MEMORIES FROM MY PAST DEEPAVALI

Hi friends,

On Deepavali, you are forced to get up at 4 AM. You sit on a wooden plank drawn with kolam. A spoon full of gingelly oil heated with black pepper, red chilly, and betel leaf is applied on your scalp by the eldest female member with the singing of  GOWRI KALYANAM VAIBOKAME. 

Then you apply on the body, take bath, wear new dresses, do Pranams to Lord and elders, swallow Lehiyam and some snacks and sweets and go to fire the crackers till dawn. I have experienced 64 Deepavali as a boy, adult, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. I would like to share my memories with you.

The first Deepavali I remember was in 1952 in Periakulam when I was 7. I remember a freak incident that happened on Deepavali day. My parents with other children had gone to our maternal grandparent's house, leaving me with my paternal grandmother as an escort. They had given me Rs.7/ for the purchase of crackers. Dresses were already bought. 

My grandmother told me not to waste the money on crackers which would become charcoal ultimately and advised me to give it to her and she would preserve it for me. I ignored her advice and purchased "Donkey" crackers, famous at that time, for the entire sum. To ensure that none of the crackers failed, we kept it on top of the mud oven in the kitchen after the night work was over. 

At around 2 AM in the night, there was a loud explosion and my grandmother woke me up saying Deepavali had dawned and advised me to take an oil bath. Suddenly, there was another loud explosion from the kitchen and we could not go near. We then remembered that we forgot to remove the crackers from the oven and in the heat, all the crackers got fired up and exploded. 

The entire kitchen was scattered with debris from the crackers, dislocated few vessels, and spilled some food items. I did not have anything to enjoy for Deepavali and sitting in the front yard, I was pathetically looking at my friend's next door. 

The next Deepavali was when I was 15. My brother and I were with my maternal grandparents. They never refused to give money. Deepavali started 15 days earlier. We bought it daily and enjoyed it. Gopu a friend, after firing an airplane moved slowly and the cracker fired into his trousers.

The next was in 1965. We were 6 brothers and 3 sisters. All were brimming with enthusiasm. My father could not afford the expenses. We wanted only our happiness. He said he would give one paise for every mark scored. Even if it is 500/600, it is only Rs.5. He was strict and never relaxed the rule.

A few years later, my brother and myself were employed. Our father did not object to our spending. All my siblings waited for me to come from Chennai. We went to Tiruchy to buy at cheap rates. After dawn, we went around town to show off our new dress to friends and to see the girls in new outfits.

In Nov 1974, it was my THALAI Deepavali. I wanted to be with my siblings. My mother ordered I should be with my wife and also to get her a silk saree. I got her a Mysore pure silk saree for Rs.2500. It was in mango color with a magenta border. My father-in-law presented me with a diamond ring. 

We went by train from Chennai for that Deepavali. Both my father and my FIL had come to receive us. We did not know with whom to go. My father told me to go with my FIL as he was elder. But my wife decided to go with my father. I came to know later that my FIL had appreciated our gesture.

A daughter, in 1976 and a son in 1980 came into our family.  My elder brother was staying with us in 1982 and our children enjoyed Deepavali together. When my son was 8, he had sufficient courage to handle crackers. Unfortunately, I could not get him everything he liked due to the paucity of funds.

Having invested in a house, I found it difficult to make ends meet. I had only two children. I then understood the pain of my father who had 9 kids. I was strict and got my son only what I could afford to. Then realizing his age, I gave him a free hand on the next Deepavali. He lost interest thereafter.

Subsequent Deepavalies were just formal. I  stopped buying new clothes and crackers. My children got married and I had two grandsons and a granddaughter. To my surprise, these children do not show any interest in dresses or crackers. They are only interested in electronic gadgets. 

I was in the US for one Deepavali where the firing of crackers was prohibited. The enthusiasm was missing. The children did not have any interest in a new dress. Only the poor enjoy Deepavali. All my siblings living in Chennai visit our mother to seek her blessings and to spend the day with her happily. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

REMINISCENCES OF MY NEWLY MARRIED LIFE

Hi friends,

The first year of a newly married is just a paradise. It would be over in the blink of an eye. Every bachelor imagines it. I wish to share with you the experience of the first year after my marriage. I was married on 3rd Feb 1974 when I was 29. Two days after our wedding, we returned to Chennai where I was employed.

