CMRS 8

CMR Story…….  Chapter – 7…..    “The so called history club”  

 A quick glace at Chinnamanur.

In many ways, Nana felt grateful to Venki mama who seemed to have many faces.

 

First as a story telling uncle to Nana revealing the history behind their migration and then as a father-figure Venki mama took care of him and the family at Chinnamanur.

Next, he was a teacher who helped Nana learn things and take responsibilities.

He was a leader who supervised the development work in all the five villages.

He was also an ideal Guru to Nana guiding in decision-making at crucial points.

Nana’s first dilemma came when he had to choose a family deity for worship.

It was not only because Nana was the first head of the new cmr clan but also because it would be long before the priestly community came and they can not wait for it.

Mama explained that every new family chain should have a ‘kula deivam’ which is different from personnel god (Ishta deivam) or the village god (grama devathai).

Apart from this there can be ‘Ellai kaval devathai’ to protect the borders of villages.

So, it is a family deity by one’s own choice and Venki mama suggested that he may adapt what the local villagers have for their regular worship like, say, ammanai pattians.

His logic was that ‘God is one and the same and that the Hindus enjoy the freedom to give any number of names and forms to gods of their choice and worship.’

Nana being young had an open mind that was receptive to reason and logic.

He chose ‘Muthaia sami’ as family deity for his new cmr srivatsa clan.

This endeared him to the villagers who were the tillers and tenants for Nana’s lands.

Of late, venki mama had become a little mysterious, thought Nana after father’s demise.

He was away for weeks together and returned with herbal plants and seeds and with a

‘moolikai thottam’ around his house, he had become a ‘Siththa vaiththiyar.’

Nana could not guess the reason why some suruli malai siththars who rarely came out of their mountain forests came to their village to see only venki mama and stayed with him.

What Nana did not know nor could he have guessed was that venki mama knew more secrets than most, including his own father who made Nana his secret keeper.

“Some look insignificant to the outside world but are important and valuable to those who matter in the power centers and royal circles.

Such silent persons sit in dark and work for people in the lime light.”

Venki mama was perhaps one such person in that category.

 Now we will go back to the ship.

                                                                                                                                                                               

Alexander climbed down the ladder to join his guide Elphinstone.

They entered the cabin after signing the register. - Attendance was compulsory.

The room was near empty. – The two occupied corner seats at the rear.

When Alex wanted to know about the history club, Elphin started explaining.

You see, it is just a name for a forum that served different purposes.

For example, today they will be delivering the formal welcome speeches for new comers.

It will be followed by a briefing session to educate the new entrants about our company.

Otherwise, history club meetings are used for exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Every one wanted to share their experiences with others for mutual benefit.

It is also a sort of “Brain storm session” to discuss strategies in a given situation.

Generally speaking, we have to work as a team and face the challenges not only for the common goal in business but also for our own survival against competition / resistances.

As they were talking, new faces started appearing to take their seats in back rows.

Alex, you should focus on what the senior officers talk about but do not allow yourself to be influenced by their views, warned Elphinstone.

Then, lowering his voice to a whisper said,

“To me, the so called history club, in one sense, is a looter’s club, dominated by many of the armed guards of our company posing to be administrative military officers.”

Seeing the surprise look of Alexander, he added, I will explain later. - Saying this, Elphinstone stood up and walked to join the group that started filling up the front rows.

That was when the seniors made their entry, waving hands to the waiting crowd.

                                                                                                                          

        

George Proctor occupied the dais along with Col Fullarton and two other military men, whose names Alex learnt later as Major Campbell and Col Heron.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Major Campbell made a brief welcome speech and finished with an authoritative touch.

Friends, before you are inducted into serious business to become worthy partners in our common endeavor, it is important that you become knowledgeable in history.

After all, “Politics with out history has no root” said Sir J.R.Seely.

I would extend it to say that, “History without politics yields no fruit”.

