The mazhai kaalam (MONSOON) reminds me of many things…. And here is one, which I would like to share with everyone.It was in the early 1990s. I was in KALPAKKAM…. An early morning, it has RAINED enough the last WEEK. They said, “Ivvolo mazahi idhuvaraikkum vanthathey illai” (it hasn’t rained so heavily till now). 

There was a KAALVAAI (this canal is a part of the BUCKINHAM CANAL) in front of our house at 51st Avenue. It was filled to its capacity. The SURPLUS water was let off to the BAY OF BENGAL, through a man-made MUGATHUVARAM (literally face hole-Mouth).

There comes a VOICE from my Childhood Friend KUMARAN. ‘Elaya.….. vaada… Meen pudikkalaam (Come lets go fishing). I was very THRILLED….. I asked him “BUN (nylon thread) and MULLU (hook) irrukka da?” He says “NO”….  

We got back home and asked Thyiaga (Thiagarajan) to join us. Also My BROTHERS joined for fishing. We three began to dig the soils of our garden to collect the earthworms (those fishes liked earthworms the most). At times, we even use the illy poochi (Emerita/Hippa/Albunia) as bait for the Kava meen (estuarine fish). We sat in a row along the bank of the canal with our baits searching for the fishes…

Hey……… I got carried away a bit… forgot to say that I was the LEADER of the whole GANG…..  

‘Leader’….. This word reminds me of the youngest PRIME MINISTER of India Shri RAJIV GANDHIwho visited KALPAKKAM to inaugurate the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).Well, there is an interesting story or belief I may say so.… to be told at this point…

INDIRA GANDHI died in the year 1985 soon after she visited KALPAKKAM for the inauguration of the FBTR (Fast Breeder Test Reactor). ….. and no one knew then that her SON will follow her footsteps………. YES he was assassinated after his maiden visit to KALPAKKAM. 


Not to forget MGR….. Who visited KALPAKKAM with INDIRA ji.  

Coming back to the fishing episode, as we started to fish the clouds gave way to the sun rays. It was quite hot for the month of Maargazhi (Dec-Jan). 

The JILEYBEE usually grows in the backwaters; in fact it is not a native fish of India. It was introduced from Africa around 300 years back. And now its presence can be felt along the length and breadth of Indian waters. Again I baited my gear and started my next round.

This time, Kumaran shouted, hey… I got something in my gear; I think it’s a BIGGER FISH………………………………….. (very interesting thing to happen!!!!) Yes.. 

The thing that was hooked in his fishing line was something that we had never seen or heard of before (well, now I know it and writing on it). It was a purse, very beautiful, though black and was crafted to perfection with curves and bends..Most importantly, it had a precious thing within it. …………wait.... the suspense I had created did not end yet….If I name the owner of the purse, the suspense is revealed…….…

 


Comments

louis vuitton outlet link
12/10/2010 18:17

The supreme purpose of life is to seek and create beauty of the living world.

Reply



Leave a Reply