MY AGONISING SERVICE AT POLLACHI

My agonising service at POLLACHI.
I was appointed in Tamilnadu P W D during 1958 and my service were lent to Tamilnadu Elecricity Board. I came back to PWD(rather pushed back) in 1969.
I was at Chennai from 1976 to about 1980. At Chennai I worked in the Chief Engineers office and also in Designs Office. During this period I had applied for a foreign assaignment section. I did not hear anything during my stay at Chennai. I got trasferred to Pollachi during 1980. I worked at Pollachi and around 1981 suddenly I got a chance to work in the Middle east. And was called for interview at Delhi. I went to Delhi and got selected.
You may be wondering as to why this preamble! Well well ! about 13 persons from the PWD had registered in the foreign assainment section sending the necessry format through the Department.. It was found out by one of the engineeers that the foreign assaignment section requires some INFLUENCE to get call for interviews from embassies who were in need of engineers and this section will only send the names depending on the influence.
So these 12 engineers at Chennai got together and collected about rs 1,50,000/- they did not know that I had also registered . I also did not know about their collection etc as I was at Pollachi. One engineer went all the way to Delhi carying this Infuluence and after much bargaining he was able to offer rs 1’30,000/- for the influence. This engineer returned with the assurance of the foreign assaignment section and the balance amount was returned to those who had contributed.. So far so good. All those 12 engineers at Chennai received the call for the interview. and ..due to God’s grace or what shall I call it luck I also got the call for interview. The assaignment section thought that the influence of Rs1,30,000/- was for 13 persons and without my doing anything I also got a call from the embassy at Delhi. The pay at Middle east was nearly 10 times what I would have got in the Tamilnadu PWD. I got selected and had to move heaven and earth to get relieved from one Sivaramakrishanan Superintending engineer. I can say now that I suffered more from Brahmin higher ups than non brahmins in Tamilnadu PWD!
I worked for 2 years and I got promotion as Executive engineer in PWD while. I was working at the mid east.. With this extra pay in Mideast I was able to finance the education of Srinath who was at IIT Madras and Mohan who was at PSG Coimbatore. My wife was at Mysore taking care and educating Ravi and Raja.. Both Srinath and Mohan were staying in the hostels and if I had continued in Tamilnadu PWD the income would not have beenenough to take care of both and also my wife and other two sons staying at Mysore.I returned after two years and I was posted to Pollachi without my being asked. There were lot of pressure form some higher ups to post their wards and inspite of this I got posted due to Er Mohan krishnan Senior Deputy Chief Enginner PWD who was working in the Chief Engineer’s office.and who had appreciated my work when I was in design office.
The Superintending Engineer at Pollachi was one Er Seshan.(The less said about him the better) I had to work under him.
In this connection I have to tell the following about me . 1) I was from outside the state of Tamilnadu 2) I did not have any political and financial backing 3) I belonged to so called forward community. With the above in built disadvantages I had to do hard work ., had to be sincere, and honest in my work.
There were so mny impendiments I had to face while working under seshan. Here only I shall narrate about only two.
The Paramabikulam Aliyar Project had its head quarters at Mackinampatti which was later referred to as Pollachi. This was situated in the out skirts of Pollachi and later on got merged with Pollachi due to its expansion.
The buldings which were built for office and a few permanent buildings wre built to last long. Where as other quarters were built for serving temporarily. Even now they are standing which shows the quality of work.
The main office building was built to standards. It had the electrification and all the wiring was with high quality copper wire. Even after 25 years they were as good as new.
I do not know as to what prompted Seshan . he wanted all the old wiring removed and to be fixed with new wiring staing that the old wiring has become weak and useless.
Seshan had the unique habit of becoming very very chummy with my subordinates such as Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive engineers. They were supposed to influence him with a good quality booze. It was their duty ot supply in turn. This they used to do it with pleasure for reasons best known to them. Seshan had in the meanwhile got some electronic and electrical household goods from one Setty and company of Coimbatore, promising him that he will get a good electrical contract. The idea was to get a new electrical estimate sanctioned and relay the wiring and get paid as if a new work has been done.
The presure on me as Executive enginner was too much. Because in none of the work or estimates (estimate to be sanctioned by Seshan) seshan will never get involved. Seshan had some engineers who were working under me who used to report to him what ever I say or do.
So in a loud voice I told in their presence that as there is already a elctrical division under PWD located in coimbatore even if the estimate is sanctioned I shall transfer the estimate with the estimate amount to the electrical division. This had a desired effect on seshan and he dropped the idea of taking up the electrical work. Some how he managed to pay Setty and company coimbatore.
The next case refers to the lining of the tunnel.
A contour canal is constructed which trasfers the waters from the upper eaches of Aliyar dam to Amaravathi dam. During the irrigation season when the water starts flowing it is never stopped for nearly 4 months as this will have adverse effect on the irrigation supply.
The tunnel was built and lined to very high standard. Due to time factor the bottom of the lining had got worn out but it was not a major factor for the flow of water. Seshan had his own way. He wanted me to prepare an estimate splitting the reach of the tunnel to different reached. These estimates are to be prepared in such a way that the estimate is to be with in the power of sanction of the Executive engineer that is me. The bottom is to be only plastered and not relaid. After the flow of water starts the bill is to be paid. This amount was a whooping rs 25/- lakhs!! This amount is to be shared by Seshan, me and subordinates and also contractors.
I had an idea to spoil this scheme. I asked one Jeevanandam the Assistant Executive Engineer to have a ramp using sand bags so that the inlet of tunnel is easily reaached by the Jeep. I also took with me the camera. This was not known to Seshan in advance. I requested him to come for inspection. He readily agreed . when he wanted to walk along the tunnel inside I told him that the jeep can easily negotiagte and at several places where he got down I took photographs. After the entire inspection he returned giving me the instruction to prepare estimate, call for tenders and execute work.
Instead I prepared a detailed report about the inpection by Seshan and in the report I mentioned that the tunnel is functioning alright and does not require any repair or relaying of concrete at bottom!! Seshan was stunned and had to drop his evil idea.
One chief enginner whose ancestores were from Aavarampalyam near Tiruppur wanted to have 8 toilets constructed at their community hall at Aavarampalyam. The juristictional Superintedning engineer was Seshan. He told me to get 8 toilets constructed at Aavarampalyam kalyana mantap. For this he wanted me to prepare some dummy estimate and get the toilet constructed. and make payment as if some structure required for PWD has been constructed. For this I categorically refused. When the chief engineer visited next time he asked Seshan as to why he has not yet consturcted the toilets. He mumbled somethhing and this work was shifted to some other Superintending Engineer and with in a short span of 2 weeks he got it constructed and got a good neme. Seshan reported against me to the chief engineer stating that I am not “cooperating!!!” and I was trasferred to Tiruchi. The next day of my handing over as I was waiting for the bus to take me to Tiruchi body of Seshans only son Ramju was received from Coimbatore. This son was an alcoholic and used to boast of his taking liquor in the presence of his father and smoking! Even to receive his body seshan was not there as he was on his way to Guruvayoor. without knowing that his son has died at coimbatore hospital.
About these and other issues and titibits please wait.
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ME AND THE WHOLESALE DEALER OF SRIVILLIPUTTUR

Me and the Whole sale dealer of Srivilliputtur.

