A
handful of ‘Valliammamar’, elder mothers, Thressiakutty
Chembalamsseril and her daughter-in-law, Kunjelikutty, Mariakutty Edangarupally,
Saramma Polaparampil, Achamma Issac Kallarackal, Achamma Kallarackal,
Kathrikutty Kareethra, Theyyamma Kallarackal, Mary Thirunilath and Mary
Mathepally were some of the few noted people at church. Although they all wore
the same attire, the ‘Njorinja Mundu’,
with neat folds or tucks, those of ‘Ammachi’,
Saramma and Achamma Issac stood out in the crowd. The slightly older ladies
among them used to wear a ‘Mekkamothiram’
on the upper lobes of the ear in addition to the earing. The younger generation
wore only sari and blouse. After the Holy Mass, they all would gather in one
corner of the church courtyard and they were in deep discussion about all the
happenings in the locality. Occasionally, when they had meetings of the ‘Mathrusangam’, a committee of mothers,
they would assemble in the primary school hall and sort out issues concerning
to the mothers of that parish. They collected funds to help the poor and the
needy among the Islanders without any discrimination of religion, caste and creeds.
On many occasions ‘Ammachi’ was
elected as the President of that Committee for the welfare of the mothers. I
have noticed that my parents never hesitated to address a gathering. People
used to encourage them by clapping and cheering. I admire them and am very
proud of them.
While
the mothers were busy with all these serious discussions we indulged in our own
interests. We used to run around the place beneath the huge ‘Payal’ and another ordinary mango tree;
sitting on the four coconut trees which had germinated from a single seedling,
an attraction of children. We too had our own topics for discussion enjoying
the cool breeze and spectacular view of the ‘Kayal’.
Geochan Kallarackal, Antony Kallarackal, Unni and Antony Kareethra, Abraham
Edangarupilly, Bastin Mathepilly Pidiyamcheril, Dominic and Jose Thirunilath
too joined us in all the fun.
I
remember T.J. Paul (Paulettan) Thirunilath-Thayamkeril, Xavier Edangarupally,
Joy, Xavy, Andrew, Jolly of Mathepilly Pidiyancheril, Jose Polaparampil,
(Bombay) Jose and M.R. Joy, Joy Thayamkeril (East), Cherian Makkaruparampil
(Bank of Cochin), Ravi Thekkedath, Sasi Maraveettil and Mohanan Vathuveettil,
an older group watched us play and used to mock at us; much later they joined
us to form one group. Our meetings and our interactions were so fragrant that
it broached us closer, blossomed and bloomed into an enduring friendship.
Xavier Master and his contemporaries recognized this peer group. Rev. Fr.
Antony Oorakadan and Shri. Cyriac Tirunilath –Thayamkeril were the two senior
fellows, who enjoyed our company.
At
times, Paul ‘Valliappan’, Thirunilath-Thayamkeril, and his wife Rosy ‘Valliamma’ used to come to their ancestral house on the island.
They used to reside in Ernakulam for the convenience of commuting for his work.
They were an elegant couple who had four children. I still remember their
elegantly dressed daughters, Leela (Sr. Mithesa now in France), Lissy and Daisy
and their one and only son Jollychettan, (T.P. Poulose) wearing a full sleeve
shirt smartly tucked into his shorts He is now a retired Government Doctor. He
is a very endearing person. Over the
years we have become close to each other. He is an ace tennis player and used
to be an office bearer of Rama Varma Club at Ernakulam.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
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