We returned by the Tuticorin Express with 13 baggage. In those days, people wore only sarees. Churidhar was entering the market. There were no jeans, leggings, etc. My mother also came with us. It was normal practice for the mother to ensure that the couple started their life on a happy note without any quarrel or misunderstanding.

I had rented a small portion in Triplicane with a kitchen [6x6] and a  bedroom [8x6]. My mother slept in the kitchen sparing the bedroom for us. There was no door in between. We faced the east and she faced the west. I could not blabber anything to my wife. We expressed only thro' signals. My mother understood the situation and decided to return after a few days.

In the adjacent mess, there was an opening on the wall. The smell of garlic came through the opening. I tried to close it but to no avail. My wife was sensitive to garlic and started vomiting. I wanted to celebrate thinking that she had conceived. She chided me and we decided to shift to a different place.

We had all the time in the world. There was no sunrise or sunset for us. I found the office hours too long and frustrating. Sometimes, I took leave in the afternoon. I think newly married people should be free to leave the office at any time, I even wanted to resign from the job. Once a workaholic, I became redundant.

I had a black Raleigh bicycle. It had a sports handlebar, Brooks seat, Miller dynamo, etc. I covered all parts with red Rexine. I maintained it in top condition. I provided a cushion in the rear seat, for my wife to sit comfortably. A small cushion seat was also fixed near the handlebar for our future kid. We traveled across Madras from Triplicane to Parrys to T.nagar to Besant Nagar singing "Ae Maine Kasam Li" [in Tere Mere Sapne] merrily.

We went to night cinemas in the cycle. Traffic was light. You could hardly see two buses and two cars on Mount road. Two-wheelers were rare due to the long waiting period. People mainly traveled by bicycle. On my return from the office, I bought the vegetables, and my wife cooked fresh both in the morning and in the evening.

By 7 PM, after preparing dinner, we had our bath and went for a walk. The best place for newly married was Marina beach. That was the purpose of staying in Triplicane. It was the most beautiful beach in the world. The waves were pleasant and soft on the feet. The sea breeze was refreshing. It was a paradise for the poor. 

The cut-mango sprayed with chilly powder was a delicacy. We went there daily, sat near the water for an hour, and then walked around Vivekanandha's house. On our way, we visited her uncle in Icehouse, who was a jovial person. We chatted with him for an hour and returned home by 9 PM. We had our dinner and went to bed.

Saturday and Sunday were special days. We always went to a movie on Friday and Saturday nights. We also had our dinner outside. We would leave by 8 PM, went to Mount Road by cycle, had our dinner in Durbar restaurant or Geetha cafe, opposite Anna Statue, and went to the cinema. The dishes in the hotel were of good quality and reasonably priced. 

My wife's preference was Gulaab Jamun. There were many theaters on Mount road and the rates were not high. It was safe to go for the night show. The Govt. provided buses after the show. Triplicane was nearby Mount road which was an advantage. At 1 AM,  on weekends, the area around Anna statue in Mount road would be similar to that of Times Square in New York.
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My salary was Rs.500 per month. I sent 100 to my parents, 100 for the rent, 250 for the family, and the balance 50 for emergencies. Due to the paucity of funds, we could not eat as we liked. We ordered one plate each of Gulaab Jamun, Idly, Vada, Rava/masala dosa, chappati, and coffee. We shared to save on money. For the movie also, we went for the middle class and not the high class.


We never took a cab or an auto or bus. We went only by cycle. Our life was simple and enjoyable. It was a happy and contented life though we did not have sufficient money. We loved each other and that was important. We were happy with what we had. We never aspired for anything beyond our capacity. We lived in paradise. Those days will never come back. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

IT TOOK US THREE GENERATIONS

Hi friends,

Arangetram is the debut, "on-stage performance", of a student of Indian classical dance and music. It follows years of training. Many perform an Arangetram once the disciple completes the training. The performer can now train other aspiring learners or perform independently. He should have a full understanding of the art. Arangetram can be done for classical dance, vocals, and instruments like Mridangam, ghatam, and violin. etc

It was my wish that someone in my family should specialize in some art and develop to the stage of Arangetram. My wife was a good singer of Carnatic music. She was also interested in developing her talent. As she was a great fan of Radha Jayalakshmi, I wanted her to be tutored by them. GNB, MLV, Radha Jayalakshmi, Sudha Ragunathan are of a similar genre.

