PARADESI

Saw the film in Manchester, an amazing film. Kallu you must see it, it tells the story of bonded labour involved in creating the tea estates the world over. I can't not think of the plight of those poor people everytime I have my cup of tea. Director Bala is back to his best. I urge you all to see this film as it is very much part of Tamil history and the forced migration of our people under the British Rule. It does make it very strange that I am writing this from Britain.

Latest addition

Ramya and Arun's new son

Happy Belated Birthday Sajit!!

It wasn't Mothers Day, but we missed Sajits birthday on March 10th. 

And judging from this pic and others on Facebook he seems to be having a roaring time in college.
He's certainly grown from the tiny boy with inexhaustible energy that I remember him as.

Happy Birthday da! Hope u had a blast

Happy Mother's Day

It is Mother's day here today, I am not sure if it is the same day in India. To all you great mum's have a nice day.

At Rest At last!

I think everyone on this blog was at the funeral. Even if not physically present, other people  must have given detailed accounts. And so I don't need to recount it.

Surprisingly peaceful and without incident.(surprising for this family )Well organised, very well attended. This was one funeral where people came and stayed. No one felt the need to hurry and to go on other things. There wasn't anything much more important.

Maybe his restless energy is at peace now.

Chittappa

A message from Tamilarasi

A legend in our family has passed away. Hard to believe when such iconic figure, who was a source of inspiration to many us, a know fighter, steel willed, has actually left us with memories that could be an epoch of Janarathanan.  

My memories are still fresh from the days when he frequented our house at Purasaivakkam and who amongst us can never forget his house at Montieth lane -home away from home. He played an anchor role in my wedding. His meticulous planning and the leader in him made the occasion that people even talk about today.

The bond between my dad and chittappa transcended the cousin relationship. Even when chittapa was confined to a wheel chair after the stroke, he trekked from his hospital to Apollo extending moral support and vicarious strength to the recently `by-pass` operated cousin. Such is the closeness between them that destiny chose his cousin to be the last one that he spoke to before his eventual demise.

I am eternally grateful to chittappa for being there during our times of tribulations and sharing our joy in good times.

I miss you chittappa!

Mullumama/chithappa

He was Mullu mama on some occassions, chitappa on others dont know why,

first he was known to me when I ate at his wedding and when full meals were a luxury it was great !
and then we moved in into the partitioned house
I have been there for six years when there were many incidents and he, as always, stuck up for us in the house maybe contributing to  the cost of a peaceful married life, he did many things for me and some debts can never be repaid,

the long drives in the car to varied schools, the election campaign, driving at 1230 night till 230 in an ambassador only to have fish in the morning and driving back again for long distances in the day
and doing that again for days and days ,,,,,,
fish was his life,,,,as many know
he can drive for hours and drive people to desperation as well,
the varied news articles written at 4 am in the morning and typed at the local typing  shop,
going for different places to a mixed response from the newspaper intially
deciding oh that news paper is far off- let them get it from the PTI ( press trust of India)
surprised to find it actually published !!!
the relentless energy ( derives from the family trait !!!)
theabundant humour
never a dull moment with him always schemes around
still remember his idea of a website in 1995 for tamilians when i didnt even know what the internet was
the power of politics, the interactions with political figures, constant thinking of who needs what,
remember him calling me and saying lets buy a car from UK and take it to Chelva in guyana,,,


I am sorry that he was not happy with me in the end , i did try,,

Thanks for the memories
the kindness can never be repaid
he did a million times more for me than my father
I will miss him
Rest in peace
Ravi