birthday greetings to a noble brother turning 75...
&
when we were school boys
we were thrilled through and through
on hearing your brief home-coming visits
from madhurai city to uthamapaalayam village--
you were our cheers
with your bundle of small gifts
aptly selected to match our expectant hearts--
yes,you alone knew our thirsts and dreams-
the days that followed would always reverberate
with our boisterous laughter bumping on walls and ceiling
and the involuntary claps in ecstasy
as you cracked wits at our expense with a special knack-
your wits were tangential
knocking our caps but never our heads-
like the teasing slaps of a friendly breeze-
you would remain as if nothing had happened
never a line of smile snaking on your lips
while we laughed like intermittent patter of rain-
o..what a charm did you possess
of which i was ever jealous and equally proud-
and a beautiful drawing hand-
a delight of my formative years-
two silent and eager eyes followed your brush
and intently digested the intricacies of painting delicacies--
you were a darling to one and all
and at times i wondered in no small measure
"has age forgotten its abrasive rubs on you
losing itself to your timely wits ?"
many girls would have fallen in love
for your earthly charm and pleasing manners
had you just nodded your head for wedding--
still a mystery why you opted instead for bachelorhood-
why this voluntary shackle on your beauty?
'beauty should beget beauty
should never waste it to wither away'
shakespeare observed in his sonnet-
why on earth put you out the light of beauty
from the face of the earth ?
and happiness from the heart of a mother?
you might have boldly weathered
the onslaughts of youth valiantly
that even saints are vulnerable to their tremors--
yes,for a noble cause for the family.
we salute you in solemn silence-
you had a golden voice
and your rendering of 'maadhavip ponmayilaal'
of singer t.m.s . in exact replica
transported me to bliss and joy.
you relinquished your promotions to be with parents-
a pillar of strength ,really and truly ,to our parents
till they breathed their last in a seven year gap
at their very ripe age as our guiding spirits--
in fact the whole house was ever in chant of your name
'subramani ! subramani !' from every corner-
you steadfastly performed all household tasks
even amidst your tired sighs of 'ammaa..appaa'-
not a trace of murmur or unwillingness ruled your face-
you cared everybody but ignored your health
and invited the disaster of stomach disorder
that keeps you ever in its clutches-
when our bellies have their rises and falls seasonally
your wolf's belly hugging your back is ever a wonder-
you denied yourself the honour of social functions
of even your siblings to be with aged parents-
it is only in films have i seen heroes performing
service totally dedicated to their parents-
but you are such a real person in my life
performing every and all duties
to our fragile-boned but stout-hearted mother-
you had been the pivot of her life and vice-versa;
the frequent emotion-soaked calls of 'yae supramani !'
of our father and mother had to be experienced
only in person ,but might lose charm in narration -
you would have no more births
as you have served your gods of this life-
yes, you are a mother theresa in our midst !
today you are past 74 and into 75
but when i am told that you look 90 i feel sorry
that age had taken revenge now with double vigour
or else you must have lost the ever-playful child in you
but befriended the foamy-haired ,wrinkle-stamped worry in place--
we ,your siblings, are very proud of you
and i feel blessed to be born as your younger brother
though i may not be worthy of such a grace-
i still remember your inconsolable crying, like a child
when our mother left for heavenly abode
when our 'annaa' commented
"let him weep;he needs to melt down his grief
of mountainous proportions in endless streams;
let it thin out and unburden his heart
and none needs to comfort or disturb him"-
may our great and loving parents shower their blessings
on their dear son today for a painless life!
i seek your blessings at your feet
at this memorable moment of your fruitful life !
-----chandra kalaadhar
