Singathology
Page 23
சாரதியின் இடக்கையை ஞாபகமாகத் திருப்பி, தன்னால் ஒன்பது வருடங்களுக்கு முன்பு சூடுபோட்ட அந்தத் தழும்பைத் தேடி, அதன்மீது கனிவோடு முத்தமிட்டாள் துர்க்கா. அவள் விழிகளில் துளிர்த்த நீர்த்துளி அதை மேலும் ஈரமாக்கியது. விமான விபத்தில் உயிர்களை மீட்டபோது கிடைத்த தீக்காயங்கள் சில அவன் கழுத்திலும் இருக்கக்கண்டு, அவற்றையும் தன் உதடுகளால் மிருதுவாய் வருடி முத்தமிட்டாள்.
Prejudices
BY RAMA KANNABIRAN
Translated by A. Palaniappan
“Darling Prasanna, how have you been keeping? Have you done well for your examination? Mmm… without a slightest doubt, you must have done well.”
“I am keeping well, Amma.1 I have performed with distinction in the exams. Do you know why I called you now with such great haste? I am returning to Singapore this coming Saturday on flight RJ22.”
“What is this, Prasanna dear? When I spoke to you the last time, you told me that you were coming back next week. How could I possibly arrange a grand reception for you within two days? My head is spinning.”
“Amma, are you saying you cannot cope? After all, you have your housemaid, personal secretary, reliable adviser, the very all-in-all Narasammal! You are capable of accomplishing everything all the way with her around. He, too, is arriving on this flight. It is because he is travelling that I have brought forward my trip.”
“My! Suresh is coming with you too? In that case, I have to make arrangements for an even more impressive reception. Why is this, Prasanna, that you are putting added pressure on your mum who already has high blood pressure? Can I assume that there will be no more changes to your travel plan? Shall I hang up then? There’s nothing else, right?”
A gentle smile settled on Durga’s face after she spoke to her daughter Prasanna who was in London. Unable to contain her pride, she called out, “Narasammal, where are you?”
“Don’t you have to take your medication after your meal? I have gone to get it for you,” said Narasammal as she handed Durga the medicine and a glass of warm water.
Durga told her about the arrival of her daughter and her future husband. “You have to hasten and take greater care of the reception preparations which I had delegated to you before. I shall phone my close friends and inform them of the change of date. Mmm… If only Prasanna’s grandfather had been alive now, do you know how pleased he would be to see his granddaughter returning home after completing her chartered accountancy examination?” lamented Durga with sorrow.
“Why, madam, wouldn’t Prasanna’s father be overjoyed if he had been around? If Thambi2 Sarathi had been here, wouldn’t he be happy likewise?” said Narasammal.
“Why do you have to remind me about them now? Don’t remind me of the people whom I have forgotten in my life!” sneered Durga with a scorching look.
“Forgotten people? Why are you lying, madam? Why don’t you say that you are trying to forget them? Isn’t today Sarathi’s twenty-fourth birthday?”
“Narasammal, don’t rake up the past and make me fume!”
“No matter how much you say, madam, my mind will not be at peace. I am going to Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple this evening and offer a prayer in the name of Sarathi.” Narasammal noticed that tartness that came over Durga’s face and, within a moment, she cleverly switched her tone and said, “Do not fret, Madam. I will conduct Prasanna and Suresh’s reception with pomp and grandeur as you wish.”
Durga’s face glowed instantly. However, even without her knowledge, her inner mind thought about Sarathi and flickered with displeasure.
***
Durga returned home after teaching some upper-class women on the latest technique of making a sponge cake. She was consumed by rage when she saw her son Sarathi sitting with about five or six children who were wearing dirty and ordinary clothes and making kites in the hallway laid with Italian mosaic tiles and decorated with a costly carpet. She could well tell Narasammal to sweep, wash, and clean the dirty hallway. But how can Sarathi mingle with kids beneath his status and make merry? Is this why her auditor-father Seenivasan purchased a landed bungalow at Moonstone Lane?