We, the military officers create history but not good at telling about history.

So, I invite our civil friend Elphinstone to give you relevant details as necessary.

He is a scholar and belongs to London family of lords and nobles. So, he is the fit person to talk on history just like his mentor and guide Sir William Jones.

Elphinstone said that every one knew history but only in bits and pieces and that his job was to just to select pieces relevant to East India Company’s history so far.

The sum and substance of his briefing is as follows. : -

Ever since Vasco da Gama made his memorable voyage round the cape and landed in Calicut of Kerala coast in south India, a succession of European powers had been struggling for a commercial and political footing in India and the east.

The sea trade of India had previously been in the hands of the Red Sea Arabs.

Later Portuguese won it from Arabs in a series of sea fights and held Indian trade.

The 17^th century saw the Dutch settlements at the Cape of Good Hope.

They held Mauritius, had two establishments in Persia, twelve in India, six in Ceylon and all over East Indies, the Dutch had dotted their fortified stations.

The Dutch were too selfish that they excluded other traders of European nationality.

This forced Swedes, Danes, French and English in to hostile competition.

In the course of 18^th century English and French were in vigorous competition with the Dutch for trade and privileges through out India.

English established their head quarters at Madras, Bombay and Calcutta.

The French settlements were at Pondicherry and Chadernagore.

At first, all European powers came to India merely as traders.

The only establishment they attempted to build was warehouses.

However, the unsettled state of the country and the unscrupulous methods of their rivals, made it natural for them to fortify and arm their settlements.

In 1707, the last great Mughal emperor Aurangzep, died.

The anarchy that followed was to give both Britain and France, the opportunity – and the incentive – for their empire building ambitions during the enveloping chaos. - It also threatened their life and properties but the English were ready to defend and attack.

English settlements had been fortified and a degree of friendship existed between them and the men who seized power in the provinces of the empire.

The English had come as traders; then they became armed traders; soon they needed solders to defend their settlements; and, in course of time when the Mughal Empire disintegrated, “spheres of influence” became necessary if the company was to survive.

Slowly the rhythm of empire-building had imposed itself on the simplicities of trade.

In this respect, it was the French East India Company who showed the way first.

Unlike the English, the French company was strictly subordinate to its home government.

To it, in 1742, came a man of genius by name Duplex who discovered that native troops trained and led by European officers could defeat vastly superior number of the irregular cavalry of the Indian princes who fought with in themselves and with Delhi darbar.

The French under Duplex started providing opportunistic help to one or the other of the fighting side, there by proving the utility value of their small army.

This helped Duplex to increase his influence among small princes and get big favors.

It was only the force of circumstances and competition in business that force the British East India Company to follow the example of its French rival on the military front.

When the French company was becoming a dangerous enemy there came from England one Robert Clive who proved to be equal to Duplex and together they made history.

Friends,

I stop my summary at this point because the details of war for next ten years were too very complicated to give a short account.

At the same time it is important that you should know it in full.

I shall in our casual talk tell about them to the interested lot.

Regarding the later part, in 1773, the houses of parliament in England, long disturbed by the virtually uncontrolled and unauthorized empire building activities of our company, passed a regulating act for the proper governance of the occupied territories in India.

They appointed Warren Hastings as the Governor General of Bengal with supervisory authority over the other two presidencies of Madras and Bombay.

There was then the “Pitt’s India Bill” in the year 1784, setting up a board of control.

Recently, Lord Cornwallis, a new governor general, has taken in charge.

Before I finish let me tell you one thing. 

Robert Clive created history but he was then only a civil clerk at Madras office.

So, any one can contribute provided one has the will to perform and guts to take decisions at crucial junctures.

I want all of you remember this.  - Good luck.

                                         …………………………..

Next Issue:  Chapter 8.  -    “On Karnatic war and Madurai Siege.”