We were staying in T.Nagar, Chennai in 1975. Radha Jayalakshmi. were staying in Saidapet. We met them and requested to give training. They tested and agreed to train her. The fee was Rs.100 per month. My salary then was about Rs.500 of which I sent 100 to my parents, 100 for rent, 250 for the family leaving 50 for an emergency. So I had no other alternative but to drop the plan.

Then I went to south India in 1984. My daughter was 8 and my son was 4. I wanted my daughter to learn Baratha Natyam. My colleague's wife Ms. Jayanthi, was a good teacher. My daughter started the training. Within 4 years, she came to the level of Arangetram. Unexpectedly, the teacher's husband left the job and went to Bangalore. There was only tearful farewell and my daughter's Arangetram was dropped.

My daughter, with two sons, Chi.Pranav 7 and Chi. Keshav 2. had gone to the US in 2006. In 2009, she wanted Pranav to learn clarinet. She searched for a Guru from India. The clarinet is synonymous with Sri.AKC Natarajan, an authority on it. Sri AKC, who never accepted tutorship, agreed to coach Pranav as a special case through Skype. As my daughter knew Carnatic music, she was able to write the codes and assist him in training. 

The efforts she had taken to teach him the nuances of the art are beyond words. Her grit and determination brought the best out of him. Shri. Kartik, my son-in-law, also extended great support. After 7 years of hard work, on Sept 3rd, 2016, she staged the Arangetram of Chi. Pranav's clarinet recital in the presence of Sri AKC in Vani Mahal, T.Nagar, Chennai, to the admiration of one and all. 

My grandson Chi. Pranav also performed wonderfully well to the appreciation of his Guru and the audience. You can see it on UTube at the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zq2PeqBFSM. My wish that someone in my family should master the art to the level of an Arangetram got fulfilled after 41 years ie three generations. KUDOS TO MY DAUGHTER AND PRANAV. GOD BLESS THEM.

THE LURE OF DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS

Hi friends,

I remember an incident when I was working in south India in the 80s. As we were living within the factory, the company provided a bus both in the afternoon and evening to go to the nearby town to do the shopping for the family. I went on the evening bus with my wife. We used to buy items from different shops.

In every shop, my colleagues maintained a notebook wherein the purchases were noted and the payment was made at the end of the month. I did not opt for the notebook and I bought all the items against cash. The shopkeepers used to insist on a notebook but I politely declined. When my wife inquired, I told her the following reasons.

1. By paying cash, we are able to plan our purchases.
2. We carry only the cash required for purchase.
3. We can return any excess purchase.
4. We are not tempted to buy unnecessary and unwanted items.
5. We have the freedom to go to any shop.
6. We need not compromise on quality or quantity.
7. We have the option to negotiate the price and discount.
8. Any fraud by the shopkeeper in the notebook cannot be noticed.
9. We have control over the expenses and we can save.
10. We do not get any shock at the end of the month on seeing the notebook.

All these benefits are lost by using the notebook. Many people spend beyond their income and suffer by not being able to clear the loan. Just because a person is getting a good salary, it does not mean he can spend lavishly. After all, the salary is linked to the cost of living. Now in the place of the notebook, the bank is issuing debit/credit cards. Everyone is having a card. It has become a status symbol. People laugh at you if you don't have a card. No one carries cash.

In the case of a debit card, one must have a bank balance. His purchase is debited to his account. In the case of a credit card, the bank fixes his borrowing limit based on income. There is no interest for a certain grace period. After the grace period, the interest is high. But the bank also collects commission from the person providing credit. How people are lured by this? How they have fallen prey? Is it good for the individual/society?

Previously it was a savings economy. People were advised to save. Now it is a spending economy. People spend lavishly on credit. Everywhere, people talk only about principle, interest, EMI, etc. One can go for a loan only for long-term investments like housing, education, etc. but not for daily expenses, fancy and unproductive expenses. 

To meet such expenses, one looks for various ways of increasing the income leading to corruption, thereby losing peace of mind. Spending within the income and earning what you want to spend is quite different. The latter leads to unethical ways, indebtedness, and corruption. Fortunately, according to statistics, India has the lowest percentage of people having debit/credit cards.

