My first and hands-on experience in agriculture and cultivation was at Kayamkulam, where my grandparents had paddy fields across the railway line. The house and the paddy field faced the railway track which was on a hillock, reminding me of the prison wall separating Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and Narayani, but I never gave up the climb to scrawl up the wall and cross the track. This is the only time I religiously, cautiously, conscientiously, practiced the instruction to look down and walk, not for the potholes but to make sure not to step on any droppings from the train toilets, wich was designed to prove Newtons law of gravity.
Climbing the hillock was not arduous, but going down was always a challenge for me, I could never balance my leg and body, it was almost a free slide down and the location of descent had to be chosen carefully to have at least a few meters of clearance before I brake. We ended up on the narrow varambu, which separates Valiappachen’s fields and Padeettathile Appachen’s paddy fields. This calls for remembering Amma’s amazing uncle, aunt and cousins.
Padeettathile was the short form for west which in Malayalam is padinjaru, Valiappachen’s older brother K. G. Alexander, stayed to the west of our home so they became Padeettathile. He practiced law at Kayamkulam and had 7 children. For my Amma they were all 15 siblings living in harmony from both homes. My Valiammachy being much younger to Padeettathile Ammachy there were obvious ragging and bit of control of jurisdiction which was practiced legally by the eldest sister in law, my Valiammachy was a clever cookie, she silently approved her supremacy and that made all the children have so much fun living next to each other.
This is where we all learnt to practice diplomacy, it’s very easy to react and revolt and have walls built to grab land and take away peace, but simple tactics of accepting and tolerating seniority and surprising the opposite party gives you a play field with no boundaries, there was never a wall not even a veli a fence with bamboo or velipathal the famous sheemakonna between both the brothers homes.
The oldest was Kunjukuttychayan, he was Controller of Imports and Exports in Mumbai, Lizy Kochamma lived in Athirampuzha, the place gives me the feel of a pickled fruit, she was a delicate darling and plumb, Then Thankochamma, Thankachayan was a senior officer in Income Tax again at Mumbai, Joychayan was settled in Bangalore near the Ulsoor Tank and I did get the privilege to stay with him for a night when I went from TKM College of Engineering for the South Indian Tour, I always took time to meet my relatives in every part of India during my educational tours.
Rajammamma worked in KSEB and lives in Trivandrum, I was so proud when K M Abraham’s sister Jyothis was married to her Son Dr. Shaji. Even though I didn’t have any contact with Shaji, Abraham’s parents were close family of my grandparents, my parents and he was my senior and my teacher. We were all extremely proud when our Sir achieved IAS, and recently he retired as the Chief Secretary of Kerala.
Some memories never fade away, the last I saw him and the whole family was for his wedding at Thiruvalla, in a beautiful and unique Church, over 3 decades ago.
When I started visiting US, I saw these circular pointed domed roof, tiled construction and wondered what this unique structure was, I found they are specially designed structures to make and store salt for winter by the Government agencies, to use on the roads to melt the snow. Every time I see this I remember the church in Thiruvalla and I cherish my Sir, and wish him well with a lot of fondness and regard.
Well all the elder aunts and uncles were already settled in other parts of Kerala and India. Our favorite was Padeettathile Rayichayan.
He was tall handsome with distinct features, He was Income Tax Assistant Commissioner, IRS confirmed and super-duper brilliant. A voracious reader, who believed in consuming the water Jesus Christ decided to serve for the wedding at Knanaya without reservation, A Gem a real Gem, always helpful, very honest and proud husband of our dearest Sosammamma, whom we thought had to be saved many times from house hold chores but she was a darling with a husky voice and ready to greet and meet and share.
Amma was adored by both of them and the lovely children Alex and Sheba, simply the best. Every time I remember Rayichayan I am reminded of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, his chaaru kasera (arm chair) and Pathummade Aadu. Rayichayan is forever reading.
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