Nurungukal: 2014

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Nurungukal

The end of my college days did not make much void in my life as I was able to find an employment, which kept me engaged. My father was very anxious about my future because of low academic performance. Without any body’s knowledge I had made an application to the post of a commercial clerk in Southern Railways. When the ad came in the news papers I managed to purchase a postal order for Rs. Five being the application fee. I remember this amount was arranged by pledging a small ring gifted to me a few days ago by my sister, in the Chalapuram Bank [ now Vijaya bank ]and I retrieved it with the salary from Railways. I wrote the written test without much preparation but for the interview I was fully equipped as I took it as a challenge. There were only Tamilians in the interview board and they spoke in English. It was my first experience to answer questions in English but some how managed with out much damage. The husband of the niece of my father was an high ranking officer in Railways at that time which helped to some extent to pass through. As on today it was exactly fifty one years ago I joined railways. Now I feel so proud of my solo effort to attain a livelihood. My father was immensely happy about my achievement as he considered Railways as a legacy of the British in India. He was very emotional when I left for Trichy to join the training camp. He was reclining on the easy chair as usual when I was packing my things in a hold haul which was a convenient travel kit of those days. It can hold most of your clothes and can be used as a bed also. At that point of time I never knew that I will never see him again because after a few days , when I was in Trichy he passed away. I received the telegram very late due to a mistake by the postal dept. And by the time I reached home every thing was over. It was the most agonising moment of my life. He was my idol. The virtues he upheld through out his life are even now guiding me. I am yet to find a person who stood by his words even in distress. A man of high ethics and principles. His loss made a deep void. Let us try to emulate them as a homage to the departed soul.

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

The process of diminishing the influence of feudalism in the social set up was getting established in kerala. The first communist ministry was instrumental to this trend. The land reforms initiated by the left forces gave meaning full opportunities to the tenants to own land, which in a way gave filip to the agrarian economy. It had a positive influence on the productivity and creating better job opportunities. The younger generation welcomed this change and there was a total shift to socialist and democratic values. I was also influenced to accept the trend.

But the anomaly that I found in his social reforms was that a few in the higher strata was left purposefully free. The land reforms did not affect the plantation crops, on the other hand the law provided adequate protection to hold any extent of land. When a family raising essential crops like paddy, coconut etc was forbidden to hold more than the ceiling limits the others growing rubber, coffee,tea were free to hold any extent of land. In fact it was clear discrimination. They also should have been made stakeholders of the social reformation. This duel approach helped to create wider disparities in the social fabric. Or I would suspect the involvement of the dirty hands of the powerful plantation lobby in law making.A similar flaw happened in the case of forest nationalisation also. Those who conserved the forest lost and those who destroyed it and converted vast area into plantations gained by the provisions in the law.

My immediate concern in those days was to acquire a job. I had sent many applications. My parents wanted me to follow my brothers who were already in service. My mind also thronged for a good job. It provided security. Even in those days our society attributed a comparatively better respect to an employee with an assured income. In the marriage market he was preferred than a farmer or even a business man. This was more so among us. My consistent attempts for a job found result when I was selected to a clerical job in Southern Railways. My father was so happy as he held railways in high esteem.A helping hand from one who was a high ranking officer in Southern Railway made my entry easier. Thus I became part of the biggest net work of that time.

Nurungukal...contd...

The process of diminishing the influense of fuedalism in the social set up was getting established in kerala. The first communist ministry was instrumental to this trend. The land reforms initiated by the left forces gave meaning full opertunuties to the tenants to own land, which in a way gave filip to the agrarian economy. It had a positive influense on the productivity and creatung better livelyhood opportunities. The younger genaration welcomed this change and there was a total shift to socialistic and democratic values. I was also influensed to accept the trend.

But the anomaly that I found in th land cieling act which was in tune with the social reforms was that a few in the higher strata was left purposefully free. This land reforms did not affect the plantation crop owners who held vast acres, on the other hand the law provided adequate protection to them to hold any extent of land. When a family raising essential crops like paddy, coconut etc was forbidden to hold more than the cieling limits the others growig rubber, coffee,tea were free to hold any extent of land. In fact it was clear discrimination. They also should have been made stakeholders of the social reformation. This duel approach helped to create wider disparities in the social fabric. Or I would suspect the involvment of the dirty hands of the powerful plantation lobby in law making.A similar flaw happened in the case of forest nationalisation also. Those who conserved the forest lost and those who destroyed it and converted vast area into plantations gained by the provisions in the law.

My immediate concern in those days was to acquire a job. I had sent many applications. My parents wanted me to follow my brothers who were already in service. My mind also thronged for a good job. It provided security. Even in those days our society attributed a comparetively better respect to an employee with an assured income. In the marriage markect he was preferred to a farmer or even a business man. This was more so among us. My consistant attempts for a job found result when I was selected to a clerical job in Southern Railways. My father was so happy as he held railways in high esteem.A helping hand from one who was a high ranking officer in Southern Railway made my entry easier. Thus I became part of the biggest net work of that time.

Monday, 17 November 2014

Nurungukal.....contd...

After the college day a short period of study followed before the examinations. Actually it was now I understood how much un prepared was I to face the test. I felt disapointed and desparate. Chemistry was my main subject and physics the subsidiary. As I went through the texts many portions were strange. I bought a guide book to take a short cut to cover important and most probable portions. A sense of defeat and insecurity crept in me and I cursed myself for this situation. In school I was an above average student and my strong subject was English. In fact in college I should have pursued this. But in those days [and it is so even nowadays] , the intention was to acquire a jog and my parents thought chemistry would help to find an entry in some industry. But I blame myself for the failures. If I had put in a little more effort it would have been a different story. Now I remember the advice given to me by the principal, who caught me gossiping while the class was in session, that I can be sussesful in life if only I pay little more attention to studies as I had an aptitude for sports and games also. Unfortunately it fell on deaf ears.Ultimately I took my dgree after the second attempt.

