STORY OF BHAGYALAKSMI OF POLLACHI

I was at Pollachi Coimbatore Dt Tamilnadu during 1981-1982 on return from the mideast.
It was difficult to find the maids for working in the house as almost all of them used to go to the fields early in the morning by around 3-00 am and pluck flowers upto 4-30 am. All these ladies wil be given hurricane lamps and the wages depended upon the quantity of flowers plucked. Al \l the plucked flwers will be sorted and sent to almost all the places including Mysore and Bangalore. These ladies will take rest and go to the ginnig factories. Here some exotic varieties of coltton will be given to them to am\ manually remove the seed of cotton. These seeds of variety known as “Vijaylakshmi” Jayalakshmi” etc used to be sold for nearly 450 to 700 rs per kilogram. If the cottlon is ginnined in the machine there was a possibility of the seeds getting crushed and will not fetch good price in the market.
Here aalso the wages were depending upon the quantity of seed so removed . on Thursdays there is a very big weekl mrket whose turnover is not less than 2 to 3 crores of rupees. Here also the ladies used to get the job of cleaning the grains recived at thee market or grading of the3 vegetables. On Friday also there used to be a small weekly market . here also the ladies used to get good wages. So the ladies preferred workin in the above areas and none was prepared to work as a maid in any of the households at Pollach. Through our workinspector wer\ found a lady/girl who ws in the early 20’s and who was prepared to work for a wage of Rs600’- per month.
Finally we settled for her.
She used to nt only sweep and clean the house and also used to clean the frames of the windows and clean the g lazed windows. I was surprised and asked her as to who taught her all these things. She told me that she worked in a convent and thre she lernt all thesrt things. And I asked her as to why she did not continue to work in the convent. She told me that as she is a dalit and as her qualification is only upto 4th class she wil only be allotted to the cleaning of the toilet and meanial jobs even if she becomes a sister of the order. One day she brought her parents to our house. The beaty or the color of the girl did not match in any way that of her parents. When Raja came to Pollachi he was just 8 years old she just took a liking for him and started addressing as “Raja”. Raja was surprised as to how this madi knew his name!! she used to tell him lots of stories and play with him One day I asked her as to how she is different from her parents !!
She told me the following story:
It seems that she is an illegitimate daughter of a hgh caste girl. The girl who was studying in the college at Coimbatore fell in lve with a boy who was working in their household in the cowshed and belonging to the same caste. The girl got pregnant and this fact came to the knowledge of the father vry late. The doctor told the parents that the gir wil die if the foetus is aborted. So undr somepretext they took the girl to a hillstation and after delivery wanted to bring her back to the village. This family was very well to do. The girl flatly reused to part with the child and the parents had to bring the girl with the child in secrecy. Later on they found the Dalit couple who were doing the sweepers job and in the presence of “Masani amman” temple which is situated in the Vettaikaranpudur of pollachi taluk they gace the child to the these dalits and gave them lots of money. They took an oath on the “Masaniamman” that they will not reveal to anyone the parentage of the child. Later on for sometime also these dalits used to get some prvisions and money which was stopped. (More aout masaniamman later on). So this gir who was good looking and different from others of the dalit community ws married off when she attained pub erty. The marriage did nt lst long as the husband was a drunkardn and did not cre car of his wife. By that time she had studied upto 4th standard.
There were many who were prepared to mary her for her looks and beauty. But she flatly refused. She also refused to do the sweepers job. She went on to do the wok of collecting flowers and also to the ginning factory. As she was a dalit and as she had not powerful supporters she was many times evade the molestation of others males. In spite of her bestr efforts and cajoling her foster mothere refused to tell her the relal mother as she felt that Masaniamman will kill her if she told this girl about her real mother..
By around 1983 I was transferred to Tiruchi . I lost contact with the girl.By 1990 or so I had to go to Pollachi on official duty. There sent words to her and she came to meet me. She told me that one Engineer has married her and has also rented a house and taking care of her and she is now happy. I asked her as to why the engineer has rented a house when he is given a post attched quarters. She sheepishly told m that she is his second wife and he still loves her and taking care of her and evcen this fact is known to his first wife.
I was really glad. Afterwards there was no occasion to go to Pollachi for me.

I hope that (A) Bhaghyalakshmi is now really Bhagyalkshmi...
The following e mail was received from my third son Ravi Char on 1st april 2009:

Appa,
Your blog post on Bhagyalakshmi real moved me.

I remember her very well. She used to be very kind in her language. She always used to addres Raja and I as "Kanne", "Kanne".
She always was above/beyond in her work.

She was very cultured. I do remember her many times. She was the best maid you ever had.

I hope she is living well and she is happy.

When we look back in life, we don't remember our material possessions, we remember real people who touched our lives.

