Im back from spending a lovely 2 days at our 'home'. I have titled it a 'hangover' because, as is the case with alcohol, the kollath visit has given me some lovely moments and as it kicks in, I am left with some misgivings! I wanted to share it with the family and all those who would love to read about an old house filled with memories of many people.
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| The view from the karanavar's chair |
Green at the end of the gate. The fields are a bit bare now that the harvest is over. But the trees bordering the hills at the end of the flat fields still green with memories of the good old days. I still got asked, "Evidathaya? Edhu veetilthaya?" My daughter, got to touch a goat as was her wish. The kids and I walked till Neyyuttil Ambalam and scared a man who was bathing in the Ambala Kolam! We sat on the little bridge where many of us have made decisions, gossiped and just simply sat drinking in the sounds of the brook running over the stones! There is no water now running beneath the bridge. When Nayna fell and scraped her knee on the Thottu Varambu I was happy(ironically!) she got to take back a bit of what our childhood was like! A lil keepsake!
The Moonaam Nela is devoid of any memories except an old Thottil and some termite eaten Aavana Palagas. Even some old photos are missing. The line of photos hanging in Thekkini was it's identity! The Guruvayur Kesavans (Painting on mats) guarding either side of our front door is down to one. Missing a partner! The old armchair's cloth is still rolled up in the night so dogs and cats cannot claim it as their bed !!
In the Pujamuri, all gods are intact, so are the little dagger, Achaachan's watch hanging on his photo; Valia Ammaama's belt hanging on a nail and the iron rod separating the pooja doer from the praying are all in place. But the room is filled with cobwebs that have missed the eyes of our 91 year old Murugamama.
In the bedroom upstairs Achamma used to lovingly line every available sq ft of floor with Kosari and make sure everyone had a pillow and clean sheets. This time we were scared to open out the matresses in case some pests jump out. The fans run with the same low voltage capacity as if they are stuck in those days when the reluctant electricity used to make electric bulbs shine like Chimmini Vilakku! and the fans used to gently mimic the Vishari's speed! But in the morning, the sight of trees swaying through the wooden windows is the same. The same orchestra of birds to wake you from your sleep. The same fresh air nudging you awake. It's only the things used by people that has worn away or been eaten by mites.
The kitchen and bathrooms have its share of wildlife. I saw a red and black 'marathavala' at the kitchen door unable to decide where to go. I knew where to go. I ran and asked Murugamama to drive it away! He resignedly ambled across, shooed it away and said, "Idhu njaan valarthunnaya"!! Not to forget the extra large spiders and cockroaches in the Kulimuris! Looks like the pests have decided they will take over since the number of people has dwindled. There was a time when there were many of us and few of them!
When I remember how the house used to be and see it in its orphaned stage, dirty, broken and eaten away, it hurts. Practically, I know how difficult it is to maintain the house. But to see the house losing its strength made me feel helpless.
Murugamama is carrying on with his customary spirit. But the failing eyesight and hearing is worrying. Its not easy for us to go stay there for a couple of days; and it certainly is not easy to stay there with limited faculties.
Some of the photographic moments that will stay with me about this trip are the rolicking bath at the pump set used to water the arecanut trees. The kids had a brilliant time in the cold and gushing water. We had a lovely sighting of regal peacock walking across the fields. The family had quiet, undisturbed siesta on the Umarpadis. And we got a lot of lovely moments to take back after the holiday!
Help with some malayalam words:
• Karanavar - the elder in the family
•"Evidathaya? Edhu veetilthaya?" - this is the standard query from all people working in the fields when they spot a new person. Translated, it means, "Where are you from? Which house do you belong to?"
• Ambalam - temple
• Ambala Kolam - temple pond
• Thottu Varambu - the raised walkways between fields
• Moonaam Nela - third floor/ attic
• Thottil - cradle
• Aavana palaga - the spade shaped wooden low stool used for puja
• Thekkini - the hall
• Guruvayur Kesavan - the name of the elephant that carried the lord's idol for many years.
• Pujamuri - puja room
• Achaachan - dad's dad
• Valia ammaama - dad's eldest brother
• Murugamama - our home's caretaker, single-handedly running the show; who's become one of the family now
• Achamma - dad's mum
• Kosari - mattress
• Chimmini Vilakku - hurricane lamp
• Vishari - hand fan made of palm leaf
• Marathavala - tree frog
• "Idhu njaan valarthunnaya" - loosely translated it means, "this is my pet"
• Kulimuri - bathroom
• Umarpadi - the platform running along the front of the house, wide enough to sit and even catch a few hours of sleep
