing up the parent-less child
kamu. He has to find a suitable boy for her, not an easy job in their conservative
and superstitious society. Well, he can manage using his contacts and influence
unlike in the case of the other task.
The second is official, being a top secret. (Rajangarakasiyam)
– He can not share it with any one and should keep to himself till he hears
from ‘Dalavai’. - It is a promise given to his father in his death bed when his
father made him the ‘Secret Keeper’, in his place.
It is a peculiar situation for Nana who thinks that no one
else had such a problem but he was wrong because there are his counter parts in
this and they are total strangers.
One in Tirunelveli is a pious old man with genuine worries about
his grand son.
The other one in Calcutta
has just become “Secret Seeker” in search of hidden secrets.
We will go to meet them both but will visit the nearer place
first.
This takes us to Chapter 5. -
“Parent-less and friend-less boy of Tirunelveli.”
….will continue…
