Book Review-

 GRAMMAR OF SILENCE

 by R.Seshasayee

 I recently read a fascinating novel - The Grammar of Silence by Mr R. Seshasayee,​ which is unputdownable. The novel has been written after extensive research into the social history of Tamil Nadu and is woven around the lives of three women- Dharma, Vinodhini and Mary who dare to claim their voice and space in a tyrannical patriarchal society. The episodes and the conversations featured in the novel give the reader the impression that the author had a ringside view of the events in the characters' lives. While it is easy to write a novel based on contemporary themes, the author has done a ​remarkable job in his efforts to capture the social history going back five centuries.  I agree with Prof. Venkatachalapathy's comments that `The novel succeeds admirably in getting historical details right without losing the throb and pulse of real people`. I also liked the way each chapter ended with a small twist, which makes the reader eagerly look forward to the next chapter. ​The author`s deep knowledge of classical music also helps in embellishing the narrative of the novel.  It is a must-read novel.

Seshayee, a chartered accountant and a senior business leader,  has held several important positions both in the corporate world, professional bodies and social institutions. He is currently the Chairman of Asian Paints Limited. A bilingual writer, he is the author of several short stories in Tamil which have appeared in leading Tamil magazines. His mother,  Vasumathy Ramaswamy, was a very popular writer in  Tamil. ` The Dance of Faith` was his first novel in English, published in 2022. After conquering the corporate world, Seshasayee is all set to conquer the literary world.

 

A PLATINUM BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO PRABHA

My late wife Prabha would have turned 75 today  (27th July,`26). A Platinum Birthday! Prabha's passion for gardening as a hobby is legendary in our family circles. I always used to tease her that her first love was gardening – everything else was secondary.  As a tribute to her memory, I would like to share an article I wrote about her passion for gardening​ some time ago.

.Excerpts from the original article:

Over the last several years that we have been living in our own house, Prabha managed to grow hundreds of flowering plants and other green plants. We have over six varieties of jasmine (Malli): Nithya Malli, Pavala Malli, Mullai,​Jadhi Malli, Adukku Malli, & ​Gundu Malli, and over forty varieties of crotons and scores of colourful Hibiscus, Exora and Arali plants; flowering plants with no fragrance.

We even have fruit-bearing trees – Sapota (chikku), Guava, lemon-sized Japanese oranges (called Kungfat) besides a coconut tree, banana tree, mango tree and even a drumstick tree!

In the absence of a regular gardener, ​Prabha tends to each plant herself. Every morning she would go around the compound checking, trimming, weeding, cleaning and generally looking after the plants. Spending nearly 60  minutes on this particular activity.

Whenever we were travelling, she constantly worried whether the maid had watered the plants or not. Almost akin to how pet owners worry about their pet dogs or cats when they are away on tour.

As soon as we returned from any tour, the first thing she would do is to go round inspecting the plants as if saying “Hey Guys, I am back to look after you!” There is a perceptible difference in the appearance of the plants as well; those drooping suddenly seem to perk up! I wonder if there is any truth in the belief that plants can also communicate with their patrons.

In the morning she would pluck flowers for Puja, and in the evening she would be busy collecting Nithya malli (jasmine) flowers growing on our terrace. Come rain or sunshine, she spends about 60 minutes every day plucking these fragrant flowers (nature's aphrodisiac) and spends another 30 minutes tying them on a string to make a nice ‘maala’ for her hair or for use in the Puja room the next day.

Like all women who are crazy about gardening, when we visited friends and if she found a garden around the host's house, she would go on an inspection tour of the garden before she even said ‘hello’ to the host! But when she tried to pluck saplings from plants in public gardens, where plucking of flowers and saplings was prohibited, I would feel embarrassed.

A week before she passed away, on her request, I took her around her favourite plants in the compound.  She was in a wheelchair. Suddenly, she looked up and asked, “If I die, who will look after all my children?”I was confused. Why was she asking me this question when our children were all married, and we had four grandchildren? She clarified, ​"I am talking about all these plants which I have looked after for the last thirty years like my own children​" I was moved to tears. I assured her that I would look after them as long as I am alive.