CMRS 7

       CMR Story…….  Chapter – 6…..      “Mid-sea meetings”        

                                                                                                                  Page 1

“Alai kadalum ointhirukka ahak kadalthan ponguvathen..?

 Nilamagalum thuyilukayil nenjagamthan vimmuvathen..? “

      Athavathu,

When even the ocean waves had gone into its silent mode,

Why should the thought waves of mine agitate my mind ?

Where as the Mother Earth went quiet in her sound sleep,

Why I alone suffer the noise of emotions and keep awake ?

This was how Kalki portrayed Poonguzhali’s mood in ‘Ponnoyin Selvan’….

Some what similar was the depressed mood of that English man aboard the ship.

His unexplainable anxiety can only be due to imaginary fears over uncertain future, common to all new comers though to an outsider, it may look meaningless.

It was a mid summer evening in the year 1786.

He was in H.M.S. Curacoa that left Calcutta ports that morning and sailing south.

It carried on board, officers of the British East India Company, both civil and military.

It not only had all new recruits under training but also many senior officers.

Tired looking young Alexander stood in the upper deck, leaning on to the rails.

A gentle touch of the cool sea breeze was what his sweating body needed then.

It was a welcome change after a tiresome afternoon of book reading, not of his choice.

Under his induction program, he was supposed to have a tour of ‘Akanda Bharatam’, by going through specified books, to understand the complexities of Indian society.

They were books written by retired EIC officers, wealthy by now to return to England.

Sipping a hot cup of Ceylon tea, his mind started swinging between past and future.

His interview in London, the job offer to work in India, subsequent acquaintances he had in Asiatic Society etc started appearing one after another in his mental screen.  

Some quick introductions he got to people like William Bentinck, Luglungton and Stephen Rumbold, appeared like a passing cloud but not that of George Proctor.

The meeting with him stayed in his memory. - It had some significance for him.

He was collector of Madurai in 1783, back in Calcutta on a mission of recruitment.

He was to hand over charge to Mr Eyles Irvin and take up a special project.

So, it had some thing to do with his career building.

Alexander thought of his first evening at the conference hall of Asiatic society.

After the lecture session, there was tea break when people formed groups.

Alexander felt like fish out of water, when a civilian officer came to his rescue.

He along with and two other military officers invited him to join their group.

                                                                                                                     Page 2

Hey young man, how about self introductions? , said one.

Do you feel it is quite Un-British? , asked another.

It is ok; we are all team mates you know.

Laughing loud, he said I am Fullerton and the colonel shook hands with him.

You will soon notice that Indians do not stand on formalities, he added.

I am Alexander MeLeod sir.  - Thank you.

 “When in Rome, be a Roman.” – In India, be an Indian.”.

Another hand stretched out to him saying, I am Monson.

You must know that these native Hindoos are wonderful people.

They are very innocent and are hospitable to all strangers.

Very true sir said the civilian officer, shaking hands with Alexander.

I am Mountstaurt Elphinstone. –

Shall we call you Alex?  - It is easy that way.

Why not? Sure, replied Alexander feeling homely in their company.

Indians are indeed very religious and cultured but traditional to the limit. –

I mean too superstitious. Yes.  - They are blind that way to reason and logic.

Any way, that is only my impression, said Col Monson.

Well. They are still neither averse to aliens nor are they to other belief systems.

But I think it is only as long as you do not hurt their religious sentiments.

Col Fullerton aired his view biting a sandwich and sipping his wine.

He then suddenly threw a question at Alexander,

Young man, why is that name East India and not simply India?

Sir, correct me if I am wrong.

Perhaps when the company was first formed it targeted not India but the Far East.

I mean that small little country which the Dutch referred to as ‘Spice Islands’.

You are right man. I did ask this to many new comers but very few answered correctly.

Can you tell what Island in particular and what were our interests in trading?

It was Sumatra to start with sir. Our concern was with spices, silks, gems and camphor.

Correct again. -  In that case what made them turn to India for trade?

