NOSTALGIA

Nostalgic memories about my native place Kumbalam, unfurled before me. A group of four tiny islands namely Kumbalam, Panangad, Cheppanam and Chathamma and my interactions with Mother Nature all came vividly back to my memory. My idyllic ancestral ‘Oli Mana’; the picturesque sights; the spectacular portraits of nature and memorable experiences with the fauna and the flora in our compound and the neighbourhood; the beautiful creatures both domestic and wild that I marveled at; certain significant historical backgrounds; the culture and civilization of our little Islands, modern trends; the rarest of rare moments and experiences here all came surging back into my mind. It would otherwise have gone into oblivion but for this autobiography of mine. I love nature and it gives me immense joy and peace of mind. It is this same Mother Nature that answered so many of the ticklish questions that disturbed my mind. Nature was a perennial source of inspiration to me. This is a humble attempt to share with you my ecstatic childhood memories. 

One of my favourite poems that stirred up the nostalgia in me is as follows: -

     “Oru Vattam Koodi-Yen Ormakal Meyunna

      Thiru Muttathe-thuvaan Moham…

      Oru Vattam Koodiyen Ormakal Meyunna

      Thiru-Muttathe-thuvaan Moham…

Thiru-Muttath-oru-konil Nilkunnora Nelli-Maram

Onn-uluthuvaan Moham

Adarunna Kaay-Manikal Pozhiyumbol

Chenneduthu….Athilonnu Thinnuvaan Moham

Sukhamezhum Kaypum Pulippum Madhuravum….

Nukaruvaan Ippozhum Moham..

Thodiyile  Kinar-vellam Kori Kudichu

Enthu Madhuramennu-othuvaan Moham

Aa…….Aa…….

Oru Vattam-koodi-ya Puzhayude Theerathu….

Veruthe Yirikkuvaan Moham

Veruthe Yirunnoru Kuyilinte Paattu Kettu…

Ethir Paattu Patuvaan Moham

Ethir Pattu Patuvaan Moham

Athu-kelke Uchathil Kookum Kuyilinte…

Shruthi-pin Thutaruvaan Moham

Oduvil Pinangi Parannupom Pakshiyodu….

Aruthe-ennothuvaan Moham

Veruthe Yi Mohangal Ennariyumbozhum…..

Veruthe Mohikkuvaan Moham.

Veruthe Yi Mohangal Ennariyumbozhum…..

Veruthe Mohikkuvaan Moham.”

Through this brilliant poetic song the veteran lyricist recalls his childhood days.  The English translation of the poem is as follows: -

 “Once again, he cherished a keen desire to scurry around his courtyard and neighbourhood, memories of which came reeling back to him. [Once More...]\

He wished to shake the Gooseberry tree growing in on one corner of his courtyard.

He wished to gather the ripe fruits falling from fruit trees and wished to chew on one of them, and now to enjoy its bitter, sour and sweet tastes.

He wished to draw and drink the well-water from his compound and to whisper –softly, “How sweet it is!”

Aa…….Aa…….

Once more he wished to sit idling beside the backwaters.

He heard the call of a relaxing Cukoo, the Cuckoo, which was sitting idle, and he wished to reciprocate his calls.

And on reciprocating to her tune, the Cuckoo made high pitched calls; and he wished to follow suit in the same manner.

Annoyed by his teasing, the bird finally flew away; then he wished to whisper softly to her, “Don’t go away.”

 I am aware, that to wish so  is futile, but yet I continue to do so.”  [Once More...]

The amazing lyrics of this nostalgic poem, a film song, were rendered by the celebrated Malayalam poet and lyricist, Padma Shri O.N.V. Kuruppu for the 1982 Malayalam film “CHILLU,” MIRROR.  He influenced Kerala’s cultural landscape for nearly five decades. He was awarded the Indian Njanapeedam Award for the year 2007. In those few brilliant lines, he painted a picture of the sentiments of people living in a delta region that fired my imagination. I hold this poem so close to my heart, may be because I relate so much to it; the lyricist’s native Island, Chavara, with its flora and fauna and backwaters is very much like my native Island, Kumbalam. These radiant lines used as an emotive film song was sung by a great playback singer, Padma Shri. K.J. Yesudas, one of my favourite singers, and the music was composed by veteran musician Shri. M.B. Sreenivasan.

 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com