Going back to the place where I have learnt my first steps, where I picked up my first friend (who is still my best friend after about 6 decades!), where I experienced the joys, hopes, dreams, disappointments of being a young girl - always brings a nervous excitement in the pit of my stomach. Sure, you must be feeling such emotions when you visit your town/city, right?
Normally I prefer to walk the streets of the main city alone, while scenes of the past would be flashing on the mental screen - the busy school days, going to different book shops for buying the text books, just running out of the house to hop on to city bus;no 1 (bus stop was just bang outside our house, you know?) to go to college, the evening meeting with my best friend to discuss all world issues(!!), the summer holidays and rushing to watch the procession of the temple festival, the jasmine blossoms all around - in the vendors' baskets, adorning the hair of young girls and women of all ages, on the decoration of the God and goddess, Cows with their calves running along narrow lanes, milkmen milking the cows in a street corner,
graceful women with skin glowing like polished ebony with chunk of gold on the big holes on their ear lobes (the jewellery is known as 'Pampadam in Tamizh.) swinging in tune with their swaying hips and oh! the unique sing-song sound and accent of the Madurai Tamizh - would carry me effortlessly through the winding lanes.
Now, in response to a long time urge, I travelled to my native place, in the exclusive company of my granddaughter(Kailu) who is going to be eight in a few months. The road trip from Tiruvannamalai crosses at least 4 districts, moves across Kollidam, Mani muthar and Vaigai rivers (only in name!) Stories from the past about the rivers in spate, the coconut groves along the banks flowed forth;all around on the highway, the distant mountains and the chipped off rocky hillocks were telling the sad story of human greed and indifference to all other beings in nature.
I pointed out many things along the way to Kailu which she would have seen from an earlier trip. The cab driver caught on the mood of story time and listened to many of them and contributed his share even.
All the new highways usually go round cities and towns avoiding the busy city centre. So ring roads and bypasses, it is! We certainly miss out on the characteristic sounds, smells and the people of these towns and cities but gain in comfortable travel. However, as we bypass a city, on the far left or right, we see the life from the city spilling out in so many ways. There are tall buildings, mountains or temples, that mark the towns, visible on the highway. "Here we are!, I excitedly pointed out to Rockfort and Srirangam as the typical identities of Trichy to Kailu.
Hey, it is story time once again! The rockfort structure with cave temples at some height has a Ganesha temple perched on top. We can see the steps leading to the temple and the temple on top from afar driving down the highway. There is a Shiva temple at the base of this structure which has lot of interesting stories associated with it but one that I love is the one that describes the God as Mathrubhootheswarar/'Thayumanavar' meaning 'Being mother as well'.
Then like a slide show, the old route between Trichy and Madurai flashed in my mind - the huge banyan and tamarind trees on both sides of the road, the town or village square with people moving about their chores, the early morning breeze, an occasional small tea shop with thatched roof on the side of the road and the excitement of the beginning of a term break and spending the days with my parents.
Mid route stops (towns)like Kottampatti and Viralimalai now are far to the right of highway. it was like an exercise of comparison - 'This place, that day'.
Remember, the driver was an active participant in the story telling exercise! So, he too shared his experience of driving on the highway or the temples he had visited as part of his driving job. Kailu with her incessant curiosity was lapping it all up with one expert grown up comment, " I was so sleepy that my eyes could not remain open; but the conversation was so interesting that it kept me wide awake."
Every stone on the way, each distinct plant, tree, small village that lie on the way has a great social, historical cultural story cached deep within, waiting for the right person to tap open the doors to that wonderful world - be it the glorious and prosperous days of Pandiya rule or the turbulent time of power rivalries, marching of the Turkish army and attack on temples or the heroism shown by ordinary people in saving the cultural, religious and artistic legacy from the onslaught or the time of Nayak rule when there was a beautiful blend of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions of worship.
By the time we shared some stories, we had come to the bridge over Vaigai river and there! the noises, dust and the smells of whole sale fruit market swamped our senses. I could even show her the house where I had spent my first 22 years of life (Sad, the house had been demolished and boarded up)
Kailu is open to experience new places with her own perception and over the two days stay, she has concluded that she likes the place! I tried to draw her attention to the way Tamizh is spoken there - she couldn't pick out the nuances but could sense the difference.