After graduation it was a hectic time seeking employment. I was in Ponnani during this turbulent period. A few years in Calicut, enjoying a city life had made changes in my outlook. But one positive aspect was that I became a voratious reader, both English and Malayalam books. There was a well equipped local library in Ponnani at that time. I along with some friends made it a practice to make use of it. More than the books I loved to devour the periodicals, like Illustrated weekly, Sports and Past time, Readers Digest ,Film fair,Blitz etc and Mthubhumi weekly and many news papers. The exposure made deep in roads into my mind set and attitude to meet situations. In fact I was hibernating to emerge after tranformation to take the flight to future. My father entrusted me to supervise the operations in our agriculture, which I loved very much. It was a learning period, not only to acquire a knowledge in farming, but also the techniques in managing human resources. This exercise gave me a confidense to face situations and to take decisions. I managed to web a social fabric in which people from different strata of the society became my stake holders. This experiment helped me to be at ease in any company rich, elite or poor. A down to earth approach.

Nurungukal.....contd...

After the college day a short period of study followed before the examinations. Actually it was now I understood how much un prepared was I to face the test. I felt disappointed and desperate. Chemistry was my main subject and physics the subsidiary. As I went through the texts many portions were strange. I bought a guide book to take a short cut to cover important and most probable portions. A sense of defeat and insecurity crept in me and I cursed myself for this situation. In school I was an above average student and my strong subject was English. In fact in college I should have pursued this. But in those days [and it is so even nowadays] , the intention was to acquire a jog and my parents thought chemistry would help to find an entry in some industry. But I blame myself for the failures. If I had put in a little more effort it would have been a different story. Now I remember the advice given to me by the principal, who caught me gossipping while the class was in session, that I can be successful in life if only I pay little more attention to studies as I had an aptitude for sports and games also. Unfortunately it fell on deaf ears.Ultimately I took my degree after the second attempt.

After graduation it was a hectic time seeking employment. I was in Ponnani during this turbulent period. A few years in Calicut, enjoying a city life had made changes in my outlook. But one positive aspect was that I became a voracious reader, both English and Malayalam books. There was a well equipped local library in Ponnani at that time. I along with some friends made it a practise to make use of it. More than the books I loved to devour the periodicals, like Illustrated weekly, Sports and Past time, Readers Digest ,Film fair,Blitz etc and Mthubhumi weekly and many news papers. The exposure made deep in roads into my mind set and attitude to meet situations. In fact I was hibernating to emerge after transformation to take the flight to future. My father entrusted me to supervise the operations in our agriculture, which I loved very much. It was a learning period, not only to acquire a knowledge in farming, but also the techniques in managing human resources. This exercise gave me a confidence to face situations and to take decisions. I managed to web a social fabric in which people from different strata of the society became my stake holders. This experiment helped me to be at ease in any company rich, elite or poor. A down to earth approach.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

Nurungukal....contd...

The D-day to bid farewell to our college days was fast approaching. None was happy to face it. Four years had passed just like the flight of a honey bee, buzzing and carrying the pollens of love each other. It was a magic world which helped us to identify our personality. Showed us the path for correction and attain perfection. Taught us the values of friendship, togetherness and sharing of love. It was a base for future leap. Although a very short period in our life, the exposure we were subjected to in our college had a vital role to mould our character.

Among friends many things were planned to face the last day. There was no clear idea how to give a touch of sustainability in our future life to the leanings we attained. We tried to carry a souvenir by collecting autographs. Sentiments of love ,passion,promises etc. etc. were expressed in each book depending on the closeness to each other. A signature , a sketch, few high sounding words borrowed from the books we had read, even caricatures of teachers found place. I had also one . But now I do not know where it is. Some where in my journey to find a living I had lost that golden link.

It is vivid in my memory the the farewell party hosted by our chemistry professor Dr, Potty in his house. It was a venue to express our feelings. Some sobbed, others sang songs, yet others spoke on the excellent teaching of the Prof. We left bidding farewell and promising to get in touch frequently, which we could not keep.

Some of our friends were excellent singers, both vocal and instrumental. Mr. Ram mohan was good at his mouth organ. When ever we met during intervals he entertained us with some of his master pieces. There was another boy whose name has escaped my memory. who played guitar. He was a good photographer also. Ettanunni Raja from Kottakal Kovilakam was an actor. He had represented Calicut Unniversity in an art mela. A few were public speakers, sports men etc. Notable among them was Mr. Chidanandan, who joined Indian army and represented MRC Willington. Most of the Cannanore boys were good at sports and games. Among them Ravindran stood apart not only in sports but in his impeccable style in play and attire. He was one of the handsome boys in the college.I regret to note here that a few days ago he had departed us. May his soul rest in peace. Recently a few of us are joining once in a while to refresh our friendship. The last day in the college was charged with emotions. There were some pairs who had already set a bond. To them this parting was temporary as they had already decided to be life partners. But to others the future was indefinite. In such faces traces of gloom prevailed. Many sobbed and a few took it sportively and bid good bye. The crowd staggered here and there, on the veranda, canteen, side of rocks and many such spots which they had already used to establish bliss full moments and slowly like the melting of snow vanished reluctantly in search of better pastures!!.

Friday, 14 November 2014

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 !!!.

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.

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

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.

