Nurungukal...contd...
I am not
sure whether it was in 1959 or 1960 that my brother arranged a chess tournament
in Calicut. Perhaps it would have been the first in Malabar. He put his heart
into it. I know how much strain he took to conduct it without any controversy. He
even managed to procure one or two stop clocks which was rarely used in those days.
Under his leadership a team of enthusiasts set the rules and regulations which
I think was flawless in international level. Zamorians school was the venue. He
bestowed many responsibilities upon me. I loved to be a part of the event. Many
players took part and the result was very encouraging. They could, not only put
a stamp on the method the tournament was conducted but also helped to
identify many new talents, thus achieving the goal.There after the event became
an annual feature. And a few years later, after the death of our father our
family donated a silver rolling cup, and in my brother’s initiative it became a state level trophy. But when he moved to Trivandrum on transfer the
tourney was managed by a group who slowly pushed our father’s memory into obscurity. Now it
is known in a different name !!.
In
Trivandrum he could manage to continue the journey in this field more
systematically. The Y.M.C.A. supported him and provided many facilities. Due to
his perseverance many young talents were identified and some of them managed to
be recognised at national level. How much the chess lovers of Trivandrum took
him to their heart was seen when they showered tributes on his demise. Some of
the media including grand masters wrote columns about his solo efforts in
promoting chess in Kerala. We are very grateful to the Y.M.C.A. family of
Trivandrum for conducting an annual tournament in his name for the young
players. The personality to whom I am dedicating this post is none other than K.V.BALAKRISHNA
MENON. Without much ado or expectations either in cash or fame he fulfilled his
mission as a chess lover spreading a message of selfless service. It is now more than six years he had left us. May his soul
rest in peace.