PS:

Sorry, Prabha. I was looking after your plants with help from Mythili ( my brother's wife) until both of us moved out of our houses to make way for the redevelopment of our homes. Soon, not only your plants but the whole house would be going under the bulldozer.

A DIAMOND BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

 My elder son-in-law, Ranganathan Uppili Srinivas, popularly known as `RU` among friends and `Cheenu` among the family, is turning 60 today, 25thJuly,`26. While welcoming him to the world of senior citizens, nay, Seenagers, my mind travels back in time to when he became a part of my family. He is the only son in his family after four sisters. After completing his CA in India, he went to do his MBA at Oklahoma State University in Boston, USA. He worked in Boston for a couple of years before he returned to India to look after his old parents.

In 1994, I was looking for an alliance for my elder daughter Kavitha, who had turned 21. After getting a gold medal in Fine Arts from Madras University, she was working in my advertising agency as an artist. I came to know about RU through a friend. After all the formalities were over, the wedding took place in `Santha Sundara Mahal` on LB Road in Adyar, where the Eros Cinema was located. It turned out to be a grand society wedding with a large gathering of friends and relatives from both sides attending the wedding. I remember many guests commenting that RU and Kavitha looked like a `Made for Each Other` couple, which they continue to be. Immediately after becoming my son-in-law, RU asked me if he should address me as `Mama' or ' Appa '. He was more comfortable calling me `Appa`. Much to the annoyance of my late wife, my relationship with RU has been more like a friend than a father-in-law.

RU, very intelligent, articulate, caring and tech-savvy, is a people person with a huge network of connections, spread across the country. He is always keen to learn new things and puts his heart and soul into whatever he takes up. Like his entrepreneurial effort in starting `Idli factory`, making ready-to-eat oblong-shaped Idlis coated with gunpowder ( Idli podi), sold in a carton with six Idlis, with tissue paper. It was indeed a very innovative idea as a travel companion.

A man with a golden voice, popular as a singer in social get-togethers, he decided a few years ago to learn Carnatic music while simultaneously honing his skills as a `Karaoke` singer. An early riser, I have found him practising singing (`Sadhakam) every morning, sitting next to the window in his drawing room. He would take a break to give me a hot cup of filter coffee as soon as I came out of my room after my morning ablutions, whenever I was staying at his house.

RU is a typical Corporate Honcho who loves partying. A great conversationalist, he is a person who loves to argue. Sometimes, I feel that he does it for the sake of arguing, but all the same, he is delightful company. He has done well in life and is a much-respected professional in his field, and is very popular among friends.

I am also happy that he has given full freedom to my talented daughter Kavitha to indulge in her passions and supports her in every way. They blessed me with Arul, my first grandchild and later Nila, both very intelligent and talented, like their parents. Both kids are very mature and have their heads on their shoulders, and are doing well. God bless them

On this day when he celebrates his landmark birthday, I pray god to bestow good health and happiness on RU and help him realise all his unfulfilled dreams in life

 

LRGK- A HELPFUL SOUL – A tribute

 The news of the sudden demise of L. Rajagopalakrishnan (LRGK- 87), my wife Prabha's elder sister Jaya's husband, brought back memories of my long association with him. I first met him at my wedding in 1972. As Prabha had lost her father when she was only 20 days old, LRGK performed the role of her father at the wedding, while her elder brother Srinivasan conducted the wedding. LRGK was a handsome young man who played an important role at the weddings of my two daughters held in 1994 and 1998. Since I had opted for the labour contract for the catering, someone from the family needed to keep a close watch on the utilisation of the materials by the chief cook. LRGK, a knowledgeable man on the subject took charge of this job. He positioned himself outside the store room where all the groceries and vegetables required for the wedding were stored and kept a close watch on the materials being taken by the cook. Often missing out on important events at the weddings.

LRGK was an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan. As a father less child, LRGK had to struggle against all odds to get his B.Com degree. Like my father, he had no other interests in life except his family and his job in the TVS group as a manager in a department. He was a doting husband and a caring father. As the only surviving maternal uncle for the children of his sisters, he would be the first to arrive at any event in their families to extend whatever help he could. He was extremely popular among all his nephews and nieces.