Monday, 27 October 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

My eldest brother was an ardent lover of chess.It was in his blood.I think he might have inherited this taste from our father who played Chathurangam very well. In one of my earlier posts I had mentioned how he used to cut the pieces of Chathurangam from a single banana leaf, both black and white. My brother always carried with him a set of chess where ever he went. He loved to meet chess players and most of them came to our house in Calicut very often to play a game or two. He even ventured to reach chess players from far and near by correspondence. At a time he played with many by sending move after move by post, usually in a post card. He maintained a register in which the moves were recorded in separate pages to keep track of the game and preserved the post cards in separate bundles. I do not know were they are now. Depending on the ability of his opponents the game prolonged for months to end.

Where ever his posting was he loved to create a circle of chess mates. He not only pursued the game but also propagated it, especially among youths and children. While he was working in Calicut there used to be regular visitors to play with him. Some of them were very good players. Popular among them were M/s Krishnan Nair, Prabhu, and L. Thomas. Each one preferred to visit on a particular day and time, preferably on holidays. If the game started in the morning it would prolong up to late in the after noon, to invite the displeasure of my sister-in law, as she had to wait for him for lunch. I do not know how he got in touch with Mr. Krishnan Nair who was not of his age and behaviour. He might have been above seventy. He wore a long jubba which fell much below his knees, usually in brown colour and a mundu both khadi. I have never seen him with out a khadi cap, a bag hanging on his shoulder and an umbrella with a bamboo handle. He used to walk all the way from his house, very slowly and always holding the umbrella unfolded. In a typical slow motion he will climb our gate steps and enter the side room without disturbing even an ant. After hanging the side bag on the coat stand he would arrange the chess board and would wait for my brother. As he was short in size only his face and Nehru cap would be visible to the onlooker. Without any pleasantries they would start the game. He would make each move very cautiously and slowly as if in a slow motion movie scene. After the move his point finger would rest on the side of his long nose, typical of the pose of a scholar immersed in deep thought. Often their game end in a draw.. Most of the time Mr. Nair will be alone at the board, as my brother was so impatient to stay in his seat for more than a few minutes !!. At the end of each game they used to replay the end game to convince where each one went wrong. My brother had to always find an excuse to detach even though Mr. Nair was game for another fight. Then he would find the exit in the same manner he entered. I used to see him slowly receding like a lone bird returning home. I had played many a time with him but even on a single occasion I could claim a win. After leaving Calicut I have never seen or heard about him. It was a friendship of convenience and coincidence!!.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Nurungukal:

Nurungukal....contd...

                Calicut was famous for the two major events conducted every year with much ado. The first one was a family entertainer. The EXHIBITION organised by the Muncipal Corporation used to draw crowds from far and near. I have witnessed it in my different stages of life, i.e. as a child, college student, adult and after my marriage. At each occasion it provided a different dimension. As a child I was fascinated to the lighter parts such as toys, games, illumination, magic shows, etc. which I missed in the festivals of villages. The boyhood attracted the adventure events viz. Fire dive, death well and many types or merry go rounds. A college student in me evoked pleasure in a touch, glance or a chat with those to whom I was drawn close by infatuation. Also an exposure to the world of books and new information's triggered curiosity and to pursue certain subjects in depth. But as a married man shouldering much more responsibility I visualised the totality and denomination of knowledge of the event. I used to skip many stalls, leaving my children and wife to their choice in search of innovative manifestations in agriculture and allied subjects or enjoy a debate in a cultural forum and to enjoy an evening with the family by fulfilling their demands to purchase a new item of kitchen ware, a pair of fancy chapals or to gorge a masala dosai etc.

                The second event was the Sait Nagji football tournament. Along with my college mates used to witness almost all the important matches. Before Nagji Tourney the league matches of the football clubs in Calicut and adjacent places might have been over. There was no permanent stadium in Calicut those days. A gallery made of bamboo to hold a fairly large number of spectators used to be erected. There were some experts to take up this job. It needs a good engineering technique to erect a stable gallery. Otherwise there is all chance for a collapse when thousands apply their weight and force as the game proceeds. Many popular teams from all over the country took part. To mention a few, JCT MILLS, MOHAN BAGAN, MOHAMMEDANS, EAST BENGAL, MRC WILLINGTON, K.S.R.T.C, some Goan teams etc etc. YOUNG CALLENGERS from calicut was a pet local team. Even some college teams took part to gain an exposure. I was lucky to see many popular players of those days in action. Such as Chunnu Goswamy, Sulficar, Chidanadan [ who was my college mate playing for MRC], Thangaraj , Balakrishnan [K.S.R.T.C.]etc.etc. This mega event facilitated in discovering many talents and also enthused many to acquire proficiency in the game.

                The admission fee was not affordable to us.We used to play many tricks to enter the stadium. One or two may purchase tickets and others will force into by creating a commotion at the gate. Usually when the tourney is on we used to save the money we get to buy the season ticket for the college bus, either by dodging the conductor or by covering half the distance on foot to Pokkunnu after getting down at Mankavu. Or as a last resort sell the old news paper without the knowledge of our sister-in-law. But she used to excuse us by pretending ignorance of our mischief.

                This was one event which the sport lovers of Calicut nurtured in their heart. Why it was abandoned by the organisers is unknown to the public and I eagerly hope that some day it will be revived because it was part and parcel of the heritage of Calicut now Kozhikode. Or like the loss by the demolition of Huzur Katchery at Manachira which now remains only in our nostalgic memory, perhaps this event also my go down into the fathoms of our heart without a chance to surface.

Saturday, 18 October 2014

Nurungukal: Nurungukal....contd... It wasby cha...