I think it was about Indian calicos and Indigo to start with and later with pepper.

Good.  - So you seem to be quite informative. Tell me then a few more things.

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Which year our company started and by whom? Who were our competitors?

Who came to India first and about our own arrival here?

You can be brief but precise.

Sir, in the year 1599, eighty venture capitalists met in the city of London.

They founded this company to trade with Sumatra.

In 1608, their agents suggested setting up of a trading post in India to buy items.

They also wanted to build warehouses for storage till shipment.

This, they did at a place called Surat, a port city on the western coast.

They approached the Mughal emperor Jahangir with gifts and got his permission.

Our competitors in India at that time were Portuguese and Dutch only.   

‘French East India Company’, our real competitor appeared on the scene much later sir.

The seniors nodded with satisfaction looking at each other.

Alex, you seem to have flair for history and more importantly eye for details.

You need to meet George Proctor if you have already not.

‘I think George back from Madurai will be interested in him’. What you say colonel?

Col Fullerton said this to Col Monson with a wink, thought Alexander but was not sure.                                  

Elphin, you are lucky to have Alex in your team.

He is a fit person for our history club. 

You take care of him and his induction training. Ok.

We will meet again in the ship. Bye.

Saying this they both patted Alexander on his shoulder and left the place.

………

Alex…What are you doing there?         Come on…..    Quick.

The history club meeting will start in another five minutes.

The shout brought Alexander back to the present.

He hurried to join Elphinstone waiting at the bottom of the ladder.

His mind was still with his meeting and talking to George Proctor who made a casual mention about a vague assignment that he may be getting soon.

It awaited his arrival in an unknown place called Madurai country.

Next issue: -            Chapter 7                  “The so called history club.”

                             

CMRS 6

“CMR STORY “……. Part 1 …….” THE SOIL.”

       Chapter - 5.               “ Parent-less and friend-less boy of Tirunelveli.”     [ page 1. ]

The usually quiet ‘Sanyasi Chathram’ on the banks of the river Tamiraparani at the far end of

Tirunelveli town was witnessing crowded programs, one after another, that evening.

Only fifteen minutes back, its walls and pillars were reverberating with the musical recital of

mantras and the group chanting of  rare Vedic hymns by a select group of Brahmin priests.

It was a practice session conducted by Sankara nambudiri, a special invitee from Kerala.

  

He was a young man of few words and his expertise was in the correct pronunciation of words.

The controlled frequency of sound production gave power to mantras, a fact that Nambudri -

Brahmins prided themselves about and justifiably so, because of purity in their recital.

When Nambudiri started his classes, a few weeks before, the odd presence of a lonely boy

among the priestly group surprised others but not him. Those who expected the master to take

offence and object were disappointed, unaware that prior permission had been granted.

The boy was seated by the side of his grand father Isvara sastrigal.

He was a boy of around six, small made, inwardly bright but outwardly timid looking.

His melancholy look gave the impression that the boy longed for care and affection.

Yes. He was parent-less. – Now, his very presence in the midst of priests and that too in the

evening time showed that he was friend-less too and with out any play mates.

Nambudiri knew this but what surprised him was his undivided attention to what was taught.

It was too much to expect a boy of his age to show this much devotion and focus.

The boy looked special and the teacher made a mental note of it.

Today, near the end of the session, the boy suddenly rushed out and did not return.

Every one assumed he went out to answer urgent nature’s call.  –

The session ended. - The priests left, leaving behind Isvara mama to wait for the boy.

Once the big hall became empty, the waiting crowd outside started filling the place.

After ten minutes, Isvaran became restless; worrying about the boy he called as ‘Ambi’.

He was too old to go alone searching for him and he had not told any one to look for him.

So, it was a relief when he saw his nephew Pitchumani entering the hall. - 

He waved his hand and called him to his side and started talking to him.

The day’s evening sath-sang meeting was about to commence.