She was a trooper to walk some distance and stand for an hour and more for Darshan of Goddess Meenakshi. We stayed in a simple Yatri Nivas (a Marvadi boarding house run as a charity). There will be at least 50 to 60 travellers from northern parts of the country daily, on a pilgrimage in groups. So it is a simple boarding house with a courtyard in the centre. No, nothing exotic or 'branded as typically Rajasthani or from a Tamil village, you see. A simple one but serves the purpose of that open space.
Once you step inside the building, all the hustle bustle of the city outside magically disappears.
I wanted to show her the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal (palace), (was constructed as a residence for the king in 1636 CE) but, she got tired and it was getting late; so had to leave it for some future trip. I know, the palace would look familiar to many of you if you are an avid movie watcher. Keep guessing, friends, it is very easy!
She lapped up the sights and sounds around the temple and My God! her excitement was so endearing when she ran around the shops selling craft items, accessories for stitching and bangles and bindi shops in Pudhumandapam! Items of similar type heaped in one place is such a delight for a shopping venture. However, I can't help thinking about the beautiful carvings and fine architecture that are hidden and taken a backseat to commercial interests. Then, there is the other side, isn't there? Small entrepreneurs, crafts persons, petty shop owners and many others are to be given an alternate and suitable space to move their ware from this Mandapam and it is a tough job, no doubt.
Ah... I am meandering, again! This is about the past meeting the future and letting fresh air and light into that old room with layers of depth and character, right?
She was contemplating, experiencing every moment with a 'here and now' approach. In my enthusiasm, if I start on my story telling spree (Should I say, non stop lecture??), she very clearly would stop me. That girl, she knows her mind and she sets the pace. Fair enough, won't you say? She needs time to work through each of the stories, sights and my feelings associated to them, so she indicated, it is one after the other!
But I had kind of transmitted to her, the happiness, being surrounded by love and affection and the quest for finding the story behind every thing - at least it looked to me like that. I showed her my school, the road I used to walk to go to school and the shops where we would crowd in the beginning of academic year to get our text books. Such an uncanny insight she has of the human emotions that she had caught the underlying motif woven into the story of that young girl, 50 years ago - one of a care free life with lot of friends and a warm household where'things were happening' all the time.
How do I know that? She started sharing about her friends, her happy moments, adventures and trips with occasional appreciative comments about the city, people and friends there. She wondered, whether I keep in touch with any of my college friends. I told her that I was able to meet only one friend who has a granddaughter like her. She nodded her head with a thoughtful expression. I know all these small details are to get a complete picture of the time/life that she has put in corner of her fertile imaginative mind.
Those grandparents out there must feel the way I feel, I think. I felt like a young girl revisiting those days with this young one who is such an old soul. Some moments were beyond words but etched deep within my heart. I know, Kailu too had her special moments. With another promise to myself that there will be another exclusive trip for the two of us, we started our journey back.
graceful women with skin glowing like polished ebony with chunk of gold on the big holes on their ear lobes (the jewellery is known as 'Pampadam in Tamizh.) swinging in tune with their swaying hips and oh! the unique sing-song sound and accent of the Madurai Tamizh - would carry me effortlessly through the winding lanes.Now, in response to a long time urge, I travelled to my native place, in the exclusive company of my granddaughter(Kailu) who is going to be eight in a few months. The road trip from Tiruvannamalai crosses at least 4 districts, moves across Kollidam, Mani muthar and Vaigai rivers (only in name!) Stories from the past about the rivers in spate, the coconut groves along the banks flowed forth;all around on the highway, the distant mountains and the chipped off rocky hillocks were telling the sad story of human greed and indifference to all other beings in nature.
I pointed out many things along the way to Kailu which she would have seen from an earlier trip. The cab driver caught on the mood of story time and listened to many of them and contributed his share even.
All the new highways usually go round cities and towns avoiding the busy city centre. So ring roads and bypasses, it is! We certainly miss out on the characteristic sounds, smells and the people of these towns and cities but gain in comfortable travel. However, as we bypass a city, on the far left or right, we see the life from the city spilling out in so many ways. There are tall buildings, mountains or temples, that mark the towns, visible on the highway. "Here we are!, I excitedly pointed out to Rockfort and Srirangam as the typical identities of Trichy to Kailu.
Hey, it is story time once again! The rockfort structure with cave temples at some height has a Ganesha temple perched on top. We can see the steps leading to the temple and the temple on top from afar driving down the highway. There is a Shiva temple at the base of this structure which has lot of interesting stories associated with it but one that I love is the one that describes the God as Mathrubhootheswarar/'Thayumanavar' meaning 'Being mother as well'.