God bless Bhagyalakshmi

ABOUT SRI PEETHAMBARA IYER

About Sri Peethambara Iyer
During early 1970 I was working at Srivilliputtur of Ramnad Dt f Tamilnadu.. I came across an article in one of the Tamil monthly by name “Manjari”. This is almost like Reader’s Digest. This monthly used to condense articlew of interest from the various tamol magzinees and print it in the form of a monthly magazine.
In one of the articles I found that it had mentioned a Gentlman name Peethambara Iyer who performed in the presence of Sri Chandrashekharendra swamiji at Kancheepuram. The photograph it carried was of an orthodox gentleman with shawl and sacred ash smeared on his forehead. In one of the feats he threw a steel ball weighing about 1 kilo above and the ball stayed in the space above his head for nearly 5 minutes until he asked the ball to descend.. He also produced several unseasonl fruits. The stage was set in the middle of the hall and not on one end of the hall and nor in a corner. I really got curious and wrote to the Editor of the magazine “Manjari” and wnted to know the source of the article. They gave me the address of the original weekly which had published the article. I wrote to this magazine in turn and they gave me the address of Sri Peethambara Iyer which was near Tirucharapalli of Tamilnadu. I worte to Sri Peethamabara Iyer and after waiting for nearly 3 months I got a reply. He had asked me whether he can arrange for a show at Sriviliputtur and also written to me that he is well versed in Mani (gemsmology), mantra(sacred chants) and Aushadha(medicine) and also occult science where in he can drive away evil spirits. I approached the authority of the Pennington library who had a big hall and requested them as to whether they were interested in conducting q show. They outright refused stating that the are only interested in conducting cultural meets. (the pennington story is another chapter. The original trustees of the library were Brahmins and due to their quarrel they were outnumbered and driven out. This will be another story which I shall write later on). So I wrote to Sri Peethambara iyer about the sponsorship and asked him whether he can impart the knowledge to me. He wrote to me stating that he is already in the early 80’s and he can impart the knowledge only when his disciple has served him honestly for at last 12 years. I told him that I am only interested in seeing that the knowledge is not lost and also asked him whether he has any diciples at present. For this I did not find any reply.
I do not know whether there are any one at present who are the diciples of the Grear Peethambara Iyer.

IS T MAGIC OR SUPERNATURAL OR SLIGHT OF HAND???

IS IT MAGIC OR SUPERNATURAL OR SLEIGHT OF HAND?

During the late 1950 I was working as an engineer in the Kundah Hydro Electric Scheme ,Emerald camp, Niligiris Dt of Tamilnadu stt.
During that period there was one Superintending Engineer by name Er Arasu who was very much a staunch theist. At that perid the name of Sri Sathya Baba was not very famous nor he had lots of followers. Er Arasu came to know that the Baba is visiting a nearby village by name Ithalar which was about 3 km from the Emerald camp. He contacted csome one and invited Baba. His schedules arrival was by noon of that day. Er Arasu sent words to the project area and asked that any engineer who is inter3sted can attend . We should know that ErArasu was a task master. I had one Er Prabhu ( a native of Mangalore who was of the rank of Assistant Executive Engineer. So both of us had heard that Baba performs miracles qnd wanted to see his miracles first hand. So both of us left the work spot and rushed and occupied the front seats and squatted.. A shamiana was constructed using new tarpaulines which were available in store, and GI pipes. An officers chair had been ket over which a silk saree was draped. In front of the chair was kept one teapoy over which ws kept one silver plate with flowers and banana fruit. There was another plate which was empty. Some joss stick had been lighted and also two big sized oil lamps which had 5 wicks. Some of the ladies were singing some religious ongs and mind you none of the songs which are at present authorized by the Sathya Sivam Sundaram Group were known to them.!!!
By around 12-15 Pm Baba arrived with an entourage of about four persons. None had seen the photo of Baba earlier . Baba was led to the chair by Ert Arasu and accounts officer Parameshvaran Pillai. Baba st in the chair for about 5 minutes and everyone expected that he will deliver a sermon. It did not happen. One of the members of the entourage asked the accounts officer to light the camphor and show it to Baba. With solemnity Paramashivan pilai took the other silver plate and heaped a small quantity camphor in the center and lighted it and circulated it times in the front of Baba. Baba withdrew his sleeve and showed his hand about a foot above the flame. Believe me the silver plate which was about 15’ diameter got filled upto the very top almost like a cone with ash. Even if Baba had hidden ash balls rolled in the palm or in between the fingers it could not have the plate. Both me and Er Prabhu collected the ash which was distributed to all those who had assembled. Both of us were unable to find out as to how so much of ash could be produced!! After this Baba left the place.. Me and Er Prabhu wanted to test whether the ash wll vanish after sometime. Even after about 6 months it was there. Remember that at that time neither I nor Er Prabhu were even remotely connected with Baba in any manner.(Er Prabhu retire as Chief Engineer designs I the Tamilnadu E B and I believe that he is settled at Chennai)