 “Yato va  imani bhutani jayante, yena jatani jivanti,

          Yat prayanti abhisam visanthi.”  …………

His loud voice was enough to demand silence.

Still, Mahalinga sharma waited, giving a gap long enough for noise level to subside.

He noticed the old man sitting with his back resting on a stone pillar looking anxious.

He also noticed that his grand son, the small boy whom he always kept by his side was

absent and perhaps the reason why ‘Iswara mama’ kept his gaze fixed to the entrance.

    

                                                                                                                    Page 2.

Sharmaji continued,

So, this is how,

“Taittiriya-Upanishad” defines “Isvara”

                      “ Yatova imani bhutani..…etc.. etc..…… means,

”That from which all these have come, in which all these exist and sustained and

into which all will go back, is Isvara.

The big hall of sanyasi chaththiram was now half-full with a gathering of intellectual lot.

Some late comers hurried up to take their seats.

Is not ‘Isvara’ just a name which is “Nama”?     -    Yes.  - It is.

Nama is the name but Nami is the one who has a name.

 So, here is “Isvara” who is both a Nama as well as a Nami.

There was pin drop silence, each one trying to find their own meaning of what they hear.

The name of the Lord is “Isvara” which splits in to “Is” +” Vara”.

It has two parts. – It is like,’ work’ +’ er’ = Worker.

“Is” is called ’Prakrti’ (‘ work’) and “Vara” is “Pratyaya”(‘er’)

‘Isvara’ is both the potter and the pot. – He is the pot as well as Clay.

He is the‘Singer’ and He is the ‘Song’ as well.

Sharmaji gave a broad smile, seemingly proud to have made an irrefutable point.

 If a Nami has a Nama then,

 Who is the Nami who has given Isvara his name? – 

No body! – There can not be any body.  – Do you know why?

Pin drop silence continued as Sharmaji started looking around in all directions.

Some new comers avoided his look, as though afraid that they may be asked to stand up and

answer while the regulars knew that they were supposed to keep quiet, allowing Sharmaji alone

to give reply to his own questions. – That was his style.

Who is Isvara then?   

Sharmaji saw him moving towards the entrance, helped by his walking stick and pitchai mama.

He knew that Isvara mama was obviously going out in search of his grand son.

.

Where is Isvara  now?

With a wry smile sharma said, in a low tone,

    Isvara has gone out to find the hide out of missing muruga …

Many people noticed it too.

They smiled back, pretending to like his pun and humor.

                                                                                                                                         Page 3.

 Out from the hall,

They stood near the pillars looking around first before getting down the steps.

Where is Ambi?   

Where has my grand son gone?  How did he disappear?

Did any of you see him going near the river? 

The worried old man kept asking this to any one who came his way.

This was in spite of his close aide Pitchai mama repeatedly telling him to be patient.

But Pitchai knew what disturbed Isvara mama.

It was his imaginary fear about Ambi getting drowned in the river Tamiraparani ,

whose floods took away the life of the boy’s parents.

Iswaran was a widower with a daughter - his only child who looked after him.

Now, he lost both his daughter and son-in-law and became the custodian of their son.

The orthodox and superstitious ladies of the neighborhood blamed the boy and his horoscope

for the sudden calamity and not allowing their own children to mingle with Ambi.

Isvaran knew that it was just a ploy to avoid taking responsibilities for the orphaned boy.

It is ok. – Isvaran could manage using paid services for his house hold.

Of course, there were helping hands of people like Pitchai.

All the same, nothing can ever compensate the parental love and care.

What frustrated Esvaran most was the unwarranted abuse meant to hurt the poor boy.

He was shocked when Ambi innocently asked him for the meaning of the word ‘thukkiri ‘.

It was then that Isvaran decided to keep his grand son by his side to shield him from the negative

vibrations emanating from words like saniyan, pisasu, kadangaran, kattela poravan  etc.

