Vishu makes a debut

Vishu was just twelve when he lost his father. His father was a mrudangam player eking out a difficult livelihood. He was not in the top rung of percussionists that renowned musicians sought for. He had to be content playing for musicians at a lower level with lower remuneration. His dad had no doubt accompanied some of the stalwarts but such occasions were more by default than by choice when the regular player was unable to attend due to emergencies

Vishu usually went along with his father to the music concerts held mostly in temples on festive occasions or in marriage halls. As a young boy, he had a fascination for violin and used to watch keenly the violinist wielding the bow and producing sweet music. But his father taught him at home, the only skill he knew though he knew of Vishu’s fancy for the stringed instrument. Vishu had an elder sister who was learning vocal music. Both of them were studying in a government school. It was then a tragedy struck when one evening Vishu’s father suffered a massive heart attack while playing in a concert and passed away even before medical aid could reach him.

Vishu’s maternal uncle decided to take his sister and her daughter with him to his village. Learning about the boy’s interest in violin, he along with some musicians who were friendly with Vishu’s father, approached a leading violinist. The kind vidwan who knew Vishu’s father and the tragic circumstances of the family agreed to keep the boy with him and teach him. Those were days of guru kul when musicians kept disciples in their home and taught them the skill.

Years rolled by. Vishu served his master and his wife during the tutelage sincerely with devotion. He was the errand boy helping them in ever so many ways. They were impressed with his impeccable behaviour. The guru’s wife taught him initially the rudiments of the music on the violin and the boy later learnt directly from guru himself. By hard work and inherent skill, he had become an accomplished player. Though he was not allowed to play in public platforms as yet, he continued to go with his master carrying the violin box and take care of his other needs. The guru was a hard task master and did not allow any intimacy. He was stern while teaching him and on other occasions talked very less. In fact, it was guru’s wife who was very kind showering her affection on the boy and fed him well.

One day the master and his wife had gone to adjacent town to attend a marriage. They were supposed to return by night but returned early in the evening itself. As they entered the house, hearing Vishu playing the violin., the couple sat quietly on the bench in the verandah. He was essaying beautifully and leisurely kalyani raga with some nice phrases and continued with Thyagaraja kriti nithichala sugama. They were both pleased at the neat presentation of the song and impressed with his kalpana swaram. When the playing stopped the guru hugged him and mami kept running her hand over his head.

It had been more than five years since he had gone to his village to meet his mother and sister. It was then one day his uncle had written that his sister’s marriage has been fixed and asked him to be present at the village a week in advance. His uncle had also written to the boy’s guru seeking his blessings for the girl and his presence on the occasion. Vishu’s joy knew no bounds and pleaded with the master that he and mami attend his sister’s wedding. Even as the lady was agreeing to the Vishu’ssuggestion, he told Vishu that he had a concert that day at another town. He said he felt bad that he was not able to participate in the joyous function. He gave him some money to be given as his gift and permitted him to leave for the village.

It was the day of wedding. There was only one main street in the village with tiled houses on both sides leading to the temple at the end. The road was covered by a pandal. The tying of the mangalyam was to commence soon. There were many who were jostling in the hall of the house. Vishu came out and looked across the street. Some kids were running hither and thither and the Nadaswaram vidwan was playing the pipe. He was a little sullen that his guru could not make it. Someone called him inside. It was then an old Morris car drew up opposite the house. As cars rarely visit the village, a crowd gathered around it. Three elderly gentle men came out. Hearing the commotion, Vishu rushed out and was greatly surprised to see his guru along with a top musician and equally famous percussionist.

Vishu was speechless and fell at his feet till his master pulled him up to pat him. Meanwhile uncle had also joined.

“This is entirely an unscheduled visit. We missed the train and took a car to reach the town where we have the concert this evening. I remembered your sister’s wedding and made a slight detour. I expressed my desire to these great vidwans who readily agreed to grace the function.”

Vishu’s master said “We intend to sing for an hour in the pandal after the muhurtham. Can you send word to all those who would be interested to listen?”

The villagers had never heard such a soulful music from the great titans. In the middle of the concert the master made way for Vishu and told him to accompany the great musician on the violin. He said “This is memorable occasion for three reasons. This is your first Kutcheri and is being performed before the presiding deity of your village temple, secondly you are accompanying even in your first concert a very senior vidwan and equally senior mrudangam artiste and thirdly you are playing on violin at your sister’s wedding. How fortunate you are.Carry on confidently. May God bless you”

With tears filling his eyes, Vishu prostrated before all the three thinking of his master’s large heart and affection for him, before climbing the dais. He did not forget to look at his mother standing afar in a corner and bow  his head slightly.

