A call awaited us at home no sooner than we landed in Bangalore. “Come over to Coimbatore tomorrow for a family re-union cum housewarming function,” suggested my elder brother with a tinge of order. “Thereafter we will all leave for Tirukadayur to perform my and and Raja’s (brother in law) 80th birthday ceremony. Like the Visa Ganesh temple in Hyderabad where if one prays, one is sure to get a visa (a recent origin), Tirukadayur temple caters more to seniors. It is the venue for 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th birthday celebrations. The 80th signifies that the incumbent is supposed to have seen 1000 full moons, although hardly on 25 occasions one would have ventured out at night, let alone to see the full moon. Very much in the thick of jet lag, we denied ourselves the pleasure to be part of it.
With a vengeance, however, we set out last week for a day-long trip with the couple from our earlier apartment complex with whom we plan long outings. We covered first Belur, Halebede, the ruins of both Shiva and Vishnu temples. We learn it took the artisans 200 years, 1900 years ago, to carve out this architectural splendor. It is a pity the invaders disfigured most of the statues. Then we headed to a Devi temple that opens only on one day in a year - on Diwali. We were told that the Deva Gowda family visits this temple unfailingly. This was followed by a drive to Shravanabelagola, another architectural marvel.
Since the trip had to originate from Sobha Forestview, we engaged Akram, the accredited driver for SFV, instead of Vikram who does for the Hebbal complex. The driving experience was very good. Akram is polite, never speaks unless spoken to, and never grumbles for any mid-course changes. He has earned his place, in short.
* * * * *
It is very nice of Sudha Kashyap, of Oak, to start Kannada classes, coinciding with our return - as though she was waiting for Aunty to show up. The class has attracted a good response. With a too-demanding Sudha, it seems the students have a hard time completing their home work.
I wish there was a similar class for the menfolk so that each time I don’t have to take refuge saying, “Kannada swalpa gothi, jaasti baratilla,” to switch over to another. It seems my wish fell into Sudha’s ears and, at a morning walk, she stopped to invite me to join the class. “Doesn’t matter uncle if the present class is full of ladies,” she reassured. Unfortunately she doesn’t realize my predicament. Where Aunty and I study together, Aunty is sure to be way ahead of me in every Department - a situation I squarely wish to stay a secret.
Aunty has resumed her Narayaneeyam classes. This time with more vigor. Sometimes she stands up and takes the class like a school teacher. Nice to watch the students, some older to her in age, listening to her with rapt attention.
We had the pleasure to be part of a few Gruhapravesh ceremonies in SFV. Prema ji and Prabhakar (younger brother of Lakshminarayan - of Maple 3133) will move to their own apartment in Ebony, 23rd floor. On entering his flat, I asked Prabhakar, “Sir, but you told me you were doing the Gruhapravesh at your house, not in a palace.” He showed me around his apartment. Yes, Prema and Prabhakar have an eye for the best in everything.
Usha and Viswanathan would bid farewell to Pine to switch over their allegiance to Maple (3161), more spacious with an extra room. Both had the puja ceremony yesterday. Shanthy, Shekar and their two young daughters, now in Oak 1191, will move to their own apartment in Cedar on the 21st floor. It presents a panoramic view of the entire Kanakapura Road. If only one were blessed with a louder voice, one could shout one’s order through the window to Mariamart across the road.
Truth be told, the interiors in all these three apartments, by different firms, have been done very well. Thus, when my Delhi colleague who has an apartment in Ebony, comes here next month to get interiors done, I am going to take him to these three apartments for him to decide for himself. I know, I will in fact be doing him a disservice. Rather than helping, I will be confusing him in the process. But I am helpless.
And, if the corridor news is correct, about 50 families (or, did I mishear 15 for 50?) are scheduled to relocate to Forestview during this summer vacation. More the merrier. So get set, friends.
V V Sundaram
Maple 3195
03 Feb 2017
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