A few days with a ghost.

Chapter 14

 

death of Parvathy

The sudden death of Parvathy collapsed D’Souza and for the first time in life  he felt  orphaned since Parvathy was his all. His dream, emotions, fortune, friend  and every thing.Their relationship was much beyond that of a  husband and wife  much more than that. Viswanathan pacified him . His only solace was his daughters who were bright .” Viswanathan , you know I am totally devastated with the death of Parvathy’  De’souza told. Any words would not pacify him, Viswanathan knew.

 Geetha was very active in the College Union. In Kerala , the rudiments of political learning  start from school days and it slowly develops in colleges and most of the students get graduated in political awareness along with their academic qualifications. Probably this might be the reasons that most of the political leaders have background of student leadership. Each Political party has a student wing like SFI for CPM, KSU for  Congress ,  Vidyarthi Parishad representing BJP like that. Geetha was Social and cultural club chairman. Similarly there are various clubs like Arts Club, Literature club etc etc. One way it is good since it creates political awareness and build up a good leadership. As the head of the Club, she devoted sincerely in its activities and also earned enough hostility from different circles in the society.

 She spearheaded a protest rally when some of the tribal women in Attapadi were raped by some influential persons . In exposing them she faced even life threats. This never deterred Geetha and her team in continuing in raising their voice against such atrocities  in the Society. Being a student wing it attracted more popularity from the media and also that much enmity form some unknown people. Her efforts had exposed a blood donation racket for which she had life threatening attempts not only for her but her father as well. Her close company included Ramakrishnan who was also a “yuva turk’,  Monika another friend who was studying for medical. Monika was from the tribal group of Attapadi and a brilliant girl .There was no wonder why she turned out to be a social crusader. She has every reason to be part the movement as she had seen her community suffer irrespective of the fact who ever is in power.

 Monika had an undisclosed feeling towards Ramakrishnan. This,  she had been keeping in mind and used to flush when ever they all meet. Geetha had noticed this but didn’t make any  sign of knowledge. The most interesting part was Ramakrishnan toyed with an idea of marrying Geetha and Geetha was never informed and she was in blank but had exchanged their heart. Since all of them were staying nearby, without notice the quorum would be called and everyone would be present along with other social Club members. Years passed by and Ramakrishnan got a job as Junior scientific officer in TIFR , Bombay. Monika joined a hospital, but the meetings of the three continued every six months.

A few days with a ghost.                          Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

continues

 

 

A few days with a ghost.

Chapter 13

 the past

The friendship between D’souza and Parvathy alias Parvathy Menon took a new turn.

The Theyyam dance was held as organised by the Thekkedath . People worship the Theyyam with much reverence and reveal their wishes  The Theyyam  blesses and gives  predictions and people believe that the Theyyam has  occult powers .  Being a member of the Thekkedath, Parvathy and households went to Theyyam and the Theyyam made a shocking prediction on seeing Parvathy.’Nee tharavattil ninnu vittu pogum’ Theyyam said in Malayalam, ‘you will go out of the Tharavadu’. No one could understand the meaning at that time. 

As the prediction that it may, , Parvathy and D’souza got married in a small function along with their close friends. Though her father PTR Menon did not give approval though he was a communist ideologist, he didn’t raise any objections. D’Souza got a transfer to Ernakulam and they started a new life there. 

After a few years Parvathy gave birth to a girl child whom they named Geetha Shiny, probably they wanted the name to carry the semblance of both castes to please the Thekkedath Tharavdu. They seldom went to Thekkedath and the people of Payinampally  had forgotten them. 

With the death of Menonettan the feud between both Tharavads eased and became cordial. Much changes took place in Payanampally and the Theyyam took various forms with the developments of the Panchayat and influx of new crowds who migrated to the village. Theyyam became no more an affair of two families but a temple celebration.

