Paddu Athimber by Nandini Ramachandran

Paddu Athimber,as he was called by everyone, as Periamma was AKKA to the whole lot of siblings.His memory was remarkable and he would remember little details and instances: Siddharth is a chip of the old block.

He would remember things that we had done when we were kids and the first sentence that he would utter the minute he saw us was the same even years later.For example when he saw me it would be-Nandini do u still run after and catch butterflies! Imagine being asked this when you are eighteen.And this would be asked with a naughty gleam in his eye! For Mathangi it would be-DO you still drink soda (she loves soda even as a kid, most kids would dislike it)and for Ramachandran it would be-Do you still eat parrot curry.When he was 3 years old he had said parrot instead of carrot!Interesting isnt it.

Dr R Bhaskaran and Prem

We convey our blessings to you all on the occasion of the centenary get-together of Sri. Padmanabha athimber.

Time flies yet memory lingers on. Nostalgia has a wonderful magical impact as it places us in the time machine and transports us back to our youthful days, so full of life and energy. We were the chosen lucky ones to enjoy the company of athimber, akka and the kids, when athimber was in service.

Mention must be made here about the marriage of athimber. Athimber and my father-in law Sri. T.N. Sundaresa Iyer got married at Balavilas on the same day. Kalpaka akka and my aunt/ mother-in-law Rukku akka were cousins.

It was only after my marriage with Malathi on May 21, 1948, our families came into close contact with each other. It was during this time that Padmanabha athimber came down to Madras after serving in North India for a number of years.

I still remember vividly my visit to Waltair where athimber served as the collector.Incidentally I was there for some field training sent by my college as a student. I throughly enjoyed their hospitality. I always looked forward to the visits to Akka's house. An expert cook she pampered me with delicacies and after a hearty meal I accompanied athimber to interesting places.

I recall with joy an incident that took place during my training in the Waltair farm. The Superintendent of the farm was not very kindly disposed towards the students. One fine day athimber came to visit me in my campus. When the watchman opened the gates for the car, the superintendent started shouting at the watchmen and, lo! to his utter embarassement the Collector alighted from the car along with the davali. From that moment a sudden trasformation took place and needless to add that the Superintendent turned into Mother Terasa!

Though born as a grandson of a Deputy Collector (A. Ramachandra Iyer), being a brother-in-law of a collector is a very special status! There is a saying in Hindi.

" Saari duniya ek taraf saala ek taraf." The entire world is no match to a brother-in-law.

Amongst the unforgettable outings with athimber, the safari to Kuruppam and Vijayanagarm forests in the Tamilnadu Andhra border is special. We watched all kinds of wildlife from on top of the machans (tree houses). It was a thrilling experience.

A voracious reader, athimber was very well informed on varied subjects and handled any topic with ease. I always admired his keen intellect and vast knowledge. He had a special liking for dogs and we used to go for walks with his pet Great Dane, Laila. Later the Pomeranian Nushka and AlsatianVikram were there for a long time.

Athimber enjoyed spicy food. He also liked dining out and of course,I have accompanied akka and athimber many a times. They had so much affection for me that even today the boys always visit "Vasu mama" when they come over to Madras.

I congradulate you all for your noble act of remembering your father Padmanabha athimber and have a family reunion. This filial respect will guide you all and I am sure that you will be blessed. Our blessings and best wishes,
R. Bhaskaran

Appa always spoke about his Waltair camp to us and as childen we heard wide-eyed about the jeep rides and the safaris. It was like reading a Jim Corbet book.

Athai and athimber were very affectionate towards us, the neices and nephews. Soon after my marriage in 1972, when I had gone to Bangalore as a young bride, they visited us many times and blessed us. During a trip to Bangalore, Ponnakka patti wished that the married couple should visit Banasvati Anjaneyar and have his blessings. Athai and athimber made arrangements for vennaikappu and took us for darshan. During the journey, we chanted the sloka "Om namo bhagavate Hanumate...." as taught by athai and sang Hanuman chalisa. They were very devoted to Sri Anjeneyar.

Appa has mentioned about athimber's extensive knowledge on varied subjects. once during a converstaion with athimber, we talked about the seasonal fruits. Since I was a Botany student, I started mentioning the description of certain special features of some plants. To my amazement he delved deep into subject with botanical names et all.
With my best wishes for Athimber's Centenary
Prem

Brother-in Law S Viswanathan and Children,Raji, Mathangi and Shobbana on D.Padmanabhan

We wish the centenary celebrations were happening here in Chennai.
Best wishes to all of you. May the unseen. spirit of the dear departed be with
all of you and guide you all.

Athai and Athimber left a little bit of them with all of us and this is a
great opportunity for all of us to bring to memory their days with us.
We are very proud and privileged to have known them and interacted with
them closely. We were all discussing this great event at Palathope KOODAM
and here is a summary of those few minutes of recall:

Vichu Mama: Youngest ICS of his times. Recalls times at "Chandrika",
sister Chandrika and Chami. recalls Laila and her pups.

Raji:: Athimber loved " Maya Bazaar" and always wanted me to sing
"Kalyana samayal Saadam" and other songs and Loved the "Hi Hoi
Thalaivaa" bit very much.

Mathangi: Athimber always called me Soda Mathangi because I was fond
of drinking soda.

Shobana: He christened me " Professor" and always addressed me that
way because I started wearing glasses at a very early age ( thanks to
Kalpathai.).

