Agraharathu Thatha Penning down my thoughts about Agraharathu Thatha is not an easy job. When I walk down memory lane, my first recollections are of the eagerness with which I used to wait for my summer holidays. Though the sweltering heat of Chennai was no better than the dry heat of Nagpur, I used to look forward to the summer holidays. I remember that I would part ways with Amma at Chennai Central itself and see her only on the date of the return journey. It was always a forgone conclusion that I would head for Mandaveli directly from Chennai Central while my mother would go to her parent’s place in Tiruvanmiyur. Thatha, with his ears glued to the pocket radio, reclining on the easy chair, was a ubiquitous presence at the entrance of the house at Vedachala Gardens. His willingness to go to the market at the drop of the hat still brings a smile on my face. In fact, I remember him running to the market at the beck and call of Paati. One day, during my holidays, Paati was in an exceptionally foul mood. As usual, Thatha asked her, Kadaiku poren, enna vangindu varuthu? (going to the shop. What should I buy?)” Paati was in a particularly foul mood and her response was Unga Thalai (your head)”. Instead of getting annoyed or irritated, thatha immediately bent his head and said Indha (here, take)”. In retrospect, I admire his patience and cool-headedness. I have never seen him angry or annoyed. Never have I heard him speak a word against Paati (though Paati had this habit of disturbing everyone with her nocturnal cooking activities like making Mysore Paak or Thattai at odd hours!) Another trait of Thatha which comes to my mind immediately is his generosity. The aluminium petti (cash box) was always overflowing with money. I remember, when I used to make my mandatory visit to Thiruvanmiyur (Rukmini Paati’s place), thatha would always give me more than sufficient cash though a mere bus charge would have been enough. Most of my liking for good food is inherited from Thatha. He was fortunate to have Kamala Paati with him, since I firmly believe that no one can equal her in culinary skills. I feel that even if Paati gave us boiled water with perungayam as rasam, it would still taste heavenly. A mere touch of her hand would turn an ordinary food to ambrosia. Thatha’s favourite items like Uppappam, bajji, Wheat halwa, rice upma, kunuku, green chillies chutney, etc are certainly my favourites too. But the appreciable quality about him was his self-imposed restrictions on the quantity he ate. It was because of this quality that he led a reasonably healthy life and lived long. As time passed, we all settled down into our own lives with very little time for anything or anyone else. Holidays in Chennai became a thing of the past. We were all caught in the rat race, busy with our jobs, our newly acquired families, kids, etc. In retrospect, I keep questioning myself “Was I not inconsiderate with Thatha and Paati?? Have I, even in a small measure, reciprocated the love and affection that they showered on me during my stay with them?”. These are questions which have no answers. I console myself that it is only our circumstances that make us flow with the tide. We take so many things for granted and realize how much better things could have been only when it is too late. I rationalize my behaviour by repeating the truth that grandparents are put on earth to personify unselfish love. I sign off with the following few lines- Like the ones before us And the ones to come after The blueprint of life Is a cycle of life forever Usha Murali