I am an old goose and conservative. I do not have any cards including a postcard. I do not have an Internet phone. I do not have access to WhatsApp, Skype, etc. I do not understand the modern approach to life. I believe old is gold. Work hard, earn to your capacity, lead a simple life within the income, invest for the future should be the motto. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

THE TALE OF TWO CITIES

Hi friends,

Everyone loves his place. If he goes to a different place, he longs to come back. Such is the attachment. People do not evaluate the plus and minus of both places. He always considers his place as the best.

I lived in Chennai for 50 years. I have shifted to Hyderabad. I wish to compare both the cities for their plus and minus. In my opinion, it is a fair assessment. It is up to the readers to accept or reject it.

1.WEATHER: Chennai is hot and sultry from March to September, and it rains from October to December. It is pleasant only in January and February. Hyderabad is hot during April and May. The rain during June, July, and August is not severe.  It is pleasant for the rest of the year. Humidity is low and there is no sweating.

2. RESPECT FOR ELDERS: In the buses, two seats in white are earmarked for senior citizens. In Chennai, people do not vacate the seat even on request. In Hyderabad, people offer you with all respect. People are sympathetic, friendly, and helpful to elders

3. SOIL: Chennai has clay soil not suitable for construction. Cracks develop in the buildings. Sufficient precaution is to be taken. The groundwater is salty. People use rainwater. In Hyderabad the soil is rocky. Foundation is strong. Manjeera river water is used for drinking.

4. REAL ESTATE: In Chennai, demand for real estate and rental is more. The cost of houses is high. 10 months rent as advance is collected. In Hyderabad, the demand is normal, the cost is cheaper and only 2 months advance is collected.

5. PRICES: In Chennai the cost is high and the quality is not good. Most of the shops are supermarkets and they do not pass on the discount to the customers. In Hyderabad, you have small Kiranas and they share the discount. This makes prices cheaper and the quality is also good.

6. RELIGION: In Chennai, the Hindus outnumber the Muslims. They live in separate pockets. During Vinayaka Chaturthi, there is always a ruckus. In Hyderabad, both communities are equal and they live together harmoniously. There is religious tolerance.

7. ENTERTAINMENT: In Chennai, you have a beach for the poor. Even then, cinemas are costly. The ticket is Rs.150. The rate is more for new releases. The hotels are costly. Even idly and dosa is costly. In Hyderabad, the rate for an AC theater is Rs40. The hotels are also comparatively cheaper.

8. TRANSPORT: In Chennai, people travel by bus and EMU trains. It is heavily crowded. The seats are narrow and not sufficient for one person. The crew is rude and does not respect the passengers. Auto drivers charge a fortune.  In Hyderabad buses, the front half is for ladies with separate doors and the rear half is for gents with separate doors. There is good understanding among the bus/auto drivers and the public. EMU compartments are clean and neat.

9. LABOUR: In Chennai it is costly. They charge exorbitant rates and they never do the work properly and completely. In Hyderabad, the labor is reasonable. The quality of work is also good. They come on time and do not cheat on the purchase of materials.

10. CLEANLINESS: Both Chennai and Hyderabad lack in this aspect. However, Hyderabad is better.  Secundrabad Railway station is far better than Chennai Central. You find filth on the tracks in Chennai Central. Most of the roads are cemented in Hyderabad. People are more responsible and do not throw rubbish on the road.

11. EDUCATION: In Chennai the standard is good. But there is the language problem. The capitation fees are high. In Hyderabad, the standard is better, the syllabus is tough, and Hindi is compulsory. More people are successful in IIT and IIM and go overseas for higher studies.

12. ECONOMY: Hyderabad is better than Chennai. Krishna, Godavari, and other rivers provide water for irrigation. There is water scarcity in Chennai. Chennai consists of a moving population. Hyderabad is growing. New industries are coming up and real estate is growing. There is good governance and people are happy.

13.ELECTRICITY: Chennai is better placed than Hyderabad. In Chennai, thermal stations and nuclear power stations contribute to higher power generation. In Chennai, it is cheaper but the demand is more. In Hyderabad, it is costly but the demand is less due to the weather. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

OUR LIFE STYLE AT OLD AGE

Hi friends,

Hard work, a legitimate way of earning money, and a disciplined lifestyle give perfect health and mental peace. I am 72 and my wife is 69. We have got our two children married and we have three grandchildren. We are now living independently. We both are reasonably secure, hale, and healthy. I wish to share with you, OUR LIFESTYLE AT OLD AGE.