At the beginning of 1970 I was posted as an engineer at Srivilliputtur. My office was situated in the west side of Vatapatrasayee temple facing east. On the opposite was situated a old shop with a frontage of about 20’. I could not find much of customers there in the shop. I used to purchase groceries and necessities from some other shop in the Market for my household.
I believe this shop was known as “Gopala Naiker shop” though there were no sign boards.
Sometimes during 70’s MGR a prominent personality of the then ruling DMK was suspended from the party. MGR was not only a prominent figure in DMK but also a leading actor with lots o fan following.
The action of the party had lots of repercussion and as ususl in Taminadu thre were lots of demostrations and protests and what not resulting in law and order. At that period special police from Kerala was requisitioned for law and order duty at Srivillliputtur.
Unfortunately for me the Jeep which I had requisitioned reached one day earlier to Srivilliputtur and stationed in front of the office premisess. The driver had gone to Madurai stating that he will return the next day. Due to choatic conditions he could not return.. so when the demonstration was high when rowdy elements took over I came to the office by around 8-00 am . I stood in front of the office to protect the jeep as I thought that some element may damage the jeep. .
With some difficulty I was able to communicate with the Head constable of Kerala police who were patrollig the street that I am thre in fro nt of the office bulding to protect the jeep. So he allowed me to stand in front of the office. By that time one gentleman whom I had seen in the shop and who used to sit prominently in the shop came to the shop. with the key to the shop. The kerala police thought that he has come to loot the shop tried to catch him. This person came rushing to wards our office and ran inside. The kerals plice wanted to catch him and thrash him. I told the police that he is not a rowdy element and in fact he is owner of the shop . If I was not there this gentlwman owould have been beaten to pulp. He was in the offcie until late in the evening as the rodyism continued in the other parts of Srivilliputtur. I casually asked him as to whatr are the groceries available in his shop and what type of business they are doing. He told me that they are dealing with all types of groceries especially oilman stores.
The next day calm was restored..
I tried to get some groceries from the opposite stores and asked my personal peon to get the listed articles form that stores. He went with money, a bag and also the list of groceries.
I was amazed to find that the rates were really very cheap and also the products were very good. So I decided to purchase groceries from then onwards from that store itself.
There was no phone connection to the office. My next senior was at Madurai. I had to contact him urgently.. the usual course was to go to the Post Office book the number and wait and wait until the line is got. Thre were no subscriber dial facility. The wait could be any whre from one hour or even more. I had seen the opposite shop having telephone
. So I went there and asked him whether I can ring up to madurai and book the number and as soon as the line is realised and I may be informed about it. The gentlman immediately told me that there is no need for me to wait and as soon as he rang up the Post office got me the line. I talked to my superior and then asked the gentleman was to how much I have to pay for the call. The call was for nealry 5 minutes. He refused to take any money for it and said I need not pay for it.
My purchasing of the groceries went on and on from the opposite shop. One day while talking to the group who were interested in getting th “Alagar Anai” scheme which would have supplied irrigation water from the source of Vaigai towards Srivilliputtur During a casual talk I mentioned that I get all the groceries form the opposite shop.
They were surprised and and asked me whether I make puchases in bulk. I told them that I purchase only small quatities. They refused to believe it.!!
Here is the whole story:
Sri Gopalaswamy naicker was a business of modest means . Due to some illuck he lost heavily. In a fit of sorrow he left the house without informing any one.. His wife went to her parents house . They did not have any issues . After 2 years naicker returned. He was clad in one dhoti and had another dhothi covering his upper portion of the body..
He told his father in law that he went to all holy places all over India and at Haridwar he met a holyman. When naicker wanted to become a Sanyasi the holy man advised him against it and asked him to go back and resume his business and he will come up well in life. So he returned to Srivilliputtur. With a little help from his known circle of friends and relatives he borrowed some money and started in a smll scale the grocery business. This gave him good returnes and he repaid all the loans. Then he tried his hand in whole sale business. This grew beyond leaps and bounds. He had however stopped wearing shirts or any other jewels but was always clad in two piece dhothi.
He did not shift the shop to any other bigger place but continued to run the business in the old premises itself. Naicker thought that place got him good luck. In the shop was several bags of samples of all the grains and several tins of oil that were available in their shop. He had taken the Mantapam belonging to the Andal temple on a resonable lease the only condtion being that it should be vacated during some festival times. Here he was using th mantapam as a Godown where literally 100’s of bags of grains of different varieties were stored as well as edible oil drums of various seeds, were stored.. He also had godown at several places. His brother in law knew hindi, malayalam , a little bit of english and of course tamil. He had also very good memory.
As soon as this brother in law came to the shop by 9-00 am he will be ready to receive the calls from various whole sale traders from different towns and cities. They will place orders with him for their requirements. After noting down these orders he will usually talk ot some traders in Gujarat, Bombay, Kochi, Madras, Nellore etc. and place for grains and oils etc. His calls were connected in a “Lightening call category due to some understanding with the post office!!! He will also give directions as to whom it is to be sent. On their behalf also they will place orders those received by Naicker will be sold by him when the market price is up.. For all these transactions through Naicker , he will get a commission. As Naicker had maintained good realtionship with reference to payment on due dates. even when the trader to whom the grain has been sent due to Naickers instructions fails to make payment., Naicker will make the payment on behalf of the trader. with in the due date.. The credit period was usually 30 days. As I knew Gujarath and Bombay were supplying pulses especially toor dhal, Jeera, Blackgram and oil and oil cakes etc, Nelllore supplied rice, Koch supplied i the spices and cardomom. God only knows as to how Naicker used to keep the accounts. Almost all the whole sale dealers to whom Naicker used to act as a commission agent never failed to make payment. May be some times a bit late. As the goods supplied were of good quality and was supplied in time and was really competative in rates Naicker made a name for himself.
After knowing all these details about Naicker I went to the shop where the brother in law was present and . I asked him as to what made him supply me small quantities though he was a whole saler> His reply was that for their own use in their household they get the groecerises from their shop and they will not go to reatailers. He feels that I am also a very good friend of his . Additionally I had saved him from the beatings of Kerala police. Othewise he would have been a handicapped person. So this gesture on his behalf.
After knowing all these details I stopped going to his shop and went to some other shop though I reamained their friend.
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ABOUT MY KRISHNAGIRI DAYS

About my Krishnagiri Days

I was posted to Krishnagiri town of the then Dharmapuri Dt of Tamilnadu.. I worked there from around 1990 upto my retirement in 1993.
I was a rotarian at my earler place of posting and I continued my membership at Krishnagiri.
1) ABOUT LATE Krishnaswamy (Iyengar)
Sri krishnaswamy was the post master of the Krishnagiri post office. Due to the policy of the Government the existing vacancy in the Postal Dept ws not filled. So the work had to be carried out by using the existing staff. The staff at the lower level had their own norms of work and a strong labour union. They used to work to rule staTing that they are oveworked and for efficient work some more staff has to be recruited.!! insubordination was always rampant. Inspite of this Krishnaswamy managed to run the office as efficiently as possible. He will issue the stamps , register letters , sort the letters and other meanial jobs even , though he was supposed to manage and not do the basic works.
Sr krishnaswamy was a rotarian to the core. He and one Rtn Krishnamurthy whom I came to know as the brother in law of my classmate during my engineering college days Er Jagannath aka Jagga , used to take the burden of managing the Rotary club of Krishnagiri. Er Krishnamurthy had a small scale industry manufacturing steel core alluminium conductor of different capacities used by the Electricity department and industry. at the industrial park of Krishnagiri. Almost 80% of the employees were handicapped in his organisation. He strcitly used to follow the specification in manufacturing of the wires. So it was difficult to compete with others while tendering. In addition he never ever offered any bribes and it was his policy. So we can say that he did not earn much by his attitude. Krishnaswamy had got printed an address book diarycontaining about 100 pages and presented 100 copies to the Rotary club. It was supposed to be given to known people and their willingly contributed donation to be given to the Rotary for their projects.. Krishnamurthy used to produce a 6 page computer print out of the happenings at the weekly Rotary meetings and given to the members free. This print out was known as “ROTAGIRI” Krishnamurthy was computer savvy and had taken up the work of some industries nearby for preparing the wage sheet and other spread sheet etc for a fees. Krishnamuthy used to say that he hardly sleeps for 2 to 3 hours per day and it is enough for him.
On some occasion one of the Rotarians had arranged a dinner party at his residence for all the Rotarians and their families . I attended the party. At the party I was surprised to find an young girl may be about 6 years coming with Mr and Mrs Krihnaswamy. She was calling krishnaswamy as appa and his wife as amma. As both of them were well advanced in age and as Mrs Krishnaswamy appeared to have crossed the menopause period some 10 years earlier and also as the girl was dark whereas Krishnaswamy couple were really fair , I was a bit surprised. I could not hide my curiosity. I approached one of the senior members of the Rotary and asked him as to how Krishnaswamy has such an young girl as his daughter.
The Rotarian told me the story. As follows:
“Krishnaswamy’s did not have any issues. They had rented a house in a middle class locality of Krishnagiri. Some 6 year back on one Deepavali day when almost all usually get up by 4-00 am in Tamilnadu, Krishnaswamy’s heard the weeping of a child . they opened the door and on the footrug a girl child was kept wrapped in rags. They thought that some maid working in some other house and , who have come for work very early might have kept the child as the doorway to their house is well protected.. they took the child into the house and the child’s cry was very loud. Mrs Krishnaswamy did not know what to do. So she warmed the left over milk of the previous night and dipped her fingers and kept it near the lips of the child. It started sucking and she continued to do so until the child fell asleep. Then after the bath and pooja which they finished quickly they started enquiring in the neighbourhood. . None knew as to how the child came to be left on the footrug of Krishnaswamy’s house.. They named the child as “Andal” the name given to the child found under the tulasi plant by one of the saints among the srivaishnavites Peria alwar and adopted,..They brought up the girl child very well and gave her good education.. Her upbringing was like that of a brahmin girl!!! “ thus ended the narrative.

The pressure of work was unbearable to Krihsnaswamy with so many insubordinates under him and also to cap with a trade union which did not want to understand the reality.. He applied for voluntary retirement and retird two years before his actual date of retirement. All his dues were settled and he got a good sum. He wanted to purchase a small house at Krishnagiri and he wanted to deposit the balance of amount in the bank for the welfare of the Girl child. He was getting suffficient pension which was enough for him to take care of his family comfortably..
This did not happen. Almost all the members of the Rotary club at Krishnagiri were either self employed professionals doing their own business or businesssman. I was the only Government officer in the group!! There were also some young land holders. Majority of the businesman and land holders did not have any qualification to boast off but really very rich.. I do not know as to how someone dinned into the ears of Krishnaswamy. He loaned the different amount to different people. He neither maintained proper records nor told his wife.as to whom he has given the money. As he was getting central government pension he did not find it difficult to carry on life. His relatives from Kumbakonam wanted him to celebrate his 60th birthday at Kumabkonam his native place along with his near and dear ones. So one week before the date fixed for the celebration he left for Kumbakonam along with his family. Unfortunately he died just one day prior to this 60th birth day due to massive heart attack. Mrs Krishnaswamy came back to Krishnagiri after one month with the daughter. Everyone from Rotary and other known people went and offered their condolences. She tried very much to get the details of the money given to various people. She failed miserably in her attempt. She could not know as to whom Krishnaswamy loaned the huge amounts even though she could could easily guess the persons to whom he had advanced money. These very same GENTLEMAN categorically denied about their taking money as loan. She waited for anothr month and got the family pension sanctioned . on one day she cursed all those who had actually borrowed but denied their having taken the loan and left Krishangiri for good with her daughter to Kumbakonam. Even Krishnamurthy who was in the know of certain things could not do anything to help the lady as there were no written records.

2) This is the case relating to two doctors:
There were two famous doctors at Krishnagiri during my tenure there. One was a surgeon and another one was a sonogist./scanning expert. The sonologist used to take the scan and tell whether the foetus is normal and whether there ae any signs of abnormality whether the foetus is a male or female. Thre were no strict guide lines then about the giving the gender of the foetus. Even now we can see from statistics that the foeticide is more in Tirunelveli dist, Dharmapuri dt , krishnagiris dt and salem dist. Many times there was a chance that the doctor due to his OVER WORK was not able to specify the male foetus from that of female. So the foetus used to be aborted thinking that it is a female child. Some pregnant ladies used to go to quacks for the abortion with extreme results. However the doctor found a way become rich very easily.
The other one was a surgeon. He was rumoured to be in the kidney trade.
Most of the people who join Defense services in Tamilnadu are from the backward dt such as Dharmapuri, krishnagiri, Ramnad etc. very few from Thanjavur or coimbatore join. More affluent the people more they do not prefer defence srvices. Take our own case. How many close realatives of politicians or MP’s or MLA’s or real estate owners or rich industrialists join defence forces? Once it happened that a service man came to the surgeon stating that he has severe stomach ache. The patient was sent for scanning and the result was communicated to the surgeon. The surgeon told the service man that he has to be operated immeditely otherwise his life is in danger. The service man(Jawan) told that as he is from services he can go to Bangalore and have his treatment or opeeration at Bangalore in service hospital for free.. The surgeon it seems told the Jawan that as he is a serviceman and as he is defending the country he will do the operation free and also accomadate him until he recovers free at his hospital. For this the Jawan agreed readily. On one day the operation was carried out. The jawan stayed in the hospital for abut 10 days and after recouping his health he returned to his unit at Bangalore. After a month or so the Jawan developed some ache in the stomach portion. He went to the command hospital and the doctor who examined him saw the fresh scar in his abdominal region and asked him as to what has happened to him and what for he has the scar. The Jawan told him about what happened earlier. The doctor suspected something and arranged for a scan test. The scan revelaed that one of his kidney missing and the doctor recommended for the retirement of the Jawan on health grounds. The jawan returned to Krishnagiri and confronted the doctor. The doctor cooly told the jawan that he has no equipment to remove kidney and no need also. What he found was a small lump which he removed from the abdomen. The jawan can show any one of medical fraternity of his choice all the records and scan report. He can go to any one and he will produce all the documents in this case. The doctor also told that at the time of his operating there was already scar and I used the same scar location and operated to remove the lump so that there will be no multy scars.
After long fight and with the backing of the Jawan’s community people it appears that the case was settled for a really huge amount. Out of court or police intervention!!!!.