Entering the hall like a warrior goddess, Durga indiscriminately reprimanded the boys from other households who gathered there. She tore off the kites and all the papers perversely. “If you do this again, I shall burn all these kind of rubbish!” she growled. She slapped Sarathi’s back four times in fury. Sarathi could not bear the pain and sought refuge behind Narasammal, who had come out of the kitchen wondering what all the commotion was about.
“Did you see the farce he is creating, Narasammal? Going to the canal to catch fish and bringing all kinds of kids into the house… How disgusting! His class teacher is also constantly complaining that he is underperforming in school. He is twelve years old! Is it just enough to grow like a fat donkey?” Durga poured out her pent-up frustration, showing her exasperation.
Durga reported about Sarathi to her husband Madhavan who returned from his auditing company a short while later. “What is the status of our family? How could he behave the way he is behaving now? Does he even repent despite being reprimanded so much? No. What a downright deadpan!”
Madhavan remained silent. Durga had enrolled the eleven-year-old Prasanna in dance classes at a very young age, arranged for her dance recital, made her dance in some temples, took coloured photographs of her in a variety of angles, once or twice arranged for her appearance on television, and boasted and drummed up about her daughter to all her affluent associates. Madhavan hated when Durga praised Prasanna saying “This is my child!” and at the same time carping about Sarathi. It became a habit for Durga to revile and scorn Sarathi. After all, it was natural for a school going young man to go out and play after school. Can he select his friends from rich families for the sake of Durga’s wishes? It seems Sarathi frequents Potong Pasir where there were attap- and zinc-roofed houses. Apparently, Sarathi should mingle with rich Indians like how she had been acquainted with rich Indians she got to know during the past thirty years after the Second World War. How could this be possible?
“Why are you silent? You know, there is another of my father’s bungalow house at Veeraragoo Close. We shall move to that house for the sake of Sarathi,” said Durga.
Shaking off his silence, Madhavan asked, “Do you think that the problem will be solved if we go there? What assurance is there that he won’t go and play with the children at the nearby Kampung Ah Soo there?”
Durga was shocked upon hearing it. She erupted with a rage. “Oh my God! Isn’t your son just like you? I must blame my father who searched and selected you and made me stuck with you forever!”
***
It was the day that Prasanna was to return to Singapore with Suresh. It was seven in the evening. Durga was restless. “Of all the days, should the driver have a gastric attack today? Looks like I have to drive to the airport myself,” muttered Durga.
“Please do not drive the car all tensed up. I shall attend to it,” said Narasammal.
The Benz was cruising along Rochor Road. As the car’s air-conditioning was on strike, the windows were wound down to let the air in. It was the first day of the new moon, and many elderly Chinese womenfolk were burning stacks of yellow-coloured paper money by the edge of the road. There were heaps of ashes here and there as symbols of their tradition.
At a particular spot, the traffic light turned amber. The car stopped. Narasammal who was at the driver’s seat said, “Today is the tenth death anniversary of Prasanna’s father.”
“He may have said it in accordance with the lunar date of the Hindu calendar. According to the English calendar, he left us on this day. I’m not reminding you of the persons you have forgotten. I just recalled what the temple priest said.”
The traffic light turned green. Some black ash from the nearby heap of burnt papers flew into Durga’s eyes and made her tear. As the car surged forward, Durga’s mind went backwards encompassing the thoughts of Madhavan.
***
“Durga, since I do not have a male heir, you are everything to me. After my lifetime, there is a need for a responsible person to manage the company that I had painstakingly built. Likewise, you also need a husband who can support you in your life, my dear. Therefore, I am thinking of getting Madhavan who works in our company married to you,” said auditor Seenivasan.
Durga, whose upbringing was peppered with lots of pampering, had studied up to Senior Cambridge level. She was free as a lark and had never thought about her marriage until that moment. However, on one occasion when she saw Madhavan whom her father had talked about, his attractive build and fair complexion made her agree to the marriage.