We wake up at 5-30 in the morning and have a cup of coffee. We then discuss the day's schedule. After we finish the morning rituals, we go for a walk for an hour. After we return, we have half a cup of coffee/milk to refresh. We do not have servant maids and we do all the chores by our self.  

Ours is a two-bedroom independent house. She sweeps the floor and I mop it. I wash/clean the vegetables and she cuts them. We have no washing machine, so we wash our clothes. Periodically, we wash the pillow covers, bedspreads, window screens, and Netlon screens. When we find time, we clean the furniture, fans, etc. Once a week, we sweep the terrace and around our house. We do all these works only as an exercise to maintain health and to relieve boredom.

We go for a bath. She then starts cooking, I read Hindu and Times of India. I practice some exercise/yoga/meditation for 15 minutes. While cooking, she says some slokas. By 10-30, we have 4/5 chappatis, vegetables, and a cup of buttermilk.[On Saturday and Sunday, we have normal food with rice, sambar, and curry.] We avoid sweets and snacks. We wash the utensils both in the morning/night. Then I read books and she watches TV. In the afternoon we have a nap for 30 minutes. Occasionally we visit relatives.

By 4 PM, we have a half cup of coffee or tea with 2 or 3 idlis/dosas. We then go for a walk similar to the one in the morning avoiding traffic. Simultaneously, we finish the purchases. Ours is budgeted life. We have medical insurance for 10 lakhs each. After return, we have a bath. Then, we say some prayers for ten minutes. I start reading books or listen to music.  I don't watch TV as I cannot hear. At 7 PM, we have 4/5 chappathies//vegetable and a cup of milk/curd. We then go to bed at 9 PM.

Reading books, writing articles, going for walks daily, doing puja and saying slokas, visiting friends and relatives, going to temples/pilgrimage, napping, browsing the Internet, watching classical movies, listening to good music, playing with children, caring and sharing small domestic chores, learning and doing Yoga, playing sudoku, attending discourses, are some of the traits that we follow to keep our self engaged.

Once in two months, we go on a pilgrimage. Once in two months, we visit our son at Hyderabad for 10/15 days. Our daughter is in the US. We have visited her in 2013 and in 2015. We may visit in 2017 as it is helpful to the daughter. We are workaholics and we wish to contribute where ever we go. 

Our house was damaged by the floods in Dec 2015. I have renovated the house and rented it out. We are now staying with our son. Lifestyle is different here. I doubt whether we will be able to continue our routine. Both of us like Hyderabad and our granddaughter is also here. We pray for a peaceful life.  MAY GOD  BLESS YOU.

THE TRUTH IS ALWAYS BITTER

Hi friends

Truth is bitter in the sense that it is not well received, it is not accepted, it is not appreciated and people always try to evade it.

There are two types of poor people in India. One who study day and night under the street light, without food, pass the exams with high marks, gets a scholarship, goes to the US, works as a server in a hotel, earns some money for a living, passes in first grade, gets a good job and sends money to India.

The other is one who does not study well, goes for menial jobs, earns a meager salary, sees cinemas, indulges in street fights, hero-worship actors and actresses and glorifies them,, drinks alcohol, does rowdy things, beats wife and children due to poverty. 

Who is contributing to the country? We have celebrated 70 years of Independence. Still, there is poverty all around. How long we are going to be like this?. When this agony will end?. When there will be no starvation in India? When our country is going to be a fully developed nation?

Ours is a welfare society. Our Govt's resources are limited. They have to protect the poor and also support the rich. They have to do the Robin Hood job. The main agenda is the uplifting of the poor. The Govt. has to get from the rich and give it to the poor. This cannot be done without the support of the rich.

The poor should understand this. How long the Govt. can support them? Reservation in education, jobs, etc. is given to them. The subsidy is extended to them on all necessities. They cannot be at the receiving end always. They should be concerned about receiving like this. 

They should also contribute to the welfare of the nation. For that, they have to first study well and come up in life. Education is the most important. It is the backbone of any society. It is the best investment in life. Without education, no one can advance in life.

But the poor are after cinema, politics, cheap money,[corruption], idleness, alcohol, etc. If you are really patriotic, make them study well. I want to say that in some of the poorest of poor families, education is a must and in two generations they become rich by studying hard.

