Athimber, As I Knew Him I have to date back to my days in 23, Vedachala Gardens, when Rangaraju (my cousin) and I were two mischief makers. In fact generally all others in the colony would look at us with suspicious eyes as to what we were up to? I had never seen 25, Vedachala Gardens locked and not even closed. A real open house with unlimited access to both of us (to anyone in fact). In fact at times only Peria Atthimber used to be there seated on his easy chair with eyes closed and his fingers counting something. We both used to think that he was asleep and we used to confirm by going near him and observing him from all directions and in fact Rangaraju was bold enough to even touch his kudumi. Seeing no reaction we used to presume that he was asleep and go about our duty of checking in the kitchen for snacks and edibles, At times when Periya Athai used to land up during these adventures of ours, Atthimber used say, kuzyanthigalluku eathavathu vaikarthane- Why didn’t you leave something for the children to eat in a neutral fashion and we never understood his intention. In the school, he was highly respected by the students not because he was a terror, but a silent saint who used to go about teaching without bothering about the vishammagal (mischief) the kids used to do. I am unable to even imagine him going around the school with a stick leave alone beating someone or shouting at the students. When I say he earned the respect of students, it is not just from the elite students but also from the ruffians of Mandaiveli. After my joining the Army, I used to visit Chennai once a year, I always visited 12, Vedachala gardens to pay respects to Atthimber and Athai. What I remember most is that when I entered the house, he simply used to announce to nobody in particular but indirectly to Athai, Ravi vandirukkan- Ravi has come)” and athai used to come with a hot cup of coffee with its flavour reaching me before the coffee and with some snacks or other. After my marriage, I still remember my first discussion with him when he asked me as to who the headmaster was when I finished my SSLC in PS High School. Unfortunately I did not know the name but only the nick name (All the teachers in PS High School had nick names). I blurted out that I knew him only as Eli (mouse) and not the actual name. Still no rebuke from him. In fact he explained that Mr. Ramanathaa Aiyar it must have been then. I am sure he must have known his nick name ( Thel Kodukku ) because of his kudumi. I still remember his admission in BSR Hospital with all gadgets around him showing various readings. Early morning he simply plucked out all the tubes and walked (of course in his usual way of oscillating left and right but without a walking stick) to the toilet. There was a commotion when the duty nurse in the ICU called the young duty doctor who could not believe his eyes. Atthimber after coming back simply told him that for 90 years he has gone to the toilet on his own and never ever used a bed pan and that if something happened to him because of this so be it. In fact after his discharge from the hospital, I had managed to get a jawan from army (Rampal) for about two weeks to assist him. After his demise, I still recollect that when Urmila told Rampal later in our house in Meerut that athimber had passed away, Rampal immediately made a Pranam (Sevvikarathu) then and there with devotion in his eyes and which brought tears in both Uri’s eyes and mine. So here was a man who inspired not just you and me and members of the family but almost every person who came into contact with him. Your life indeed was a great learning experience for us. I salute you Atthimber. C.R.Devanathan (Ravi)