Nurungukal...2...contd...
My job gave us an
opportunity to live in places of different atmospheres. Out of which Pondy was
the best. It was unique in many ways. There was a fusion of two cultures. The
influence of a French life style was still
lingering side by side a Tamilian tradition. Even the Pondy town was
divided into two by a canal. On the one side there lived a community aligned to
french culture and those dedicated to a life propagated by Aurobindo. Where as
on the other, the native Tamilians. But both lived in perfect harmony and
inter depended. If one was on the shores
of Bay of Bengal the other was at the brim of a native village nurturing an
agrarian legacy. Even the fragrance of these two identities differed. The east
close to the ocean sensed ozone and perfumes . The west a rustic aroma
emanating from the agricultural fields. Also the upkeep represented the
respective way of life. If one was orderly and silent the other was vibrant and
lively. But the nature around them mingled, intertwined and coexisted sharing
each other ensuring a tranquillity. We lived there for seven years without
feeling any strain and the passing of time.
The
weekends we spent our time either on the sea shore or in the adjacent park and
a dine out to taste the best of French cuisine. Me and my friend Sathyaraj, an
officer in Madras Fertilisers Ltd.used to enjoy the shallow waters of Bay of
Bengal every Saturday evening. There was one joint, run by a french pensioner
which served a crab dish topped up with a bulls eye. A scoop of the egg along
with the flesh of a large crab was delicious and a dinner in a sea side
restaurant enjoying the caress of the
breeze and the melodious music produced
when the waves pat the shore, remain fresh in our mind. An occasional
visit to the Auorobido Ashramam and nearby Ganesha temple to feed the young
elephant stationed before the temple gate helped to relieve the burden. The
serenity of the Ashramam premises could revitalise the energy. The efficiency
of the various insttutions run by them was always a model worth emulating. Where
ever my posting, it was my pleasure to stray out to the nearby farms. It, not
only gave me an insight into their way of life but also, a sense of
togetherness. More over it is where we can meet true sons of the soil. The
greenery around a farm is always my weakness. More than a square meal I
enjoyed the sight of a setting sun at the brink of a vast paddy field,
accompanied by a chorus of the home bound birds,insects etc.. contd...