When Isvaran told this to Sankara Nambudri in private, he understood.

Later, Isvaran noticed the kind look Nambudri always gave to Ambi , even outside the class.

With these thoughts, Isvaran slowly started getting down the steps, with one hand pressing the

walking stick and another holding pitchai’s hand. –

At some distance was the river bed.  

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Sankara Nambudri just finished his santhya vanthanam and came out of the river.

He always wanted to be left alone particularly after his hectic routine of Vedic chanting.

He walked towards a banyan tree a little away that had a wide stone with smooth surface.

On the first day of his arrival, he felt an attraction to that lonely place facing the river.

Knowing that it was his preferred place to sit and contemplate, no one disturbed him there.

Sankara Nambudri came to a sudden stop.

The place was not empty today. – Even from a distance he could see that.

                                       

He walked fast to have a closer look. – What he suspected was correct.

Ambi was seated there like a statue.

He seemed to be looking at the setting sun. – It looked like that.

No. It was a blank look of an empty mind not registering any thing his eyes saw.

His lip movements revealed that he was uttering something or was it a recital of mantras?

Nambudri went very close and touched his shoulder. – He did not seem to feel his touch.

Ambi…Ambi…are you able to hear me? – No response.  – Nothing -

The boy was still and stiff like a stone.

Nambudri sat down by his side and bent his head and ears very close to his lips.

He jerked back, shocked and surprised at what he heard as recitation by the boy.

He listened carefully. – Again and again he listened. - Yes. It is real, not a dream.

Sankara Nambudri had not seen nor heard any thing like this.

This boy had fallen in to a “Trance” – Yes.  –

Such a rare occurrence!  -      How was that possible?

The shocking part came when Nambudri recognized what the boy’s lips recited.

He carefully listened to the sounds it produced and was convinced that it was a miracle only.

                                                                                                                               

By that time, Isvaran and Pitchumani moved to that place, having recognized them both

   What happened? -          

                 Oh my God. –   

                                       Is any thing wrong? –

                                                                   Is he alive or not?

                                                                                                                                  Page 5

Pichchai and Isvaran were taking turns to keep shouting questions.

None of the shouts disturbed Nambudri who kept listening closely to the silent recital.

I can’t believe.  ………………..

         What you can’t believe, asked Pitchai

I can’t understand.  ……………

         What you can’t understand…..

It is impossible.  ………………..

                          What is impos…Pitchai stopped realizing that Nambudri was talking to himself.

                 It is amazing.

Seeing this Isvaran looked relieved.  -  He was curious to know what was going on.

         But he was too tired to talk and so he slowly went and sat near Ambi.

This boy is special….        Yes……..                 He is a wonder boy. ..

My God……….. Thank you……..Thank you.

Mean while, Isvaran started weeping, seeing that motionless body in sitting posture.

       

That made Nambudri notice their presence and came back to his senses.

Keeping his fingers over his lips he said,

Wait. – Don’t shout. – Ambi is alright.

There is nothing to worry.  – Please keep silent.

What is there to wait? ……….. He is lying like a log of wood.

Shouldn’t we call the doctor?

No.  - Ambi has gone in to a “Trance”, said Nambudri.

He will automatically wake up once he comes out of it.

What?   -  Did you say Trance? ….I never had heard such a name.

 Well, I will explain.   Please wait.

 Before that, can you tell me one thing?

 I am asking you both. – What your plans are for the future of this boy?

                                   

For Esvaran it looked a bit odd to see this reserved type of man enquire in this manner.

But then, he was glad to see some one like Nambudri, taking interest in the boy’s future.

He replied with out hesitation, “This boy’s future is safe only with people like you.”

What ever you say is ok with us, said Pitchai, giving a meaningful look at Isvaran.

Thank you. – I asked because, I have plans for this boy.

I will take him as my disciple and take care of him in my Guru kulam at Trivandrum.

