HIGH UP IN THE AIR-MUSINGS

HIGH UP IN THE AIR-MUSINGS

When we were flying high in the air , my mid wandered over the horizon of life and death. Is it worth worrying , about mundane matters? Even cities were not visible . The small people are like insects , busying about food and living. The same feeling of unreality grips me when I am on top of a hill..

The first thing I do in the morning , is to open my computer. Is the blog important? For that matter , is the newspaper worth the money we spend on it? I envy the real saints , who need

no saffron cloths. They wisely abstain from marriage.

Why did Christian God make Man? He could have left Adam alone. Why did he create Eve?

The couple has managed to over populate the world. Like the ants , they do not live in peace. They fight for something or other. Sex and money are the two forces motivating forces, impelling us to go forward.

Among Hindus , there is Pushpangadan who is always aiming his arrow of flowers against young men and women. When the arrow strikes , the poor victims run about seeking copulation.

What a world!

ON TOP OF THE HILL

The calm serinity of the evening is something we must not miss.
Go out and climb a hill, to watch the sun going down and the stars appearing one by one!
When it is dark, the diamonds scattered in the sky is a treat to the eyes.The cool breeze enliven our body.
If a friend is by my side, It is heaven! I won’t talk, just enjoy the prence.

ELANKUNNU (WHERE SANTA MARIA ACADEMY IS LOCATED) IS A RICH SOURCE OF WATER.

The legendary Kamadhenu (cow) gives anything you ask her. Elankunnu is a Kamadhenu.

The lens shaped hill near our house (Elankunnu) is full of water. Its South West portion has already been removed by quarry contractors. You can see water in the quarry even in summer. During rainy season, water from this granite hill fills all ponds and wells in the neighbourhood, through subterranean water channels.

I saw a well with water level very high up, alomost you can touch it; but no attempt is made to draw water from the well. Most buildings in the locality have their own well. Others depend on tap water provided by government, which pumps water from the near by river, into a water tank on the hill.

At the foot of the hill, by the side of the temple at Njeruvisseri, was a small hill in my childhood. Now there is a very deep and wide well, after continuous quarrying of granite for more than half a century. I have recently seen water flowing into this well, from the Elankunnu. As there is an under-rock channel, from this well to the river, Karuvannoorpuzha, water cannot be stored in this well. If the outlet hole is plugged, we can stop water from going into the river. In this way all surrounding villages can be irrigated by gravity flow.

Now water is pumped from the river and rationed for two hours.

it is a pity that water from KAMADHENU is not used, even though there is great scarcity of water in summer.

HOLIDAY IN A REMOTE VILLAGE

Kaithapram is a well known Malayalam film music director and lyricist. His village is known as Kaithapram.

More than five hundred years ago, a group of twelve namboodiri families came down to an uninhabited area, almost encircled by a river and settled in the uninhabited,fertile valley. Then three more groups followed.

Now this village has more than two hundred families, all of the same caste and is known as Kaithapram.

Long ago, when my niece was married to a family there, we felt sorry for her. The village was too remote for us to approach, equidistant from Kannur and Payyannur stations on the Mangalore-Shoranur railway route. After leaving the station, we must travel by bus up to Plathara and then walk for an hour or so. Not a single terrace house and the only toilet, thankfully belonging to a lady who recently came there from south Malabar, was my relief. In those days, people just defecated any where outside the house!

Now I was taken aback by the changes, during the last two decades, which were a pleasant surprise. Almost all houses had concrete roof. Most of them have a car. We were picked up from Plathara by one of the twins of my niece (one is studying for engineering and one for medicine, with government scholarship) in their jeep. They had internet connection at home. Most namboodiries are computer shy. Many do not know what a blog is.

That evening they took us to the Parssinikadavu temple. It is an impressive big temple, right at the bank of the river by the same name. It is full of clean water. There are some boats, but something could be done to remove plastic bags and bottles.

The deity is Muthappan or grand- uncle. The head of an old man is worshiped here. The devotees are offered tea and dhal free of cost. Free meals are also given all the time.

