We'd reached the venue of the marriage well in time. Driving my Chevy through the final stretch of narrow roads through a crowded market place did give me the heebie-jeebies and I'd a harrowing time. But after reaching the venue and on seeing many familiar faces - that too, after a lapse of a long while - all my travelling blues had vanished as I'd taken it up on myself to meet everyone of my relations.
This part of the family tree is courtesy the late Santhan kochachan. He came from a respectable family of landlords from the small hamlet of Koduvayur. They're eight siblings - consisting of 4 brothers and 4 sisters - out of which, two brothers and a sister have traversed into the mist of time. Santhan kochachan was the fourth in the pecking order by virtue of his age!
As the strains of traditional music rent the air, I couldn't help but recall the wedding of Santhan kochachan and Vilasini kunjamma that had taken place at Guruvayur on 27 Apr '64. Many people who'd been present then to bless the newly married couple were sorely missed and our conversation veered around each one of them, touching upon each one's uniqueness. The eldest of the siblings, Chinnettan in his late 80s, was the grand old patriarch reviewing the entire set of proceedings, giving directions where needed and offering suggestions when asked for, meeting people in his inimitable, humble manner. I remember him being the strict disciplinarian of the family after the passing away of the grand patriarch and Santhan kochachan used to surrender himself, willingly to his diktats!
Their youngest brother, Unnikrishnettan and his wife were the proud parents whose daughter was being given away in marriage.
As we bid farewell, Chinnettan choking on his voice, said that god had been very unkind to him by taking away his younger siblings before him. The wistful look on his face mirrored his emotions!
Tailpiece.
Padmashree and Aneesh whose wedding it was are software professionals. Here's wishing them a long and happy married life and everything that they wish for!
This part of the family tree is courtesy the late Santhan kochachan. He came from a respectable family of landlords from the small hamlet of Koduvayur. They're eight siblings - consisting of 4 brothers and 4 sisters - out of which, two brothers and a sister have traversed into the mist of time. Santhan kochachan was the fourth in the pecking order by virtue of his age!
As the strains of traditional music rent the air, I couldn't help but recall the wedding of Santhan kochachan and Vilasini kunjamma that had taken place at Guruvayur on 27 Apr '64. Many people who'd been present then to bless the newly married couple were sorely missed and our conversation veered around each one of them, touching upon each one's uniqueness. The eldest of the siblings, Chinnettan in his late 80s, was the grand old patriarch reviewing the entire set of proceedings, giving directions where needed and offering suggestions when asked for, meeting people in his inimitable, humble manner. I remember him being the strict disciplinarian of the family after the passing away of the grand patriarch and Santhan kochachan used to surrender himself, willingly to his diktats!
Their youngest brother, Unnikrishnettan and his wife were the proud parents whose daughter was being given away in marriage.
As we bid farewell, Chinnettan choking on his voice, said that god had been very unkind to him by taking away his younger siblings before him. The wistful look on his face mirrored his emotions!
Tailpiece.
Padmashree and Aneesh whose wedding it was are software professionals. Here's wishing them a long and happy married life and everything that they wish for!
No comments:
Post a Comment