Durga, who was used to a flamboyant lifestyle, completely loathed Madhavan’s simplicity and his lack of pretence of superiority. Madhavan was also a man of few words. Even when he spoke, he would be downright frank in a manner that Durga did not like. But that did not mean that he was void of any affection. Unlike Durga, he did not display it. Even after the birth of Sarathi and Prasanna, there was no change in his unassuming nature. Similarly, there was no difference in Durga’s extroverted nature. Both led divergent lives.
Seenivasan was satisfied that Madhavan had managed the Vasan Auditing Company as cleverly as he had expected. However, he was constantly sad when he learnt that Madhavan did not share a close relationship with his wife. One day, when he confided in Narasammal, he said, “Narasu, you are the one who sought refuge with my wife at a very young age even before the birth of Durga. You have been a young servant girl, a teenage cook, a loyal and trusted person of our family, and, in all stages, you have been simply excellent. You are older than Durga. You should care for her like a best friend and an elder sister. The reason I am telling this to you in particular despite there being many people working here is because of the confidence I have in you.” Seenivasan who had a heart ailment did not live long after. He passed away the very year after Prasanna was born.
Being a well-disciplined and dedicated person, Madhavan toiled relentlessly for the advancement of the company within the twelve-year period he assumed ownership of his father-in-law’s company. Besides the company in Singapore, he opened a branch in Kuala Lumpur. The time he spent at home was insignificant. He was often shuttling between Singapore and Malaysia. During one such occasion when he was heading to the capital city of Malaysia, the car radiator became overheated, and the car burst into flames. Thus, Durga became a widow at the age of thirty-six.
Although there was some grief over her husband’s death, a sense of freedom loomed over Durga after Madhavan’s demise. She had more time to move with her upper-class friends. Anyone who did not know her family background would hardly suspect that she was a widow. Her demeanour and attire were such.
After Madhavan’s death, Durga closed the Kuala Lumpur branch. She handed over the management of the company in Singapore to a person by the name of Maruthi. Maruthi was about the same age as her father Seenivasan, a relative too. He had plans to retire, but Durga stopped him from doing so and persuaded him to continue working. Mr Maruthi was of good health and agreed to do so on the bases of Durga’s family circumstances and the bond he had with Seenivasan.
Somehow, Prasanna grew up to assume her mother’s character and Sarathi that of his father. Durga’s resentment against her husband transformed itself into violent anger towards Sarathi.
Durga who searched the refrigerator for the vanilla cake she had baked for one of her close friends was disappointed to find it missing. Sarathi had donated it to a blind person doing sales for a living. When Durga learnt of that, she flew into a rage and burnt Sarathi’s hand with an oven rod. The next day, Sarathi disappeared.
The attempts Narasammal made to unite Sarathi with his family and the efforts made by Karunanithy, a distant relative of Madhavan, failed in the face of Durga’s reckless stubbornness.
After moving into a Spanish style bungalow house in District Nine, the place of the elites, Durga focused her attention fully on Prasanna. Durga decided to send her to Britain after she had completed her Pre-University studies. Durga’s intention was that Prasanna should take over the company that her grandfather had founded. So she enrolled her in accountancy.
Parassanna loved her co-student Suresh, a Singaporean. On seeing his photograph sent by Prasanna in a registered mail, Durga thought to herself, “What did I benefit in marrying a man of my father’s choice? Let my daughter marry a man whom she likes and lead a happy life.” She responded enthusiastically by writing a reply, “Prasanna darling, exams first and wedding later!”
***
Changi airport. Together with Maruthi, the company associates, Durga’s close relatives, and beloved friends gathered at the airport to receive Prasanna and Suresh.
It was announced that the flight arriving from London on that day would be delayed.
“A big party is awaiting you and those who do not turn up here. Meanwhile, during this short break, please order and eat whatever you like,” said Durga with a smug sense of hospitality. Maruthi took charge of the Western and local delights at the Terrace Buffeteria while Narasammal chaperoned those who desired ice cream to Swensen.
