Meenakshi and Chennai Aunties -35

Meenakshi was contemplative. She is looking at the busy traffic through the window of her house in Sowcarpet which is the oldest landmarks in Chennai. In his book Madras Rediscovered, Chennai city chronicler S. Muthiah writes that the diamond and silk merchants arrived from Gujarat in the 17th century  gave the neighbourhood the name  Sowcarpet. It is a crowdy area where  one can not move around in vehicles.  Meenakshi is lost  in wistful thoughts. 

"Wistful thoughts are thieves that steal our moods." said Rodrigues Anthony to draw the attention of  Meenakshi. Meenakshi  offered him chair. Anthony sat in the chair. He looked into the deeply sunken eyes of Meenakshi.  Madam you are looking at one side of the coin. I mean you are looking at one side of the case.  Look at the case from the other side and relax. There is a way out. No need of hiding.

Meenakshi: It is a cheque bounce case. He has to pay 50 lakhs. In India law is very strict in cheque bounce cases. Two years of imprisonment and double amount as penalty. Sometimes it is both. 

Anthony: I heard from Ramachandran that here is something fishy about the complainant.    I have read the interview published a Tamil newspaper before he went to underground.  He has to come and tell the court the facts. He is hiding in frustration. Hiding or fleeing can not solve the problem.

Meenakshi: It is a temporary measure until he is capable of solving the problem. He is very sincere. When his three real estate projects failed. There was no market. He had to return the money to the buyers as he could not complete the projects. He used all his resources to complete the projects. He even sold the school building and Vikraman estates. Finally he could complete.

I can understand the struggle. I can help him if you want. I can arrange a sound party to 

Meenakshi: He approached many renowned realtors. But it was of no use. Nobody can help because the entire real estate has suffered a loss of 1 lakh crores. 

Anthony: Anyway it is great that he has completed the projects.  If not tomorrow he can sell them , the other tomorrow. The market will not be mute for ever. Look at life from that perspective life looks  colourful.

Meenakshi: No, It is not great. He says that it is a big blunder. He lost crores. You are saying that tomorrow comes. But no one knows when that tomorrow comes. He has to wait. He constantly thinks over the blunder and loss of money.  You are asking to look at life from different perspective. Yes, we are doing it. Vikraman was in Tenyampet the most expensive area in Chennai, I was in near Tidel park in Taramani  Now we are in Sowcarpet a crowded commercial area almost a slum.

Anthony: I am very sorry. Your time is very bad. But I can give you hope. Look though it is a bustling commercial area  narrow streets the vintage buildings the diamond and silk merchants, The artists and artisans add a different dimension. 

What dimension is there in this case? please read this. said Meenakshi and gave Anthony a sheet, It was court notice. Anthony started reading the notice. 

                          IN THE COURT OF Metropolitan Magistrate AT CHENNAI

               (Presided Over by VEDANTAM VENKATARAMANA)

                          CT CASES/622113/2021    

(PROSECUTION): VIKRAMAN NAMAKKAL                   

Through Police Station Officer T.Nagar, CHENNAI
SOUTH EAST CHENNAI
VIKRAMAN NAMAKKAL

 VERSUS

RAJARATNA PERUMAL  

S/o, MURUGAN PERUMAL

PO TARAMANI, CHENNAI SOUTH,

(Proceedings abated on 15.03.2021)

VEENA AMMAN, APP for State}: 

ANTHONY Rodrigues Advocate for VIKRAMAN

CT Case 622113/2021              Dated 15.03.2021                              Pages 1

Offence punishable under:  138  of   Negotiable Instruments Act.   

Version of the complainant:

1. The complainant and the accused persons had good family relationship. The accused persons had approached the complainant in the year 2019 for getting friendly loan amounting to Rs. 50,00, 000 lakhs. On 24.06.2019, the complainant had given a friendly loan to the accused persons amounting to Rs 50,00,000/- and the accused persons had assured the complainant to return the same within 6 months.