Nurungukal: Nurungukal....contd... It wasby cha...: Nurungukal....contd... It was by chance I got into the hockey and cricket teams of the college. In my school I have not ...

Nurungukal....contd...

It was by chance I got into the hockey and cricket teams of the college. In my school I have not played these two games. Those days football and ball badminton were my favourites. Because of the high velocity of the wind on the Pokkunnu hill badminton can not be played. I had played for the school in many tourneys,especially badminton. The Union club in Ponnani conducted an annual tourney of ball badminton. Shuttle cock was not a popular game.Teams from different places participated, and many expert players took part. Most popular were from Talassery and Coimbatore. Kerala players wore shirt and dhothi were as Tamilians preferred shirt and pants. There was one player from Calicut who was an expert in judging the ball falling outside. My eldest brother used to crack a joke on this. In one game when a ball left by this player fell inside, he demanded to measure the court and it was found one inch lengthier!!. Similarly another player was so good in sending the ball high up in the sky, and on one occasion it never came back!!. A Tamilian was so good in swinging the ball so that it will take a tangent flight outside the court deceiving the opposite player. One year we played with a senior team but lost in straight sets. But it gave us more confidence to face other school teams.

But in college the intention of joining games was totally different!. There were two benefits. First was that after the game the players can enjoy a tasty biriyani from Komala Bhavan Hotel or at least a masala dosai, depending on the funds the college had. Second and the most attractive reason was that we can skip the after noon classes and can enjoy an absorbing game.If the match is in another college we can make use of the opportunity to acquaint with more friends. Also a sport man has always an edge in becoming an hero in the campus life. But apart from all this the positive side was that we could develope a creative mind set. Similarly the training that we got being an NCC cadet imbibed a high level of discipline and confidence in facing difficult situations in our future life. More than the academic gains, I think the experience I gathered as a sportsman and an NCC cadet has helped me a smooth sail in my carrier as a manager and in social life.

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

Gradually I was falling in love with Calicut, a city having many facets and exclusive spots.Most of the people loved to take an evening walk and invariably to the beach or Mananchira. Those days [in late fifty's] the air was not polluted,because the horse carts [governors cart] and rikshaws out numbered motor vehicles. In small groups people flocked in and occupied their favourite spots . Some involved in gossip ,others in serious discussion on current affairs, yet others enjoyed the scenery or the glamour of the passing crowd. Their right hand moved in rhythm, up and down, to throw roasted ground nut kernels into the mouth sure to hit the hole with out fail. While a few early birds were lucky to occupy the cement benches , others found pleasure in leaning their back on the side wall. A few retired hands wearing a cap and swinging the sticks took a quick stroll unconcerned about the bystanders or passersby. A cool breeze making ripples on the surface of the crystal clear water of the chira gave caressing effect.

Our destination used to be the beach. A brisk walk from Chalapuram and a few hours of relaxing on the sand enjoying a sun set would rejuvenate our body and mind. The intake of ozone gave a positive energy. The Little waves splashing on the shores produced a musical note. Far away in the sea a ship in anchor, looked like an illuminated castle on water. Not much far away in the sea a group of wooden cargo boats would sway along with the waves. Silhouette of fisher men boats , not far away from the shore moved to and fro. The cassurina grove made an ideal recluse for the love birds. And the parapet wall on the road wall used to be fully occupied. Behind them would be rows of petty shops on wheels selling hot snacks like ari kadukka, masala bonda,salted nellikka, mango slices, tea coffee, etc etc. and lime juice ,ice creams also. Balloons and such toys added to the colour of the total setting. Some youngsters from rich families showed their pomp by driving their vintage cars and motor cycles recklessly from one end to the other. The light house of Thikkiodi would blink at specified intervals to denote the position, far away on the northern horizon. While the one at Calicut beach would respond in a different way. The sea bridges on both end stood precariously withstanding the slap of the waves, as monuments of glory of a past trade links. From the District Hospital on the other side of the road patients peeped through the windows for solace. Children accompanied by their parents enjoyed a dip of their legs in the sea to take the sand in memory of the visit. When the siren of the Commonwealth factory sounds at 7 PM the curtain falls for the day and reluctantly we return home.

Monday, 13 October 2014

Nurungukal....contd...

I was conscious of the changes happening in me. In school I was timid and an introvert. But now a sort of resistance towards the established system of the society was emerging. A few years later when I was bestowed upon with responsibilities in life I realised the reasons for the change in my personality during college days. The first one was that I was snatched out of my intimate bond with nature and a society which provided a motherly intimacy. The second was that I was left alone to take decisions. The third and the most important one was an urge to be a hero to stand out from the crowd. Many a time I was drawn into controversies. On one occasion the wrath of a professor fell on me. The allegation was that I threw a contemptuous glance at him. When the Principal asked for an explanation from me I politely sought the meaning of the word ‘contemptuous’. He said that when I looked at the professor my eyes reflected high degree of my contempt towards the professor !!. But surprisingly this professor was not in any way connected to me. He was the head of a different department. I pleaded innocence, but in vain. The result was that I was suspended from attending class for a week. This triggered a resistance from the students and they launched a protest campaign. It was during the state wide revolt organised by the opposition against the ruling party. Naturally many wanted me to stand by them to intensify the strike in our college. My father was summoned by the principal. But he was a man of principles. He wanted the principal to amicably settle the issue instead of taking it to the streets. In the conciliation meeting I explained that there was no intention of contempt, but if any body is offended I felt sorry for that. This was taken as my apology and the suspension was withdrawn. Since then I used to walk with a broad smile on my face, especially when a teacher was passing by!.