2)I have already mentioned about one mohammed in my earlier blog. The villagers of Koomapatti were a bit afraid of Mohammed because they thought that he knows some charms and controls some evil spirits. Once he had come to office to recive his pa and one of the Er Guruswamy told me that he is capable of produced sweets like chololates and biscuits form emply space by the swinging of his arms in the air.
I called Mohamed and asked hm whether it is true. He told me that5 he did have great powers once and he has renounced most as due to the ill effect it has spoiled his family life and also he lost his son.
He had come with a torn sleeved coat and a turban . I asked him whether he can produce any thing out of thin air. He told me that he sdhall try. So I asked to pull his shirt and the sleeve of the coat back and stretch his hand up. He simply removed his coat and then he pulled his shirt sleeve as far back as possible. The engineer had told me that he had produced chocolate. Earlier. So I asked his to life his hand to the sky and clench it. He did as I told. Then I asked him to produce red sugar lump. He stared to the sky and as if he is commanding told in a stern voice that the officer is asking for red sugar lump and get it immediately. After about 3 minutes or so he opened tha palm of his hand and there were red sugar lumps. Mohammed id not know before hand that I am going to aske of red sugar lump and could not have hidden it any where as I had asked him to stretch his hand above and also had asked him to hold his hand above his head.
This feat was witnessed by Er Madananavaji, Er guruswamy Er Chandrashekahar and the rest of the staff of the Sub Division of Alagarq Dam Irrigati0on Scheme (Project Investigati0n Subdivision Ramnad Dt Tamilnadu. I think that all the engineers I have mentioned must have retired..
Mohammed gave me a lump and asked me to taste it. I took and small bit. It was like the sugar only. I tried to give him Rs 20/- and he flatly refused stating that if he receives any money for it he will be troubled by evil forces. I packed the rest of the sugar lump and kept it in my suitcaase for a long time. It did not vanish even after 6 months.

3)at the beginning of 1970 u was at HAUR IN Dharmapuri Dt of Tamilnadu investigation for storage reservoirs.
Near Harur there is a place called “Pappireddypatti’ from there there is a road connecting the main road (Harur salem road). Near the junction of this road on the left side of the road lived a sort of hermit. He was known as “Etti Mara Samiyar”. This is because he had constructed a hut under the Etti tree. The Etti nuts are supposed to be very very bitter and nobody dares to tasted it as it may even result in death. I ws curious to see this samiyar. So I went along with some engineers working under me. The hut occupied about 10’x10’ and on ne side there was a raised platform on which some photos of deities were kept. Also there was a Javelin(VEL) implanted on the ground.
Lots of people used to come to him. As soon as they come he never used to ask them as to what purpose they have come and he just used to stare at them and start first describing their house and the problem they are facing. He also used to give them solutions if any. He never used to ask for any money or fees for his service If at all they want to gve anything the samiyar used to ask them to place it near the javelin.. He has his family even though he had cut his ties long back and the family memb3rs who were well off used to send him lunch and dinner. There ws a stream nearby and he used to wash and also use the water form the stream. The hut did not have any doors. In hs hand he had a nerly one foot long on inch diameter steel rod. Sometimes he used to throw it above his head and there was an L shaped branch of the ETTI tree and this rod used to get attached to it and fall after some 5 minutes or so when commanded by the samiyar.. One of the lascars told the Samiyar that I(Me) am an engineer and doing work on a project to help the residents of the village Papparpatti. He did not talk much. I request him whether I can see the miracle of the rod being stuck to the tree.he waited for about 5 minutes without talking. Then just uttered some thing and threw the rod upwards. It did stuck to the tree Then I requested him wether I may be allowed to touch the rod which was considred as sacred. He asked me that I should wash my hands f\and feet and enter the hut. I did accordingly. The L shaped bent in the tree was just . five feet from the ground level. I tok the rod and in all solemnity try to find out what it contined. It had got polished due to its long handlng. I did not find anything wire or any such thing in the tree. When I took the rod to the tree and held it it did not get stuck.

I do not know what to say for all the above facts . May be there are things about which we are still ignorant. .

SOME OLD TIME HABITS AMONG BRAHMINS OF OLD TIMES

Some evil habits among the old times Brahmins.