2. The accused persons in discharge of their legal liability had issued a cheque bearing no. 765883 Ex. CW-1/A on the same date i.e. 24.06.2019 to the complainant drawn on Punjab National Bank, T. NAGAR, CHENNAI . The said cheque was presented by the complainant in November, 2019 with its banker UCO bank which got dishonoured with remarks "Account Closed" vide return memo dated 14.11.2019 Ex. CW1/B which was received by the complainant on 16.11.2019 Thereafter, the complainant had sent a legal demand notice dated 08.12.2019 to the accused persons which got received back with report "recipient is out of house" and "refused" respectively.

3. Upon failure of the accused to make payment of the cheque in question within the stipulated time of 15 days, the complainant  filed the present complaint u/s 138 of the Act.

4. The complainant examined himself in pre-summoning evidence and after considering the complaint and entire documents on record, summon was issued by this Court against the accused on 19.10.2010.                

            

                        Notice against the accused:

 CT Case 622113/2016                                      Dated 15.03.2022      

 Following notice was framed against the accused on 15.10.2021: 

"It's alleged against you VIKRAMAN NAMAKKAL  s/o NARASINHAN  NAMAKKAL that you in discharge of your liability issued a cheque bearing number 765883 dated 24.06.2019 in the sum of Rs.50,00,000/- in favour of the complainant RAJARATNA PERUMAL, which on presentation was dishonoured and returned unpaid due to the reason "Account Closed". The Legal Demand Notice dated 08.1.2022 was issued to you to make the payment within the stipulated period of 15 days despite which you failed to make the payment within statutory period and thereby committed an offence punishable u/s 138 NI Act read with Section 142 NI Act and within my congnizance"

"This is the same court notice which I have  read twice. What is your purport in giving me the same court notice again and again." asked Anthony.  " I will be too glad to listen if you talk about law than art and philosophy." Said Meenakshi.

What is the use of talking about law here. I will talk law in the court but Vikraman should stand. He should attend the court. If he is innocent and so the law is with him. 

But he has no money. Once 50 crores was easy for him, Today it is impossible to him. He has not even 50,000. How can he pay 50 lakhs? Life became empty to him. There is no one to stand for him. I have decided to stand for him. Lawyer Jairam was asking him to settle the money because in  cheque bounce case the law is very serious in India.  

Forget about Jairam. Now I have taken up your case. Where is Vikraman? 

                                                                         ***

"The children went on a ride in Vidisha's car and Nandini's car. They get back in the evening. We can take a nap or have a chat" Said Aruna sitting on the bed.  "It is better we chat than to nap  but no childhood stories.  Somebody tell the stories of adulthood." said Damini jovially sitting on the other bed and looking at Malini mischievously. "What stories I can have? I was married when I was eighteen and my husband was a soldier who worked mostly at boarders. He visited family during holidays. Aruna worked in films. Perhaps she can tell such stories." Said Malini sitting on the bed beside Aruna. Aruna looked at Malini angrily. Malini " Tell your filmy romance for Damini." Malini winked at Damini and said teasingly. Aruna got off and beat Malini on her back " Rascals you both are teasing me and you want to listen to my romantic stories in films?"

Malini : Ah! Aruna , what is this rough handling?  You have beaten me hard and it hurts. I know understood how Lakuma got the quality of kicking everybody. 

Aruna : I entered films with dance roles. My film career was limited to a decade.   I became heroine in four films at the fag end of my career. You know what  romantic stories I have.  My Romance is all with the director who wooed me, loved me and married me and made me a mother. 

Savitri came in to the room to take some bananas. On  hearing their words she took bananas went back hurriedly.  Damini leaped from her bed and brought her in. " You're speaking personal, let me go. I will come back after giving the fruits" said Savitri and went away.

"See what she thinks of me!" Said Aruna. Malini and Damini laughed

Damini: Aruna you went to college. Tell me about your college life. Any love, romance?"

Aruna:   Aye! Damini I am a college drop out for marriage. Joined in films Don't you know. That is why I was worried about Lakuma's education. With your discipline She swam across her youth, the dangerous part of a girl's life. 

Damini: Aruna , that credit goes to Malini. Varsha took pains in getting Lakuma out of the spider web of stunt biking and film acting. He tuned her mind to literature. All she needs is more care and love. I gave her. She is my daughter. I have two daughters Lakuma and Manju. 

Aruna : Where ever we begin we end up with children. We can not even think of romance. 

