A.N. Sivarama Iyer - Obituary

A.N. Sivarama Iyer - Obituary

Remember a frail gentleman of medium height, past his mid-eighties, enjoying an evening stroll in our Srishti compound a few years ago - donning a sparkling white dhoti, two-thirds sleeves loose shirt and a neatly-pressed towel resting on his shoulder?

That was Shri A.N. Sivarama Iyer, father of Mr Narayan of B-001. Having to divide his time among his four sons and a daughter (all in Bangalore), one had to content with his limited edition presence in Srishti.

He breathed his last on 5 March in Rajaji Nagar at the age of 92. Till the end he was alert and agile. As though he had a clear vision or premonition, he called members of the family by his side that morning and asked them to give him a sip of Gangajal one by one before bidding farewell to this world.

I can’t claim very close acquaintance with him, but during the stroll I did enjoy his company, hopefully as much as he did. He shared with me information that one would normally confide only with one’s own kith and kin. Who knows he considered me one. (Yes I do, because during his last one-day visit to Srishti a month ago, he had enquired with Narayan: “Is that ‘Vadakkanthara’ (name of my village) man here or in America?” Unfortunately I was not around.)

Leaving his home (Ayalur, a remote village in Kerala) early on in life for Mysore to eke out a living, he helped his mentor (elder sister’s husband) at the cash counter in his hotel. Years later, with the latter’s blessings he started one of his own, which ran till the adjacent bread-winner factory closed down, forcing him to take up a regular job.

By the time he called it a day, he had owned a sprawling house in Mysore yielding mangoes, jackfruit, (name any) and had provided good education to his children. With age getting the better of him, began his meticulous planning for departure, He set aside a sum specifically for his obsequies. To pay obeisance to his village deity, he sponsored the customary mass feeding (of around 800) done during the annual car festival. But alas, he was told his turn to host would come after five years. He requested the gentleman whose turn it was to host that year to swap with his, and had him agree. Now, that Samaritan has only reasons to feel happy that he had after all agreed, as otherwise this particular wish of Shri Sivarama Iyer would have remained unfulfilled.

As we bid farewell to the departed soul praying for it to rest in peace, Shri Sivarama Iyer leaves behind a legacy of what meticulous planning is all about.

V.V. Sundaram, B-703

16 March 2014