Paid back in the same coin

It was early morning and the sun had just arisen. Deepak could not sleep due to jet lag and came out to the balcony. He saw on the road some elders on their morning walk, paper boys cycling speedily with bundles of dailies on the carrier and women pushing the carts with milk packets to deliver. An old woman with basketful of spinach of different varieties was heard shouting” keerai, keerai.” He could smell the aroma of coffee from the electric filter in the kitchen and hear his mom lighting lamp in the puja room. As he turned to go inside, he saw a young woman in her mid-twenties staring at him from the opposite balcony. What a chiseled beauty he thought even as he stopped going in to look at her. To his surprise she did not lower her face but continued to gaze at him. She was very appealing in her yellow top and jeans with a cup of coffee in her hand. Surprised at her nonchalance, he continued to stare at her with interest.

Hearing shuffle of feet behind, he turned to see his mom smiling with a cup of coffee in her hands. “Poor thing,” she mumbled as she saw the young woman and said “Come in, my cup is on the dining table. We can sit there.” He turned once again to see the young woman but she had gone inside.

As they settled down sipping coffee, he asked, “You said poor thing. What was that? Whom were you referring to?”

“I was thinking about Sharanya the young lady you saw in the opposite apartment. Do you know she is totally blind? They have come recently here. Very nice family and very talented one she is. If only she were not blind, I would have….,” she trailed off without completing the sentence.

“Was she born blind”

“Her mom told me that her vision was going down of late. Can you examine her? I have told her mom that you are a big eye surgeon in US and that you would be coming here.”

“No problem, amma. I can examine her in my friend Akshay’s eye clinic. You can tell them. You said she is talented. In what areas? asked Deepak.

“She is an expert in Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and has given public recitals. She has such a sweet voice that you can listen to her endlessly. She is a post graduate in economics. I can ask them to come. You can even talk to her.”

He was greatly surprised when around 3 pm his mom came to his room to tell,” Freshen up and come to the living room. Sharanya and her mom have come.”

“HI, I am Deepak. Nice to meet you. Amma was mentioning about you both,” he said with a smile. She looked really beautiful in close quarters in her pink top and black legging.

“Mami told me that you have come and suggested that I bring Sharanya. First time we are meeting a renowned eye surgeon informally like this,” Sharanya’s mother said.

“Ha ha, nothing renowned and all that. I obtained my doctorate and am now working in Sanfransisco. I will examine her tomorrow at 9am in my friend’s clinic. Do you know Akshay’s eye hospital in Alwarpet?” he said.

“Thank you for readily agreeing to examine,” he heard Sharanya speak in a soft voice.

“Welcome. We will talk about eye tomorrow. Amma was all praise for your talent in music. I have a great liking for Carnatic music and listen to it almost daily in the evenings. Amma was telling me you give public recitals. I hope they must be there in YouTube. Glad my Indian patient is a renowned vocalist,” he said with a loud guffaw followed by laughter from all the three before him.

Deepak’s mom got up telling that she will get coffee with Sharanya’s mom also getting up.

“I will show mami the new plants at the rear balcony. You be talking meanwhile to Sharanya,” said his mother.

He turned to Sharanya who was gawking at him with a smile in her face. Somewhat bewildered, Deepak showed two fingers and asked her how many fingers she saw. She looked at his direction for long and said “It is hazy, may be two or three.”

“Okay, we will see tomorrow. When your vision is restored to normal, what are your plans? Do you work anywhere?” he asked

She kept quiet for a while and then answered,” No, to be honest with you, I would also like to work in US after taking a doctorate in Stanford or Berkeley. Music is my hobby and not a profession.”

He was happy for no reason and said,” Good, a wise decision. We will be in the same city.”

They talked animatedly for about 30 minutes on variety of common interests when their moms entered with coffee cups in hand.

After sometime when they got up to leave and the two moms were talking, Deepak gently whispered, “I am looking forward to meeting you tomorrow,” and she replied softly “Me too,” with a giggle.

Unable to sleep he got up in the early hours of night and thoughts of Sharanya with her pleasing looks, innocent giggles and intelligent conversation lingered in his mind for long till he dozed off.

“I see nothing wrong with your eyes. I have performed several different tests and procedures to check your vision as well as the overall health of your eyes. The examination was comprehensive. Tell me Sharanya honestly what exactly is the reason for this farce,” asked Deepak in a baffling manner.

She kept quiet for long looking at him with some trepidation. When prodded, she blurted,” Don’t take me amiss. This was a set up by your mom. She wanted us to meet and know each other. Since it appears you were adamant against marriage, she employed this subterfuge. She thought you would relent after meeting me. Are you upset with me?”

“No, I do not like such sly methods even if it is by my mom. Did you agree to this drama without any protest?”

“Initially I protested but after seeing you in the balcony, I changed my mind. I am sorry,” she lowered her head and spoke somewhat shyly.

“No need to be sorry. I have also changed my mind. Allow me to scare our moms for a moment before breaking the good news. Play along with me,” he said with a chuckle.

Putting on her face a thick brown frame with glasses as thick as the bottom of soda bottle, he took her outside to the waiting moms and said solemnly, “I did not expect her condition to be so serious. There is a speedy degeneration. Lucky you brought her today. Let her wear this glass till a surgery is performed. I will arrange for surgery this week itself.”