1) The Pastor and his story:.
One of the employees in the rank of class IV in the PWD office at Krishnagiri won a lottery amounting to Rs50,00,000/-. What the staff in the office thought was that he will resign the job and start a new business. For the period of service he had rendered he could not get volutary retirement then. This man was a convertee to Pentocostal Christian and was originally a Hindu belonging to Ramnad coastal fisherman’s caste. He had taken seriously to his new found faith.. He purchased a plot of land and spending nearly Rs5/- lakhs constructed a “Church Hall” for the pentacostal denomination with a small attached house.. for his own also he purchased a plot and constructed a small house with first floor. He rented the first floor. He had lots of children and deposited Rs 2/- lakhs each in their name. the balance amount he deposited in the fixed deposit and continued to work in the same old post.
One Pastor a graduate belonging to the Pentacostal denomination, who was married and who had a small family from the border of Tamilnadu and Andhra pradesh took interest in this newly constructed church and showed his desire to do “The Lord’s Work” . The church members were happy to invite him to the new church as their pastor. At his own cost the pastor made some changes to the small house and shifted. He started doing his work with all sincerety. The congregation were really pleased.
This pastor was soliciting donations from many foreign countries into his name. He also used to go abroad especially European countries for collecting donations. He furnished the Church and added number of boards which was decorated with “Sentences” from Bible and the congreagaton was very much pleased. Some members were of the view that the donations are always received in his personal name and not in the name of the church and were wondering.
But no one dared to question him as he has done good job. He also used to get lots of literature regarding the Bible and the lessons in English as gift. So also he used to get plenty of old but usable old clothes. This he used to distribute to the needy in the congregation. He had a good life style of his own and as long as he served the Lord no one bothered about it. He also used to go to Bangalore along with his family.. The purpose of his visit was not known to anyone.
He had lots of the Tricks to collect donation. from European charity funds.
One was the feeding and clothing programme. He will select an obscure village school in the Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh border. He will go there and ask for the assistance of the Head Master of the school for his scheme. The Head Master and assistant masters will also be given their due Honorarium!! for their help . In Tamilnadu almost all the schools especially the Government run village schools are covered under the midday meal scheme. Also the unforms and books are given free. This pastor will collect all the uniforms one set from each student . this he will number it and give it to the village washerman for a normal charges and additional charges. The washer man will be asked to wash the clothes very well and starch them and iron them. and bring it on a particular day. Based on the numbers the individual sets will be kept. On the samw day the cook who prepare the midday meal scheme will be asked to preparations for which the pastor will bear the cost. He will also ask the students to come neatly with their own dress on that particular day. He will also collect all the books from the students one day prior to the D day we can call it. On the D day he will reach the village with camera crew and set of new gleaming lunch plates. He will also bring with him several banners and buntings. The banners will have written on them. the name of the European charity organisations which donates so liberally for the work. This will be tied at all vantage points. and also by the side of the School Name Board. All these will be filmed .. By around 10-30 am all the sudents who come are assembled and filmed along with their teacher. Next comes the distribution of clothes by the pastor . The starched uniform delivered by the washerman and really belonging to the students and given by the Government of Tamilnadu will be distributed to the students after the students are asked to recite some portion of the bible which the Pastor recites. This will be duly filmed. The students are asked to don this dress(New Dress) They willl be once again filmed in their new attaire !!! Next comes the distribution of school books. The school books are also distributed to the students for which the Pastor had spent nothing. This is also filmed duly. Next comes the distribution fo New dining plates to the students by noon. This is also filmed. The kitchen and the cooking for the students are also filmed. Next comes the serving of the Lunch. The Lunch is served on gleaming plates by the pastor and the school staff. During the filming the pastor is shown prominently. The taking of the lunch by the students are filmed for the sake of posterity. After the lunch the students are asked to clean the plates and return them to the pastor. After staying for an hour or so, all the bannes are removed and all the plates taken back and all the satff including class four and Ayah and the cook are “HONOURED” suitably. The honour for the Head master will be on a generous scale. The pastor then returns to his head quarters.!! The same routine is repeated in the border villages and filmed. These processed film with original commentary is in English is sent to the charity organisations of Europe. The subtitling in other European languages were done in some European country charity organisations who were moved by this noble work distribute it also. The pastor had develped a very good net work. When ever he found free clothes or food this pastor was having a knack of going their with his camera and crew. Without knowing the actual use of these film shots no one bothered about the filming.
As the Pastor became rich day by day, he engaged at his own cost a worker for maintaining the cleaniness of the church and surroundings, and a full time young girl as a full time maid.. when the wife of the Pastor had gone to her parents house to a village in Andhra pradesh , one night it appears that the pastor tried to outrage the modesty of the girl. She ran out of the house and went directly to the house of the person who had constructed the church. This was the nearest house she could find.. it was nearly midnight Early in the morning she was taken to the hospital and also to the police station where the girl lodged a complaint. The police immediately arrested the Pastor and filed a case. This made headline in many juicy Tamil news papers..
With lots of money with pastor to spend The Medical officer submitted a report stating that nothing has happened to the girl. The parents of the girl also told the police and court that the girl usually has hallucinations sometimes during the night and the Pastor is a good man ans should not be punished. So pastor WON THE CASE. When he came out there was no one from the congregation to receive him. They resolved to replace the Pastor and if no substitute is found to request the Pastor of the neighbouring church to serve them on part time basis. Meanwhile the wife of the Pastor had also returned . the pastor was sent away from the Church.
Tail piece:
The PWD office was shifted after sometimes to Tiruvannamalai in the then North Arcot Dist of Tamilnadu. At this new post the Class IV got some literature offending the sentiments of the Hindu’s printed and distributed to those who had come for the congregation “GIRIVALAM” . That is going by walk around in a clock wise direction mountain of Tiruvannamalai in the mountain path around the mountain. This path is about 6 km. and draws a huge crowd. Some of the persons objected to it and this person was beaten by the crowd almost to death. He was saved by the police and saw the literature and took him to his custody. As he was in the police station for more than 48 hours he was suspended from service. I do not know as to what happened later on as I had retired from service by that time. .
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ABOUT (LATE) SRI CHANNABASAPPA PATEL OF POORIGALI

About (Late) Sri Channabasappa Patel Of Poorigali.