Sunday, 12 October 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

Guruvayurappan college was earlier known as Zamoodiri Raja college, because initially it belonged the Zamoodiri Raja of kozhikode. Some of the clans of this ancient Rajas stationed at Kottakal, Mankavu and Chalapuram. I think there was a branch in Nilambur also. There were many students belonging to these clans studying with us. They can be easily identified either from their speech or from their names. The name of the boys end in Raja viz. Ettanunni Raja and that of girls in Kovilamma e.g. Rughmini Kovilamma. Most of them had some artistic talents. They stood apart from the common lot in life style also. They enjoyed some benefits because of their birth in the royal family. But they moved very freely with us.

The students of our college mostly hailed from Palghat, Kozhikode and Cannanore districts. Much later Palghat was bifurcated into two, Malapuram and Palghat. Students from each district maintained their identity in their manners, speech and aptitudes. For example those from Cannanore were mostly sports men, those from Palghat had flair for literature, art and agriculture and those from Kozhikode mostly belonged to families of traders, lawyers, doctors and employees. Most of the students wore traditional dress, boys in shirt and mundu and girls in pavadai davani or sari. Only those from some north Indian families came in churidhar. I wore only shirt and mundu and was on bare foot. It was after my college studies , and after attaining a job, a pair of chappal was bought from my hard earned income. Till then I was under the care of Mother Earth !!. Only few from rich families came in their own cars, others depended on college bus or covered the distance on foot. My brother used to give funds for the season ticket, but I preferred to walk from Kinassery Padam, so that the savings can be used for enjoying masala dosai of Shantha Bhavan or Ram Vilas or occasionally a biriyani of Hotel de Paris!!. Cannanore boys were very stylish. Most or them wore pants and shirts. The prevalent style was low waist pants with a very narrow belt. Bell bottom came much later. There were many very beautiful girls and they drew the attention of all. It was not a free society at that time. So to nurture any intimacy with opposite sex was quite remote. Still there were many whose charisma resulted in serious relationship which culminated into marriage. Others maintained only an infatuation deep in their heart which failed to attain expressions in future life.

Nurungukal...contd...

The layout of the college campus is different from that of our school. Each class room is marked for separate subjects. Science rooms are attached to the respective laboratories. There is a long veranda. During interval between the periods we moved from one room to the other in small groups. Girls often walked close to the wall holding the books in front as a shield, were as the boys tried to glance at them or pass comments.A pavilion at one end of the ground, canteen to serve tea, snacks and meals at concessional rate,girl's room at the far end of the veranda, separate labs for each science subjects, an open auditorium, boys hostel at the foot of the hill etc were the special features of the college. The top of the hill was almost barren except for patches of wild grass and a few rock formations providing ideal points for those who wish solitude or for enjoying an exclusive company.

I joined the second group, chemistry as the main subject. Mr. K.N.Subramanya Iyer was our head at that time. Dr. Poti joined much later. KNS was known for his very strict discipline.The movements of his lips and accents were peculiar and amusing. He is seldom seen without a coat. Every one gave him due respect. He was a lovable personality. We sat tight lipped in his class. He spoke aloud while writing the chemical equations on the board, H2so4+ Mnso4......in such a way as if he is playing a musical organ. One can never forget the movements of his body and face. May be that he was doing such subtle gestures to drive into our brain the intricate rules of chemistry. His style of dictating the notes was exclusive, slow and clear, which the slowest hand can take down. His demonstrations in the lab used to be an interesting experience. His head will slightly bow with a charismatic smile and grace when we wished him, which no one else can claim. He was a teacher of impeccable manners.I, with all respect bow my head to pay homage.

Friday, 10 October 2014

Nurungukal....contd...

Guruvayurappan college was situated in the heart of Calicut city [at Thali]. The campus was shifted to a nearby hillock an year before I joined. Although I had been to Calicut on earlier occasions, I was quite new to a college campus. Even the journey from Chalapuram, the place where I was staying with my uncle’s family in a city bus to Mankavu and a walk though a short cut [Kinassery padam] to the top of Pokkunnu, where the campus was, was exhilarating. Pokkunnu was barren and rocky. But it stood apart from many such, like a huge elephant in a lush green valley. As we stood in the ground before the entrance a cool breeze from the Arabian sea welcomed the new entrants. Down below, Calicut city was like a green fabric inter laced with Chaliyam and Kallai rivers,streets,factories, tiled roof tops , chimneys puffing up smoke,a railway line and beyond that the blue sea with a white crystalline shore. The college buildings were new with better facilities than in our schools. But the playground full of stones of course discouraged me, because our school ground was made of soft Karuka pullu.........contd

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Nurungukal.....Cntd....

As I sat on the step of the gate facing east thinking about my departure from my favourite surroundings, I felt disturbed. There was no escape, as I have to join Guruvayurappan college in Calicut for pre degree course. A long stretch of paddy field almost dry and cracked lay before me ready to bid farewell. A few patches of punja crop set islands of greenery here and there. The canal, an abode of varieties of plants and many species of birds and animals lay idle like a green serpent intertwined. The golden rays from the setting sun on the western horizon glowed on the coconut leaves. I made a recap of the days of joy and fun provided by the nature around me. The croaking of the tigrina frogs, chorus howl of the pack of fox, the night call of kalankozhi, the chirping of the little birds etc. etc. made a sweet visual. The frolics I enjoyed with my playmates, the ecstasy during an hide and seek game, the dialogues with nature while picking flowers during Onam festival, the chill and softness of the mud in the paddy fields, the adventure while in pursuit of a chempoth [crow-pheasant], the thrill of plucking a mango fruit from the tip of a mango tree or bringing it down by a sharp shot with a stone and to enjoy the taste mixed with chilly powder and salt which we stole from mother’s store, the suffering of the pain from the bruises while learning cycling, the choking of the throat by gulping gallons of water to learn swimming, the excitement when getting in contact with ----- while playing shodi or kochi kali ! and many other such exclusive experiences are going to be snatched away. The sun has made the plunge and a whitebreasted waterhen [kulakozhi] vociferously darted home before me. On the golden sky above a batch of cows hurried back to their night shelter etching silhouettes. Mother was calling me to get ready for the evening prayer and reluctantly I withdrew from my past sojourns.