Are you ready to send him with me when I leave this place next week?

Esvaran struggled to get up and raise his hands to bless Nambudri and thank him.

I am so relieved. – I am so happy. – God bless you.

Emotion and tiredness over powered the old man, forcing him sit again and rest.

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.

                 

Sankara nambudri smiled now, with a look of relief.

Ok then. 

You asked what Trance is – well, how shall I put it?

Let me think how to explain in a simple way.

Trance is the half-conscious state without response to stimuli.

You see, there are two types and both are very rare occurrence.

One is a state of ecstasy, as in the case of maha rishis in deep meditation.

Another is a state as entered in to a medium which is perhaps this case now.

What makes you think so? – asked Pitchai finding Esvara mama half asleep.

There is reason. This boy is reciting Rig Vedic hymns not in existence and use.

It is like bird song, – It is like Gandarva Ganam

What? – Did you say gandarvas - You mean non-human Narada and his lot!

Sure. – Yes.  - I suspect so.

It sounds like Rig Vedic recital alright but certainly not the one we know of.

This must be one of the oldest of the old type. – The one with out words.

I mean the one that existed even before human speech evolved.

Pitchai blinked, unable to make a head or tail of what Nambudri was telling.

How he is connected with it is the mystery. – It is a surprise.

Nambudri continued with his analysis, to find some logic.

When the boy rushed out from the class, we thought it was nature’s call

Now it looks like a Devine call that brought him to this place.

It is the same seat that attracted me too. – I had felt positive vibrations here.

It was now Pitchai mama’s turn to start worrying.

He became very confused with what ever this Nambudri was talking about.

Considering the condition of all the three, he badly needed help.

Why not run back to the big hall and bring people?

Nambudri kept talking with out bothering to look at Pitchai.

The boy will never know what he went through when he woke up.

Quite likely, Ambi never gets into it again.  – He will never know about what happened to him.

But it is an indication of his potential.

I was the only witness to his trance and listened to his recital.

If only I had not seen and heard it, every thing would have gone unnoticed.

What does it mean?

Is it not a Devine Order that I took this boy in my custody and teach him?

                                                                                                                                     Page 7

At last, Nambudri seemed to have noticed Pitchai and said,

I hope you understood.  - Any doubt.

Pitchai  helplessly nodded his head, now that he found Isvaran in sound sleep.

Ok then. - Now tell me what is Ambi’s name? – and what gothram?

    Lakshmi Narayanan, said, Pitchai and added ‘ Bharatwajar ‘

Well, if my plans materialize, well let us see.

I may some day rename his as Bharatwaja Egyanarayanan

[With eyes closed, Esvaran was listening to this conversation. – His face brightened. ]

Thatha..aaaaa………..

                      Ambi woke up with a jolt feeling a touch or some thing.

 He seemed to have felt the whirling sound, whistling past his head. – May be it was his thatha.

- The satisfied soul leaving its body and touching the boy’s head on its way to heaven.

The sudden scream made Nambudri and Pitchai look back.

They saw Ambi getting up and blinking and Esvaran sliding down to the ground.

As words spread, the sath sang abruptly ended and people came running.

The next few days, Nambudri kept Ambi close with him like what his thatha did.

Nambudri kept his distance from others and was preparing for his departure.

As expected, ladies blamed the boy for Isvara mama’s sudden demise.

As Pitchai mama described the scenes, ‘Believers’ listened with awe and with open mouth.

Skeptics commented it was a cooked up story of that Nambudri fellow.

They mischievously told the boy,

If you go with him, you will be only a servant, doing menial jobs and house hold work.

Ambi retorted the first time, with a curt reply.

With my thatha gone,

any place is better than this place where people like you live, which I leave behind.

                                                                

                                        

We also take leave of Sankara nambudri and Ambi now, but to meet again after ten years.

                         [ Next issue –    Chapter - 6   -  “ mid-sea meetings.”   ]