Just then Savitri entered the room to rest for a while. Malini invited her to sit beside her. 

I heard all your stories I am blessed to meet and sit with you. You have brought up your children in such a way that the world can be proud of. This is what many mothers could not do. I could not do. 

Malini felt light and said to Aruna " Tell me about Lakuma."

Aruna: Like you have two daughters , I have two daughters Lakuma and Sundari.

Damini : I have no children while you have two daughters each. 

Malini : Why Manjusha isn't your daughter?  She feels your motherly love. She is closely knitted to your heart.  Aruna: At times Malini is angry with her but Damini is never angry with her. 

Aruna: We all have daughters. It is great to have daughters like that. 

Malini : It is great only when we see that they are settled in life. Aruna , you have given life to Sundari, when she was aiming at film career. You saved her from rough weather. 

Aruna : She can not live alone there in Mumbai. Tulasi wants to go  back to Kakinada. She was unable to adjust to the city life.   Lakuma is there now with Sundari.  I must plan to marry Sundari. It is difficult for her to live alone there. How long Lakuma can be with her. 

Damini : You are thinking like a mother. I too want take car of Manjusha's marriage. I too must have the pleasure of a mother. 

Savitri : A mother who love all children as hers. hat is what makes a mother great mother. Every mother is not great.  I see great mothers here. My mind got rid of all the ruckus of my past life  stored in it. It  is all washed off seeing people like you leading meaningful lives. It is a great fortune and near moksha ( deliverance).  Savitri and touched the feet of all the mothers there.

                                                                           ***

Poonamallee is a small town 21 kilometres to the west of Chennai, gets its name from its flower fields. Poonamallee means beautiful flower gardens.

“Oh! It is quite fragrant like its lands.” Said the weaver bird that has just finished making a beautiful nest - Round, cozy nesting chamber hanging to the palm tree.  

Good work for seven days, at last you have built a beautiful nest said Parrot looking at the nest. “It must be appealing to a female bird , if no female bird likes the nest he will destroy and build a new nest.” Said Robin and started giggling.

Why the hell are you giggling? the weaver bird raised its voice.

The Robbin was quiet. This turned the Parrot angry. He asked the same question.

Robbin: He must wait for his female partner, no one knows when he finds one.

Parrot: Why waitinat g the nest. You are new to this place, let us fly over the fields and the town. I will introduce some important and interesting heavy with a sweet fragrance.

Weaver bird:  It looks like there has been a snowfall in the area.

Robbin : Look there are a hundred women plucking the flowers

Parrot : There are hundreds of men loading the Jasmine flowers into mini trucks.

Weaver bird : Oh My God !

Parrot : Yes , they travel all over the world and enthral millions of men and women. These flowers are exported to perfume manufacturers abroad like Christian Doir, Pacco rabban.

Robbin: They (Christian Doir, Pacco rabban) are Paris perfumes.

Weaver bird : How do you know that?

Robin : The other day a girl from Paris came to these fields to see originof the perfume in her hands. She dabbed the perfume fondly on the farmers, women in fields and men at trucks very affectionately.

Weaver: What a wonderful feeling.

They flew over the plucking women to the trucks as there was a commotion.

The men at the trucks: If you sell the flowers in less than three hours from the time they are plucked, you can make good money since the fragrance lingers for a long time. The buyers prefer such flowers.

Parrot: Often such is the rush to reach the flower marts after the blossoms are harvested an hour or two past midnight that road accidents are frequent.

Weaver bird: Oh! It is a pity!

They flew to sunflower fields. They are larger than the jasmine fields and brighter than the marigold fields. “Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!” cried the weaver.

The fields full of bright yellow blooming Sunflowers, standing tall on their bright and large green leafy stems, set against an awesome landscape and a clear blue beautiful sky, attract us. They beckon us to stop and spend some memorable time with them.

Weaver bird : Why do you call them Sunflower.

Robin: Because they depend on the Sun.

Parrot: All creatures and flowers depend on the sun. Then why are they not called Sunflowers. There is a story behind these flowers.  