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

Come winter it is time to start the cultivation of vegetables. The field which we used to raise paddy nursery was our ideal place. The basal preparation will be managed by our workers. Other works such as seeding, irrigation, management etc is a family job, in which the involvement of the children is a must. Of course mother will monitor various stages of cultivation. In other words it is a family farming. This has imbibed in us a sense of participation in the food and nutrition security of the family. Not only in the cultivation of vegetables but also in rearing poultry and dairy children’s contribution is ensured in those days. It was an inbuilt mechanism in the family itself.There was no need of any motivation from an external agency as we experience nowadays.

The main crops grown were cucumber, melons, ash gourd, snake gourd. Bitter gourd and beans. The first three are intended for storage to be used when other items are not available. The cucumber and ash gourd are harvested when they are fully ripe and hung in slings made out of coconut leaves. In old houses you can see a facility to hang them in the roof of the corridors. This practise ensures the availability of vegetables at any point of time. In our child hood sambar was not an essential item in the daily menu. It used to be served only on special occasions such as birth day, marriage etc. So it was molakosium or karinkalan or olan or any edible leaves prepared in kanhi vellam and mizhuku peratty and occasionally a chutta papadam in the menu. Every house will preserve a seed bank. There are traditional practises of storage,e.g the seeds of bitter gourd are pressed into a cow dung cake and kept hung in the kitchen. This will avoid the attack of borer beetles and will ensure viability. Other seeds will be coated with coconut ash and stored inside mini bamboo baskets, which are also hung in the kitchen. The smoke generated from the fire wood can provide adequate protection though out the year. Now the new generation seeds supplied by MNCs can not be self propagated at farm level technology.

In kumbam it is time for raising tuber crops viz. Chena, chembu,katchil or kavuthu. The summer rains in this moth will initiate sprouting. The interesting fact is that in a family farming the crops are cultivated just to meet a fmily’s requirement for an year. Commercial out look came much later. In fact I would say that each house hold was self sufficient to meet their food security demand . They seldom depended on market.

It is hopeful that an awareness has occurred in the minds of youth now to revive the time tested practises of our elders. Let us hope that this movement will gain sustainability and save our earth and health.

Nurungukal....contd...

This is about another simple system of emptying a pond. Once in every two years ponds in our compound were emptied mainly for removing the silt in order to rejuvenate the sub soil water flow. It is done usually when the north west monsoon recedes. Kaikottatheku is operated by two men who are adept in lifting water in a bamboo basket in the shape of a cone.A long coir rope is tied at the top and bottom of the basket [kaikotta] on both sides. The length of the rope will be long enough so that the men positioned at opposite sides of the pond can take the basket to the water for immersing the basket for lifting water at each pull. The men will lean forward bending and will loosen the rope at the top to fill the basket and then will lift it to the top of the pond for emptying with a flick by the other rope. This action of drawing ,lifting and emptying will go on like a rhythm of a well oiled piston. They will also sing loudly in tune with their motion. Two or three men will be inside the pond to loosen the silt so that it can be easily carried out. When the water is almost emptied many species of fish will start jumping and crawling in the mud. The big ones will be caught by using a basket known as ottal. The common species of fish are kannan[muzhu],kadu,poozhan etc. To catch a kadu it needs some skill, other wise it will prick which is very painful. Smaller ones will be left to grow. As the operation progress number of kites will start circling in the sky and at times they will snatch away the fish in their claws before we are able to scare them. Egrets ,minas , crows etc will also take their rightful share. Often I used to be substituted to lift the water which I enjoyed very much. Once the pond is emptied and cleaned there will be good lunch and of course the main dish will be of fish. The men will take home some fish packed in coconut leaves. This is one of he most enjoyable events children look forward. After a few days the water level will slowly rise up and then it is time for us to enjoy a fresh water frolics in which all our play mates both boys and girls take part.

Sunday, 5 October 2014

Nurungukal...contd...

In an earlier post I had described about kalathekku prevalent in Anakkara area. In our side the irrigation from ponds is in a different method. It is known as kottatheku. In this system the principle of liver and pulley is applied. In the pond four bamboo poles are fixed in a rectangle of 4x4 feet width. About 10 feet above these poles are secured by four bamboo pieces to keep the poles in position. A piece of palm trunk made into a channel by removing the soft pith and long enough to reach the adjacent edge of the pond is fixed on one beam and its other end resting on the land. This will facilitate the drawn water to flow freely to the land to be irrigated. Two trees of any fast growing plant which would have been already grown on the land keeping the palm channel in between them. A beam of any variety of tree which can hold fairly good weight is secured at a convenient height on the poles in the land [B1]. Then a long beam of any tree which is light and at the same time strong enough to work as a lever is inserted into the cross beam [B1].This lever is known as vesa. At the one end of vesa a basket called poovamkotta, woven out of a coconut leaf will be hung and in which adequate weight of mud balls will be filled to balance the lever. On the pond end of the vesa a thin but fully matured bamboo pole is tied.This is called kayyeri. The down end of kayyeri is slit so that the handle of the wooden bucket [thekotta] which is in a conical shape can be inserted into the slit. Through this slit a thin piece of tamarind tree branch [kottakol] is inserted so that the thekotta will swing freely. By this the mechanism is ready for trial. Then the main worker will try, by pulling down the kayyeri to the water and will immerse the thekkotta in water. He at one pull lifts the full thekotta to the channel [pathi] and as it reaches the top it is placed on the pathi and with his right foot keeping on the kottakol tilts the water into the pathi so that the water flows freely. This process is repeated at a fast pace and the water gushes through the channels to reach its destination. Some time minor adjustments in the mechanism has to be carried out so that the drawing and pulling down are smooth.