Poorigali village is a big village situated in the Boppgoudanapur Hobli of Malavalli Taluk of Mandya dt , of the Then Mysore State and now referred as Karnataka.
Sri Channabasappa was the Patel (Village Headman holding the post hereditarily) who used to look after the revenue collecton and other related fields. He was responsible for the maintaining the revenue collection account , law and order if any and send immeditae report to the Shiristadar under whose jurisdiction the village lies. The honourarium was not great but the position carried certain dignity and respect. The patel was helped by the village accountant (Shanbhog), one talayari (village police like designation who will give information about the happening in the villages like quarrel, birth or death, natural calamities like fire and flood, breach of tank, and so on and so forth to the Patel and the shanbhog. These posts carried very small honourarium but were given land grants long long ago. Patel’s forefathers were Patels for a long time. They were holding the post even when the revenue collection was guveb as a guft ti the Sivasamudram Jodidar for his having helped the British Govt (So called KUMPANI seemayavaru) on some occasion. Later on even when the Jodi was taken over by the Government of Mysore Channabasappa’s family to continued in the same post as Patels.. The Patel belonged to Banajiga Setty community a sub ethnic group among the Veerashivas and was a very orthodox in his habits. He never ever took any food item from other than orthodox Lingayats(veerashaivites) It seems He became quite bald when he was quite young and he was referred to as "Bolu Thalay Patelaru" behind his back.
He was in charge of three villages as I know. . They are Poorigali, Hullamballi and Krishnaiyengar Hundi. He had under him 2 shnbhogs and 3 talayaris. These talayaaris were usually from Dalit community. The shanbhogs were from HaleKarnatak community and ethnic group among brahmins..
On his own Patel was rich. He had a really big house which had a grannery to hold a minimum of 100 bags of paddy, with a cowshed which can accomadate about 20 cows at the rear of the house with spacious rooms kitchen and very big hall and a big pial. and a
well. This was in the centre of the Poorigali village. He had another house on the road at Poorigali which also had a well, where he used to stock paddy , barren cows , keep farm equipment ., bufffalows, bulls, haystock etc. this house had two good rooms in the front. One room was exclusively meant for the stay of our father!! When ever he used to visit . our father’s visit was not frequent. (Generally we the entire family used to camp for a month during harvest season at Aacharaiyanahundi or in the inspection Bungalow at Hullamballi.) This room was having a stock of rice dhall , salt, jaggery, dried chillli, tamarind etc with a set of vessels and a firewood oven.. On rare occsions our father used to camp at Poorigali. When ever the Patel used to visit mysore he used to invariably visit us. Mysore.. Some times when he was forced to stay at Mysore the Patel used to stay in the samll room on the pial of our house or the Veerashaiva hostel.. For his abolutions he used to go to the Veerashaiva hostel situated in the Tyagaraja Road He used to only take fruits and directly drink water from the tap in our house. he never used to take milk stating that the Milkmaid may have mixed water from her house to this milk!! If at all he used to go for breakfast and lunch he used to go to the Veeerashaiva hotel which was situated at the back of the Old Mothikhana building on the santhepet road of Mysore.. There the servers used to prominently wear the “Karadigay” (the silver container containing the shivalinga) without any shirt but only clad in Dhothi(Panche) and serve the dishes. On the cash counter was kept sacred ash in a gourd and the customers who do not adorn their forehead with the sacred ash were not served !! so this is one of the hotels preferred by Orthodox Veerashaivas.. after his second son joined hostel if was not difficult for the Patel to stay in the room of his son and have his breakfast and food there itself as the hostel ws run on the orthodox veerashaiva way..
The patel had 4 sons and one daughter. I remember the name of the second boy as Basavanna and name of the girl as Lakshmi. I don’t remember name of others.
The eldest after passing the S S L C examination was working as a primary school teacher nearby Poorigali. He along with his third and fourth brothers were taking care of the agriculatural and financial operations and after the death of Patel’s wife the daughter was taking care of the house hold along with the wife of the eldest son.
The second son was very good at studies and after finishing his intermediate course at Mandya he joined for the B A Course in Maharaja’s college Mysore..
Thisboy was staying in a veerashaiva Hostel situated in Old agrahar area of Tyagaraja Road Mysore. When ever he wanted any money due to late receipt of the money from his father he used to come to our house and borrow money from our father . this amount never exceeded Rs !0/-. And he used to make repayment as soon as he received fom his father.
One morning the patel appeared at our house and met our father and asked him to accompany him to the hostel. Our father accompanied him to the hostel. The hostel room in which Basavanna stayed was in a state s if some one has just left in a hurry. One or two books were opened and kept on the table, one pen with cap opened ws also on the table. None of the mateials had been stolen. His trunk contained some money and changes . the watch was also on the table.. The night watchman saw the door open when he arrived for his shift and did not find Basavanna. He thought that Basavana may have gone for a short walk. When he did not return even in the morning he did not know what to do and informed the warden who was staying in the next house.. The warden thought that Basavanna may have gone to his friends house and may attend the college that day.. He went to the college and went to his class. He did not find Basavanna. So he sent the peon of the hostel to Poorigali to inform his father. So by catching the early morning bus the Patel arrived. There was no letter farewell like or any other clues as to why Basavanna had left. The patel was inconsolable..
He consulted ocullists, astologers, holy men and some charltans also and spent large amount of money fro conducting poojas of various types. When ever some one mentions that they have seen a person similar to Basavanna at Varanasi, Haridvar, Rameswarm etc he used togother with a big retinue of his relative. On this account these relatives had a free holy trip at the cost of Patel. Patel spent nearly an year and spending about Rs 10.000/- which was a petty huge sum during those days. When some one pointed that he is spending lot of money for the search the Patel casually said “ Basavanna would have inherited much more than what I have spent for his search “. Due to this search I have visited some holy places. So I think that what I have spent is not a waste of money!!. At long last the Patel resigned to his fate and stopped further search.
After some years the Patel conducted the marriage of his third son at Nanjanagud. The girl was from the same lingayat community of a village nearby. The girl was very good looking . she had studied upto the 8th standard (Known during those periods as Rs5/- examination. May be the girl would have studied further if she had been allowed. Because the girl became mature she was not allowed to continue due to the orthodox restraints in the village.. The family of the girl were financially moderate.
All of our family attended the marriage . For us the Patel had made a separate room in the choultry. We were served many varieties of fruits, milk, dry fruits etc as we would not dine. Our father presented some money to the boy.
Later on it seems that some of the elders of the girls village started telling that the girl has been given in marriage to a “banajiga Setty community of Veerashaivas” even though the girl belongs to the higher caste of veerrashaivas sub group?.!! So how can the
younger sister of the girl find any suitable husband among their sub group? This came to the knowledge of the Patel. Immediately he went to the girls house and asked the father of the girl whether he is willing to give his second daughter in marriage to his youngest son and if so to fix up the date. He also told the father of the girl that he will shoulder all the expenses for the marriage . he also further told that whom evr he selects his youngest son who had sudied upto SSLC and who is really good looking will take that girl as a bride. The father of the girl and also the girl and also the mothe of the girl were all happy. They had seen this fourth boy during wedding and connected rituals. So this marriage also was celbrated with pomp with in 6 months after the marriage of his third son!
Our father was a staunch srivaishnavavite and Patel was a staunch veerashaivite. I knew that those who worship shiva don’t worship vishnu and vice versa. Still I was confounded with the problem as to how a veeerashaivaite can name his daughter as “lakhmi” in all my innocence one day I asked the Patel when I was very young as to how he has named his daughter as “Lakshmi”. He cooly told me that “Lakhmi” is none other than the sister of Lord Shiva and also Rama happens to be the devotee of Lord Shiva. So having the name of the wife of the devotee of Shiva is not against the custom. He also told me that the “Lord Of the Seven Hills” is known as Venkateswara” . The name actually ends with Easwara. Even now during certain poojas “Bilwa leaves” are used for the pooja at seven hills. Some of the “Banajiga Setty’s” have the first tonsure of their children at Tirumala.. at that period of time I did not have any reply.
After the demise of our father Patel came to our house to condole the death. He used to call me as “Chikka swamyavaru” though he was senior in age. He used to address me in honourifics. He told me and our mother that whenever we are in need of any money and any amount we can just send him a word or “Chikka swamy” can come in the morning to Poorigali and by the evening he will see to it that the money required is given!!
We did not know how to thank him. Me and our mother just told him that if and when required we shall definitely make use of his offer.. Our mother had in the meanwhile decided not to borrow from anyone under any circumstances, not to sell any property, and not to the mortgage of land for any loan..
This stance of her were adhereed to till the end until we wre forced to sell the land due to land reforms act.
When ever the Patel came to our house usually by the month of March we knew that the land tax is due. He used to make enquries about our welfare, our education and other general health and other subjects. He never used to raise the point of land revenue.
He used to sit on the long bench in the hall. Afte the talk he will take leave of us and before that he will hand over a folded paper to me. This paper was nothing but the receipt for the land revenue due. When I protested as to how hecan issue a receipt withut receiving the money he cooly replied that as “Sahukar Srirangachar” was his close friend and as he knew that we are finding it difficult to get back the dues from the loanee he is just doing his work as a friend of the family. We can make payment of the tax when ever it is possible for us. I jocularly told him suppose we don’t pay. For that also Patel had a reply. It was a Shiva given opportunity to repay some old dues to his friend’s family!!
Of course we never failed to pay the dues and immediately we used to pay the revenue.
If the shanbhog came for collection he usually used to be given some snacks and coffee . he will prepare the revcenue receipt and give it with a flourish to us. We used to give him the money and also present him with “Masi Kanike” (stationery charges and an honour). The Kanike cannot be just given in hand. This has to be acccompanied by a coconut, betel leaves and betel nut and the rupee coin prminently displayed and kept on a plate!! It was considered as a right by the Shanbhogs.
For the marriage of our sister Sou Pushpa we could not invite the Patel . when he came to know of it during his next visit to Mysore he told me and our mother that he was sad that he was not invited to the marriage. He got an assurance from our mother that he will definitely be invited to my marriage. After my joining the Engineering dept of Govt Of Tamilnadu my next brother kittnna started going to the villages to collect the produce and it disposal. Later on for sometime I think Raju my youngest brother went for collectin. Due to land reforms act brought by the then Mysore Government we started disposing off all our lands .
For my marriage the first invitaion ws sent to him!! The marriage was conducted at Vokkalagere Village of T narasipur taluk of Mysore dist. on 16th may 1960. The Patel attended the marriage. As I was aware of his orthodox ways I asked the brides people to ask a staunch Veerashaiva worker by name “Basavaayya” working in their household. to specially attend on the Patel.. The patel was taken to a separate room where Shivaayya showing his “Karadige” served him various fruits and also told Patel that the Jodidars hosehold do not purchase milk from outsiders and then offerd “Almond Milk “
The Patel remained until the marriage function was over and wishing me and my wife left the Hall.. ;Beofore he left he gave a good present. He told me that the burden of repaying the gift given to his third son during the marriage by our father has been repaid after a long long time.
That was the lost time I saw the Patel. As we had disposed off all of our lands there was no question of paying the land revenue nor going to the village arose .
I am sure that his progeny will be doing very well in life. now...


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ABOUT (VADHYAR) KULLU SRIRANGACHAR AND HIS SON KANNAN.

