Nurungukal...contd...

                My uncle was at his late seventies when I was in college. He was a lawyer. Although he was not financially well of he held a respectable position in the society. A voracious reader . He might have read almost all classics and history books. I have seen him scribbling notes while he read, especially history, which was his favourite subject. During his last days he ventured to write world history in Malayalam. Perhaps it was the first attempt by any known writer of that time.Many a time I had the luck to take down the script, as during his last days his hand was not steady. This opportunity game me a golden chance to take sojourns  into many historical episodes such as. H.G.WELLS remark about Emperor Ashoka, ‘ Amidst the tens of thousands of monarchs...........’ and the devastation  inflicted  on our culture by Alexander  etc. which took deep rooting to my inquisitive mind. His language and flawless narration in chaste Malayalam would force the reader to devour the book in one sitting.Unfortunately he could not accomplish his wish to complete the book. My eldest brother took great efforts to publish a volume with much difficulty. Artist Namboodiry volunteered to draw pencil sketches in his impeccable style and Mathrubhumi press published the first volume. My uncle  K.V.Gopala Menon was a contemporary of Madhavan Nair and we were related to Nair by a marriage. Uncle became a widower much early in his life and I had heard my mother claiming her sacrifice to come down from Burma to look after the children of my uncle. I think the younger sister-in-law of uncle also had a share in that responsibility. During our family get togethers we  used to cud the memories of their involvements in staging many art performance both at home and in public. We cherished such occasions, especially in the company of my eldest brother who was an expert in cracking jokes. And very often such  meetings used to rock the neighbourhood by our loud cheers and claps !!. Now only the sweet memories linger in our hearts as the main characters are not with us. We were so lucky to lead a joint family life in our childhood, which our children miss now !!. Those were the days of togetherness, sacrifices and all around there were helping hands at your call. Now it is the story of seclusion, separation and solitude.  This monotony can be overcome only by our involvement in some kind of social activity for which there is ample scope !!!.