Next morning I went for my walk with just a bath towel, after my bed tea. Within a few minutes, I reached the river. As the water was dirty, I reversed the direction and reached the Srikrishna temple, with good clean water in the pond in front. As there was no one around, I removed the only cloth I was wearing and plunged into the water It was my first dip in a pond, on coming to Keralam, this time.

After praying in the temple I roamed about for some time, but returned early, as I had not taken my break fast. I saw two old men reading newspaper, at Kaithapram Grameena Vayanashala (library). I too had a look at the head lines. I am a newspaper addict.

We were confined to the house, because of a hartal (bandh). In the evening, we climbed the highest hill in the locality. The top of the hill was a plateau, quite wide. I could not believe the spectacle of palatial buildings, constructed in feudal, artistic style. I was told that it was meant to be a music and dance academy , but the man found it impracticable and sold it to an engineering college.

There is a wide road along the periphery of the hill, from which we could see the surroundings.

The whole village is encircled by mountains and the river, which originates beyond Kerala border, in the Western Ghats. This explains the fertility of the soil and the abundance of water.

There is a well at the top, near a Shiva and Devi temple under construction. Water is available just ten feet below the ground. A large pond near by, also has plenty of water. This can only be explained by my theory of subterranean water channels, connecting the entire rocky crust of the earth ( Saraswaty- myth or reality? ).

At the foot of the hill, water level in the wells is fifty feet deep.

There is a rain gauge, well protected by fencing. I wonder if any one takes readings, climbing all the way up the hill.

RAILWAY AUDIT REPORT

The Controller and Auditor General is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and the States. He is assisted by competent and honest staff with great reputation, perhaps the only department free of corruption charges. I am somewhat proud to say that I worked in this department .

This happened long ago when a new rail line was being laid between Guna and Maksi in Madhya Pradesh. We were inspecting the records of Executive Engineer, when I noticed that the item of earth work , especially, cutting in hard rock increased disproportionately in the contractor’s bill. On enquiry, I was told that the alignment was changed to save fertile fields through which the original line was to pass. There were some representations signed by local people

On further scrutiny, I found that the new alignment actually cut through a hill, which the surveyors wanted to avoid, as it was much more costly. From the point of view of the environment too, it was wise to stick to the original line.

Lastly, the change in alignment has to be approved by the Railway Board; even General Manager of the zone has no power to approve it.

For constructing the second line between Kota and Lakheri section, an additional bridge across the Chambal river became necessary.

The existing bridge built by the British company was wide enough to accommodate an extra line, which the company anticipated even at that stage, but the life of the bridge was over.

While making the location drawing of the new bridge, they just copied from the existing one, WHICH WAS GIVING CONTINUOUS TROUBLE, BECAUSE ONE PIER WAS NOT PROPERLY SEATED.

One side was resting on rock, while the remaining half was hanging. So keeping it supported, with boulders and sand was a headache for the engineers. While locating the new bridge, this was not known to the construction department which functions under a different Chief Engineer.

They involved a specialized firm from Calcutta to cut the rock,DEEP,MOPLA,MALAPURAM,KERALA,HOUR,DIVERS,COCONUT OIL, so that the foundation could be properly laid. But all their efforts failed, as it was too deep and expert Mopla divers from Malapuram district in Kerala, who could remain under water for more than half an hour, failed to find the contour of the river bed. The divers needed coconut oil which they smeared over their body. A simple petty voucher for purchase of coconut oil which was selected for audit, aroused my suspicion. Auditors and criminal investigators should have a sharp inquisitive mind. I never thought that my curiosity about the large quantity of oil purchased, will lead to this result.

Failure of engineers, to properly study the bridge site was the cause of loss of money and permanent worry.