ABOUT (VADHYAR)KULLU SRIRANGACHAR AND HIS SON KANNAN.
KULLU Sri Rangachar was the first cousin of our father. It seems that the Grand father (late) Ammanji Krishnamachar was alive when Srirangachar was born..When after the birth of the child he was shown the child for the first time and he exclaimed “Adaa Adaa Kulla”. Some how this nick name got attached to his original name Sri Rangachar..Our father who was also named as Srirangachar and addresed by other uncles and parents as “payya” (Young Boy) could later on distinguished from Kullu even though they had same name.. When our father became rich (compared to others of his group) he was called as Sahukar Sri Rangachar. I honestly do not know as to who gave the title “Sahukar”
In the course of time Kullu left aacharaiyyanahundi AKA Nadipuram along with his elder brother Lakshminarasimhachar and settled for some time at Srirangapatna after the floods . Kullu married when he was young. I do not know about this first wife. She died after giving birth to a son who was known as “Kannan” and actual name was “:Krishnaiyengar”. The name kannan only stuck.
Kullu married for the second time. This time the bride was the daughter of “Ramaswamyiyengar” a well known “Purohit” of Mysore. He was well versed both in conducting “Poorva Karma” that is conducting of auspicious functions and “Apara Karma”. That is ceremony relating to the death and other connected ceremonies and annual ceremonies known as “annual remembrace cermonies” or “shraddha” and related functions. Among Srivaishnavites both the poorva karma and apara karama are conducted by the same Purohit. This is not so among other brhamin ethnic groups. Ramaswamy used to prefer attending the death ceremonies as it used to bring more income and he was referred as “Kaka Ramaswamy” behind his back as nobody was daring enough to say this nick name in his presence. The other daughter of ramaswamy iyengar was married to (Srnivasaiyengar of Haliyur a school teacher and mother of the famous writer HSK and our brother in law Ramaswamy iyengar husband of Sou Pushpa)
When Kullu and his brother shifted to Mysore he beacame a sort of probationer under his fathr in law Ramaswamy iyengar. Some how the sons of the ramaswamy iyengar did not take to the vocation of “Purohityam”
As almost all the progeny of Ammanji Krishnamachar were well versed in vedas. It was only the practical side as to how the sacred grass (Dharba grass) and the number to be rolled for wearing on the ring finger or laid on ground or around the Homa kunda and also the number to be used around “Homa Kunda”,” the way in which the small dried up sticks of peeple tree known as “ Samith” and the number and the time during which they are to be placed around “Homa Kunda” and the particular portion and the time the sacred text is to be recited was learnt very quickly by Kllu. So Ramaswamy Iyengar used to depute his son in law Kullu for some ceremonies independently..
After the demise of his father in law Kullu started doing Purohit and took over the Purohit duty.of all the customers of his late father in law and in addition he continued to do his own rounds. After sometime the second wife also died. Kullu married for the third time... This lady was from “Aghalayam” family. In the meanwhile Kanna was married to a girl from “Aghalayam “ family. At that time Kannan was studying in the then Intemediate course. He failed several times in the intemediate public examination. He learnt typing and short hand but still he could not secure any job. So he left the course and started going along with his father as an assistant. Life was going on smoothly. On one occasion late swachchndam N S Anatharangachar who was a maternal uncles son of Kullu and later on retired as Professor of Kannada in the University Of Mysore saw Kannan help his father as assistant in a function. With a guffa told in the assembly “Whether your father leaves any large property or not as he has a lot of children, he has bestowed upon you the grass and dried stick. You can lead a happy life. All the others who had assembled laughed loud. This made Kannan shrink in shame. He left the function and returned home dejected. He swore that from that day onwards he will not do purohit duty and study and achieve a status in society.
He again appeared for the intermediate( now equivalent to II PUC) examination studying hard. He came with flying colours and joined Degree course in statistics. This also he passed in first class. Later on he appeared for the examinatrion conducted by the then “Accountant and Auditor General “ of the then Mysore state and passed the so called tough examination..During those periods there was no reservation and due to Kannan’s grades he was selected as an Acccountant in the Office of Accountant General. Later on he shifted to state PWD branch and finally retired as an Accounts officer in the then PWD of Mysore Government . Kannan did not have any issues and what all he earned he gave it willingly to his father who had really lots of children from his third wife!!! Honestly I do not know the number of children Kullu has from his third wife.
I have to write in the above some of facts in detail things which may appear as not directly connected but to actually know about most of the facts which is not known to many of my own realatives in the present Ammanji progeny.
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A LAVISH MARRIAG WHER I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE PRESENTED RS 1000/'

A LAVISH MARRIAGE WHERE I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE PRESENTED RS 1000/-

I was working at the beginning of year 1976 in the Engineering dept at Kancheepuram in Tamilnadu.
A new young junior level Officer was posted to the revenue department. He had a bright idea. That was that all the Government Officers (so called Gazetted ) should meet ones in a month on the FIRST Sunday evening and mingle and share our views and come to know each other closely.. The meeting was arranged in a good hotel near the the place where Varadrajaswamy temple car is stationed in the big Kancheepuram. On every first Sunday of the month the Hotel owner used to reserve exclusively for us a hall which could accomadate about 50 to 100 persons. We were to be there by around 7-00 pm and contribute Rs 15/- toward dinner . This was termed as Gazetted dinner.. As soon as we enter we were served cool drinks. Then all of used to introduce ourselves to the seated assembly. The maximum attendance used to be around 30 numbers. We will form small groups and used to talk about all the issues and non issues with no holds barred. We will be served lavish dinner by around 10-30 pm and after the dinner we used to disperse.
I had rented a house in Vishnu Kanchee (Little Kanchipuram) and my office was bu the side of SANKAR MATAM situated at Shiva Kanchee (Big Kancheepuram) .
One day a gentlman came to my office and gave me an invitation to a Marriage and requested me to attend the marriage with out fail. He was introduced to me by one of the Survey helpers known as laskars (who was fond of asSociating with any ruling party in Power) as a powerful man in the ruling party.!!
As I did not know the parents of the bride or the groom and as I did not know any poitical personalities of the region I was not interested in attenginG the marriage.
On the day of the marriage from the Temple Car stand which I have mentioned earlier upto the the Kalyanamandapam the venue of the marriage huge shade giving shamiana was erected with lots and lots of lights all along. On the day of the marriage I was crossing the point where the temple car is staioned. I heard rhe blaring on the mike requesting all those who are to make present to the bride or groom to stand in the queue and register them in the register and then present the same . This announcement was done frequently in between mentioning of the names of those who gave present along with the description of the present and with their designation if they are Government servants or the relationship of the person to the bride or groom or the position and designation in the party so on.
I was taken a back when I heard over mike the name of the young revenue officer stating that he has given a present of Rs 1000’- to the bridegroom!!! So I went to the office without lingering During the next gazetted dinner I made a joke and asked this young revenue officer as to how he has attended the marriage and how he was able to present Rs1000/- as a gift. To my surprise he told me the following.
He is neither a realtive of the bride or groom. He is also not in the know of any bigwigs or the party cadre as he is new to that area. The usual practice is to make black money white and for that purpose they annnounce as if they receive the present from one and all. Even if the addresses are traced they refer to actual persons and not imaginary ONES. This is the trick that is resorted to!!!
The laskar who attended the marriage (Though all the others upto class IV level in my office had received the invitation only this laskar attended the marriage) was telling others that I had prsented to the bridegroom with a purse of Rs 1000/- and he tried to meet me and could not meet me either in the marriage hall or in the dining hall!!!
Tail Piece:
The marriage was between the son of the second wife of one politician and the daughter of the second wife. of anothr politician.. It is left to your imagination as to what I refer to as second wife..

THREE INTERESTING CASES THAT I KNOW OFF

THREE INTERESTING CASES THAT I KNOW OFF .

Some decades back there was one intelligent?? Advocate By name Kankanhalli Narayana char.He had made a name as an advocate who will win even very difficult civil cases.
In villages in and around Mysore district some individuals were in the habit of bringing the cases to the lawyer at Mysore pertaining to the individuals of their village as most of the litigants were illiterates.. These individuals were known as “POOT Lawyers”. They used to get some commision from the lawyers and also from the clients. When ever any case is brought to Narayana char who was famous and if the case is a simple one he used to give it to some other junior lawyers not working in his office or lawyers who did not have any briefs and get a cut in the fees.

1) Once a village poot lawyer came to him with an young lady having a boy aged about two years to his office. The gist of what he told the lawyer is as follows:
In their village there was a richman and he was married and had grown up sons. When he was old he took a fancy to an young lady whose parents were poor. He took her as his concubine and actually did not marry her. In the mean while the wife of the villager died. The young lady started living with this old man, The young lady did not have any issues when he was alive and was pregnant at the time of death of the villager.. . After the demise of this villager the sons of the villager used to give her sufficient grains and some small amount for her maintanance. This they stopped suddenly after an year or so. This poot lawyer wanted Narayanachar to get this lady some bulk amount so that she can lead a good life with her son.
After hearing this Narayanachar asked him as to when the villager died. He told the lawyer that he died about 3 years back. Immediately Narayanachar used all the invectives at his command asked the poot lawyer to leave the office. This poot lawyer did not know the reason. Then the lawyer said “You so and so, you are liar and scoundrel. The boy child does not appear to be even 2 years old. Even with your lawyer you are not prepared to tell the truth. If you hide the truth even from your lawyer you are unfit to be my client.”. by this the poot lawyer was stunned. He blabbered something and requested the lawyer to pardon him said that he will tell the truth.
He started narrating the real truth.
After the death of the villager this poot lawyer some how managed to entice the young lady and started having affairs with her. When the sons of the villager came to know of it they stopped giving her any help and told the lady to get all the things required by her from the poot lawyer and they distanced themselves. The child is actually born to the poot lawyer and the lady and is abot 2 years old. He pleaded with the lawyer to help him to get a portion of the property in favour of the boy atleast.. The lawyer then asked him to tell him the actual alue of the propetty . This the poot lawyer readily furnished…
The lawyer told the poot lawyer that he observed the poot lawyer when he entered the office along with the lady. She had a costly pair of chappals which she removed and kept it outside the chamber. She was also well dressed with some jewels. She had also dressed the child with good clothes usually found in cities in costly stores., she was in a jovial mood. These things made the lawyer feel that some thing is wrong and that the poot lawyer is not telling the truth.
He asked the poot lawyer to remain until all his other clients were disposed off. The same narayanachar was our lawyer also and I had also gone there for enquiring into some litigation for recovery we had filed. When all had left the chamber he told the poot lawyer in no uncertain terms that he should be paid a hefty fees as advance before taking up the case. Also he told the poot lawyer if he cannot afford the fees he can go to any other lawyer he likes. The poot lawyer agreed to all the conditions. He called the lady and told her” You so and so, from today onwards until this case is finalised do not wear any fancy clothes. Now itself go to the Boatee Bazar (this is a market situated by the side of Devaraja Market) and purchase two or three sets of old worn out clothes. Also for the child purchase some old clothes. Never ever wear foot wear until the case is finished.. when ever you attend the court come with some torn saree and without a wash or a make up. Do not feed the child in the morning of the day of the cse. You may give very small quantity of milk. Try to make the child weep in the court . do not clean the child or clothes it with good clothes. Better you bring the child without any clothes.

