'Namma Chennai' autokaarar!

A pet topic of conversation for all of us- 'chennaiyites'/ 'madrasis' - the colourful behaviour of our auto drivers is something to be experienced once in a while to attain 'enlightenment'!! They come in all shades and hues and add spice to life in this city. Think, the tour guides should include auto rides as one of the 'Must see and and feel' experience for the foreign tourists.
As soon as you come out of the Central or Egmore stations, you can see them welcoming you to the city as though you are some long lost friend or relative! I can hear some of you snickering. It is all in the way you look at things, folks! I know, you can hardly wait to pour out your grievances, share your harrowing encounters with our own brand of auto drivers. Once you learn the trick of looking at the positive/funny side, you can avail their service happily or give them a wide space and move away.
Difficult though for many of us to avoid this unique clan of human race, let us learn to make the interactions interesting. There is nothing uninteresting or monotonous with them around.
Great many of them do not know any denomination below 100 and so even for a ride to the next street they would ask for 100 rupees without any guilt. Quite a few of them are almost always grumpy and appear to carry the entire city's problems on their shoulders. You would not know whether they are willing to reach you to your destination, agree to the amount you have asked for or have heard  you right about the next right turn. They will grunt or at the most mumble in monosyllables.
There is this over concerned types who keep asking you questions that do not anyway help them to drive you to your destination. They will also make 'wise statements' on all and sundry issues proudly revealing their 'gyan'. You should listen to them declaring their view point on political/economic plight of the country on no uncertain terms. Though some can be howlers, there are quite a few of these opinions which give you a different perspective about things.
Sometimes, I start a conversation with them to know the person and it has brought out such interesting insights into the human mind. Thinking back, I realise many such conversations can be developed into gripping stories of success, determination and so on.
One day, I got into an auto at Montieth Road to go to Thiruvanmiyur. I was not happy with the auto fare, but I consoled myself thinking it was a long way to go and perhaps, I was going to give only10or 15 rupees more. I settled down for a quiet ride, with lot of thoughts demanding attention and analysis. But I was not left alone. Our friend, started asking questions about where exactly was I going. He started telling about Maruntheeswarer temple hoping I was going there. When I answered in the negative, he was disappointed. Then he started narrating his experiences - his earlier days with all the bad habits and the undisciplined life, his association with the Vishnava priests, the advice that marked a great change, a beginning for a better life and so on. It was not the story that moved me (though it had great scope for a sentimental drama) but the way he was going on chanting. 'நாலாயிரம்', அபிராமி அந்தாதி, சிவபுராணம்  and many such bhakthi poems that shook me immensely. He had started one 'annadhanam' programme in the Thiruvanmiyur temple and said how it gave him great happiness to see the satisfied look on the starved peoples' faces.
That is not all! He revealed with pride, his networking through the net and told me about an European friend he communicates with. He even suggested to me that I should go networking like that and asked for my mail id (which I did not give). An interesting person he turned out to be!I forgot to ask his name as my mind was reeling with all that he said.

There is never that 'going-through-the motion' sort of routine with them around. I think of the other day - many things to be completed within a certain time, delays at every turn and the feeling of restlessness - when the auto driver spoke from the depth of his suffering. It all started with an occasional remark about rash driving and how you cannot say anything to the person who is on the wrong. He had perfectly understood the psyche of the arrogant drivers and the so called road rage when he pointed out the futility of correcting them and advised patience. Then he went on to tell his story of being an alcoholic, his sessions with 'the alcoholic anonymous' and how he had come out of the addiction. then came the saying of the day : 'one has to first like oneself and be happy with himself. Then rest all will into the respective places.'
I can go on thus and that is not the point. What I want to tell you all, my fellow auto travelers of Chennai is, "With an open mind prepared to soak in the stories, get into an auto.You will not be disappointed at least 7 out of 10 times."
Yes, from somewhere, the sound of that song of Rajanikanth floats to your ears, right?
"நான் ஆட்டோகாரன் ஆட்டோகாரன், நாலுந் தெரிந்த ரூட்டுக்காரன்".........