In another case, a railway station built for facilitating crossing of trains, coming from opposite directions, became dysfunctional, as the yard was sloping towards one side. A train going up the gradient, broke into two, the engine pulling upwards and gravity pulling in the opposite direction. The Operating Superintendent ordred stoppage of all crossings at that station. This was in 1974, between Nazirabad and Hatundi. I had gone there to do “Performance Audit” which was introduced at that time. Naturally I wanted to know the number of crossings which took place during the previous months.

Such instances are innumerable; only a few cases are selected for publishing in the Audit Report presented to the Parliament.

So far not a single engineer has been penalized for such lapses.

TRANSIENT FRIENDSHIP

I bought something from Poochunnipadam, near Oorakam and saw an autorickshaw  stopping in front of the shop. The driver enquired the way to Eravakad rail crossing. On an impulse, I offered to show the way, as I was going that way.

We had to circumvent a lense shaped hill called Elamkunnu. Even as late as 1920 it was a forest, with practically no one living in it. Kirangatu Kesavan (elephant) used to roam in the forest, after being released there, at the end of the pooram festival season. Even in 1943 there were few settlers living in this hill area. At noon we children used to climb up the hill, only in groups. From the top we could see the distant Arabian Sea.

Today, we were passing through tarred road, with terrace houses on either side shedding enough light on the road. Santa Maria Academy (plus 2 school) occupies the eastern and central part of the hill. The western and northern parts have been considerably cut away by quarrying contractors.

All this, I narrated during the ten minutes or so we were together.

As soon as we crossed the hill the auto driver regained his orientation and I got down. The lady in the vehicle, who was traveling with her son, was so engrossed in my story that she was actually sorry that we had to part company.

We may never meet again. She thanked me for my guidance and I too felt a certain feeling of friendship with her.

WHEN I WAS ENCIRCLED BY MONKEYS

Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) is situated in forest land. The permanent township built on the hill, dominating the whole landscape, is full of monkeys. They silently move from one tree to another, eating the leaves and is normally ignored by the people.

One day, early in the morning, I was walking towards the Project Guest House, which was at the summit of the hill. Suddenly I became aware of the presence of a monkey just behind me and I stopped instinctively. Soon, one by one, a large number of monkeys collected on all sides, blocking my way. I was truly scared. I stood still quite for some time. Then their leader jumped up, on to the nearest tree and the whole troop followed his example. There was pin drop silence during those few minutes when my heart beat increased perceptibly.

An engineer had developed a vegetable garden in his plot in his bungalow. One day, he saw a monkey plucking tomatoes and he threw a stone to drive it away. Soon, some enraged monkeys came near and fearing further attack, he foolishly shot at them, killing one. It became a big issue, because he had committed an offense under the Forest Act.

As Hanuman is venerated by Hindus, the engineer had to incur the wrath of the residents. Somehow, the whole incident was hushed up.

In Delhi, which has the largest forest area in any city in the world, we are familiar with the monkey menace. Sometimes, they enter the house and open the fridge, taking away whatever came into their hands

ANANGAN MALA TOURISM PROJECT

Anangan mala (hill) stands as an elephant  lying in water. Every time I pass along the road from Ottappalam to Cherpulessreri, I wistfully look at its majestic pose, wondering whether I will be able to climb it !

I first saw it when I was studying in seventh year in school, during the journey to grandmother’s home, Mappat mana, who patronised Kathakali, long before Kalamandalam was set up. About this later on.

Now I like to share with you a good news, that the hill is being developed as a tourist resort, with cottages on top and jeepable roads from the road.

I wish it is completed early.

MUTHUKURSSIMANA, MY WIFE HOUSE

Once upon a time, Muthukurssi mana was a very wealthy family, owning the whole land between the Bharathapuzha river and the railway yard. The home was at the site of the presnt loco shed.

 There was an elephant, a symbal of affluence then. And now also the new rich are crazy about the elephants

 When the South Indian Railwy, a private company owned by British people, bought it, the building was dismantled and reconstructed at the present site. The hill, earlier known as Muthukurssi hill, became railway property and they built quarters there. Now it is Ganeshgiri.
The bungalow at the top was prominent in the film Julie, which was shot there.
My wife’s grandfather’s younger brother was adopted by Mundanat  Mana family and he managed to transfer the wealth to his new home;  something like that happened.