--------------------------------------

Parvathy finished her postgraduation in Political Science and joined as a lecturer in a nearby college. With the death of her father their connection with Thekkedath tharavadu totally became disconnected. But their thirst for social activities kept them busy. Both D’Souza and Parvathy were active in the field of social activities like organising blood camps, visits to old age homes etc etc kept them busy. No wonder that their children Geetha and Jesly also got involved in such activities and nurtured the same. 

The youngers used to gather in the evenings in the house of D’souza . Parvathy and D’Souza have grown old. With Geetha graduating in Physics had chosen specialisation in Nuclear Physics as she was so attracted to this area of science. She and her class mate Ramakrishnan Viswanathan became very close. 

Viswanathan Iyer was  a renowned advocate .The association of Viswanathan and D’Souza began while they were in Cannanore. Viswanathan was then practicing  as an advocate in the District and other subordinate courts. Later he decided to move to Ernakulam , the seat of Kerala High Court. He was having many clients both criminal side and civil . Being thorough with IPC he earned laurels in handling criminal side. The High Court being appellate court , his versatility in viewing the cases  were totally different. While handling a case and putting up his oral  argument he started’ My Lord, the provisions of the Act are not to be used capriciously but logically…….’ Whereas the Prosecution ………”. 

The meeting point of the two was the congruity of their views based on communist ideologies. When the chemistry works out the friendship grows and the association becomes inseparable. Thus was the case of Viswanathan and D’Souza. So there was  no wonder how the children of two became closer. It so happened that both Geetha and Ramakrishnan got interest in Nuclear Physics and they pursued their studies.

 

A few days with a ghost.                                   Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

continues

 

A few days with a ghost

 Chapter 12 

woes  of the ghost 

I lied down on the bed and my mind wandered over the brief exchange with Mr.Christophe. Stella wanted to spend the night with her father. I was alone  in my room rolling over the bed and was trying to catch a wink. 

I was thinking about our marriage and how to be performed. As per German tradition , normally marriage takes not much time. Before that there existed a system of Proposal. The groom should propose to the girl his intention to get married with her. This is considered as the first step and is celebrated over a wine or Champagne. A civil ceremony precedes the official Church wedding. But most of the couples prefer a simple civil ceremony done in front of Standesamt, the Registry of Marriages. 

 My thoughts were broken by a light muffled sound announcing the  presence of Geetha  Shiny.

‘so you have decided to get married’ she asked

‘what/ how do you know?’

‘I could read your mind’.

‘were you there when we were talking/’, I asked

‘no’. ‘we ghosts would never be present without calling’.

‘without calling ?’ then why are you here now ?, I never called you’.

‘But the moment you thought, how I would feel if it is known to me‘ is   

enough’ she replied.

‘Yes. It was my mistake’. She giggled.

‘don’t bother, I am not here to break your dreams’ she replied.

Before drifting to sleep I continued.

 ‘can you come visible’?

‘no, we ghosts are shy to come visible to human eye’, but we can do wonders and we have paranormal powers as defined in Para physics’.

‘were you a scientist and you talk about Paraphysics?’

‘ya, I was a nuclear physics student’

‘that is surprising ’, can you explain about your world and pattern of omnipresence’

‘no, you misunderstood me, we are not omnipresent, only god is omnipresent’ she spoke in a mild voice: Paraphysics is a branch of science which deals with super natural existence of some being or material" ,  in short it is connected with  the study of evidence of psychological phenomena , such as telepathy, clairvoyance, extra sensory perception, and such para psychological behavioural pattern”.

‘so how come you established contact with me?’

‘you may know it in the days to come, how ever I can only say that there was a meeting point of our ideas, friendship or connections which made it possible for me to establish a contact with you’.

‘ I was studying in a college where I had association with one person and we studied together and who is now a Nuclear Scientist’. With that she stopped and disappeared leaving me to guess .I could have seen  an emotional outburst in her eyes ,if she were visible to me.

I could not sleep any further . This was not new to me as  I had  spent so many sleepless nights or used to get up in delirium. Though I tried ,I could not dismiss my thoughts nor was able to forget the things as a wild dream. I tried to put my brain into active mode and the brain started to pry the past and left clueless.