All those who declined any food went up together with Durga to the viewing gallery at the third level. Durga stood at the viewing gallery which was closer to the Five Continents Restaurant. The sky was dark, and, along the perimeter of the airport, there were yellow-coloured lights. Beyond that, there were the blue lights blinking and acting as a signal for the approaching planes to the runway.
All those who had finished their food at the respective restaurants eventually arrived at the viewing gallery. At about ten o’clock, the plane from London appeared as a big whale and descended at a gradient with its blinking whitish headlights and red taillights from the right side of the sky. As it touched down, there was a sudden spark closer to the front tyre, and one of the wings burst into flames. The public address system screamed with an announcement. “Air Traffic Control Room announces – RJ22 on fire. Please do not panic! Immediate action will be taken!”
Two fire engines arrived from the airport’s two fire stations with clanging sounds. The firemen went into action immediately at the command of their section heads. The rising golden hued flame was brought under control with the same speed it had arisen. However, smoke engulfed the entire airplane. “Oh my daughter!” screamed Durga as she slumped onto the shoulders of Narasammal.
***
Durga was very delighted when the hospital doctor said, “You are very lucky, Madam Durga. While there are so many others who are still receiving treatment for their injuries, your daughter and her boyfriend have recovered with slight injuries and will be discharged today.”
Durga was surprised when Karunanithy said, “Together with all the firemen, your son, the section leader, saved everyone on board the plane.”
Durga was confused when Narasammal said, “After all, it was the very Sarathi you have ostracised who saved Prasanna and Suresh. What if something untoward had happened to Prasanna?”
Durga was restless as a result of the varied emotions which tossed within her head in the last few days.
“What if something had happened to Prasanna?” Narasammal’s question really shook her. She could not imagine a life without her darling Prasanna. Indeed, Sarathi was one of the persons who had saved Prasanna. If he and his fellow firemen had not been there, would Prasanna and Suresh be safe today?” thought Durga. For
the first time in her life, she was touched by the men who performed a blue-collar job. Who then had filled her heart till now? It was undoubtedly the well-placed people of the society. That was the reason why she could not give a place in her heart to her husband and her son. Durga, who was born to the wealthy man Seenivasan, thought that it was more prestigious for her to be associated with the people of higher class. She never had a heart-to-heart talk with Madhavan. She ignored him because she thought that he had come from the bottom rung of society and that it was her father who elevated him. Would she have done this if Madhavan had hailed from a wealthy family? Likewise, Durga ignored Sarathi because he did not excel in his studies and associated himself with the common people. Even when he ran away from home, she was not at all perturbed.
Durga’s battle with her mind in the last few days revealed some truths. She had generally viewed and associated with people who belong to two particular categories. They are the people of the upper echelon and the other, the lower echelon. The categorisation was made based on the money they possessed, the offices they held, and their stations in life. What drove her all these years was her penchant for class difference. “I was under a delusion, and that is why I had considered my husband’s simplicity and my son’s ordinariness as being worthless.”
As she reflected, she also recalled a Thirukkural couplet she had learnt during her younger days that began with uruvukandu yellamai veindum: “Let none be despised for their modest bearing.” Her understanding of the couplet when her teacher taught her and her renewed understanding of it now were different. “I shouldn’t have scorned my husband Madhavan constantly for coming from a poor social background and Sarathi for associating with less fortunate people. I should not have given them a form and put them into the social stratum. Though my father, coming from high-class society, had founded the company, my husband who practiced simplicity was the charioteer who pulled my father’s chariot-like company – not a small but a huge chariot! When the aeroplane carrying elites like Prasanna caught fire, it was the humble firemen like Sarathi who saved them. The firemen are like the lynchpin of the chariot. I should not segregate people into different classes and despise them. Even in the lower stratum of society, there are people who act as the lynchpin in the wheels of the chariot.”