 My father-inn-law had seen the worst days, doing pooja in different temples, including the famous Ambalapuzha Krishna temple.
His one sister, who was married very late, shared the brunt of poverty. She is still alive and very cheerful, now living with her son Kollumuttathu Narayanan, at Manisseri.
My wife was put in a convent school at Shoranur. She will return home, crossing the rail line, take bath in the pond and then only have something to eat. On Mondays, she will go to Mahadevamangalam, on the bank of the river, for prayer to get a good husband and return home, almost running, before taking food.
She had seen family bickerings, almost all the time between uncles and her father; so fed up was she, that it was her wish to be a nun !

Her step sister, by father’s second wife, only fifteen years her senior, was married off to Puliyannur mana, tantry at Shreekrishna temple at Tripunithura (Poornathrayeesan). Then her father began trying for a namboodiri for her also.

Santa, my cousin, was already there, having married Sankaranarayanan. She suggested my name.

She was hardly eighteen, too innocent to think of marriege, when a cruel fate and a society that allows no freedom to a girl child, threw her into my hands.

Her father was a workaholic. He spends his time plucking flowers for pooja, collecting areca nuts and coconuts in the big orchard or  cutting grass that grow too fast. One day he fell into a well and had to shout for help, as no one was around.

As soon as the rainy season arrives, he will go out with a spade in hand,digging here and there, and sowing or planting vegetables like colocasia, brinjal, ladies’ finger and, of course, tapyoka. Santa says, in those days they never bought anything from the market, a mile away at Shoranur. My wife inherited this quality from him. Even today, her dream is to have some land and grow vegetables.

Her father got infection from the slush. Worms began  coming out of the foot. He was admitted in Valluvanad Hospital, where they, thoughtlessly, injected large dozes of antibiotics. He was nearing ninety and I think medicines killed him. His system was quite sound and healthy. No one will die of foot sore.

When they were rich, father-in law married from Tekkedath Patteri mana, a wealthy family, whose ancestors belonged to Vadakkancherry area in Cochin State.
It is said that they helped the Raja of Travancore, in conqering the Kingdom of Alapuzha; in return, they were given property in Kodamalur.
Mother-in-law named Parvathy had gold ornaments. Among us namboodiries, women folk did not wear gold ornaments. They wore bronze necklaces and bangles.
This created tensions between our branch and the rest of the Muthurssi clan.
 Mother-in- law remained for long periods in her home and shorter periods at Guruvayoor, where Radha, my wife accopanied her, before her marriage.

 My first visit to that famous shrine was immediately after marriage.
It was very quiet then and we made several rounds (pradakshinam), every time standing before the deity and praying. I don’t remember what were my prayers. My world was my wife. She being so near, what else do I need?

Our annual pilgrimage to Guruvayoor continued till I retired. Radha’s sister Parvathy and step sister Nalini who were  in their teenns at the time of my marriage, always accompanied us.During our last visit in 2007 or so, I was so disgusted and tired, standing in the que and then pushed off as soon as I came in front of the sanctum, that I decided to  stop this meaningless suffering.