  

A few days with a ghost.                                   Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

continues

 

A few days with a ghost.                         

                                                                 

Chapter 11

cultural integration 

I corrected him “ it is not Menong , it is Menon” . He again called me the same.

After several  attempts I left it as it was and didn’t try to correct him again.

He might have thought that I was dating with his daughter . As dating was very common in Europe , there was no embarrassment. Really I didn’t know whether I was dating with her. We were good friends , other than that there was nothing between us. 

“Hai, how can it be?, you have shared bed with her and now you are thinking yourself as very innocent” My mind asked me.  

My Indian feelings raised in me. That is the problem with us. We feel that our culture is the best one and others are inferior to us. Dating doesn’t mean sharing the bed . It would provide an occasion to know each other. Now in India also,  living together, dating etc have become very common. But in India the dating has a different connotation whereas in Europe and other countries this had been there from early days and treated as the best way to find a match. I cursed my mind and pulled it out of these nonsense thoughts. 

After the Delhi horrifying rape incidents there was  much hue and cry.Protest rallies , etc etc were held and the heat diffused later and we witness spate of rape incidents.  

‘Hello Nayyar’, again he faultered, any way for him Nayyar , Nair or  Menong do not have much difference .Her father’s voice brought me back to the present.  

Mr. Christophe  is a farmer having a big farm away from Munich. Occasionally  he comes to Munich to see his daughter. Germans generally are with well-knit  family bondage. His wife Annie ie Stella’s mother was  married to him around three decades before . Other than Stella they have got one son who studies for PhD in Psychology  in one of the oldest universities in Berlin .  This demolishes Indian assumptions  that westerners are not disciplined in life . 

Though by birth  he was Spanish, by domicile , he had become a German. Germans are quite hard working and highly law abiding citizens. For each activity they used to see the law book to confirm whether it was legal or not. Initially I was wondering why they maintain ten meter gap between each vehicle while driving as I was not used to this since no motorist observes such rules  in India , even though the rule book says. 

‘yes , Mr. Christophe. 

‘I have come to meet my daughter and also to see her boy friend’ Christophe responded , ‘ I have advised my daughter to choose who ever she feels good for her life’ , after all it is her life we parents do not have anything to say’ he continued.

‘Hmm’ He looked at Stella. She sported a smile.

‘we have decided to get into marriage’ I told. Stella flushed and flashed a smile.

A few days with a ghost.                   Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

continues

 

 A few days with a ghost.                    Chapter 10

life in Munich

 Stella is a brilliant  staff reporter and a sharp photographer working in CNN  in our team. During the recent accident in Munich, her swift movements covering the accident spot brought accolades to our team.  She has been in our team for the past four years and we both developed an intimacy because of our close association. 

 I was staying at Fieldmoching in Munich , a little far away from the City. I could see the BMW tower from my residence  which was a little far away. 

 Out side it was snowing down .Braving the biting  cold I stepped out of my apartment  wearing a long ash coloured coat and a cap to cover my head and ears.   I had  resemblance of  Mr Drake of Drake detective agency close aide of Perry Mason, the investigative  Lawyer. Weather was chilly and I was shivering inside my coat  and my HTC mobile showed the temperature  as -2 degree Celsius with a feel of -7 degree and the wind was blowing at 50 kmph. 

Stella held my arms closely. She looked beautiful in her brown coat with brown coloured  woollen bristles attached to her coat spread like an angel’s head dress over her head. She was thin and very fair with beautiful blue eyes, with a figure which may beat the best hindi cine actress. I have seen the German girls here and all are having beautiful features which may even outbeat the Bollywood cine stars. I wondered whether all Spanish girls would be like her. Cannot be, my possessiveness reminded me. 

Surprisingly Stella was a vegetarian. Unlike some proclaimed vegetarians in India  , though they claim to be vegetarian, there is no taboo in taking eggs or fish ,she never used to take eggs even. Probably as the embryo might not have developed in eggs,  they consider not killing any livings. I watched her walking along with me like  lovers walk in hindi movies. 

