This edition of the newsletter is especially cherishable because it threw light on many unknown facets of Appa. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that I got to know him better after reading all the articles. On one side, there is a sense of pride but on the other hand there is also some regret, some wishful thinking on why I did not make efforts to know Appa better when he was around. Life is such. I am conscious that such thinking on my part is just too little, too late….

Kannan Anna’s warmth and affection for Appa shone through his article. I can imagine two of the best brains in the family engrossed deeply in a chess duel. Charred potato curry was waiting to happen! PG Wodehouse is an eternal favourite of mine as well, something I was inculcated into at a young age by Appa. Kannan Anna’s memories were very relatable since I too remember his heart attack (when I was in 11th grade), I also remember his ‘dandi march’ (excessive walking while recovering) at St Martha’s hospital which sent him right back to the ICU causing another major flutter in our family. His US trip, savings at any cost and subsequently using the savings for my wedding-all these came alive by reading Kannan Anna’s article.

I loved Raghu Chitappa’s candid style of writing. He was spot on when he said “we siblings never quarrelled , but we were also not very close”. Certainly, Appa was not demonstrative about his affections and had very few friends at work as well. His closest friends were his cousins the two Kannans in the family, he used to say that very often. Sound sleep is an apt phrase used by chitappa since we have heard the ‘sound’ kurratai every night 

Parthasarathy Chitappa’s article was packed with memories and more. I remember Appa’s bridge tournaments so well. He would come home very late at night. Me and Amma would peep through the kitchen glass before letting him in, Amma would smile and be happy only if he came with some useful prize, till then she would be tense and ready to admonish him when he came home. It is incredible that I can still remember Harry Loraigne’s memory methods, it stood me in good stead to remember dates, prose, poetry, etc. His love for Priya (for the uninitiated-Priya was our pet family member) was legendary. We took her as a 'pup in basket’ across south india by train, that is quite a feat achieved by Appa. It is indeed tragic that Appa passed away just a few months before Mohan and family relocated from Indonesia to India for good. I join Parthasarthy chitappa in the group of “I should have”… there are many things which I should have but did not….

Amritha Chitti’s article reflected her deep affection for Appa. The Baroda rain/storm incident (through which Appa slept soundly) is a hilarious reminder of the gift of good sleep which Appa had. As observed by Chitti, he started enjoying his life only after retirement. I had never seen him spend on himself or indulge in any kind of comfort/luxury till post retirement. The urge for learning new things, irrespective of age, is something which I feel proud to have inherited from Appa. And perhaps along with it comes a free dose of a few eccentricities too

Santhanam Anna’s article “My experience with three Governors” was absolutely engrossing. The style of writing reflected complete honesty and transparency, it was as if we were there in Raj Bhavan. We were fortunate to get a peek into the Governor’s office. I felt a surge of pride while reading the article-What an elevation for Anna, how proud Jayakka and Athimber, Kausalya manni and Rahul must have been. True to most of our experiences, even light postings become heavy and Santhanam Anna’s experience on this count only strengthens my belief that good work is rewarded with more and more work, either coincidentally or intentionally. The hectic political parleys of 1988 must have increased the adrenaline rush in the Governor’s office, how tough it must have been, to stay tight lipped and dignified in the face of political upheavals in the background. I am eagerly looking forward to the second/concluding part of Anna’s article.

The first time articles published in this edition by chitappa were truly first time reading for me and I am sharing my thoughts as a first time reader. I wonder what stopped me from reading this treasure trove of articles when they were published, I have no answers to that question though.

I loved Parthasarathy Chitappa’s most enjoyed experiences/activities/moments. How important it is to note these down. I cannot remember anything now, I wish I had cherished my memories and made the effort to write it down. I realized that Chitappa’s life is as eventful now as it was back then, cheers to that.

Chitti’s letter to her mother in Tamizh-it took me some time to read it since I am a self -taught Tamizh reader. Loved the detailing in the letter- about the people, places visited, accuracy and attention to every minute detail. The mobile revolution, advancements in technology has one victim for sure-the good old hand written letter.