Then like a slide show, the old route between Trichy and Madurai flashed in my mind - the huge banyan and tamarind trees on both sides of the road, the town or village square with people moving about their chores, the early morning breeze, an occasional small tea shop with thatched roof on the side of the road and the excitement of the beginning of a term break and spending the days with my parents.
Mid route stops (towns)like Kottampatti and Viralimalai now are far to the right of highway. it was like an exercise of comparison - 'This place, that day'.
Remember, the driver was an active participant in the story telling exercise! So, he too shared his experience of driving on the highway or the temples he had visited as part of his driving job. Kailu with her incessant curiosity was lapping it all up with one expert grown up comment, " I was so sleepy that my eyes could not remain open; but the conversation was so interesting that it kept me wide awake."
Every stone on the way, each distinct plant, tree, small village that lie on the way has a great social, historical cultural story cached deep within, waiting for the right person to tap open the doors to that wonderful world - be it the glorious and prosperous days of Pandiya rule or the turbulent time of power rivalries, marching of the Turkish army and attack on temples or the heroism shown by ordinary people in saving the cultural, religious and artistic legacy from the onslaught or the time of Nayak rule when there was a beautiful blend of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions of worship.
By the time we shared some stories, we had come to the bridge over Vaigai river and there! the noises, dust and the smells of whole sale fruit market swamped our senses. I could even show her the house where I had spent my first 22 years of life (Sad, the house had been demolished and boarded up)
Kailu is open to experience new places with her own perception and over the two days stay, she has concluded that she likes the place! I tried to draw her attention to the way Tamizh is spoken there - she couldn't pick out the nuances but could sense the difference.
She was a trooper to walk some distance and stand for an hour and more for Darshan of Goddess Meenakshi. We stayed in a simple Yatri Nivas (a Marvadi boarding house run as a charity). There will be at least 50 to 60 travellers from northern parts of the country daily, on a pilgrimage in groups. So it is a simple boarding house with a courtyard in the centre. No, nothing exotic or 'branded as typically Rajasthani or from a Tamil village, you see. A simple one but serves the purpose of that open space.
Once you step inside the building, all the hustle bustle of the city outside magically disappears.
She lapped up the sights and sounds around the temple and My God! her excitement was so endearing when she ran around the shops selling craft items, accessories for stitching and bangles and bindi shops in Pudhumandapam! Items of similar type heaped in one place is such a delight for a shopping venture. However, I can't help thinking about the beautiful carvings and fine architecture that are hidden and taken a backseat to commercial interests. Then, there is the other side, isn't there? Small entrepreneurs, crafts persons, petty shop owners and many others are to be given an alternate and suitable space to move their ware from this Mandapam and it is a tough job, no doubt. Ah... I am meandering, again! This is about the past meeting the future and letting fresh air and light into that old room with layers of depth and character, right?
She was contemplating, experiencing every moment with a 'here and now' approach. In my enthusiasm, if I start on my story telling spree (Should I say, non stop lecture??), she very clearly would stop me. That girl, she knows her mind and she sets the pace. Fair enough, won't you say? She needs time to work through each of the stories, sights and my feelings associated to them, so she indicated, it is one after the other!
But I had kind of transmitted to her, the happiness, being surrounded by love and affection and the quest for finding the story behind every thing - at least it looked to me like that. I showed her my school, the road I used to walk to go to school and the shops where we would crowd in the beginning of academic year to get our text books. Such an uncanny insight she has of the human emotions that she had caught the underlying motif woven into the story of that young girl, 50 years ago - one of a care free life with lot of friends and a warm household where'things were happening' all the time.
How do I know that? She started sharing about her friends, her happy moments, adventures and trips with occasional appreciative comments about the city, people and friends there. She wondered, whether I keep in touch with any of my college friends. I told her that I was able to meet only one friend who has a granddaughter like her. She nodded her head with a thoughtful expression. I know all these small details are to get a complete picture of the time/life that she has put in corner of her fertile imaginative mind.
Those grandparents out there must feel the way I feel, I think. I felt like a young girl revisiting those days with this young one who is such an old soul. Some moments were beyond words but etched deep within my heart. I know, Kailu too had her special moments. With another promise to myself that there will be another exclusive trip for the two of us, we started our journey back.
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