Events
like marriage and birth in our ‘Mana’ were
joyous moments for not only the family members but also for all who were
dependent on us. They considered it their duty to participate in all these
functions. No special invitation was necessary. Our labourers used to come and
have their share in cash and kind. Similarly deaths in the ‘Mana’ pierced their heart. They would cry out aloud on the parting
of ‘Thamar’, an owner.
We
used to celebrate Christmas, Easter and Onam festival. The religious ceremonies
in the church especially the long service on Holy Friday was tiring for us. On
Easter day we used to feast on mutton, duck and pork. Appachan used to make a beautiful crib. Ammachi would prepare special food. We used to get new clothes for
Christmas and Onam festival. I vividly remember us, children, running around
with tiny baskets to pluck even wild flowers like the white flowers of ’Thumba’, the attractive yellow flowers
of ‘Mukuthi’, the red coloured
flowers of touch-me-not, ‘Thechi’
Crysanthamum Ind, and the various hues of lantenna flowers to make a flower
bed. Ammachi
would draw the floral bed design and we all join to help her to make the floral
bed. Those who visited us on ‘Uthradam’
(previous day of Onam) and Onam day would appreciate ‘Ammachi’s aesthetic tastes.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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