Climbing the generation ladder

 

Today the 3 sons born to Sri.Velupillymadom Venkitachalam Iyer and Smt.Parvathyammal are reunited with their parents.

The eldest was born after two decades of their marriage. Then the next 2 did not arrive for another decade, but when they did, they were born almost together!

Soon, the father passed away and the eldest joined the army to fend for the family.

His mother tried to jump into the sea while they transported their meagre belongings and cows from Udayanapuram to Cochin… the place from where his bride was.

The house was in Cherlai and true to the place’s name was filled will ചേറ് (clayey wet soil).

The family grew in size.  The kids  born to him were grown in ‘military ചിട്ട’ as were his brothers.

Food was rationed, but tasty. His wife was an exceptional cook who used wheat flour to mop up the last drops of dalda from the container. She also stitched all their clothes.

Everyone contributed to the house (first) physically and later, on landing jobs, monetarily.

My father-in-law and his younger brother joined tea firms in Island.

Marriages were done and all were settled in separate households.

And the three proved to be quite “active”; having minimum four kids each.

The three brothers saw their children get married, became grandparents and were lucky to become great-grandparents too!

And of the original six (3 brothers & wives) only 1 remains…my mother-in-law.

The last brother bid adieu today. He died at home in the arms of his son, surrounded by his extended family. All are sad, but unanimous that it is better this way.

As Ananya said, Harish and I have inevitably climbed the ladder to be part of the present day elder generation!

#death Funeral: 5/March/2024

Photo 1: No kolam, no vilakku, no pooja

Photo 2: Crows are supposed to be our ancestors.