Prasad’s article was gripping, because it gave us a ringside view of one of the most earth- shattering events in modern history-09/11. There could not have been a better choice of words to describe the event- “airline apocalypse”. CNN and the likes haven’t learnt anything and continue to fuel mindless hysteria even today, just as Prasad mentioned in his article twenty years ago. COVID is the new 09/11 making layoffs as commonplace as ever. Unfortunately, it is déjà vu, history has this tendency to repeat, and repeat only the unpleasant parts! The positive note on which he concluded his article reminds me of the beautiful rainbow after the heavy rains.

I read all the articles of this newsletter on the train, when I was travelling by Shatabdi to Chennai. I must have smiled to myself so many times while reading Mukund’s ‘No Thangamani - ensoi’, I am sure my co-passengers must have decided that I had escaped from some mental asylum The less than desirable culinary skills of men in the family is matched by some of the girls too, I for one cannot make edible Upma. I am sure Padi’s upma must have been better. The incident of Prestige cooker exploding was hilarious and I couldn’t stop laughing.

Nithya’s poem was so touching, her affection for her grandfather was easy to see in her article.

Aarthi is and has always been an excellent writer. Her statement of purpose was classy, honest and gave the reader a glimpse into her personality. I wish I had read it earlier, it would have helped with Deepti’s SOP for her Masters’ admissions in the US and maybe got her entry into a better university!

Radha’s article, Rahul’s random notes all made excellent reading. But remembering Deepu and Shriram by Santhanam Anna moved me to tears. Having gone through unimaginable personal pain and loss in 2006, I can empathise with everyone who was impacted by the tragic loss of two young lives of Deepu and Shriram. Life may go on, it HAS to, but those who go away, so suddenly, so prematurely, take away a part of us with them. Life can never be the same…

Sudarshan Athimber’s article was very breezy, it held a key message that problems bring in welcome changes. How true!

Kausalya Manni’s article ‘In a web of crime’ was fantastic. I could relate to it since I have watched the longest running play “The mouse trap” in London, it was an amazing experience.

Chennai is just an hour away and I quickly read the articles of Harish, Urmila, Vanaja athai, Archana's father and Vasu. I could relate to Harish's and Vasu's articles as I have been to both New York and Hawaii. We have heard a lot about different aspects of Thatha's personality in the weekly get-togethers. Yet I felt touched by Urmila's tribute. We have all enjoyed Vanaja athai's various anecdotes and her ability to poke fun at herself. I could relive those moments with athai while reading her article. I like to read about freedom fighters and reading about Mr. Varadachari (Archana's great grandfather) was a revelation to me.Later Parthasarathy chithappa told me that Mr.Varadachari fought the emergency as vigorously as he fought for the country's freedom.

All the four parts of “The early days” by Kannan Anna made excellent reading. His goodness, sincerity, gentleness, sense of humour and soft nature are well reflected in his writings. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the theft of the silverplate by the landlord’s son. I could easily understand the large heartedness of Athimber to withdraw the case. The vivid description of his early schooling at Vellore brought alive the prim and properly dressed teacher before my eyes. Kannan Anna pinching two annas and buying kamarkattu for Chooda mami-that was so adventurous. By the way, Kamarkattu is my favourite too, it is a mystery to me why this king of Indian chocolates is available only in Tamilnadu. Kannananna has written so beautifully about his school days, the thrill of enacting patriotic slogans without understanding the meanings, accompanying his sisters to school, the riots after Bapuji’s assassination, etc. I wonder how it must have been to be a part of some of the historic events of our country. The thrilling incident of Anna’s friend Raghupathy catching a snake was vividly described, it must have been so scary though. The lack of medical facilities, the loss of his grandmother, the vaccum in his grandfather’s life thereafter, everything was so poignantly portrayed by Anna. Kannan Anna has well emphasized the philosophy which was omnipresent in his family-that education is the stepping stone to success. How proud Seshadri thatha must have been of Kannan Anna – when he got the first prize in an English elocution competition. I felt goosebumps just thinking about the same. The conservativeness of those times when it was taboo to play with girls was well brought out. Reading about Nehru being a youth icon was like a breath of fresh air, especially in these days of polically charged nehru bashing that we see in India. I just wonder how things have changed in our country, so rapidly. So many anecdotes about childhood were packed into these articles.

It took us back to the good old days when money was scarce but joy was abundant, contentment was a natural virtue and family meant a large family, a house full of kids and laughter. We have all progressed materially, but are we happier? I think we all have paid the price- in one way or another.

Usha Murali
January 2022