Normally this arrangement will be fixed immediately after the withdrawal of north west monsoon. The main crops which need irrigation are arecanut, coconut and vegetables. The workers does the irrigation every alternate day. They used to finish the job well before the sun rise. If we get up before they go, reluctantly they will allow us to handle it for a few times. But some times when mother and father are enjoying siesta we ventured to draw water to fill a pit in which we might have made a miniature system of a similar principle.

Here the most notable factor is that no fuel or even animal is used, but only human effort. There is no loss of natural resources and the materials used are all locally available. A sustainable practise which we abandoned for the sake of convenience and at the stake depletion of natural resources and pollution!!.

Friday, 3 October 2014

Nurungukal....contd....

We were experiencing a financial crunch. The expenditure for the higher education of my elder brothers and the marriage of my sister were managed from the income derived out of the sale of coconuts. But this was not sufficient to meet our day to day expenditure.Often father used to draw advance from our coconut trader Hamsa. As my brothers were away , I was often assigned to go to him to collect the proceedings after settling the account. Since there would be an advance payment Hamsa was clever enough to reduce the price very low. In such cases farmer is always left at the mercy of the trader. Hamsa was living far away in the coastal area in his ancestral house. I used to cover the distance on foot. He will be relaxing on an easy chair. A short man with a shaved head always wearing a white cap and a white check cloth secured by a green broad belt showing his muscular body. On seeing me he would raise his head and will ask ‘enthey menon kuttiye bannu’. I will tell him that father wanted five hundred rupees as advance. Then with much hesitation and enquiries about the next crop he would oblige to give just half of what I have asked for. He will count the notes three or four times before handing over and will say the total dues till then taken by father. Just when I am about to leave, he will offer a glass of tea which I very politely avoided. By now it will be time for me to go to school and on quick heels I would return home through a footpath which passes in front of many houses. Often I had to dodge the attack of dogs and even some hostile cows. Then in hurry after taking the break fast [usually rice porridge] we will rush to school.

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Nurungukal....contd..

Another interesting bird that used to frequent our premises was a pair of HOOPOE popularly known as UPPOOPPAN. But in Ponnani this bird is called ‘pooyapla pakshi’ or bride groom bird bbecause it is so beautiful. It has a plume with white and brown stripes. Very often it used to fold and unfold the plume. Similar zebra stripes are in its body and tail. They appear in pairs. They peck in the court yard to take worms ,moths etc. Although a small bird it makes a resounding call ‘hoop-hoop-hoop’.While flying it flutters then keeping the wings folded takes an elegant glide up and down in the air. It is believed that its origin is in Egypt or Arabia. Because of its attractive plume it was considered to be a descendant of a kingdom in Europe. While pecking it moves the neck in and out very briskly similar to the movement of a needle of a tailoring machine.

Chempoth [pheasant] is a very lazy bird. It also appears in pair especially before the on set of south east monsoon. It makes different sounds like ‘gub-gub-goob’ ‘khreek’and late in the evening ‘kshook’ similar to the sound when the air is released from a cycle tube. Its favourite foods are chameleon,lizards,snakes insects etc . We can see them often perching on fence in search of food. As it can not fly fast we used to chase and get them. Induchoodan the famous ornithologist has recorded a few myths about this bird. One such is that this bird uses a root of a rare plant to dissolve iron. To get this what we have to do is to tie an offspring on an iron string . Then it will bring this root and keep on the string. Slowly the iron will melt and we can collect the root .!! Another belief is that in its nest there will be some medicinal herbs which can cure any decease. What we have to do is to collect its nest and allow the contends to flow in a river. Any twig or root which flows against the current is the medicinal herb we are looking for !!. As children these birds always attracted our attention and were our playmates. Such intimate relations with nature inspire me even now !.

Nurungukal....contd.....

Other than humans we used to get many others who visited us at regular intervals. Some were seasonal viz. Parrots, monkeys. Sparrows. Onakkili etc. In large numbers they came in search of food and breeding. But onakkili in bright golden yellow appeared in pairs. Their presence , immediately after karkitakam indicated that Onam is nearing. Five sisters used to be always present to chatter and chirp aloud. As the paddy ripens in our fields a batch of parrots fill the air with their squeaks and fluttering. They make their nests in the holes of old and decayed coconut trees to breed. In flocks they would descend in paddy fields and each bird would carry in their beaks a ripe panicle. After eating one or two grains it would be discarded to pick up another. This process would go on and on until they were scared either by a cracker or loud sound made by beating on a tin or a catapult. When the mangoes ripens it is the turn of a batch of black faced monkeys. Usually they appear at noon when all were enjoying a siesta. But an alert from stray dogs would invite our attention and then the operation to drive them out of our compound is on. They are not an easy lot to be scared. Often they would threaten you by showing their sharp teeth or by throwing whatever was in their hand. Drum sticks and its leaves are their favourite food. After their marauding all the fruit bearing trees would be in shambles.

