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...