I am narrating three welknown incidents in which the Brahmins have behaved in a very condemnabe manner

1) During my younger days we had one curd seller for whom we were regular customers. She also used to supply our mother with tender mango and tender4 tamarind and get paid for it. From this our mother used to prepare Pickles.
Her name was Kempamma and she used to come to Mysore city from Bogadi village which was about 10 km from the heart of Mysore city.. One day I saw a very god loking girl who was aged may be abut 12 years. I aksed her whether the girl is her daughter and for that she said that she is a neighbours daughter and she wanted to purchase something from market so she has brought the girl with her.
The next day when I commented that the girl is very good looking she told me and out mother the following story. This happened when Kepamma was not yet born.
It seems that the grandmother of the girl was actually a Brahmin. During those periods the Bogadi area was surrounded by a semi dense forest . One day when the boys of the villages went to the forest they saw a girl sitting under a tree and weeping. These boys did not know as what to do. So they brought her back to the village. The villagers elders asked her as to her name and from where she is coming. She could only tell them her name and the name of the parents and could not give the place from where she had come. She also told that she belongs to Brahmin commuity. She also told them that she was left in the forest middle by the late noon of the earlier day and her father told her that he wll pick her up shortly as he has lost his way. But he never returned!!

The girl refused to take any eatables given b the villagers and she was satisified with mil and some banana.
Her waiting was in vain as none turned up. At long last one villager who did not have any children of his own took pity and took her home. Gradually she got accustomed to the village life. She was beautiful and it was not difficult for findng a groom for her. So married a village lad and her progeny were really beautiful and handsome and stood apart from all the other villagers.

2) During early seventies I was working at Sriviliputtur in Ramnad Dt Of Tamilnadu in the engineering department.
The investigation for a reservoir involved the diverting of the Moolavaigai flows towards Sriviliputtur…
During investigation we had to drill holes to find out the depth at whi9ch hard rock was available. This work was in the thick forest.region in the Village outskirts of Koomapatti village4 situated near Vatrayiruppu of Srivilliputtur taluk. The entire forest region was the habitation for elephants. So we wnted a watchman to watch the drilling rigs during night times. None of the villagers of Koompatti were willing. At last we found a Urdu speaking muslim (Remember that almost all the muslims in the Tamilnadu speak only tamil) by name mohamed who belonged to Koomapatti said that he will take care of the rigs during night. We agreed. He prceeded to erect a Machan(a room like structure) on the top of the neeearby tree. We got some old tin barrels so that he can strike them during night times. I asked him as to how come that he is speaking Urdu.
He told me the following story.
It appears that long long ago some Sufi Saints from Arabia traveled to India. They stayed at Delhi for a ong tine and they leant Urdu language. After sometime they traveled south. In the course of the journey they came to Koopapatti village. Even the narrator did not know as to why they came there. Because ofd their simple habits and their frugal way the villagers offered them food and shelter. In the morning they used to go upto the foot hills and have their abolutions. During those periods they used to clean their teeth with a smll twig of a Ficus tree.(Aththi Tree) After cleansing of their teeth they wll simply thrust them in the bank of the stream and return to the village. ( These ficus twigs have grown in to a huge tree and is treated as a sacred tree even to day by the muslims in the surrounding area.) One day they found a girl weeping near the foot hills. These Sufis did not know the Tamil so they brought her t the vlage. It seems that the girld was left there by her father and he had promsed to come back and take her. She could only tell the name of her parents and her name and dd nt knw as to why she was brought to the forest region. As the girl looked grown up but as she belonged to the Brahmin community none f the villager were daring enough to taker her. So one of the Sufi said that he will take her as hie wife and will stay at koomapatti itself. Other Sufis left koompatti in due course. So he married the girl and settled at Koomapatti. Later onsome two more families who were Urdu speaking settled at Koomaptti.. This Mohammed belong to that lineage.

3) During During 1996-97 I worked as a consultant to a mini hydel project and staying at Halagur In malavalli Taluk of Mandya dst of Karnataka..
There was a small room( about 10’x6’) like structure and with one door opening and niche near the main road side (Malavalli Bangalore road near Halagur) some times I found that a small lighted lamp in the niche. I asked some elders as to what it is.
And here is the story.
Long time back it appe4ars again that a girl was abandoned near the forest of Halagur. One cowherd youth found her weeping sitting under a tree. He brought her hme and on enquiry they found that she had been abandoned. She knew the name of her parents and reltives but did not know the place from where she had come.
The girl was beautiful and the boy who had brought her from the forest married her. There was objection from their parents and relatives as the girl belongs to Brahmin community. After marriage unfortunately some mishap or some alamity happened in girls the calamity has happened. They cursed their fate and indirectly started insulting the girl. It was too much for the girl. One evening telling the household that she is going to the temple she went with a lamp and near the place where at present there is a room like structure there was a thick shrubbery of thorns. She coolly entered into the shrubbery and lighted the edred shrubs and ended her life. Then the husband constructed a room like structure in the memory of his wife and used to light the lamps both in the morning and e4vening. He dd not it seems marry again even though he was very young..
From the above it shows how the Brahmins treated their daughters who came to age (matured) before they were married !! What a community! What type of treatment they showed towards their OWN DAUGHTERS MY GOD!!!!