SHORT STORY – JANU, THE MOUNTAIN BIRD

Janu and I were school mates. It is a shame to call it a school. A shed with thatched roof, leaking in monsoon rains, with three teachers who have to teach in all four standards, as our science teacher had been transferred elsewhere.
Janu was senior to me, but she failed twice and we became class mates.
My Papa worked in the gulf and came home only rarely.
Janu lived in the next plot in a hut, with her parents who were daily wage earners, doing odd jobs. She was helpful to Ma, in household work. I helped in her studies, as she was weak in all subjects.
The hills where we lived was full of small streams and wild trees. Janu and I would roam about, plucking fruits and berries. With my sling, I could accurately aim a mango, even at a good height and throw it down with a stone. And the mangoes were really very tasty. We used to share everything, leaving our parents’ share.
Hare, porcupines, wild fowl, honey etc. were also availabe occasionally.
Or we would catch fish. Janu was expert in catching them in the streams. They were not big, but that is all we had, as the nearest market was miles away.
There was a post office, two miles from our school. As the post man was reluctant to walk every day, he would come only once a week. I would carry Janu on my bicycle and bring letters and kitchen items on other days. Ma was reluctant to send me alone as I was too small, though I felt I am big enough.
One day Janu noticed a big ball of something I had not seen before. It was full of fibre and Janu could easily break it. She said it was elephant’s dung and we should hurry home, as the animal was near by.
We had hardly moved a few yards, when she suddenly pulled me and we climbed a hill, from the top of which we could espy the surroundings. I was panting. She held me close and asked me to look at the stream below.
I could not believe my eyes! There were a dozen of these animals, big and small, swimming and playing in the water. When a kid tried to escape on to the ground, its mother pulled it down. I felt sorry for it, but Janu said it was necessary that it must learn swimming. When Janu knew it was safe, we came back home.
One day we were bathing in the stream. I noticed that she had breasts like lotus buds. The circles around the tips were small and pink. Ma’s were dark. I asked her why it is so. She just smiled and kissed me.
On our way from the post office, a truck stopped near Janu. The driver took her bodily and was about to get back into his cabin. All were watching and the girl was yelling and shouting: leave me alone.
I always carried my sling and a small bag full of stones. In no time, a big stone hit the driver’s back. He fell down and we both hastened home. Thereafter Janu was not allowed to go to the post office. I became a hero.
As standards 5 to 7 were added to our school, I pleaded with my Papa to allow me to complete my studies there. I did not want to leave Janu.
We extended our mountain walk to hills several miles beyond, carrying our food with us. Once we noticed a man in pants and shirt coming with a tribal woman, completely naked, except for a few leaves around her groins. Janu indicated to me to hide ourselves in the bush and watch.They looked around and seeing no one in the surroundings, the woman lay down on the grass. The man removed his pants and inserted his big penis into the hole between her thighs. Then he went on putting it in, withdrawing and repeating the process for some time. Afterwards, he gave her some money and they went away.
I asked Janu what all this meant. She was very excited.
She asked: do you want to do it? Come.
Then she too removed her skirt and asked me to pull off my under wear. She lay down and parted her thighs wide, exposing the slit, which was pulled apart with her two hands. Do you see a hole?
I saw one, very small, through which I could insert only the tip of of my penis. She then pressed my buttocks hard, against her groins, when my penis entered her hole completely. I experienced a heavenly feeling.

Then I knew what to do.
The climax was so thrilling that we wanted to do it every day.

I asked her: how did you learn this?
Sometimes my parents did thus, in day time too. Then I watched it through the key hole of the door.

But our “honey moon” was cut short by fate.
My Papa uprooted Ma and myself from the mountains and took us to Dubai where I completed my studies and started my own business. I was married ten years ago. We have no issues.

Are you still thinking about the mountain rat?
My wife awakened me from my pleasant reminiscences, offering me a cup of hot tea.
Don’t call the innocent girl a rat, I protested.
She new something about Janu; I said nothing about our secret encounters.
Why don’t you search her?
I wrote letters to the post master; he never replied.
Next time we go to India, we must go personally. I too want to see her.
So we searched the maps and located a point in the Vindhya ranges. We had to contact the forest officials who helped us to reach the post office.
The area is changed beyond recognition. Motorable roads and terraced buildings were not uncommon.
Near the school was her hut, still without any change. I hastened there and was shocked to see an old woman without teeth, her hair all white and the face crumpled with creases….Is it Janu?
She came and rested her face on my shoulder, wetting my shirt with profuse tears. I tried in vain to hide my tears.
Janu was wailing: I lost all. First my only son; then my husband.
I did not know what to say. I gave her a thousand rupees and we departed, promising to come again…….