They sat on the branch of a tree looking at the beauty of the flower field and the parrot began saying the story. “The name Sunflower is an exact translation of the flower’s Greek name, ‘Helianthus’. In Greek ‘Helios’ means Sun and ‘Anthos’ means flower and hence Helianthus and Sunflower in English. And according to Greek mythology there are a few interesting stories providing the origin of Sunflower. And all these stories are about a beautiful girl Clytie and the Sun God Apollo.

The water-nymph called Clytie fell in love with the Sun God Apollo. She was so much in love that she would sit on the ground and stare at the Sun all day long. And as the Sun God never cared to notice her, the other Gods took pity on her and turned her into a flower (Sunflower). Her legs became the Sunflower’s stem, her face became the flower and her golden hair the petals. And even now, Clytie in the form of Sunflower continues to watch her beloved Sun God’s movements throughout the day, from Sunrise to Sunset.

The fields are lovely and the stories are interesting said the weaver bird. 

The town is more interesting said the Parrot. Then they flew towards the town.  

                                                               ***

"Poonamallee  found in Paranthaka Chola’s inscriptions. The history of the town dates back at least a thousand years." Said the parrot. The birds began their journey, heritage tour early in the morning. They were flying over the girls’ high school. The weaver bird stopped at the girls’ high school. He parched on the roof of the school and started staring at the girls.

Parrot: Stupid weaver bird. Don’t stare at the girls.  

Weaver bird: Tell me something about the school. I want to listen. 

The parrot started saying  "The sprawling campus was once a garrison that had barracks and stables and was also used as a prison and infirmary. this campus was the place where the Madras Regiment was stationed. the stables here had close to 400 horses. The famed Poonamallee Arab horses were bred here. Look at the fragmented inscriptions on stones in the campus that belonged to the Chola period.

Robin: How do you know all these things. 

Parrot: I heard all these things when a tourist guide is explaining to tourists. There are two inscriptions. This  Chola inscription  belongs to Rajendra Chola and another to the Vikrama Chola period. 

From there, the tour proceeded to a small temple in which the locals worship an ancient sati stone. “Although, for them, the sati kall (sati stone) is Lord Muneeswarar, 

"A little away from the temple is St John the Baptist Church  built in 1818." The tree birds sat on the Church steeples.  They saw the railway track and the market from there.  "In a short distance from the church we see a decrepit looking building " said the parrot. Yes, it  looks a bungalow." said the Robin. "The humble, single-storey, house was once called Doris Lodge, constructed before 1854. It was later sold to a local dance teacher Adumayil ( dancing peacock) whose great grand children live in the house today." 

"Are you a parrot or a professor?"  muttered the weaver bird

From Doris Lodge, they head to Panaiyathamman temple located on the main road.   They saw the interesting sculpture on the temple. The parrot  lectured on the  details. The weaver and the Robin closed their ears.  Later they flew to the Mosque that lies a short way ahead. They landed on the minarets of the mosque.  "This Mosque was built in 1653  by Rustam, the son of a Golconda courtier named Dhulfiqar,"  said the parrot. His companions looked pale like ghosts. "It was the first Indo-Saracenic style mosque in Tamil Nadu. " The parrot added.

"Can we have a break and have some tea?" said the weaver bird. 

"There are more heritage spots." said the parrot.

"I thought that we can see the whole town in an hour."

"NO, it is impossible. It takes at least one day" said the parrot.

"With a parrot like you it takes a week." Said the Robin.

They flew from the mosque towards a church. "This is the Wesley Church built in 1900." 

 We can not land here said the weaver and the Robin. The parrot looked at them just as a teacher would at back benchers and continued its flight. The two birds followed.  

This is the Mary Magdalene Church built between 1816-1819 and finally I conclude  the tour with the cemetery that dates back to 1795. said the parrot sitting on the branch of a Sahilendra tree where a grey backed Shrike perched.  The shrike greeted the parrot. 

Is it a tourist spot? shouted the weaver angrily. 

stay cool, It is for your rest. said the parrot. 

"Do you know when people rest here?" shouted Robin angrily.

"Don't worry there are just two spots. The ancient Vaitheeswaran temple with its interesting sculptures of women warriors on the mandapam walls. The Hindu Primary School  built in 1895." said the Shrike and vanished into the veneer air. Perhaps after touring with the parrot it became a ghost. 