The case it appears came up for hearing.. on some future date.
Narayana char produced a document signed by the “Thammadi” (priest)
from a famous Shiva temple nearby showing that the lady in question in fact had married the villager some time before the death of his wife. The document was on an old discoloured paper (probably purchased from and old paper merchant) . The date mentioned was an auspicious day as per the Euphemerics (Panchangam) produced by the lawyer. At that period of time bigamy was not a crime. The judge wondered as to why the Thammadi gave the certificate as this was not the practice. For this the lawyer had a good reply. As his sons were grown ups and as he did not want them to know about his second marriage at this late age and also as he did not want to leave his young wife in lurch after his demise he got the certificate as done in the churches in the nearby town. So he gave the cretificate to his young wife!!! In the court as already stage managed the lday appeared without any make up with torn clothes and the child constantly crying for attention and with out any clean ups and without clothes it probably moved the judge. The judge and the opposition lawyer were wondering as to how this child appeared to be so young ! may be less than two years at the most. For this narayana char a stock reply. As this young lady was thrown out of the house and for a long time she had not done any hard work it was vry difficult for her to maintain the child with proper food and nutrition. So this stunted growth.
It appears that Narayanachar won the case for his client and got hefty fees. (so also the Thammadi of the shiva temple got enriched to some extent)

2) This is the second case:
Earlier when entertainment tax was introduced it was customary for the theatre owners to purchase the stamp and stick it to the actual tickets just before the shows started and tickets issued for the show. Depending upon the entry fee the stamps were stuck at the back of the tickets.
While the tickets were given at the entry point the gateman was supposed to one half was torn and another half was given to the customer. The trick was not to tear the newly affixed stamps but to tear the portion in such a way that the portion retained by the theater get the stamps in full and deposited in the basket of the theatre. This can be used again and again and there was no other check.
May be the concerned officers of the Government department were hand in gloves for such a scheme. Once and upright officer was posted and he wanted to raid the theatres who were indulging in such practice and especially the elite ones. At that period only Gayathri talkies was an elite theatre in Mysore only exhibiting english pictures and no other regional pictures. This officer in mufti purchased tikcets for 7 consequent shows and fined theater a hefty amount as fine . The owner of Gayathri Talkies was a close friend of Narayana char. He told Narayana char the whole truth. So narayana char agreed to represent the owner for a hefty amount assuring success. This the owner agreed as he did not want his name to be sulllied and the fees charged by Narayanachar was much lower than the fine imposed by the Govt.
On the day of the case Narayana char had asked the owner of the theatre to get him two fresh sheets containing 50 numbers of the lowest denomination entertainment stamp sheet, two sheets containing 50 numbers of the lowest denomination postal stamp and 20 sheets of the poster paper on which usually the tickets for the theatre is printed.
On the day of the case the lawyer with a flourish produced the stamp paper and requested the judge to allow the peon of the court to paste the stamps from one sheet of entrtainment tax stamps and one from the postal department on the poster paper wetting the stamps using water. The judge did not know what to do. This the judge obliged. After some argument and counter argument the judge wanted the case to be adjourned . For this narayanachar requested the court to wait for a some minutes and asked the judge to see as to what happened to the stamps stuck. When the judge saw the stuck stamps he was surprised to find that the stamps of entetainmenttax stuck to the paper were not sticking properly and could be easily peeled off where as the postal stamps could not be peeled easily and if peeled the paper got damaged. Everyone was surprised and the entertainment tax department oficials were taken by surprise. The lawyer submitted the fresh stamp paper of both the extertainment tax department and postal department as exhibits for the court and record. His argument was that the department has purposely removed the stamps from the half they have with them and hoisted a false case!! So the case was dismissed and Narayana char got an independent good house owned by the Gayathri talkies on a nominal rent!!!! for a long time.. The court peon who stuck the stamps was also HONOURED for his help!!

3) During the rule of Maharajas in the old Mysore state the Royal Highness used to honour the scholars by giving them land grants. They were of two kinds. One was the right to collect tax from certain villages and other the outright to own land absolutely.. These land owners wre referred to as Jodidars.
One such ws the Jodidar of Vokkalagere.. After the end of the year financial year these
Jodidars were supposed to render the account to the Amilda’sr(Taluk head of the Government ) get their collection of tax checked and pay a small percentage of collection as due to the Government..
For reason which is not known to me the Jodidar failed to submit the accounts for 3 successive years. As the Jodidar was a very good host and used to lavish the Government officers whenevr they visite the nerby villages these Govt officers had a great regard for him. So except for some oral request to the Jodidar no written memo was issued.
A new young Amildar was posted and while reviewing the old accounts he found that the Jodidar had neither given the collection details nor remitted the due to the Government . Inspite of the pleadings of his staff that this jodidar was an honest man and he will definitely give details and he may be contactea dn ascertained the reason this Amildar wanted to proceed against the Jodidar!!
He arbitrarily fixed an amount as a fine compounded for the failure to submit the account for the past three years and asked the Jodidar to remit the amount within a period of three months or otherwise the right for land tax collection will betaken over by the Govt. and cse filed for the recovery and the land owned by the Jodidar will be attached for that amount. The Amildar after waiting for 3 months filed a suit as the Jodidar did not obey the orders.
Even though Jodidar had an advocate as a son in law one of the cousins of the Jodidar’s wife who used to take care of the account side of the Jodidar family preferred Narayanachar as their advocate.. The lawyer studied the case and asked for a good fees.
After the fees was agreed upon Naraynachar took up the case.
Narayanachar used all the tricks of the trade to postpone the case as much as possible and tried the patience of the Amildar. Amildar who thought that this type of case will show the others his toughness in dealing with tax evaders could not do anything due to adjournements. . He was also asked by the Government Prosecutor to be physically present on all days of hearing. He had to travel from T narasipur in crowded bus (some of the buses were driven by charcoal due to shortage of petrol. Even though he was seated in the first row of the bus along the side of the driver the constant travel made him tired. There were no regular bus service and from the busstand at Mysore he had to hire a tonga(a horse drawn carriage) and he had to travel in it along with his peon!!!) who used to carry the files relating to the case. At mysore he could not expect any treatment which he used to get in the villages and if he missed any bus he had to spend more to stay at Mysore than what he woud get as Travelling allowance.
At long last the case came up for hearing. Narayana char called the head clerk of the office as his first witness. He asked the witness as to how many years he is working in the Amildar’s office. The clerk said that he is working for the past 10 years. The next question was for how many years he has seen floods in cauvery. He told the court that during his service he has seen two real floods and one flood warning. The judge asked narayana char as to what the flood has to do with the accounts of the officer and the rst of the lawyers including the judge laughed. For this narayana char replied that everyone is laughing and afte finishing his portion of the case he willl laugh and sit.
The next question was when ever the flood warning is given what they do to the records in the taluk office building which is within the rach of floods. The clerk replied that the records are taken in bullock carts and taken and kept carefully in the school building above the flood plain. Afte the flood warning or the flod receeds it will be taken back to the taluk office building. Whether the trasport of records will be done within a short period and druing the day time only. Theclerk replied that the trasport of records is a cntinuous process and the records will be shifted even during night times with hthe help of Petromax light. The next questin wa as how the records are shifted. For this clerk replied that the records are bundled and taken. The next question was whether the records loaded into the cart are listed and then once again checked at the destination. For this the clerk replied s the records were shifted in an emergency such thing was not don. The next question was whether the Jodidar was given any acknowledgement for the account given by him. For this the clerk replied that they have great mutual trust especially to the present Jodidar and as such theacknowlegement is neither asked nor given.
At this point the lawyer started the argument stating that the preent Amildar is new and quite young. Wihout knowing all the facts he has filed a suit. He could have amicable settled the issue with the Jodidar for whom everyone shows great repect. It can be surmised that even though the accounts were handed over and even though the accounts have not ben checked for which the Jodidar was prepared at any time to pay the dues to the Govt the Amildar has not done it. He could have asked for a duplicate account or got one of his clerks to copy it from the Jodidar’s account books. Instead of this he has taken the extreme step of filing a suit. There is every possibility that the records may be in one bundle lost during transport.. So it is a case of clear vindicativeness on the part of the Amildar to sully the name of the Jodidar who is held in high esteem.
The court was convinced of the argument and the Amildar was asked to be more careful while coming to the court next time on any issue.
The case was dismissed . The Jodidar won the case. As long as this Amildar was in thistaluk he was never ever entertained in the house of the Jodidar even though the rest of hisfollowers were entertained..
THE CLERK WAS SUITABLY HONOURED BY THE JODIDAR
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P S: My wife is the grand daughter of this Jodidar. This incident happened many years before my marriage.

ANOTHER STORY ABOUT NARAYANCHAR THE LAWYER.(We shall call it as 4th)

Recently Kittanna told me about the following
After India gained independence many of the princely states did not want to join. They wasnted to be treated as Independent states and did not want to be merged with Government of India. The then Mysore state was no exception. After general upraising by the people and so many sacrifices by common people the then Maharaja agered to merge Mysore State with the Governemtn of India this happened during the middle of 1949.
During one such demonstration against the Maharaja of Mysore an honest officer caught hold of 8 boys who were in their teens. These boys were from rich family and the police officer did not budge to release these boys and filed a case against these boys.
The parents of the boys came together and they appproaced Narayanachar to take up the case.
He relented and charged huge fees. The parents agreed and paid the entire sum in one go.
As usual the case was dragged on for 3to 4 months. On the appointed day wherein the case was to be taken up Narayana char went to the police officer before the court opening that he should be allowed to speak to thees boys for about 10 minutes. As the lawyer had not met the boys in the jail also the officer who had brought the boys allowed him to talk to the boys exactly for ten minutes. The officer also stood a bit away from this group wherein the lawyer was talking to the boys in a hush hush tone.
After ten minutes Narayanachar profusely thanked the police officer and told the police officer that he may not have much point to taclke the case as the police has a very strong case against the boys. The police oficer was extremly pleased.
After the public prosecutor cited the various sections under which the boys have been charged Narayana char wanted to examine these boys. He also requested the police officer as to how the boys have been lined up. The police officer gave the note in which he had lined the boys in the order of the note.
Now came the turn of Narayanachar.
He questioned the boy stating that his name and fathers name as entered in the note as correct. The boy cooly replied that the name and his father’s name is diferent and it is not as per the note of the Police. He gave his name and father’s name and ths did not tally with the note. So it happened with all the 8 and the judge dismissed the case stating that the police have miserably failed to give even the correct name of the boys and their father’s name and also doubted the integrity of the police officer who for some unknown reasons has filed a case.
So Narayanachar won this case.
The hush hush coversation was for the following reason. The boys were given instruction in the police station to stand in one type of order. Narayanchar told them that just before entering the hall they should shuffle and stand in some different order. So the name as per the note of the police officer and the actual row formed by the boys differed and so the case was dismissed. The shuffling of the boys in the row was not observed originally by the police and they thought that they have formed the row as per the instructions given to them in the Police staion..
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STORY OF NAAHATHEEPO

STORY OF NAAHATHEEPO :

(This is one of the stories from the book of Collection of Kannada short stories translated from Chinese read by me some about 6 decades back)
In one of the villages In China long long age lived a man by name Naahatheepo.
He was the only son to his parents and they were quite self sufficient. They had a small patch of land and some pigs,pultry and some buffaloes. With this they were able to lead a quite life..
When Naahatheepo was very young he was being taken to the temples for some occasions or festivites. When he grew up became a youth due to some calamity both his parents died. On one festival day after the death of his parents he went to the temple to ask for favours from the presiding deity. He wanted a good girl as his wife and also hewanted to try his hand in some small business. This he wanted to ask as a boon from the deity.
As this was a festive season the temple yard ws completely filled with devotees. So many people in their hand had burning incence sticks and candles and were praying ernestly for severla boons. He could not find any one around him not praying for some thing or the other from the deity. He heard some of the desire loudly being made by others to the deity of the temple that their desire was of more urgent nature than his.
So he did not want the deity to trouble the deity. and returned without making his desire to the deity. Whenever he visited the temple later on he found that the desire of others were of more important than his own.
So he stopped visiting the temple and led a normal life with the possessions he had. The others in the village started spreadeing a rumour that Naahatheeps has become an atheist..
Except for a hand ful majority of the villagers avoided him..He was not bothred about it..
After some years due to old age Naahateepo lefft this world. To the surprise of the villagers all of them saw a celestial chariot descending from the skies and take the body of NAAHATHEEPO. When they were astonished and gathered and were surprised to see that the body of an atheist being taken by angels in a celestial chariot. One of his close aquaintances told the villagers the true reason for Naahatheepo not visiting the temple. And then villagers started praising Naahatheepo to the skies stating that he is a real God loving person and friend of the villagers who thought of others request to God was far more urgent than his.

