Amme—A Reunion – Chapter-6

The train took about four hours to reach Kannur from Palakkad. Mukundan decided to make Kannur his base and found a “Yatri Nivas” near the railway station. The simple, functional lodge had been running for over 50 years. Mukundan refreshed himself and ate a hearty lunch at the Kudumbashree Mess.

He then took a couple of buses to reach Thodeekulam.

Image – Kerala Tourism

It was about 5 PM by the time he reached there. He looked at the magnificent temple, the beautiful murals on the walls mesmerized him. After a satisfactory darshan he came out of the temple. The small eatery that Gangadharan had mentioned was not there. He asked the temple security guard, he said, that there was an eatery managed by an elderly lady and her daughter, but they had shut shop a few months ago.

Mukundan was disappointed, but he did not give up hope. As he was speaking with the security guard, another man walked up to them. He asked Mukundan, “Why are you inquiring about them? What do you want?” Mukundan replied that he was the lady’s stepson. The man said, “Come with me.” He then called for an auto from the auto-stand near the temple.

They got into it, the man introduced himself, “I am Rajesh, I run a small coaching center in the neighbouring village. Your stepmother and sister, they live in a room in the center, they clean the center and live there. Your sister is studying in college now.” The auto reached its destination, the board said, “Winners Coaching Center”. Mukundan paid the fare and stood in doubt for some time.

Rajesh gripped his hand and said, “Come let’s go.” He called out aloud “Chechi, nokku, oru aal vanutundu kaanan.” {Sister, look someone has come to see you.}

At first, the elderly lady could not recognize Mukundan and then there was a faint glimmer of recognition, her first emotion was anguish, then she slapped him hard on the cheeks. Then she broke into tears. Mukundan consoled her, “Amme…karaiyalle.. ellam sheri agghum..” {Mother, don’t cry, everything will be fine.}

Mother and son, just sat for a long time, looking at each other, the silence, the pain, the fears, the love that was lost and found again, the guilt, the helplessness; everything that was bottled, flowed in that resounding slap, and Mukundan’s efforts to console his mother. Rajesh looked at them in silence, he went into a smaller room serving as the kitchen and brought some water to drink. At that time, Mukundan’s sister came back from college. She had no recollection of Mukundan. Her mother explained slowly who he was, the young girl was shy and reserved, and smiled at the man who had come and was now introduced as her elder brother. Rajesh said, “You be here, discuss all that you want. I live in the house adjoining the compound wall. Take care.”

It was a long-awaited reunion. Mukundan said, “Amme, Sheelu, what do you wish to do? Will you come to Chennai with me? Or you wish to be here?” His mother replied, “Mone, did you not marry yet?” He replied, “No Amme, not yet!” Mukundan said, “Come let’s go to the town for dinner.” Sheela was excited, as was her mother. Mukundan said, I will wait outside on the verandah, both of you get ready.

The family had a nice, relaxed dinner, as usual here too, Gulf-money had pumped up development with fancy mini-shopping plazas and restaurants. They had ice cream after dinner then Mukundan took mother and daughter to a garments store and got a couple of new sarees for his mother and a selection of kurtis, salwar, and a set-mundu for his sister. There was lot of happiness all around. His mother said, “Sorry – I slapped you.” Mukundan just smiled. He was in a happy place. He dropped them at the coaching center and handed over some money to both of them. He collected his sister’s mobile number and gave them his number. He said, “I will be back in a couple of days Amme.” There was joy, a sense of fulfilment in his heart. From the town bus-stand, he got a direct bus to Kannur, and reached his room late in the night. He was exhausted. He changed into a pair of bermudas, drank some water, and fell deep asleep with a smile on his lips!

Mukundan Tries to Find His Mother and Sister – Chapter-5

Mukundan dropped Lekha and Sumithra at their home. As he was leaving, he saw an old black and white photo that had been framed and was on a table. It was a photo taken when the election campaign was on and the participating candidate had drunk a glass of tea that Sumithra’s mother had made. It was a big event that had been covered in the local newspapers at that time. What was unique about that photo was that it also had Mukundan’s stepmother and sister in the frame. He took Sumithra’s permission to click a photo of it using his smartphone. He bid the mother and daughter “Good night” and walked to the auto-stand.

At the auto-stand, he had another surprise, the auto that he boarded, the driver turned around and said “Mukundan alle?”. Mukundan tried to place the elderly man in his sixties, wondering who it was! The man smiled and said “Eda Gangadharan maaman aana!” This man had worked in the school that Mukundan had studied as a handyman doing tasks like electrical repairs and minor carpentry work.

