OH! MY LOVABLE - A Short story -Part I

 

OH! MY LOVABLE

 It was a day in the spring season.  Birds are chirping in the early morning when the sun beams slowly from the east.  The people of Chennai got ready for the day.  Nesarathnam woke up put off the alarm and became so excited by hearing the birds cry.  Then been to complete his daily routines and he is expecting the newspaper Business Line eagerly, as he invested a huge amount in the share last week.

Nesarathnam is an industrialist in Chennai.  He heads more than four companies excluding a car showroom.  On the whole, he earns about 25 crores of turnover per annum.   His beloved wife Madhivadhani, stretched the coffee cup along with the saucer.  Even the middle-aged Madhivadhani was so uncommonly beautiful lady.  That is why she attracted the mind of her husband Nesarathnam.  After a few sips of coffee, he romantically hugged her and left her immediately because their two teenage daughters Madhira and Mandhira arrived there to greet the day.  They watched the romantic state of their parents, delighted, and asked "Please appa! How did you marry our amma? When did you meet and how did you propose to her? Please clear our curiosity" 

He was being asked by his daughters, and Nesarathnam started to narrate their love story of them.

After a few minutes, Nesarathnam recalled his early days.  When Nesarathnam studied II M.Com in the Government Arts College at Pudukkottai, he proposed to a beautiful girl who was studying third-year U.G. Economics in the same college.  Her name was Mandakini.  She was a daughter of poor parents and was so intelligent that Nesarathnam was attracted.

When Nesarathnam approached and shared his wish with her, Mandakini refused by thinking of her strict father.  But, Nesarathnam went to the house of Mandakini and met her father.  Somehow, he managed to share his opinion and wooed to marry her.  But Solaiyappan, the father of Mandakini politely started to speak.

Mr. Nesarathnam, we are the tenth generation of the family belonging to this Pudukkottai.  I think you are from the North Arcot region.

Meanwhile, Madhivadhani the younger sister of Mandakini, brought a water jug with a tumbler and kept them on the table.

Oh! Young man! Have some water please, said Solaiyappan.  After a while he continued, listen young man! We have a different way of lifestyles based on our regional customs. Though you worship Goddess Renukadevi, I think you all used to eat non-veg also.  But we are vegetarian and also stick with the strict principles of MeyVazhichaalai*1. 

 

You may have the idea that anybody can love anyone.  But, after having married, the couple should face many socio-regional impediments. 

Nesarathnam kept quiet for some time and wished to come out from the old stigma.

Solaiyappan continued, Oh! Man! We have been in this region for many generations.  I can't give my daughter in marriage to someone who belongs to the other region. 

Nesarathnam replied though I am a descendant of Cheyyar*2, I will stay and work in a distant land which will be far away from my native.  Your daughter is also educated, and we both are capable of facing any crisis.

Of course young man! Intervened Solaiyappan.  But after marrying you my daughter has to accustom to your family's lifestyle.  She could not tolerate these troubles.  Moreover, this is an issue that needs to get the consent of the Munshief*3. I can't break the rules of the Grama Panchayath. I am unable to consider your proposal. You may give up your idea and you can leave. 

 

Then, Solaiyappan asked Mandakini, "Oh! My dear child! What do you think? Whether I am correct are not?  Because this is your matter.  I should not trouble you.  Though I have sent him away, if you wish to marry him, I will rethink about it and talk to the village heads.

 

Mandakini started to speak, "Appa, he is a very nice guy with extraordinary discipline.  But you have rightly pointed out the differences.  But .....,".

 

Mandaakini's silence made Solaiyappan realize that his daughter was also in love with Nesarathnam.  This made Solaiyappan recall all the earlier episodes of that regional bias.

 

            With great disappointment, Nesarathnam got back from there and reached his home.  He again and again remembered the words of Solaiyappan.  He was mentally disturbed by thinking about the regional bias and related cultural differences.  He wanted to break free everyone, who were entrapped in these geographical barriers. 

 

With the help of his education, he planned to meet the concerned authorities to gain clear knowledge about existing restrictions based on regional bias.  He was unable to forget Mandakini.  Somehow he managed to spend the days.

            After three months, the exam results came.  Nesarathnam was declared that he was the University's first and the Gold Medallist.  Moreover, he concentrated on his professional course C.A.  The tutor in the coaching centre upon observing Nesarathnam's dull demeanour, guided him to talk to the chief of the Panchayat in Pudukkottai.

           

Meanwhile, Solaiyappan indulged in getting permission for Mandakinis's marriage with Nesarathnam, from the village Panchayat. 

           

One day, Kalaimani, Solaiyappan's friend visited the latter.  He switched on the calling bell.  Madhivadhani opened the door and invited, "Hi! Kalaimani uncle! How are you? Please welcome".

            "Appa! Kalaimani uncle is visiting us.  Come here Appa", she called.

            Then, Solaiyappan came to the reception room and said, Hi! Kalai! Welcome. How are you?  How is your health?  How are your wife Marakatham and children Gopal and Gomathi?  Solaiyappan asked many questions.  Before Kalamani's answer, Solaiyappan told Madhivadhani, Amma Madhi, come here, fetch the sappotta fruit juice to Kalaimani uncle.

Kalaimani answered all the questions of Solaiyappan one by one. 