A pack of fox was the next interesting link in our food chain. Although they were considered as predators their role in maintaining a control on the population of stray dogs, wild bores etc. can not be underestimated. I have seen how cunningly a pair of fox used to steal the puppies. There was a stray bitch in our house who gave birth to a number of offspring now and then in our backyard firewood store.By dusk a pair of fox will sneak nearby. The bitch will be in guard of the litter of puppies. The male fox would come and provoke the bitch. When the bitch chase the fox leaving the litter, female fox would snatch one or two puppies to enjoy a tasty dinner. Another cunning trick they applied was when a fox was isolated and attacked by dogs. The fox would run as fast as it could, the dogs chasing it and when the dogs reach close , they returned all on a sudden with out completing their mission. I used to wonder why it was so!!. Then mother told me that fox has an in built rescue mechanism. When the dogs are about to catch,it would emit an obnoxious gas which no one can stand with !!. Their howling in chorus at dusk is no more heard in our premises. They are at the verge of extinction from villages because of human interventions to their habitats. But I heard that they have adapted to the comforts of city gutters . Thanks to the throw away culture of our city dwellers. A fine example of adaptation!!!. [to be cntd]

Monday, 29 September 2014

Nurungukal.......contd....

When I was in 9^th standard a new batch of young graduate teachers, fresh from college joined our school. They were a different lot,both in teaching and approach. Because of it students liked them. Among them was Gopettan. He was a distant relative of us. His favourite subject was history. His narration about Emperor Asoka, quoting H.G.Wells and other historians was not only informative but interesting also. We heard him in pin drop silence. Apart from his teaching ability he was a social worker also. Although in the initial days he had a limited circle of activities, later he became an ardent follower of communism. As he was a good orator, gradually he was accepted in the high echelons of the Left movements in Kerala. He used to keep the audience spell bound for hours during his public speeches and his counters to the opponents, with penchant remarks were received with loud applause. But some of his opponents with in the party did not allow him to climb up the ladder. Many allegations were framed and finally he had to quit from the Left movement unceremoniously.

He was of the age of my elder brother. Mother depended on him in many of her social activities. When ever there was a problem which could not be settled she sought his help and in no time he found out a solution. I remember two such occasions. The first was when she was the acting president of a co-operative milk society. The sales man without her knowledge was adulterating the milk. One day he was caught by the food inspector and was booked. It was a criminal offence and if punished mother being the president had to go to jail. Mother approached Gopettan to find a solution. And even now we do not know how mother was freed out of the harassment , only he does. Another incident was related to when mother was the president of a Mahila Samajam. As we know in our society there are always some opposition to any good initiative. Because of her concerted efforts this Samajam was able to provide a livelihood to some down trodden women by way of running a tailoring venture. But to some ,it was not acceptable. From some where on a fine morning a mad women who was in an acute stage of a malignant disease was housed on the veranda. Nobody even went near her. It was altogether a bad situation. Mother was in a fix.Even police did not come to her help. Finally the issue was placed by mother before her saviour, and to the surprise of all next morning it was solved . But even now we do not know how??.

The third occasion in which he showed his cleverness to handle a difficult situation happened in his own house. His uncle Chathettan, about whom i had mentioned in a previous post, expired all on a sudden. He was a good farmer and had stored a huge quantity of paddy in his wooden granary [pathayam]. Chathettan was a bachelor and he was looked after by his sister Janaki etuthi who was the mother of Gopettan. But when Chathettan died other sisters raised a claim on his properties. They also planned to take away the paddy stock by force. Some how Gopettan came to know about it. When the paddy dealer came next morning to cart the paddy, to the surprise of all, even the wooden pathayam was missing !!. Gopeetan was standing at the end of the veranda throwing a sarcastic smile and the dealer vacated the premises in dismay.

He was loved by all and he loved all. A man who forgot to make a living of his own while taking care of others,!!

Sunday, 28 September 2014

Nurugukal....contd...

Let me continue with the Andi oottu. The old Andi would rise up when his trance is over. After giving prasadam to every one he would go to the cattle shed to bless the cattle.

The first part of the event would be over as mother gave him a few measures of rice, pappadams etc. and father a cash gift. Then it is time for dinner. Mother used to serve kalan,olan, aviyal,mizhukkuperatti, kadumanga, pappadams.upperi with farm fresh hand pounded rice and to top up payasam and sweets. After dinner we used to assemble at the poomugam to watch the puppet performance of the old Andi. He was a good puppeteer. In his pokkanam [cloth bundle] there used to be two to three puppets of Kathakali veshams { patcha, kathi and female vesham]. Our father was a connoisseur of kathakali. He used to hum or whistle kathakali padams while taking an evening walk in our court yard.

The old Andi would slowly take out the puppets one by one from his bundle. Holding one in his right hand he would gradually show its face while giving an introduction and reciting a couplet of kathakali padam melodiously. It would be repeated by his son and daughter-in-law in turn. I still vividly remember the picture of the daughter-in law. She wore a check sari of bright colour with the frills dangling on her firm posterior in a typical Tamil way. She was black in colour. Her eyes were large and dazzling . Always there would be a kunkuma pottu on her fore head and kunkumam smear between the hair partition. A bunch of jasmine or kanakambaram mala tucked in her plait added her grace. Her movements were elegant. She would sit behind the old Andi and swayed left to right in rhythm tapping the tiny elathalam between her slender fingers. Andi would perform one or two scenes from kathakali. The facial and hand movements of the puppets controlled by his fingers would give the effect of watching a live performance. Some times father would request to show one of his favourite scenes which the Andi would readily oblige.

After the show every one would retire for the day nurturing sweet memories of the veshams. Before we wake up the Andi family might have left for the next destination. I do not know that whether their tribe exists now to provide the rare experience !!. Let us hope that some day in future another such curtain will raise !!.