Nurungukal...contd.....

                Calicut had all the ingredients to claim as a city. It was a place for the fusion of many cultures, from time immemorial. It was unique to find both elite and the down trodden living side by side in harmony. As a college student I was curious to merge with both. The place I lived was known for affluence as many of the inhabitants were either advocates, doctors, traders or govt. employees. It was also a place for many like rickshaw pullers, Tonga walas, petty hawkers etc. who found a living in providing services to the elite. This locality was intertwined by many narrow footpaths setting boundaries of compounds. Many of them were not illuminated thus providing ideal venue for anti socials to pursue their nocturnal activity.

                Each day right from dawn to dusk things  happened like the movements of a well oiled machine. First the Suprabadam bajan from the nearest temple or the calls from the Mosk or the rhythmic sound of church bell, each at the set time. Then the sound from the cycles of the paper boys. Next came the milk supplier followed by the sound of hooves of the horse carts going to pick up an early passenger from the railway station. The hush hush talk from a young couple taking a morning walk. But before all these the local Goorkha might have finished his rounds in the night, announcing his petrol by a loud whistle at definite intervals. Then one by one will take over the roads and pavements in routine succession servants, students, employees etc. and lastly the lawyers, marking the end of morning session. Next is the turn of the hawkers. A sight which is exclusive for Calicut is the women in procession bringing head loads of grass [karuka pullu] to feed the horses from the nearby village [Olavanna]. Laddies prefer the after noon after finishing their routine chores. Evenings are free for all.