‘Do the Indian girls share their bed with guys?’

‘ Normally , no, because we consider Indian culture is unique and superior’.  

I imagined how girls are marched on the ramp , half nude and people around watching the breast size, narrow line of the waist line, then down the naval and measuring the  fathom along with blistering of photo flashes etc, etc. So also there is no objection from any quarters, even from feminists when nude scenes are shown in cinema. But speak loud about Indian culture. If I had to tell all these she would get frightened and never come to India at all. 

“ hai, I have read that Indian girls are sold out side and people make money even politicians are involved”.

I somehow parried the question and answered “ oh, these are all happenings throughout the world, and India is no exception”.  We talked about our great India culture, Kerala culture, Tamil Nadu culture each state will claim that its culture is the best. 

Her family consisted of her brother and parents. Parents were quite old . My initial assumption that all foreigners were rich proved wrong . Of course they were rich to their level, taking care of themselves and keeping themselves engaged. Farming was given much importance and her parents were engaged in farming.   As the government provided old age benefits like health insurance pension etc her parents were seemingly happy. Her parents came to Germany holidaying for a week. They stayed with us. Unlike their daughter , they were not vegetarians.

“ Hello, gentle man , How are you, Mr Menong?” her father addressed me in a typical European accent. He totally made me a Chinese.

A few days with a ghost.                          Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

                                                                                                                    continues

 

 

A few days with a ghost

 

Chapter 9

 oriental love 

While Stella was lying next to me , a fragrance attracted me towards her. It is believed that female deer spreads a fragrance to attract its mate. For a while I thought we were Adam and Eve and we were the only living creatures in the earth. I heard voice of  God ‘ Don’t eat the forbidden fruit’. Then another voice I heard  ‘ eat the fruit and enjoy its sweetness’. Thus we were punished by the God and were pushed to the earth. Though we were punished for eating the forbidden fruit , we enjoyed eating it again and again.  

 I was wondering what would be the cast, religion of my child if it is born. 

‘hai, what are you thinking? about your ghost lover? she said.

“It would be a national integration if I had married a girl of another state other than of my state. If I had married a girl of another cast or religion I will call it  integration of cast or religion. At any cost both would have drawn criticism both from my family and society” . I was wondering 

 There are only two categories of people who are capable of making money in India effortlessly on is politicians and the other is cine actors. Both the categories have one in common dynasty. son or becomes actor or politician. Even the best scientist either in ISRO or BARC will be hardly getting recognition whereas a cine actor will be getting popularity and awards from the Government. a paradigm shift or paradox.

 ‘ I was thinking about international integration'.

‘what ?’

‘I was just wondering how it would be if a child is born to us, an extraordinary union of two  beyond cast , religion and nation.

’The child could take its own nationality, religion or cast’ she was very clear. No confusion or  disorientation.

‘If every one in India opts for that there won’t be any cast clash,religion hatred and a new country would be born where people could stay without religious or cast prejudices.’

‘Are you dreaming to build up your nation at my cost’

‘Such is the case ask  all your friends to go around the world and produce as many children as they could and bring them to India so that the young generation will not have any cast or creed'

‘don’t be so hard’ she cried.

‘Are you raping me, or making love’

‘Is not raping an offence in your country’

I fell silent  for a while as I could not answer her immediately.

‘If I tell her that so many rapes happen in India and the law enforcing agencies and politicians blame the dress habits of the girls, and  leave the victims only to suffer, what she would think about my country?’ I thought.

‘ya yes, but honour killing is not a crime’

‘what do you mean?’

‘If we were in India we could have been killed and they would have named it as honour killing’.

‘ I don’t get it’ she said.

‘In India, certain cast or religion do not accept inter cast or inter religion lovers and they may even go to the extent of killing the lovers for the sake of religion or cast’.

‘oh! I am scared’ she cried.

I dreamt of  changing my country which will never happen.

That is why knowledgeable persons say “you want to change this country ? hei, think of your future and go out somewhere and look for your living rather than making some futile exercise”.