Robin: Oh! The grave is the oldest in Poonamallee 

Parrot: No, I said that the mosque was built in 1653

Weaver bird: Oh! The mosque was the oldest. 

Parrot: No, you are absolutely wrong! 

He paused and posed like the most intelligent fellow. The robin and the weaver bird hated the parrot. They looked angrily at the parrot. " You arrogant rascal" they cursed him secretly.

Parrot: Vaitheeswaran temple dates back to 1000 BC is the oldest. No one is older than Shiva on this earth!!! Parrots are respected for their knowledge. 

"But you did not say that earlier" said the weaver bird.

"I don’t say everything. Did I tell you to stop at the girls’ high school?" said Parrot

"Naughty parrot!" said the weaver. "Bloody parrot!" said the Robin. 

"There is a huge crowd and commotion in the temple? Let's see what it is" Said the Parrot.

                                                                    ***

Devotees from different parts of south India came to Vaitheeswaran Temple in Poonamalle. They were moving around the temple complex. Some people are gazing at the five tier temple tower. Some people are talking about how they got cured by the healing power of Lord Vaitheeswaran. 

The tourist guide was talking to a dozen foreign tourists who came to see South India. 

You have come  to Poovirndavalli  (the  place where jasmine was cultivated) to see the flower fields. You have seen the scenic beauty of the flower fields and the commercial aspects  but  here are the precious historical and cultural aspects of this place. Here lord Vaitheeswaran (Vaidya + Eswaran) is regarded as the “God of Healing”. Devotees believe that prayers to Lord Vaitheeswaran can cure all ailments and also brings mental peace and relief from hardships." 

The district collector was talking to the temple committee head. There were a dozen people around him. He was reviewing the preparations for the cultural event slated for the next day. He was accompanied by local government officials and officials of the Revenue and other government departments.

How are the preparations going on? asked the collector. The local government authorities gave an update on the road repair work and water supply. The head of the temple committee said “Colouring the tower, lighting, barricades building is completed.”

He was the key person looking after the mega cultural event to be organised at the historic temple of Vaitheeswaran to mark the government’s three-day celebrations of the Tamilnadu government.

What about the stage building? He asked. “The stage construction is underway. Rangaswamy Iyer was overseeing the stage construction.” Said somebody pointing to the place where the stage construction was progressing.  The collector was walking briskly to the stage. All the officials were running behind him.  

The district administration has lined up a series of programmes including rallies and felicitation ceremonies in different parts of the district.  The cultural event titled “Vaitheeswara Vaibhavam” will see a galaxy of artists who perform cultural programs on the sprawling premises of the historic temple complex dating back to the  first century. 

                                                                ***

The sun set in the hills near Anand Sevasadan. Arunatara switched on the master switch. All the solar lights turned on  at once  filling Ananda sevasadan with bright light. All men and women clapped. The valley was filled with sound of claps.  Varsha saw the light in the eyes of the senior citizens. " I never thought that Varsha would get light into the Anandashram so soon. He filled the valley with light " said Malini.  " He filled our lives with light." said Savitri. Malini felt proud of her son. Her friends felt proud of Malini. The pleasure of such recognition is the essence of life. 

Later Aruna tara cut the ribbon to long shed auditorium. It is actually meant for dining. said Varsha while stepping in. All the senior citizens sat on the carpets. Manjusha moved close to Vidisha. Nandini felt uncomfortable. The boys congratulated Varsha. Varsha felt shy and was unable to respond or resist.  Kesava understood Varsha's embarrassment. He took the Mrudanga and started playing. His long hair was dancing on his back while his fingers were dancing on the Mrudanga. The rhythm of Mrudanga surrounded the valley. Aruna fondly touched his long hair. "Will you come with me to Bombay?" said Arunatara. Kesava nodded his head. " "will you tie knot to the girl I show." she asked.  Kesava blushed like a girl. 

                                                                    ***

Chettiar walked up to the place in the temple complex  where  men are relentlessly working to build the stage. Chettiar was followed by Mudaliar, the municipal commissioner of Poonamalle and his men. The stage building was over  and the decoration work was in progress. 