As the auto went through the village, Gangadharan spoke of all that had transpired in the intervening years. He said, “I went to Kannur last year for a wedding. Your mother and sister are there. They are running a small eatery near the Thodeekulam Shiva Temple. Go meet them.” Mukundan had tears in his eyes. The years of anguish came out. Gangadharan hugged him and said “Mukunda, mone, nee raksahapattu, poi ninde Ammaiyem, anniyathiyem, kondu va da!” {You saved yourself and have reached a secure place, go bring your mother and sister.”}

Mukundan reached his room in the lodge. He drank a glass of water and then went into the attached bathroom. He splashed some water onto his face and looked at himself in the mirror. The reflection looked back at him and said “Alfred has gone Mukundan, go save your stepmother and sister, you owe that good turn. Go.”

Mukundan broke into a smile and wiped his face with a towel. He switched the ceiling fan on and lay down on the cot. He fell asleep thinking of this stepmother and sister. Tomorrow he would leave for Kannur, at first light!

Mukundan Meets Sumithra – Chapter-3

Mukundan got down at Palakkad Railway Station. So much had changed. Now announcements were being made in Bangla, there were messages being displayed on the digital board in different languages. The migrant labourers now formed a substantial part of the population.

He walked out of the station and walked slowly towards Mani’s Cafe. One thing that remained constant. He remembered once, a faint memory, his father and mother and him, savouring on masala dosa and coffee. A faint glimmer of happiness from another life. What was it that one’s native land possessed? As soon as he reached, memories of the past resurfaced. Near the cafe there was a small lodge. He got a single room and refreshed himself. Then he went to Mani’s cafe and ordered a filter coffee and masala dosa. He looked at the varied crowd in the restaurant. Passengers from other places, some locals, regulars for breakfast, and some foreigners, the usual tourists.

After breakfast, he walked for a while, got a copy of the newspaper, and returned to his room. He read the newspaper for a while. Then he decided to take a bath. The heat was quite intense in Palakkad not very different from Chennai. He decided to enquire at the reception desk about buses to Thiruvilvamala. Once he got the information, he stepped out, and bought an umbrella and a bottle of mineral water. The heat seemed intense. A short walk to the bus depot. He was still able to read basic Malayalam, he got a bus, that was about to depart, thankfully, a place to sit as well.

The bus slowly moved out of the depot and crossed the main town limits, the driver was playing songs of Raveendran Master, unknowingly, Mukundan hummed some old songs. After being an Ilaiyaraja fan for all the years that he spent with Alfred, this was a sudden recollection of his own origins, and his father’s drunken singing of some old melodies, which were registered in his mind. He looked at the massive development that had taken place in the region. So many churches, so many mosques, and restaurants, and super-markets that had come up everywhere. Gulf-money had pumped up development to a great extent.

The bus reached Thiruvilvamala village. He got down, went to a nearby shop, and had a soda-sherbet. The sweetness of the syrup, the refreshing flavours of nannari, and the fizz of the soda, had a cooling effect on him. As he stood there in the shade of the shop, his attention was drawn to a young woman selling sliced cucumbers and green mangoes. There was something vaguely familiar about the young woman. Could it really be her??? After all these years. The girl from the neighbouring hut. Was it Sumithra?

Image by Photo by Khalil Ahmad Mazari: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-mangoes-16995351/

He walked up to the woman and said “Maanga kashnam tharu” – The young woman smiled, sliced a fresh mango, applied a mix of salt and spices, placed it on a sheet of newspaper and gave it to him. He handed over 20 rupees. He bit into the green mango slices. Again a wave of nostalgia flooded in, reminding him of his mother. He opened his eyes to find the young woman looking at him carefully. “Yaendha saare?” she asked. He replied – “Onnum illa.. Sumithra alle.”

The young woman was shocked. She registered surprise and then joy. “Saar endha josiyan aano? Ende paeru engane ariyam?” {Are you an astrologer? How do you know my name?} He replied – “Orkunnu ille, Mukundan aana. Baalyathil odi poyi.” {Don’t you remember, I am Mukundan, I ran away, when I was young.}

Mukundan Returns to His Village – 2

Image by jeswin on Freepik

Once the lawyer had conveyed this news to Mukundan, he felt a strange sense of despair. After many years, he felt uncomfortable and unsure about what to do. The years spent with Alfred had given him security, hope, and lot of love and affection. He in turn by taking good care of his students was admired and respected by his colleagues at the school. He had led a simple and uncomplicated life in the company of Alfred, their library, and collection of old gramophone records. Alfred had been a free thinker and never imposed his religious choices on his ward. He had let Mukundan be and find his own path in his spiritual quest. Mukundan would often vist the Vallalar Sabhai meetings that used to take place in Egmore. He was influenced by the teachings of Vallalar Swamigal and believed that a bit of God existed in every living creature, and one should not harm any living creature big or small. Now that Alfred had also left and there was a generous sum of money in his name, Mukundan took a decision, he wanted to take a break from school, and travel, perhaps visit his village and see if his parents were still there. He spoke to the school management, they gave him a month’s leave. Mukundan gladly accepted the offer and booked a train ticket.