As his first son was disabled due to a birth injury, he was particular that his second son, Parthasarthy, popular as Keerthy in the family, was well educated. Keerthy was not happy with the BSc degree for which he was admitted to a private college and wanted to get a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.. Though he had already spent a few months in the college, LRGK went to the office of the Vice-Chancellor of SRM College of Engineering to explore the possibilities. He sat outside the office of the Vice Chancellor for two days and did not leave until he secured admission for his son. A man of determination and perseverance indeed! Keerthy did not let him down. After getting his Engineering degree, he went to the USA on a job visa, where he later decided to settle down. He married Sangeetha, a girl chosen by his parents, who proved to be an ideal match for Keerthy. This made for each other couple have two teenage children – son Madhav Ojas (16) and daughter Yahvi (13) excelling in their chosen fields. It is a happy family making their parents proud.

LRGK was lucky that Keerthy, who was visiting India on a short holiday, was with him during his last days and will leave for the USA only after performing all the rituals. My heartfelt condolences to the family, particularly to Jaya, who has been a pillar of strength to LRGK in his life. Despite the many serious health issues that she has, it is commendable how she faces the many ups and downs in her life with tremendous willpower. I pray to God to give her the strength to face the loss of her life partner for 58 years.

May his soul rest in peace!

SAMBADKUMAR @ Samji -A Sakalakala Vallavan

Sambathkumar @ Samji, a writer, author, poet and a self-taught A/V Expert, in Nana Nani, Phase 4, where I stay now, amazes me with his enthusiasm, energy and his hunger for learning new and challenging creative pursuits. He has been producing entertainment programmes regularly to delight the residents of Phase 4. Even a function to launch his new book is accompanied by a variety of entertainment programmes, which invariably include a short film written & produced by him. Except for acting, he dons all the other roles required in making a film. He conceives the story, writes the screenplay, identifies artists who will perform different roles, and trains them in advance by having rehearsals individually and later as a group. He identifies different locations to suit the story, gets the necessary permissions and sources the props required for the shooting. On the shooting days, he is the cameraman, camera assistant, production assistant and above all, a  Director looking for perfection. Post shooting, he also dons the role of the editor.

When he offered me a small role in the film `ISAI`, I readily agreed. I don't like acting on stage because of my inability to remember long dialogues, but playing character roles in front of a camera is okay with me. I was excited because I was going to act in a film after a six-year hiatus.

He came home to give me the gist of the story and also highlight the role I will be playing. This time, he had decided to introduce some new faces in his film. When some of them said that they had never acted before, he said, `Don`t worry, I know how to make you act`

He formed a WhatsApp group of all those involved in the film and started sending regular messages about the progress. I was impressed with the meticulous planning he had done for every aspect of the film. Once he was satisfied that the Team was ready for the shoot, he sent us a detailed schedule indicating the venue, what scenes were being shot on a particular day and which artists would be required. In the meantime, he had already identified the locations, got the necessary permissions and briefed every artist about the make-up and costumes that they should wear so that they come to the venue, fully prepared.

On the sets, he was a demanding director and also a cameraman, looking for ideal positions for the camera. He would not accept any suggestions from anyone, saying, ` I am the director, and I know what I want` or `Are you the director or am I the director?` Someone quipped, "On the sets, he is a dictator and not a director". He goes for several retakes until he is satisfied with a shot.

The longest shot for the latest film was on the day he was shooting the cutcheri sequence featuring Padmanabhan as a Vidwan singing 3 songs at the meditation hall, with Mrs Uma Maheshwari appearing as a chief guest to honour the Vidwan. She not only came on time but also mouthed the dialogue which Samji had given her earlier, resulting in the sequence being filmed in one take. Considering that she agreed to perform a role in spite of her busy schedule indicated her great regard for Samji and his capabilities. For this particular day of shooting Samji had the help of Revathy Natarajan acting as an assistant director, monitoring the scenes and acting as a prompter, helping the artists refresh their dialogues. Namagiri was busy shooting the audience in action. Most importantly, Samji, with help from a few volunteers, had managed to get over 40 residents to participate in the sequence as a live audience for the programme. I must say that the attendees responded with applause spontaneously whenever it was called for and were very disciplined. Hats off to Samji for shooting this long sequence without any hitch.