The rich, mind their business in making money. But the poor indulges in religious fights, politics, cinema, etc. Religion is only to be followed and not to be propagated. One can support a political party but should not indulge in its activities. One can see the cinema but should not go hero-worshiping.

When our people are going to realize their responsibilities? God only knows. HE only can save this country. I am optimistic. I Pray to God to bring good sense to the people. I pray that my country should become a world leader. JAI HIND. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

THE KNEE PAIN AT OLD AGE

Hi friends,

In 1990, I was working in South India. Since my father-in-law was having eye surgery, we went to Tiruchy leaving the kids with my mother for 2 or 3 days. My wife was happy to be with her father when he was undergoing treatment.

After the surgery was over, there was an SOS message from my mother asking us to return immediately as she was sick. My daughter was 14 and my son was 10. We rushed back and reached home in the evening.

It took a long time for my mother to open the door. She was unable to walk even one step. She was suffering from severe pain in her knee. I did not know what to do. On the next day, I consulted my colleagues who suggested Dr. Jayaprakash Narayanan at Tirunelveli.

I went to Tirunelveli and brought the doctor by taxi covering 80 Kms to and fro. The doctor was the Dean of the Govt Medical college for Indian Medicine. He came immediately to my request understanding my agony. He tested my mother and said it was Osteoarthritis. 

He explained to me by keeping my palm on her knee to feel the grinding sound when she moved her knee. He gave a medicine. It was 10 grams costing  Rs400/. A small quantity of the size of a rice grain, put on a betel leave, with one drop of ghee is to be taken on an alternate day.

While taking the medicine, she felt like an electrical shock all over her body. She had to take the medicine for 15 days. I came to know later that it was Siddha medicine containing Gold Bhasbam. She was completely cured and there was no problem for another 25 years.

Arthritis is a severe handicap for old people. They have to suffer a lot. Normally, parents do not reveal their suffering to their children. Their children should understand and extend physical, moral, and financial support to alleviate the pain both in their knees and HEART.

A JOURNEY WITH CLARINET : BY PRANAV KARTIK

At the age of 9, in 2009, I participated in my school band when I was in 4th grade. Until then, I did not have any intention of learning music. My grandmother and mother are good singers in South Indian classical music. After that program, I wished to learn Clarinet since I was inspired by its look and sound. 

When I first played it, I was so happy and felt as if it was a part of me. The first song I  played on clarinet was Hot Cross Buns.  I had no difficulty in gliding my fingers over the instrument though my friends said it was difficult to move the fingers quickly. 

One day, I heard my mom practicing a pattern in Indian Classical music. I got inspired to try that pattern on clarinet. I practiced many times until I was satisfied. For the first few months, I learned the basic scales of classical music with a few simple songs. 

My mom thought I needed a teacher to guide me. Mr. AKC Natarajan is a well-known musician who has mastered the art of playing Indian Classical music on Clarinet. Prof. William Powell of The California Institute of Arts described him as ‘The Mount Everest of Clarinet”. 

My mom contacted him over the phone in India. I played a classical pattern for him. He was pleased and said it was hard to play classical music on clarinet and my performance was very good.  He agreed to teach me and  I was only his second disciple after Prof. Powell in clarinet.

The classes were through Skype, late in the night due to differences in time. The language of my teacher was also different. My teacher was tough to get perfection in my training. My passion to learn and the support extended by my mom helped me to overcome all the difficulties. 

After 5 years of practice, my first stage performance in 2014, was miserable. The mistakes I committed in rhythm and melody were an eye-opener. I realized that it was going to be an uphill task to gain mastery. I toiled day and night even preferring clarinet over schoolwork. Frequent public performances helped me to improve my skills and to master the nuances of the instrument. 

After 7 years of intense practice, at the age of 16, my debut performance as a professional clarinetist was arranged in India under the auspices of my Guru in the summer of 2016. It was a two-hour performance in the presence of many legends in south Indian classical music. 

I went to Tiruchirapalli, India, the hometown of my Master, and stayed with him for several days and practiced for long hours under his guidance. A wrist injury and stiffness in the jaw due to excessive playing gave some trouble. However, my master insisted on the practice and said, "you must practice till your lips bleed."

During the concert, I had to have two supporting artists on violin and tabla. Non-verbal coordination and clear understanding were immensely needed to perform in harmony. In three days, we turned out to be a great team.