“What are you saying? Her eyes are perfect,” both the moms screamed shattered by the unexpected development.

Sharanya’s mother started sobbing but Sharanya could not control her laughter.

“Auntie, do not worry. It is manageable if both of you agree to one thing,” said Deepak

“What is that? We will agree surely,” cried both of them in chorus.

“It is simple. Send Sharanya with me permanently. She is willing,” he said with a wink and added turning to Sharanya,” What do you say.” Turning to his mom he said ” Amma,I hope I have your approval.”

There were loud peals of laughter even as Sharanya snuggled close to Deepak.

Ammanji and his mysterious box

(Written in 2009,most of my readers would not have read this story)

I was a young boy then studying in school. I came home daily for my lunch as the school was very close by. One afternoon when I came home, I saw my mother in tears. She asked me to accompany her to my grandfather’s house a few miles away. When I asked her why she was crying, she said “You know ammanji (maternal uncle’s son) at my father’s place. He died last night and the cremation will take place in a few hours. I am going there now and you must accompany me.” 
I said “Yes, I don’t know much of him except that he munched raw arecanut often and had stacked in his almirah carpenter’s kit, cobbler’s equipment besides an old wooden box. I shall come.” I was happy to play truant from school

I have seen him many times whenever I visited my grandpa’s place. A frail and short man with thick glasses, he wore a button less white upper garment that was neither a vest nor a shirt. He was no real cousin of my grandpa, presumably a distant relative. He had lost his wife several years ago and had no children. He had none to look after him in his old days. My grandpa who was well off with a sprawling big house with many servants persuaded his relative to stay with him. He was treated like any other family member with dignity and lot of respect. None knew how he was related to grandpa and yet everyone called him ammanji. He had worked as a teacher in a local school and was known for his high proficiency in English language. A voracious reader of English fiction with books usually from a local library, he was generally very reticent and yet when he spoke he made everyone laugh with his witticisms. An addict to arecanuts, I suspected he had not much income, except for his few daily needs. I must confide in you that I was never drawn to him and even feared him possibly his features reminding me of a bull dog. In fairness, I must admit he smiled at me whenever I was face to face with him. He used to give me round mint peppermints in white colour that tasted sweeter if you drank water after you had consumed them.

I remembered very well that he had a small almirah on the wall for his use. There was an old small wooden box in his almirah that he rarely took out in the presence of others. But we, the young boys who lived in that house, knew he opened it daily twice, once in the morning and again in the evening peering into it for a few minutes. Whenever I was in my grandpa’s place, it used to be a pastime for me to try to discover what he was shielding from the prying eyes of others. Try as we did, we never succeeded. It was always kept locked with the key tied to his thread across his shoulder and body. We boys used to surmise that it contained some valuable stuff like gold jewellery of his wife or currency. One roguish boy in his adolescence felt it could contain love letters. I mentioned about this strange habit of ammanji once to my uncle hoping that he would help us in resolving the mystery. Instead he rebuked me for my inquisitiveness in other’s personal matters and sternly asked me to cultivate good behaviour.

Memories flashed through my mind of the arecanut, the mint peppermints and the mysterious wooden box as I went along with my mother to grandpa’s house. Everyone at grandpa’s house was sad as if their close relative had passed away. My grandpa, whom I have always known as a strong personality, was in uncontrollable tears. Many elders and ammanji’s former students had assembled and were heard praising him for his pedagogic skill and his other virtuous qualities.

It was after about ten days when I had accompanied my mom again for some concluding day function, the topic of his mysterious box came up for discussion. My grandpa had the box brought by one of my uncles and he opened it with the key he had retrieved from his relative’s body. Everyone including uncles, aunts, my mom, cousins rushed to grand pa’s side to have a look at its contents. To their great disappointment, it was empty except for a few coins, a book of Bhagwat Gita and an old post card size black and white faded photo that had gone pale and brown by passage of time. My grandpa rubbed his eyes that had gone misty when he saw it and mumbled,” Ammanji and his wife.”

Promise kept

“Will you marry me, Renu” asked Kamesh

“What will you give me, if I say yes?” giggled Renu

“I will give you even my life for your hand.”

“Let us make the day memorable. Can we row in a boat for some distance?”

“The sky is overcast but I don’t want to disappoint you. Let us make it quick, Renu”

Facing each other with their legs intertwined, the lovers rowed laughing and singing romantic songs.

Suddenly she screamed in fear when she saw a cobra crawling towards them.

Kamesh turned to see the reptile and shouted, “Jump immediately with lifebelt and swim to shore.”

“What about you? There is only one lifebelt,” she asked as she jumped.

“Be quick. I will swim and join you.”

She paddled with her hands to reach the shore just when it started raining and turned dark.

Narrowing her eyes, she was peering into the lake even after an hour for any sign of Kamesh.

It struck her suddenly his telling her long back about his wish to learn swimming.(175)

FFFAW Challenge-177th'

This post is written for the 177th picture prompt in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a piece of fiction within 100-175 words based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting this challenge.