Chettiar : O Iyer , Ithu enna, innum ninkal kattamittal  sey kiri rkal? 

O, Iyer what is this? Are you still doing the (stage) construction work?

neram parttu, velai ceyya vendum. (  You should watch time and work.)

Iyer :  Vaayi mudu. ( shut up)  Itu en velai illai. ( This is not my work.)

Mudaliar is Chettiar's friend was appalled to see the rough comments of the great personalities. A non IAS newly appointed as the commissioner of the small town by the Tamilnadu state government. He brought local crafts men to help Chettiar  who was entrusted to look after the preparations for the three day celebrations.  Mudaliar's men were equally shocked to hear their comments. 

Chettiar and Iyer laughed at each other. 

Chettiyar told the shocked Mudaliar' He is my childhood friend Ramaswamy Iyer is the best known choreographer of Tamilnadu and exponent in the field of Bharatanatyam. He is the spirit and energy  behind the success of many classical dance blockbuster Tamil movies. He is the legend who transcended the gaps between the theory and the actual dance and created his own style.  

Iyer said to Mudaliar : I am  poor dancer with rich dance background, without any awards and positions. But Chettiar ( money lender community of TN) is rich by birth, a land lord with a palace in Poonamallee. He was Deputy Auditor general who was equal to sitting supreme court judge.

Chettiar: Adi ellam ippodu solladey.    Iyer: En varalatai solla mudiyumaa

All people came out of shock. They admired and enjoyed their friendship and affectionate conversation. Mudaliar said, " Here are our men to help the decoration work . They will look after the work. you can relax. He walked with his men towards the stage. Chettiar and Iyer sat in the temple mandapam and started reviewing the dance programs. The temple committee  head Rangarajan came with his assistant  who brought wooden chairs for both the versatile personalities.  Several dance teams participating in the mega cultural event are coming to the mandapam to show their performance. 

Iyer and Chettiar sat side by side in the chair and Rangarajan stood beside them. municipal commissioner Mudiar also came at stood at the corner of the huge mandapam. 

The first group started their performance. A beautiful tall gold complexioned girl of 21 and a dark complexioned tall well built boy of 24 are accompanied by their middle aged teacher. He brought a pen drive and plugged it to the music system and started it. 

 Dheem thanana thom... Dheem thanana thom ... The boy and the girl started dancing. The song was so melodious. The steps were so rhythmic and the facial feelings were so romantic that the spectators could neither turn their heads nor blink their eyes.  

It is srikrishna kalapam  dance repertoire in praise of Lord Krishna (in his avatars). Iyer appreciated the dance. That group has gone. Next came another group that performed 'Kalinga Mardhana' and later another group performed 'Ravana Mardhana'. Chettiar who was a good connoisseur of dance was thrilled by the group dance. "Wonderful dances from   the two great epics the Mahabharata and the Ram ayana" said Iyer. Later shiva tandavam was performed by another group. 

The stage decoration was completed before the last dance began. Mudaliar told the news to Chettiar and Chettiyar told Iyer.  The last program was Rasaleela. The teacher came with a group of students. 

A group of ten girls stood around a handsome chap whose body is coated blue. He has a peacock feather on his head and a flute in his hands. The ten girls are in bright multi coloured sarees wrapped tightly around their bodies and gold ornaments in all over their body. 

They began the dance as the speakers started singing the Hindi song. Sabhe poolon ka dhadhakan hein. Bol Radha Radha krishna.." The dance began with slow jumping steps of Kolatam in which there were sudden frisks and breaks. The dancers got more cosy. They showed more passion than necessary or acceptable.  Chettiar was surprised while Iyer was shocked but he did not express his displeasure. 

All the dancers went away. Chettiar and Iyer and Mudaliar walked to the fully decorated stage.

Chettiyar  asked Mudaliar : How is the dance?

Mudaliar : It was wonderful 

Chettiar laughed and said " You liked it?"

Mudaliar said " You don't like it?"

They performed it like a folk song with modern cinema movements ours is traditional"

What is wrong if they do some folk and insert some modern cinema movements?

