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The train stopped at THANJAVUR with the puff of a marathoner having traveled all
the way from RAMESWARAM. The emission of charcoal powder mixed fumes was
irritating and also made the vision blurred. It was but natural as it was drawn
by a steam engine and the story relates to pre-independence days.
Advocate Srinivasa Iyer entered the 1st class compartment with a few pieces of luggage
ably assisted by the porter.
There were lot of empty seats for occupation as
very few only could afford the luxury of that class in those days. Actually that
created him the problem of selecting the best. At last he made the choice of
that seat with good ventilation and more moving space. He missed to take notice
of the 2 luggage that was above the opposite seat. In a few moments came a BRITISHER making it clear that our friend was destined to travel with him for
the rest of the journey. He was fully aware that co-traveler won’t be a worthy
companion and may also create problems. However he was reluctant to move away to
another seat out of his in-built stubbornness and confidence. His glance over
IYER was not encouraging and receptive. |
To put it straight his body language and
postures were radiating animosity with hatred. Indirectly he was expressing his
anger for the audacity of Mr. Iyer not moving somewhere else. Mr. Srinivasa Iyer
was a leading criminal lawyer of KUMBAKONAM having his jurisdiction spread
through out the state of MADRAS. At present his assignment was to attend a
tricky criminal case at MADRAS and also to avail that trip to visit his
daughter’s family. Mr. Iyer (50+ ages) was well dressed as per the standard of a
wealthy educated Brahmin of those days. To start with his turban was well folded
with golden border. His fore head adored by 3 stripes of VIBUTHI and at the
centre was kumkum laid over sandal paste. He was wearing golden framed glasses
and through them his pair of eyes was generating hidden smile and mischief all
the time. Slight dimple was visible over the well shaven cheeks and the fair
color of the skin was paying compliments for his intellectual look. His nose was
prominent and sharp, typical of quick wit and sharp reaction. He was wearing a
brown colored coat with high neck and white full hand shirt inside.
Occasionally the golden couplets of the shirt were inviting the attention. Every
now and then he was drawing the pocket watch with the chain to confirm whether
the train was running as per schedule. He was wearing his Dhoti in Panchakachcham style with remarkable symmetry on both sides. The texture was
very nice which they used to call as MULL veshti and it was also sparkling
white. But again there was one flaw in this gentleman. He was picking his
silvery tiny box frequently and inhaling a pinch of snuff and at those moments
his face was red communicating his pleasure in no uncertain terms. The British
man must be in his 40s fully dressed with coat, suit and tie and also well
polished shoes. He had however removed his shoes and wearing only socks. It is a
different thing that not only his socks but also suit was giving out pungent
odor as it was the month of March and they are not match to south Indians in
cleanliness.
Mr.Iyer ignored him and made himself busy
with the papers of the case he had to attend on the next day. The BRITISH could
not tolerate the indifference of Iyer as he was denied the chance of snubbing
him. On his part he took out a British journal and pretended to read. He was
however focused on Mr. Iyer and his activities. Just to irritate him he took out
his cigar and started puffing until the entire compartment was filled with the
smell of burnt tobacco. Even in those days smoking was strictly prohibited
inside the train which was violated all the time only by the whites. Mr. Iyer
understood the intentions of his companion and after a long thought, on the
pretence of going to the toilet he crossed his seat and liberally sprinkled and
also emptied box of snuff in his direction without being noticed. On his return
from the toilet he glanced at the white man and much to his relish was seeing
him rubbing his eyes at great pain and irritation and that fool couldn’t even
guess from where it could have come from.
The cold wars were being played between them
at so many instances in those few hours and let us describe the last one only
which I am sure the readers would relish. The British took out a shining Australian
apple from his bag and with his pocket knife made it in to pieces and started
gobbling with the calculated intention of insulting Mr.Iyer as the elementary
courtesy demands offering to the only co-traveler. Over and above these acts he
was teasingly fixing his eyes on Mr. Iyer suggesting that he was not considering
him as human being at all. Iyer was the last person to be humiliated by any body
and least of all by a British. His fertile brain was working at a brisk pace to
reciprocate in a more violent manner that he won’t forget it to the rest of his
life. In his bag he was carrying a few kilos of Karunaikizhangu – a variety of
root grown under the soil. He had specially taken it from his vegetable garden
to be cooked and enjoyed by his daughter at MAMBALAM of MADRAS. It is a highly
nutritive vegetable-root available only at thanjavur district having medicinal
qualities and also widely used in AYURVEDIC preparations.
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It is having thick black skin with the mud of
the soil to be removed carefully and elaborately treated with washing and
processing before making it palatable. But once it is cooked the taste is
matchless and any body will take more than one helping. Any mistake in
processing will be disastrous in taste with permanent itching in the mouth up to
throat and beyond that. We can as well imagine the condition of a person taking
it raw. Iyer selected one nice piece and started peeling off the skin very
carefully with all fondness of skinning off a MALGOVA MANGO.
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The British was amazed by the rosy color of the strange edible
once the skin was removed. He was wondering what it could be. Having treated Iyer shabbily all along his self
respect prevented him to quench his curiosity. Mr. Iyer had timed his operation
of KARUNAIKIZHANGU so well that it would be completed just when he is getting
down at MAMBALAM railway station- one station short of EGMORE station where the
BRITISH was bound for. Iyer made it in to tiny pieces- all the time covering his
hand with handkerchief to avoid itching.
Perhaps our white mistook it for cleanliness.
Mr. Iyer collected them in clean paper and just when the train was slowing down
gave signs of throwing some of the pieces in to his mouth- but with drew his
hand suggesting that there was no time to take as the station had already
approached. While the porter was carrying his luggage, Mr. Iyer for the first
and last time talked to the British offering those tempting rosy pieces claiming
as there was no time for him requesting him to taste that rare fruit. Naturally
the white refused the offer with contempt and pretended his disinterest.
But Iyer was damn sure that idiot would try
his hand on them once he was out off sight permanently. Iyer waited stealthily
out side and was observing his movements. The British sheepishly looked around
and greedily threw not one but 2 to 3 pieces at a time while Iyer was gleefully
looking the plight of him. I need not describe the torture suffered by the white
with his eyes continuously in tears and the extreme irritation in his food canal
system that was a tell tale story from the expressions of his face. He was
rushing to the gate and shouting at Mr. Iyer with all filthy language and this
time Iyer came out from his hiding in full view to the British causing
uncontrollable rage for him. But the train had already picked up its speed
Unmindful of the suffering of one of its passengers.
Contributing Writer:
J. PANCHAPAGESAN is a Chennai based DSP (RETD).
jpanchapagesan@yahoo.co.in
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