Sep 3, 2016, dawned. There was press coverage by a leading newspaper. I Entered the auditorium filled with connoisseurs and critics and it was a nerve-racking experience. I said to myself “C'mon, you can do it". Nothing mattered to me thereafter, neither my master, nor the audience, nor the surroundings. It was just me and my clarinet. I performed to the appreciation of one and all!            
                                                                                                        
It was the most memorable and pleasant moment of my life. I should thank my parents for the wonderful support they gave me during my training. I discovered a new dimension within me. I realized that talent alone cannot win but it has to be combined with grit, determination, and hard work. Even now, I practice for long hours, enjoying the adrenaline rush and the aspiration to create magic with clarinet. 

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Hi friends. 

Meeting your spouse for the first time is the most memorable occasion. No one will forget it. It is a unique feeling. In Nov 1973, when I was 28, I had this experience. When I went to my place Srirangam to celebrate Deepavali, my mother told me that I was going to see a girl in the afternoon for my marriage. 

I went to see the girl along with my sister. We were given Deepavali snacks and sweets instead of the regular Kesari and Bajji. There was a big hall with two pillars. Her parents sat on the side and we sat in the center facing the girl. She was on the floor near a pillar. She was wearing a cream-colored silk Saree, looked beautiful, homely, and to my liking. It was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT for me.

After formal inquiries, my sister, a degree holder in music, asked her whether she knew singing. I was no expert but I loved Carnatic and melodious film music. In those days, the girl was supposed to know Carnatic music and should be able to sing. This would help her to perform puja and to recite slokas.

She said she knew singing. She was a  fan of MLV and Radha Jayalakshmi and she followed their style in singing. Shruthi box was brought and her first song was GAJAVADHANA on Lord Ganesha. She sang well and my sister appreciated and requested another one. Her second song was SRI VALLI DEVA SENAPATHE on our family deity.

Seeing our interest, her mother persuaded her to sing another song. The third song, PRANAMAMYAGAM was a melodious one. Then I requested another one and she sang MALL MARUGA SHANMUGA on Lord Muruga. She sang all the songs wonderfully which made me request a last one. With a smile, she sang  DEVADHI DEVA SRI VASUDEVA.

Though interested, we did not ask her to sing any further. I think she may be the only one to sing 5 songs at a girl-seeing ceremony. In later years, after our marriage, she used to sing without any reservation. Among all songs she has sung so far, the one that gives me peace of mind is SRI CHAKRA RAJA

THE SECOND SONG WAS...MAAL MARUGA SHANMUGA

THE THIRD SONG WAS.....PRANAMAMYAHAM

THE FOURTH SONG WAS......SRI VALLI  DEVASENAPATHE

THE FIFTH SONG WAS .....DEVADHI DEVA SRI VASUDEVA

SRI CHAKRA RAJA

TWO IN ONE

Hi friends,

THE INVADER.

We did not know how it entered our house. No one noticed. It had come stealthily without our knowledge. It was ransacking our house. It had cut the provision pockets, new clothes, oil cans, bread pockets, biscuits, etc, and left nothing. The loss was considerable. During the night, it had free run making my wife tremble with fear which to date I could not do. She had sleepless nights. It was so alert to go into the hiding.

I suggested, we could close the doors of the kitchen and bedrooms, and empty the storeroom to kill it or drive it out. We got ready with a stick on hand but everyone got onto the chairs out of fear. I felt sorry for the little one. The moment it went out either a crow or a cat or a dog would enjoy a nice breakfast. Knowing our plan, it ran straight into the TV cabinet from where it would be difficult to chase it away
.
I went to the nearby provision store to complain that it was coming only from his shop. He laughed at me but suggested a powder meant for it. He asked me to apply it on a coconut kernel and to keep it in the place where it was hiding.

After two hours my wife found it dead behind the washing machine. She was afraid of even the dead one, I had to clean the place and bury it with state honors. My heart went out for the little mouse in losing its life without listening to my words by escaping out of the house

I JUST LOVE THE KIDS

I just love the kids. Not only my children but also other's children. They are cute, energetic, playful, and restless. Most of the girl children are timid, shy, and reserved but the boys are somewhat bold. Whenever I see any child below ten, I like to interact with them, put them questions just to have fun, and play with them. Normally, I ask only a few questions to test their intelligence.

The questions are: 
1. Whom do you like more? your father or mother? 
2, How many letters are there in A, B, C, D?