All of us: His call "Kalpam"," Kalpam " still rings in our ears.
Whenever Athai came to Palathope, she would be followed by a phone
call. " Kalpagam anga vandirkalamma?" He couldn't be without her for
long'

He was always surrounded by books.Athai and Athimber had a special touch
for each of us and that is how they endeared themselves to all.

We are sure their spirit is with all of us even as we are all going
down memory lane.

Best wishes for a lovely Centenary Celebrations. Do post the pictures.
Love from
Vichu Mama, Raji, Mathangi and Shobana

A Poem on my Parents by P. Girdhar Gopal

My father was my ballast that kept me straight
He was my strength, the source of courage
He taught me to do my best , and leave the rest to fate
He strove to give me love but tough love it was
He taught me to challenge the bully head on
He told me that courage would make the bully pause
While accommodation, would abject surrender spawn

His manner assured me that all was well
And if it were not, he would make it so
He told me the difference between wrong and right
He taught me when to yield and when to fight
He was my intellectual mentor and guide
I think of him always with love respect and pride

My love of books came from him alone
When he taught me history and poesy
His love of both showed, and his eyes shone
He made it all look so simple and so easy
He taught me to read essentially by example
Perked my interest and provided me with books so ample


His erudition, to me knew no bounds
I wondered how he stored what he knew
And brought it out timely, spontaneous and true
He drank from the font of the ages
And taught me to read by reading himself
He drank thirstily from the past and from the sages
He left an impression on how a father should be

My mother gave me life
First fed me in her cozy womb
And then in fullness of time, she gently
Pushed me into the world of strife
With help from doctor and midwife
She loved me through her eventful life

When she died it dawned on me
That a mother is like a fruiting tree
That gives fruit, craving nothing back
She loved me without cavil or doubt
Loved because she could do nothing else
Loved me with all her heart, so stout

Loved me despite my serious blemishes
Loved me for myself and myself alone
Without any fuss and without flourishes
She will always be there, in my mind's eye
My source of undying and everlasting love
That limitless love, was a treasure trove
I can never forget her till the day I die
In her death , still my soul she nourishes

I am thankful that they gave me life
Sustained me through youthful follies
Showed me to respect truth and abhor lies
Gave me a compass that showed right from wrong
And taught to protect the weak, stand up to the strong
On this father's day I salute them both
And thank providence for the marriage vows, they troth

Only wish they could have lived for ever
But all good things, they say, come to end
It comes to all, both to foe or friend
But, I like to believe we shall meet again
In that happy hunting ground, where there is no pain.
And souls meet in joy never to part again.

Memories of a dear Brother: Padma Jaishri

Padma Attai’s Memoirs of Pappanna

My earliest memory of Pappanna(what we affectionately used to call him) was, when I was about 5 years old. I was staying with Pappanna, Periamma and Patti (Periappa’s mother, DP's grandmother)) in a Bungalow, on the banks of Cauvery river, in Kumbakonam. Pappanna and Manni had come for vacation from North India.

Pappanna during meals used to insist, that I should have the largest plantain leaf. He used to call me ‘Kutti’.

Anna was very knowledgeable about Palmistry. He used to read the palms of every one. He predicted that my ‘Buddhirekhai’ was very good and that I will do very well in my studies if I continue my education.

During one of their vacation visits, from North India, we stayed with them, for about three months in Whitefield, Bangalore. Periappa, Periamma, Anna(Papanna), Manni and myself had an enjoyable time visiting the gardens, at play etc.

While I was with Periappa and Periamma at Thiruvannamalai, Anna and Manni visited us. I remember Anna, Manni and myself going on picnic to ‘Chenji kottai’.(Gingee Fort)

In later years my husband (Jaisri) and I, used to frequently visit Anna and Manni, while they were living in Besant Nagar, Madras, prior to their departure to US. Anna then used to talk about spiritual matters. He used to recite daily, Lalitha Saharsranamam and other scriptures. He had a good knowledge of Sanskrit and used to explain the meaning of Lalitha Sahasranamam and other scriptures. He was all in praise for the Glory of Bhagavan Sri Ramana.

Anna was a large hearted person with great affection for those close to him. One important aspect of his character was he was absolutely truthful and a person of great integrity who would not compromise on principle, under any circumstances.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sri Ramanaya

Memories in pictures-Meera Siddharth

I have made a short slideshow about Grandpa using pictures gathered from the family. Please click:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrK3-N5cGws

--Meera

My Grandfather and Grandmother by Deepa G Gopal

Unlike my older brothers and cousins, I never had the opportunity to know my grandpa well. I remember him to be a kind and gentle man.

When I was two, I could not pronounce the words, Cinderella and Two Bad Step Sisters in the fairy tale Cinderella. I instead pronounced them as Cindida and Two Bad Teps. He used these words, when talking about the story,with me.

When there were problems in getting me out of the adoption home before my adoption, my grandfather took my father, to see his old friend, Mr Govind Narain, who was then Governor of Karnataka, to ask for his help. My father tells me that Mr Narain helped them get me home,with them, almost immediately.

Before the adoption was complete, my parents had to go to court which took four months. In the meanwhile, my grandparents took care of me in India. I have seen pictures of my first birthday celebrated by my grandparents where they invited seventy five people in Madras.

I wish I was old enough to have known them really well, but I feel fortunate that they knew me quite well, as they took care of me. for four months, the way parents would when I was little. I am really proud to have been their grand daughter.