That evening as he walked into Madras Central Station that was now renamed to Chennai Central, he stared with wonder. In the last few years, there had been a rapid growth with the Metro station making connectivity even better. But inside the main station, the things still looked similar, the hustle and bustle, the stray dogs running about, the porters with their sly smiles, some destitute elders and beggars looking for alms, the irate passengers looking at the digital announcement board, the new food court with its enticing fragrances; Mukundan felt a strange sense of peace within him as he stood in the waiting hall and awaited his train.

Train 22639 – Alleppey Express – what a twist of fate – a similar onward train had brought him to this city that had been home for all these years. This city had made him a man. The love of a father that he had craved, he had found here. As the train arrived, Mukundan picked his bag and walked slowly towards his coach. How things had changed. From coming in that unreserved coach that night, the small and scared boy, in a half-shirt and his school’s khaki pants. Here he was now clad in a white half-shirt and a kaavi veshti boarding his seat in the 3AC coach. He had packed a simple dinner of idlies and molagaipodi wrapped in a banana leaf. His co-passengers were an elderly couple. They smiled at him. They said they were going to Kalpathi for a wedding. On the other side, there were a group of NCC cadets going to Alleppey. The train picked up speed as it crossed the city limits. Mukundan exchanged his lower berth seat for the elderly lady and lay down in the upper berth. The lights were switched off. The blue night-light glowed gently as the train picked up pace and hurtled into the darkness of the night.

A Ronin in the Twilight

 

Image Courtesy — Myth-Weavers

Tried to run a bit,

Gasped for breath,

Attempted to do push-ups,

Fell flat on the floor,

Thankfully nose did not get crushed,

Aimed to handle some weights,

Every muscle is stinging in pain.

The mirrors that are placed,

In the gym as walls,

Stare back at me – taunting,

Mocking me with scorn.

I wonder – what am I doing?

Was this the same individual?

How did so many disconnected incidents,

Turn to conspire and join hands,

To break me into this hopeless nut-case.

The gloves that used to adorn the hands,

Lie sealed in a cover,

There are a truckload of memories,

They all come rushing back.

The pain, the anguish, the scars,

That adorn the body, like laurels,

Burn at times, kindling a violent life,

That I keep running away from,

How long, how far, till what point?

Nothing makes sense,

I sought to find comfort in the written word,

That too evades the faculties,

If the body feels tired,

The mind weakens with scarier intensity,

I dread the day, when I will board,

The wrong train and land in some remote village.

There was a time,

When I would finish a novel in a day,

Now reading one book,

Requires immense patience,

Distractions are too many,

Worries and fears cloud the mind,

Nothing gives joy, nothing offers light.

There has to be a way,

To break free of all this chaos.

What was the point?

Of penning all this down?

I am as clueless as you are!!!!

Till we meet again,

If we do meet again,

Sending all of you prayers and good wishes!

‘The Puppeteers of Palem’ by Sharath Komarraju

Dear readers, Sharath Komarraju an established novelist with three novels in his kitty is all set to launch his fourth novel – ‘The Puppeteers of Palem’.

Please visit his website –  for more details. He has initiated a contest as well and is offering a preview sample for readers as well.

Do check and if you like the preview, I am sure you will if you love a dash of folk-tales, fairy-tales, suspense and the supernatural 🙂

Happy reading and check out the pre-order links below:

Pre-order a copy of The Puppeteers of Palem here

My review will be coming up soon and folks I assure you this is indeed a ‘very different’ book 🙂

Happy reading and wishing all of you my beloved readers – A Super Duper Weekend 🙂

Matrikas Journal and Notebooks – Product Review

There is something special,
About jotting down,
One’s thoughts in a diary.
The feeling of closure,
When one writes down,
The day’s highs and lows,
The dreams and expectations,
The truth and reality,
All in our diary,
Using a pen in our own hands.
A diary is an extremely personal tool.

Something like a magic lamp,
When in the future,
We open the diary,
All the memories of the past,
Flash by in multi-coloured hues.
Page after page,
To remind us how far,
We have travelled in life.
And to remind us,
Many miles lie ahead!!!

I had a chance to review a set of journals/notebooks/diaries from Matrikas Paper Products. This is part of a Blogger Engagement Initiative and I am really thankful to fellow blogger Sulaiman who recommended this to me. I filled up a form on Facebook (Part of a Matrikas App). I received a courier well-packed with the products.

I have been writing personal journals for over 17 years now, starting from old corporate diaries that the elders in the family used to hand down to fancy notebooks and handmade-paper books and recycled paper notebooks, I have used a wide spectrum of products. A couple of years back I bought journal books sold by the Isha Foundation and loved the intricate cover designs and the paper quality.

This set of products from Matrikas took me by surprise and impressed me with the beautiful cover designs and top-class paper thickness and quality. I would like to recommend their products to all those who love to write.

Go ahead contact Matrikas right away 🙂