Seeing me engrossed in thought, she hummed a song.

‘spanish’ I asked.

she nodded.

‘liked’

‘ya,nice music’

‘did you understand’

I nodded my head, in a typical Malayalee style who never admits ignorance.

‘ what is it’

I smiled at her sheepishly’

‘ it is about butterfly , which flies aimlessly with its beautiful wings and perishes . but in its  short life it adds beauty to the nature’. Her Spanish breed made her more beautiful

She lied on my right side resting her head on my right shoulder like a child.

I watched her for some time before drifting to sleep.

 

A few days with a ghost.                          Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

                                                                                                        continues

       a few days with a  ghost                                                             

                                                                             

Chapter 8 

The theyyam

Theyyam is considered as an ancient tribal dance depicting god and goddess, prevalent in North Kerala. It has now taken different forms with much fanfare. It is an art form similar to Kathakali , Ottanthullal which are all fine art treasures  of Kerala. The Theyyam performer dresses almost similar to Kadhakali without chutti,( a form of colouring the face), but a crown resembling that of Kadhkali artist and a shield. This is performed in the night with traditional Nila vilakku ie temple lamp , chenda , traditional percussion instrument. Theyyam performer has to undergo penance in the form fasting, abstinence  etc and observe around 41 days penance.

 Theyyam , in those days,  was performed either in the Tharavdes or in front of dieties. The village people would be in a festive mood. To attend the Theyyam, people would purchase new dress and the oldies used to wear unique kerala dress , ladies would drape themselves  with traditional mundu and melmundu.  Malayalees especially Menon ladies are very goodlooking and fare in colour. The melmundu means a cloth draped around the waist and thrown over the left shoulder partially covering the breasts. As the left side is slightly open it will expose the waist line and one can easily have a glimpse of the naval. They used to wear all the gold jewelleries that are sufficient to be placed  in a jewellery shop. 

 Vadkkedathu and Thekkedathu always  had hatred in between them which existed from some generations back. This continued even though Ramettan had taken much effort to ameliorate the situation and cool down the inner fire. 

‘ this  time it is the turn of Thekkedathu to take the lead for the Theyyam’, some one commented from among the people who gathered in the tea shop.

The tea shop was the meeting point for the people whether it was a political discussion or about conducting temple festival. All in and around the Panchayat would have at least once visited the tea shop and had a tea and a quad or kadi ,which means something to munch probably it will be a hot parippu or dal vada. The dal is soaked and coarsely ground and mixed with chilli powder , coriander and salt and made like flattened cake and fried in coconut oil. A malayalee’s tea session would not be complete  with out this accompaniment.  

‘ chetta, oru chaya ividai, , 'one tea here' someone announced his presence. There was no quorum  like a company board meeting. As soon as one takes the lead the discussion would begin.

 This time it was about the Theyyam.

 ‘ Vadekkedathu people will never agree to that so easily. Now a days Menonettan is behaving like a bourgeois’. 

‘no, no he is a pucca communist, is not?

‘only lip service’

During the previous year the fight between the two tharavdes was brought to the street.

Menonettan was branded as RSS sympathiser. 

 Theyyam is  performed  mostly during the month of April-May and the main performer will be a dalit. The performer is considered to be representative of the God or the God itself. People used to touch the feet or prostrate before the Theyyam performer to get the blessings of the God. Here there is no distinction between big and small. poor and rich and upper cast and lower cast. Probably this would have been invented by the ancestors to make a point that all are equal and there is nothing like upper or lower and all are equal in the court of the God.

 ‘This is nothing new in this since Bhagavan Sree Krishna was a yadava king and Bhagavan Sri Ram belonged to Kshatriyas.  .. ‘ D’souza continued his lecture with Parvathi..

‘Are you taking classes on philosophy or literature’ Parvathy asked cynically.

‘no, no , philosophy is also a part of life’.

A few days with a ghost.                          Adv. Janardhanan venkiachalam

                                                                                                                     continues