AN INTERESTING LITERARY DISCUSSION

AN INTERESTING LITERARY DISCUSSION:

I have a close friend by name Chandri. There is a saying in Kannada “Cheddi snehitha” that is from the stage of wearing the shorts. Chandri is a friend even before that stage.
While I was in the senior intermediate class I was asked by Chandri whether I was interested in attending a literary discussion at Maharaja college hostel. On a certain in the afternoon. I agreed and on that day which ws a holiday I went to the meeting. The total number of persons attending the discussion which was held in a boarders room was about 12 or so. All of them were from rich families especially sons of estate owners financiers and businessmen hailing from Shivamoga, Chickmagalur and Hassan districts of then Mysore state. They will have their clothes washed by a dhobhi got them ironed and on its being delivered they will immerse in water and with just f small wringing of it put it on the cloth line, This crmipled dry clothe will be worn. . Also they were accusomed to smoke beedi(had made leaf covered tobacco powder and very very cheap usually used by poor) though they could afford cigarettee..
On the day of discussion the topic was from one of the poems of “Mysore Maallige” by Ks Narasimha Swamy and another was a poem in the Kumara Vyasa Bharatha.
The discussion was started by having small cup of tea and lighting of a beedi which was passed around. :The entire poem of the Mysore Mallige I don’t remember. But one line comes to my mind. It is “ Shanubhogara Magalu Rathnadanthaha Hudugi, Balu Jaanay Ghambhira Hesaru Seethadevi , Hanneradu thumbihudu, Maduvay Illa”. That is the village accountant’s daughter whose name is Seethadevi who is beautiful, and modest and intelligent, who is twelve year old and yet not married . This is the gist of discussion.
“See that the girl is not yet 12years old and everyone is worried!! They want her to be married even though may be or may not be she has come to age. This is the mind set of Brahmins. Suppose she is married and if due to some unfortunate circumstances the bridegroom dies then the Brahmins will be happy and get her head tonured and keep her in her house. She will not be married for the second time, she will not be sent for higher education as we do not know from the poem whether she had any formal education .
So such type of poems which propagates values which are not in conformity of a broader perspective should not be encouraged and such books should be banned!!! This type of discussion went on and on in the same vein and the group had two or three cups of tea and a bunch of beedis in the meanwhile.. Sorry I am a coffee addict and no smoker. So this was not offerd to me. May be the discussion lasted an hour
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Then came the turn of Kumara Vyasa .
Poor vyasa he also did not fare well. during the discussion
.Kumara vyasa (His original name is GADUGINA NARANAPPA) says that in the beginning of the magnum opus “Rachsidanu Kumara Vyasa
Bharathava”. . That is that this literary work is composed by Kumara Vyasa. He also says that he never wiped out or say corrected any line once written.
The line of discussion was “How can any author claim to a title on his own? How is it we can know whether he corrected what he wrote once and did not carry out the corrections? Who can vouchsafe for such a statement? Can we find from the writings of any one of his contempories who can certify to the above questions raised .
My God!! Then I realised that the discussion is more caste based rather than the true value of the poetic work.
The next discussion was scheduled for the next Sunday. I told Chandri that I am not interested and flatly refused to attend this discussion and this also ended my enthusiasm for literary discussions!! at Maharja’s Hostel!!! I think Chandri also did like wise though he had all the members of this group as his good friends.

