25, Vedachala Gardens, a veritable Vedanthagal Peria mama, that is how he was called, was the eldest of the brothers of Soolankurichi Chakravarthy Iyengar's family. Peria mama is hereafter appropriately referred as PM in this article). PM’s elder sister (Delhi Ramu's mother) got married to one in Chennai. But it was PM’s shift from the village to join as a teacher in P.S high school that was inspiration to his other sisters and brother to move over to Madras. Delhi Ramu's mother, My mother's mother, Adyar Kannan's mother, Pattamma's father were all his sisters and brother. They lived as a closely knit family. And everybody looked up to PM for guidance and support. I remember my father telling me that when he passed the Inspectors' examination in the postal department and was called up for an interview at Madras, he came straight to PM's house. My aunt Delhi Rukku, whenever she came to Chennai, used to park herself at 25, Vedachala Gardens. This is because PM and Periya mami received everyone with a broad smile and a memorable hospitality. And my Upanayanam was also performed in their house. In those days we were in Pollachi. My father brought me to Madras to admit me in Loyola college hostel. That was the first time that I met PM and his family. His infectious smile warmed me up to him. His sons Gopalan and Sampath were very friendly to me. Though I was in the hostel I was drawn to them during Sundays and holidays. My uncle Gopu was also living in the same area, and it was nice for me to spend all my time with them. There was a machchu (a loft that was more like a mezzanine floor) in his house and PM used to climb up on it, sit quietly and keep himself busy writing books and notes! The LIFCO publications, who were bringing Guides and notes were engaging him on contract and he was writing in the nickname of Jenkins. It was popular among students. He and mami were very hospitable and used to supply endless cups of coffee to visitors to their house and the extra money earned by him was perhaps sufficient to meet all additional expenses. Children from 4 different houses used to meet at his place and engage themselves playing cards or chess. PM's father Sri Chakravarthy Iyengar used to join them in these games. Everyone had an enjoyable time and it was all fun and frolic. PM was popular for his jokes, or shall we say, his bluff! Once his school had declared a sudden holiday. When the students of the lower classes asked for the reason, he simply said, "Maranayi Kutti pottudu" (the wooden dog in the school has given birth to a pup!) The news spread like wild fire and everyone was keen to see the mother and the new-born pup! I vividly recall his daughter Vanaja's marriage. As she was his only daughter he performed it with a lot of enthusiasm, spending beyond his means. I remember that over 25 of us went to the Madras Central Railway station to see her off as she was leaving for New Delhi with the newly wed husband. Somehow, life had been unkind to such a gentle soul. His son-in-law passed away five yrs after his daughter's marriage. His second son Sampath died along with his entire family in a building collapse in Calcutta. It was a terrible thing to happen for a man who approached life with joy and happiness. Still like a true follower of Gita, he carried on his duty. All his children and grandchildren are following the same principles of magnanimity, hospitality, cheerfulness and love of life. The very fact that all of them have joined to celebrate his birth centenary speaks volumes of personality of that gentle and affable C.Srinivasan. R.Narasimhan (Kannan)