Iyer : What is Raslila of Krishna? Raas Leela is the story of universal love. it is the eternal bond between Krishna  and his devotees. A universal truth that masculine and feminine energies floating in a sea of love and the devotion is Raas Leela. 

Still Mudaliar did not understand what is wrong with it. Iyer was confused as to how to convey.  Chettiar laughed and said " Mudaliar, if you go clean the roads and drains in place of  sanitation workersworkers what is wrong , the work is done. 

It is below the dignity and substandard even a clerk in my office will not do it." said Mudaliar.

"So, the Rasaleela performance is substandard." said Chettiar. The three laughed wholeheartedly.

"What should we do?" asked Mudaliar. "We have to arrange another program." said Iyer.

"How to arrange it in such a short notice? we have time only this evening." 

                                                                   ***

The day break looked very special to  Buchamma and Sarraju couple. "This is the last day to Basava's life in Visakha." said Buchimma giving a cup of coffee to her husband sitting at the window of the bedroom. He took the coffee cup and said "The long awaited day has come. I never thought such a day would come into our lives.  Basava has been successful in securing a job in a top-noch IT company." Buchamma sat beside him on the chair and said " How do you feel?" Sarraju has no words. He knows his son is leaving for Chennai. His eyes became wet. Buchamma put her hand on his shoulder. Even she has the same feeling. 

They sat at the window of the bedroom and started watching the twilit, the faint light in the sky. They heard the distant sound of  clarinet. Basava likes clarinet. He sat in the hall listening to the clarinet. He was absorbed in the song of the clarinet. Ramya entered the bedroom and looked at her parents sitting dull. She became sad. "Daddy! why are you sad?" she whispered. 

This is not sadness my dear. It is a kind of happiness. I feel the same when I send you to your in-law's house. Every father and mother cries. They are tears of happiness. 

It is a different kind of happiness. 

with a tinge of pain makes a mess  

 The fears prick like thorns

 when you want rosy career. 

No room for fear look at your career

You have to walk the long road alone. 

Keep you heart like a stone

Basava's voice sounded heavy. Buchamma understood how far Basava can think. 

How deep is the thought and how quick is the word. How sweet is the expression. This is what all people can not express. In the association of Malini's son you have seen the world and yourself clearly. said Buchamma. 

Chandana: Yes, one can see the world with eyes but can read and express only in words.

Basava:  If thoughts are  children. They must be expressed like mother delivers babies. Like a barren woman who can not produce children barren minds can not produce ideas. Like sick mothers can not deliver babies some people can not express ideas. Unexpressed ideas are like dead children.  

Buchamma couple  visited Sampath Vinayak temple at Aseelmetta.  Buchamma cooked traditional foods for the guests for lunch.  There is a deluge of happiness.  They kept their clothes as simple as possible and their hearts as fresh as possible. Agastya, Raghava, Sandeep, Nandini, Malini, Manjusha, Varsha came to the feast. Vidisha could not come. Nobody waited for Vidisha like Manjusha. I am afraid Vidisha has a problem wit her father. What a sweet girl! said Manjusha.

 What a car is jaguar! said Ramya.  "But I have t return it."  said Majusha. 

"Don't worry Manju,  ask your brother to marry Vidisha. Then you need not return the car." said Buchimma. "Nandini has a Mercidez car, If she gives that, Varsha will you marry her?" said Raghava

Nandini is worth more than the cars. She is invaluable and what she has done is immeasurable. 

all looked at Nandini. Nandini kept quiet. "Why don't you tell what you have done?" asked Sandeep.

I know Nandini has published Varsha's books.  said Malini. 

"But do you know my visitors bought most copies and read the books." Said Vidisha who came late.

The lunch was served on the banana leaves with traditional food. After a sumptuous meal when they were about to part Nandini said to Vidisha. " You can buy but can never read the book." Vidisha showed a red face to Nandini. Nandini was not frightened. She was very casual  "Uh! You are not Amma to me remember."  

Everybody thought that there would be a war.  Basava predicted a verbal clash  to avoid the last moment predicament  he said " Arunatara took Kesava to Bombay.  I am taking Agastya to Chennai." Said Basava. "I am taking Sandeep to Bangalore" said Raghava. 