OF VULTURES AND ALSO PIE DOGS

OF VULTURES AND PIE DOGS:
Our father passed away when we were very young. I was aged fourteen and the others were still younger.
We had lots of relatives from our father’s side and not many from our mother’s side.
Now let me take on the relatives from our fther’s side.
Our father did not have any brothers of his own. The only sister he had died after marriage and did not have any children. So almost all the relatives were his first cousins.Among all the Nadipuram clan only our father was the richest from the then standard of wealth.
All of them had in their heart in heart thought that we will ask their help and thereby make some money.
Ones in a life time opportunity arrived for the socalled relatives when our father left this world. . Almost all our relatives from our father’s side and some from our mother’s side and known and unknown peple of oour community. With great flurish Kullu Vadhyar sriranga char who ws welversed in the Purohit craft and a professionl purohit took control. Whe our father was in the death throes I did not actually know that. Just before his actual death one of the relatives asked me to recite “MUKUNDAMALA”. I knew all the sacred poems and also had passed about 4 examination of the “UBHAYA VENDANTHA SABHA” examinations held at Melkote. I started reciting the sloka and while I was in the middle of the recitation our father died. My other brothers and sisters could not gauge it. Without even knowing that our ather died I went on reciting the sloka and completed it. I may mention here that our father suffered just for 3 days.. The first question this Kullu asked our mother was whether we hava atleast a minimum of Rs 500/- to proceed with the obsequisies.
I was asked by our mother to check the box on the loft where we used to keep the excess cash in the wooden box. and find out how much cash was there . I climbed the loft and told her that we had that amount. I got down the with about 4 hundred rupee nots and rs 100/- in silver (real) coins of one rupee each. Immediately he wanted to take the amount. Our mother said that she will have the cash and what evr is required she will give.
Now starts the fleecing. Offering of money for having died on a bed offering of money for having died inside the house offering of money for not having performed the evening sandhya and not having taken a bath and not having performed the Gayathri, and decorating the forehead with Namam, spraying of water reciting “purusha suktham” and the lsit went on and on. Every time he used to put some amount in his dhothi and all the others were given in lump.. I do not know how muc he tucked in his dhothi..
Even though we had informed the ‘Dharma sabha” of brahmins we had so many reltives who were prepared to carry the bier upto the Burning ghat as this kullu enticed them with large fees for the same. We three brothers went to the burning ghat and had our head tonsured and finished the ceremonies connected with the final phase. There was lots of bargaining regarding the supply of fuel and other items. What a surprise the kullu ws very genrous to the core as it was not his money. He knew all the staff of the burning ghat who wre vry familiar with him as he was one of the regular visitors to that place . wheneve somebody used to kick the bucket especially Srivaishnavites kullu used to be invited for perfoming the last rites!! Our mother had also come to the burning ghat along with her second lady cousin. We returned home late in the evening. Nobody was there in the hose except our two sisters and our maternal grand mother. There was no one to offer us anything. However second cousin of our mother by name Sundari got us some coffee. So the ceremonies concerning the departure of our father was completed at a very high cost. All the gifts wer given such as chappals , so that our father will not walk bear foot during his walk to heaven, umbrella so that he will be shaded during sunshine, water filled vessel so that he willnot be thirsty, one cow with calf so that he will get all the merits and also get mild when he is tired enroute to heaven---so on and so forth.
In all her innocence our mother spent the money thinking that she is doing good to the soul .of our departed father.. This kullu--- wanted our mother to tonsure her head and I was dead opposed to it. He said only if the head is tonsured our father will reach heaven without difficulty. I don’t know what type of courage I had and I told him that he can leave w will that if he dies prior to his wife he can leave a note asking his wife to tonsure! Heart in heart I know that the money given as gift to be given to Brahmins nerly 50% was taken away by kullu. Within the year of the demise of our father we pwerfomed the marriage of our sister Sour Pushpa as we thout that perfoming the marriage of her within an year of the death of ur ather will gget our father the merit of “Kanyadan” it is to be remembered that when Sou Pushpa got married she ws hardly 12 years of age,No sarda act or anything of that sort prevented this marriage!! Even in this some of the well (pushers) wishers made lot of money. This will be in a seperate chapter/blog Every month we performed the maasikam etc etc and after one year ended it was celebrated with pomp!!! That is all the Brahmins got lots of gifts!!
I was in the V form or say one year before SSLC when our father died. As I have mentioned in the earlier blogs that we did not even know the extent of our land holding. .
Ourfather had with him for pooja some sacred saligramam (Amonites) for pooja purposes.. They were indeed rare ones. One was “shatchakra seetharama murthy, another lord ranganatha, and so on and on around 14 or there about in numbers. When ever some religious function was there some one or the other used to appear at our house and say that they will perfoem pooja and request our mother for permission. Our mother in all her innocence will allow them thinking that performing pooja will bring merit. Also I did not have “samashrayanam” and as such I could perform the pooja. So these so called realatives who used to perform the pooja were may be moved by the pathetic sight of the saligram thought that hey will get regular pooja in their house used to tuck them in their dhothis without the knowledge of eithr our mother or me. It ws customary that the saligram were not touched by ladies . so after pooja it was not counted. When the saligram container which ws nearly full became half full our mother had doubts and als she knew the number of saligrams. When she counted without caring for the norms she found that nearly half of them were not their. I could recognise easily the shatchakra seetharama murthy and lord ranganatha as our father had shown them as special. They were missing. Next time onwards whenevr someone came to the house pretending to do pooja she sternely told them not to bother and she will keep milk and other dishes in front of the pooja shelf and that is enough.. so during a the annual ceremonies when ever some one is asked to do pooja she used to have a hawk eye and before packing them in the silver box she used to ask the perormer to show the saligram to her!! So this theft of saligram was stopped. Regarding the performance of the annual ceremoney of our father’s first wife Smet Lakshamma there was a dispute .
Smt lakshamma did not have any issues and as long as our father was alive he used to perform the ceremoney in his name. even after my birth the same continue. Kullu had lost two of his wives and he ws with the third wif. His first wife had a son by name Kanna and the second wife had a daughte by name “Eggamma”. Even though he had a son from the first wife kullu continued to perform in his own name as kartha. .. This was also the case with Josier Ranga char (rangajosier) wher in he was perfoming the annual ceremony of his first wife in hs own name as kartha. The reason was if he performed in the name of his son the son has to continue doing it after his.demise.. So performing of the ceremony of step mother he is assured of a date in the calender for his income. This is of course tricdk of his trade. He was also involved in a case where in he had asked two brothers living in different localities to perform the annual ceremony of their father on consequetive days as the brothers were not very much in the knowledge of
ephemerics/Panchanga. One bad day for kullu this came to be known to the brothers and they thrashed kullu for his act. Another occasion was the performance of the marriage of late HSK, where in he started reciting the portion of the sacred text relating to the burning ceremony and not of marriage. Also he did not keep the Dharba grass around the alter in the wrong direction.This was quickly pointed by othe Brahmins who had asembled fo the marriage and kullu corrected them. As illuck would have it on the third day of the marriage the mother in law of HSK died.! So many of the rich srivaishnavites shunne him and his service . this ws a major blow to kullu. Kullu convinced our mother that as the first wife was instrumental in creating lot of wealth for the family it is correct to perform annual ceremony. Our mother agreed and I started performing the ceremony. As our mother did not have shaved her head she could not cook for the ceremony . so we had to have a professonal cook . most of the time it was Vaduvarai narayanan. A really good but arrogant cook. He was always impeccably dressed and orthodox. I had to invite brahmins atleast three persons for the partaking of the meals for the ceremony. Most of them knew that narayana will cook for the ceremony. They will agree for the attending to the cermony with the condition that all the sweets and svouries are to be prepared in pure ghee as their constitution does not take easily food cooked in oil. We had to agree as it was very difficult to find really orthodox brahmins. The same brahmins used to attend in other places eating the savouries and sweets even prepred in oil!!!
Some used to go to Narayanans house and tell him that all the preparations shuld be in Ghee as it is the house of SAHUKAR SRIRANGACHAR!! Of course we had no other alternative other than preparing all the dishes in pure ghee.. Our mother was happy that all the food items that were prepard in pure ghee will reach heaven and those souls will be happy and bless us.. MAY BE SHE WAS RIGHT.This induced me a sort of hatred in my heart about all the antics of these brahmins.
I have already elaborated in some other blog about how some of our relatives who had borrowed did not return the money and just by doing “namaskaram” to our mother escaped paying us They are as I remember Sons of Oyana of Bannur, Annamuthu, Paligai Muthu to name a few. With trust for a marriage without document our father had loaned the amount and this wa not repaid. .. Prominent among them are Ramanuja,and Deshikachar (both nephews of our father. Desikachar was an agent of Mysore Govt Insurance dept and had his office at Lansdown building Mysore. It was not easy to get the agents post then. Almost all the Govt servants were required to take insurance policy compulsorily.. So his office was always busy with people. He had insured almost all the eligible Nadipureans. He had also insured Kullu vadhyar mention above. He used to colect the premium dues from these orthodox people once in a month on a regular basis.
In most of the cases he never remitted the amoount!! When kullu asked him that the number of years for which e had taken the insurance s alrady over and when he can expect the amount desika said cooly that there ws a lapse of several days while remitting the premium as kullu paid him late so it may take several months to get the amount. Kullus son who was an accountant in the Mysore PWD went to MGID head quarters at Bangalore and enquired about it. To his shock he found ot that except for one year no other preminum has been paid as such the incurance policy is dead and even the amount paid for one year cannot be returned!!! Another side of the kullu vadhyar was that whenever any functions for which kullu was invited for performing certain functions he used to choose the function from which he will get maximum financial benefit,. Suppose there was a marriage and death kullu will select death as it is more payingt. He will also ask some other less known vadhyars to attend the other function with a rider that he should be paid 50% of the payment he receives.!! There wer not so scholarly vadhyars who used to agree. Among other ethnic communities of brahmins the vadhyar or priest who performs for good ceremonies will not hand the apara karma . That is the functions relating to death. Another factor is that those who attend to the apara karma were treated as if they were outcastes! This is not the case with srivaishnavites.
Next comes the relatives from my mother’s side. It appears that our maternal grand father was well to do. He was not only arrogant but a man with very strong wrong convictions..when I wanted to study engineering he told me that it is better if I become somehow a bench clerk in a court and on an average I can make nerly 5 ruppes per day over and above the actually salary!! This was the state of his mind.He lost his propety due to his brothers mostly. His next younger brother was a theatre enthusiast and was a contemporary of Nagendra rao. He had I believe 3 daughters and one son. He just used to go out to the drama companies and was never heard off for an year or so. So our grand father had to look after these children and this drama mad man used to appear during harvest season and take what ever is given and rush off. The second brother was a race goer and also a card player. Though he had a good income from railways he used to borrow money for his hobby from the Pathans. When the loan amount ws heavy he used to go to his brother and get money and for that period his problem was solved,
Our mother was having one elder brother and three younger brothers and one younger sister . The elder brother when he was young had some difference of opinion on some issue left the house and never had any connection until late in life. In the course of time the first son was married to a girl from T Narasipur. He left for Harihar near Davangere and later on shifted to Bombay where he had his own taxi Marriage of our mother took place when they were at Sattegal. When our mother came to mysore she brought with her yonger sister who was with us until her marriage which actually was arranged by our father and the entire expense was borne by him Our maternal grandfather left sattegal and came and settled at Mysore in a rented house. It was very difficult for him to adjust to Mysore city life as nobody bothered about his arrogant behaviour and his anger. He was also accustomed to a sort of dignified life as people used to give him respect as once he was a rich man. The se.cond son was really a back bone of the family.. he did not study much. He used to go as assitant to cooks and afte some time he himself became a regular much sought after cook. After about 4 to 5 years he got married to a girl belonging to Nadipuram clan.. One day this Kutty was returning late in the evening from Vontikoppal. Where he had gone for cooking for a function. There were not many houses or human movement near the Kukkarahalli lake. During those days. While he was half way near the Kukkarahalli lake bank it appears a foggy figure approached him from behind and asked him to give shelter to it on its back. He ran all the way reciting “Narasimha” until he reached the house which was in the Kempananjamba agrahar. The next morning he could not use his legs and they had become lean overnight. No amout of medicine could cure him. He was bedridden . His wife’ brother was in Kerala near Sultan Bateri and he was taken there to give treatment . any amount of alternate mediction did not bring his legs to normalcy. He ws brought back to mysore after an year of so. He wife died .After long suffering Kutty also died. During the interval between the death of his wife and his taking care of this second son fell on the head of our maternal grand mother. . The next two brothers joined Maharaja Sanskrit college for some sanskrit course as the course was offered free.. During freedom struggle and also during the fight for the amolgamation of princely ruled Mysore state with India they left their studies and joined the struggle. They were dismissed from the college. Even after the merger of Mysore state and independence these brothers were not allowed to join. I do not know the exact reason.. the elder know as kittu started a provision stores in the slum like area. It did not give him enough profit. So he shifted to a properous area known as thyagaraja road.. . One interesting incident is that he had advanced lot of groceries to one Rajagopalaiyengar lawyer on credit basis. The amount ran into some hundreds of rupees. He went to collect the dues to the house of that was due from this lawyer cooly asked him to come some other time.saying that he was busy. When after several attempts the lawyer asked kittu to produce the account. when he produced the account the lawyer cooly told him that he does not purchase piece meal and he only purchases in bulk from Santhepet from reputed firms. More over may be the person who had said that the articles was for the house of the lawyer might have been misused by the person. So it is for kittu to file a cse and get the money due and the lawyer is not responsibel for this amount!! Kittu was stunned . when he met the person who had actually taken the groceries wa confronted he cooly said that the groceries were for the lawyer and now the lawyer is not telling the truth. So he cannot beresposible for this amount. This person also reused to say thi in front of the lawyer. Anothr aspect of kittu was he was addicted to take breakfast and coffee in the nearby Prasad lunch home and boardless hotel. When ever any of his socalled friend came he will take them even though he had already taken the breakfast.. he will ask one of his friends to attend to the business during his absence. These persons used to pocket some money from the cash couter into their pockets. He used to ask lots of questions about the groceries required for the house hold. Withut any reason he used to call me to the shop and beat me with sticks. Even now I do not know the reason. He used to tell me ta I am disobeying our mother and so this punishment!! When ones he gave me a lot of beating I could not even walk properly and came home. Our mother really got angry and told kittu as to why he beat me. He cooly told our mother as I was not obeying her he caned me. She said it was none of kittu’s businees to punish her children. This --- kittu is the same one who wanted our mother to gift him one house with rs 1000/- to start his life afresh. Due to his taking part in the struggle he got the state pension as a freedom fighter. I think that I have already eloborated on this in some other blog. The next brother by name Dochchu was a thief. He did not spare even his own sister that is our mother. He had also stole from my piggy bank. He was a story writer and he used to write in his stories that he was wronged. When our mother came to know of his habit she asked him not to visit our house..He was able to get a job in railways due to the benovalence of a srivaishnavite railway officer. He was married to a girl of Sosale. He even had the audacity to steal rented bicycle from the shop whose owner was a friend of our last maternal uncle kuttiraju.. kuttiraju cultivated bad friends even during his younger days . when he was in the 8th standard and had to pay the fees his brothers did not give him any money for the examinatin. So he came to our mother in desperation and she gave him the money after consoling him. He passed the examination. When he was in the high school he got a job in the education department as a teacher . He got married to a girl from Talkad. He retired from the department and settled in Mysore.
So even though this blog can go on and on I have to restrict it. May be I will add when eve I find time. Of all the maternal I have a very bad opinion of kittu who was a sadist. I hear that his only son is in a good position at Bangalore where kittu settled leaving Mysore after the demise of his wife. It appears that son comes home in an inebriated condition in the eveinings and give a good beating to his father and really I am glad to hear it. . . .




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