As they met after a long time they conversed for hours together.  Contextually, Solaiyappan shared the matter of his elder daughter's marriage. 

Kalaimani said, "Don't worry, Solai! I know that boy.  He is my student.     I think he will be suitable for our family. 

You mean Nesarathnam! Solaiyappan said.

Yes, said Kalaimani.

But he belongs to the North Arcot, said Solaiyappan in a shocking tone.  We should not marry people from that region in Pudukkottai. 

These are old tales.  Now things have changed and improved a lot.  Don't stick to those things.  Be practical, said Kalaimani.

                                                                               --------"TO BE CONTINUED...,"

A SOUVENIR ON THE CENTENARY OF AN ACCLAIMED ARTIST - MANIYAM100

The ever remembered and imaginary characters like the princess-Kundhavai combed hair with five layers of locks, Poonkuzhali the Gondolaic lady were created by the Tamil modern literary author Kalki Rajendran and his artist Maniyam whose contribution of Ponniyin Selvan the long lasting and enthralling fiction in Tamil magazine Kalki. This is the centenary year of the artist Maniyam (1924-2014).

On seeing Umapathy Subramanyam (Maniyam) a student of Chennai School of arts, immediately the author Kalki Rajendran has selected and brought with him to work on his magazine Kalki to draw the suitable illustrations.

But Umapathy Subramanyam hesitated to join with him because he was happened to stop his academic course Diploma in Drawing in the year 1941.

But Kalki consoled him by saying that he may learn many thing from his office than what he would have been learnt from the Chennai School of arts.  Immediately, Maniyam has surrendered himself wholeheartedly to Kalki and joined in his office.

When the author Kalki Rajendran started to write his fictional series titled Sivakamiyin Sapatham, directed Maniyam to accompany in the tour of visiting Ajantha, Ellora etc. The experience of the tour became the turning point to Maniyam’s life and also helped him to get the elevation in his artistic profession.

Continuously the visiting's of Cigiriya cave-paintings, Polanaruva and Anuradhapuram of Olden Ceylon, Mamallapuram, Tanjore Big Temple, Madurai, Kuttrala etc., prompted Maniyam to do magic through his painting brushes and those seemed to be waiting for Maniyam’s creativity.

The full energetic revelation of Maniyam was found amazingly during he worked towards the characters of Ponniyin Selvan.  After the demise of Kalki, Maniyam freed himself from Kalki-office, worked hard freely as per his wish.    

Also in the making of the film named Parthiban Kanavu the very first work of Kalki, Maniyam has indulged himself fully.

Now, his son Maniyam Selvan has shared the evergreen memory and enthralling thoughts on his father, during the centenary celebration, by making to publish the souvenir titled “Maniyam 100 - Saritthiram Padaittha Chitthirangal”.

CELEBRATING WORLD FOOD DAY

Today is the World Food Day.  Food , clothing and shelter are the fundamental necessities of living beings.  From the perspective of only sustenance of life of human beings, food is the most important necessity.  Food nourishes the human body.

" शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मशास्त्रम्" "Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Dharma-Saadhanam" means, physical body is the only medium for performing daily routines.  Says Kalidasa.  The obvious reason is that practicing daily routines is the ultimate essential activity of human life, having a physical body is extremely important.  For the physical body to remain healthy, the diet has to be nutritious.  Besides being nutritious, if the diet is Satvik food(Sattva-Predominant=Noble quality) too, then it helps in enhancing the Sattva component.  Increase in the Sattva component within the body smoothens the passage to the self-realisation.

सस्यं क्षेत्रगतं प्राहुः सतुषं धान्यमुच्यते।  आमं वितुषमित्युक्तं स्विन्नमन्नमुदाहृतम्।।

Sasyam kshethragatham praahus salthusham dhaanyamuchyathe ॥

Aamam vithushamithyuktham svinnam annamudhaahrutham ॥  Says Sabdakalpadruma.  

It means, in farming , the fully grown crop is known as 'Sasyam', with its husk and grain it is called 'Dhaanya', when grain (seed) is separated from the husk, it is called 'Aama' (Raw-grain), when the raw grain is cooked, it is called 'ANNAM' (Food).

अद्यते अस्मै इति अन्नम् - Adyathe Asmai Ithi Annam.  It means, that which is eaten is known as Annam (Food).

अन्नं न निन्द्यात्, तद्व्रतम्। अनन्ं न परिचक्षीत, तद्व्रतम्। Says Taitthireeyopanishad.

It means, Never criticise food, for it is Vratam (Austerity).  Never waste food, for it is Vratam (Austerity).

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा॥ Says Bhagavad Gita.

It means, Those who are disciplined in eating and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated in sleep, can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yoga.

आयुः सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः। रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ৷৷

Such a food which increase age, intelligence, strength, health, happiness and love, who are juicy, smooth & stable and love the mind by nature, liked by the satvik.

समये भोजनं निद्रा समये स्नानमाचरेत् । व्यायाम समये कुर्यात् यमो भीतो भविष्यति 

One should eat at the right time and take a bath at the right time.  Exercise on time and Yama will be afraid.

Thus food is mentioned in scriptures and texts as a precious and most valued wealth for the well being of the humans.

Understand the importance of the food  and  treat it with due respect.