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Iyer stood under the peepal tree, closed his eyes. He was thinking seriously beating his forehead with open hand. He is wearing white Dhoti and Kurta. There is a white mantle cloth on his shoulder. Chettiar  Mudaliar are wearing lungis. They stood beside him. They were restless because they could not  finalizing the last program.

"Why are you contemplating too much. Let us go to Chennai and bring somebody. said Mudaliar 

We don't want somebody. We want a good dancer. said Chettiar. 

How can we get good dancer in hours? said Mudaliar.

"We want a talented dancer." said Iyer.  

The parrot sitting on the branch right above Ramaswamy Iyer darted down and pulled his mantle ( a small piece of white cloth), caught it with his beak and flew away. He dropped it on the roof of the next street. Iyer was nonplussed. You rowdy parrot! said Mudaliar. Chettiar ran into the next street.  The mantle was lying on the tiled roof of the house. Chettiar entered the gate of the compound wall. He saw a young girl dancing in the compound. Iyer and Mudaliar also entered the compound and stood behind Chettiar. The girl stopped dance. Chettiyar said " The parrot brought the kurta and dropped it on your roof." The girl ran into the house and called a tall man of 40. "I am Varadachari." He introduced himself. He has long hair up to his shoulders and  horizontal vibhuthi marks on his forehead.  From the cut of his gibs they understood that he is a dance master. 

Baby what dance are you doing? asked Chettiar.

She is a little girl learning dance. said Varadachari. 

What dance is that? asked Iyer.

Kutrala kuruvanji said Varada.  Iyer was immensely pleased with his words. " Why did it not strike to me? It is such a nice traditional performance. Kutrala kuruvanji was never performed before in any of the places where he was the judge. He saw the traditional dance only once when he was a beginner. 

He looked at the girl. She must be some 16 years old. She has beautiful face, two big almond eyes, slender wait and agile foot. The diminutive form of Sri mahalakshmi. Iyer asked for water. Varadachari's mother came out with water. The three sat on the raised platform in front of the ancient house. Chettiar  told Varada why they came. Varada started training her vigorously.  Thus the divine setting for the last program was done by the God sent parrot. "The little girl was chosen by God himself." They thought

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Kutrala Kuravanji is a classic Tamil language poem composed by Thiri-gudara-sapa Kavirayar around 1600 - 1700 CE. It is about a young girl who dreams about romantic love of Lord Shiva, manifested as Kutralanathar, a hero dwelling at the Kutralam temple in Tamil Nadu.

Fortune teller predicting union with Lord Shiva

Vasanthavalli living in a small village in Kutrala.  Her friends start talking to her about the glory of Shiva. Vasanthavalli is attracted to Lord  Shiva and starts dreaming about Shiva as her lover. Vasanthavalli seeks advice from the fortune teller, who predicts her union with  Shiva is possible. Vasanthavalli is delighted with the prediction. She jumps with joy. The joyous dance of the young girl is presented by Kuruvanji as the last item of the three day program. With blithe spirit bubbling joy, with  light foot and agile movement, Kuruvanji looked like a running fawn, flowing river, flying bird. She mesmerized the audience. 

In the dazzling light, on the beautifully decorated stage Ramaswamy Iyer and Chettiar hugged and thanked Varadachari for training the girl in such a short time while a big throng of audience comprising scholars, dancers, politicians, cinema choreographers. 

Iyer said " Kuruvanji's has brought the heaven down to Poonamallee by fulfilling the three basic components Natya (the dramatic element), Nritta ( movements), Nritya (expressional component i.e. mudras or gestures). Varadachari was in amazement. 

The Vaidheeswaran Temple committee  congratulated Kuruvanji on presenting the epic poem on Lord Shiva very vivaciously. The sea of audience  applauding from time to time reminded the noise of the sea. They were quite excited to see moon like face of Kuruvanji.   The Culture and Art minister of Tamilnadu felicitated Varadachari for brining 1600 CE Tamil literature back to life. 

                                      

Varadachari was overwhelmed with joy not because he was felicitated but because his niece (sister's daughter) came to the lime light. Kuruvanji touched the feet of Iyer later while touching uncle's feet he felt acute pain in the chest but he managed to get off the stage with the help of Kuruvanji. 

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