You will find the questions are simple. Mostly, this happens during a journey either on the train or bus or in some functions. I find children of educated parents answered without shyness. Other children just twisted their bodies out of shyness and do not answer. Secondly. for the first question, they answered either the father or the mother or both. For the second question, they answered 27, or 28, or 26.

One 8-year-old girl stunned me with a wonderful answer when I was traveling to Chennai from Bangalore in Brindavan Express. I hugged the girl, appreciated her, and gave her a chocolate.

HER ANSWERS WERE 
1. I LIKE MY MOTHER AT HOME AND MY FATHER WHEN WE GO OUT.
2. IT IS 4 LETTERS.

BRILLIANT IS IT NOT?

.

SPECIAL DAYS

Hi friends, 

In every field, we are following more of western culture than our own Indian culture. Even in cases where it is exclusive for us, we follow the western method. In the case of birthdays, westerners follow the day on which a person is born. It is his birthday. They invite close relatives, buy a new dress, cut the cake and celebrate the day
.
The Indian system is different. The date of birth is only for record purposes. Actually, it is the month and the star on which the person is born is his birthday. It is the day on which the star exists and not on any other day. It may vary every year. Only the family members know the exact day and no outsider will know the birthday.

On that day, the family consisting of grandparents, parents. sons and daughters will celebrate the day. The mother prepares some sweets and offers to the Lord. The person will seek the blessings of the Lord, and the elders. Younger ones will seek his blessings. 

There is no question of 'wishing' in our culture. There is only 'seeking' blessings. Only the elders are qualified to bless. The blessing of the parent LONG LIVE MY CHILD is more powerful than shaking hands. Without knowing the value of blessings, we are blindly following the western culture and wishing the person on a wrong day.

Similarly, the wedding day. It is purely a personal matter between the couple. Nobody knows whether they are living happily or not. They may be even planning for a divorce. Who knows? What is the fun in wishing them? Whether it is going to solve their problems? It is going to irritate them further. Why should you do this to an unhappy couple? If they are happy they know how to seek the blessings of their elders and enjoy the wedding day. Please leave them.

Nowadays, many such days have cropped up. Valentine day, father's day, mother's day,  teacher's day, Akshaya thirithi day, etc, etc. Why follow these so-called days? Do your duty,  make your parents happy, help the poor and pray to God. That is what is required of you. May God bless you.

A GREAT MISTAKE

Hi friends,

When I was young,  my father advised me to learn Hindi. In 1965, when I was 20, the Hindi agitation was started in Tamil Nadu. Due to this, most of the Tamils could not learn the language. Hindi is next to English in usage in the world. I give below the details taken from Wikipedia.

English-365 million, Hindi-310 mn, Tamil-70 mn, Telugu-76 mn, Kannada-38 mn, Malayalam-38 mn.

Students are happy when they are asked not to study. If exams are canceled or schools are closed they are happy. Instead of starting "Hindi agitation, they should have started "Support to Tamil" so that students would have studied both languages.

Learning a language is different from accepting it as an official language. You are depriving people of becoming intelligent. You are spoiling their future. It is now more than 50 years and 90% of the Tamils [70 million] do not know Hindi. I am also one among them without knowledge of Hindi.

Whenever I have to deal with Hindi, I remember what my father told me and what I have missed in my life. Other states including Andhra, Karnataka, and Kerala [who speak Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam] studied Hindi and are working in various parts of the country. 

The Tamils are unable to move out of the state. When people from other states settled in Tamilnadu, the locals will lose job opportunities to them and there will be resentment among the Tamils. The standard of English is also poor. Without knowing these two languages getting jobs in other states is impossible.

There should be an awakening among our people to learn Hindi and English and to go out of this state to earn money. The educated should not be content with their children learning it. The poor and downtrodden do not know the value of it. 

They follow the politicians madly without knowing its implications. They are happy if they need not study. Only after growing up, they may realize. But it will be too late. There is no point in worshiping the Sun God after losing one's eyesight.

Without scoring high marks in TOEFL, one cannot go to a foreign country for a job. Similarly, without learning Hindi and English one cannot go to other states to earn money and send it home. 

When you work in the US and send money to India, it is income for India. Similarly, when you work in other places in India and send money to Tamil Nadu, it is income for our state.  I pray to God to make the people realize the truth and reality. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.