Since I was not required for scenes shot in other venues, I did not attend those shootings.

After all the shooting was over, he started the laborious process of editing the film. This is when a film really takes shape. It involves choosing the best shots of each scene from several takes, arranging them in sequence,  adding appropriate titles, superimposing music and doing everything required for what is called post-production work. It is a daunting task.

Once the first cut of the film was ready, he had to go through it carefully, trimming and fine-tuning the film to get the desired impact. The film was now ready to be shown.

In my long life as an adman involved with hundreds of different genres of films, I know what is involved in making even a short advertising film. There are scores of people, each a specialist in his field, to assist the Director in the making of a film. It is always teamwork. Samji prefers to be a one-man army when it comes to filmmaking.  He does it because he is passionate about what he is doing and doesn`t mind the physical and mental stress he goes through in making a film.

 

Samji (82), was a corporate honcho who worked in a very senior position in a multinational company when he had no time to discover his hidden talents while in service. Settling in  Phase 4  after retirement, he realised his penchant for creative pursuits. Starting as a writer and film-maker later, he has proved that age is no barrier to creativity.

Within seven years of his stay in the community, he has published eight books ( six of them thrillers), written more than a hundred poems,  thirty short stories and produced eight films. A remarkable achievement indeed.

He says that he can do all these because of the total freedom he enjoys to do whatever he wants to do. Besides, being healthy for his age allows him to be very active both physically and mentally.

Samji, you are truly a `SAKALAKALA VALLAVAN`. Thanks for giving me a role in your film. It was a pleasure working with you. May you continue to enjoy good health so that you are able to cross new milestones in your journey as a creative person. God Bless!

An edited version of this article has appeared in the May 26 issue of Dignity Dialogue.

 

 

 

 

 

Tribute to a loyal soul!

When I got the news of the sudden demise of Srirangam Raja, my mind went back 45 years, when he joined my company as a driver​. He was more than a driver. He was a part of my family. A school dropout, he had ​​realised most of his dreams in life by sheer perseverance and hard work. I thought I would share his inspiring life story as a tribute to the departed soul.

Born in a ​w​ell-to-do family in Rajapalayam, Srirangam was a problem child for his parents.  When he was 12 years old, he decided to run away from home. He landed in Chennai, seeking refuge​from a distant relative, who was running a successful business.  Since Srirangam​ was not interested in studies, the family agreed to keep him as a helping hand​ to​ run around doing errands.

 When he grew up to be a handsome ​youngster of 18,  they decided to teach him ​t​o drive, so that he could pursue a vocation in case he was interested.  Srirangam took to driving like ​a duck to water and became the favourite driver in the family.  They even found a girl from a decent family from their native place and got him married.  He was settled in a small LIG flat, which they bought for him so that he could lead an independent family life. He was blessed with two sons, who grew up  to be as handsome as he was.

 When everything seemed to be ​g​oing well, Srirangam ​​realised that the next generation in his employer’s family was not treating him well.  One morning, he quit his job and decided to try his luck elsewhere. He​ joined my good friend Pandu Chintamani​, who was then the Manager of HTA in Chennai, as a company driver.  Within the next two years, when Pandu got transferred to another city, he recommended Srirangam​ to me, as I was looking for a reliable driver. I readily agreed to take him​, least ​​realising that it was going to be a lifelong tryst with Srirangam and his family.

 It ​ had been almost six years since Sriranagam had been with us. He was not only sincere in his job but was extremely loyal to my​ family. He was the embodiment of what a good driver should be. He would go beyond the call of duty to give a helping hand to any member of the family. A friendly and very loyal soul, he knew all my relatives and would be respectful to anyone who visited us. He was very fond of my aged mother​, whom he adored and respected.​ On his ​​payday, after visiting a temple near our house, he would invariably visit our home​ seeking blessings from her​ before taking his​ pay packet home. Obviously, my mother’s blessings worked. He got a job with a Sheik`s family in Saudi Arabia, with a fancy salary which I could never match. He left for Saudi ​Arabia at the age of 32, leaving behind his family, with dreams of earning big money to give ​a good education to his two sons and raise the standard of living of his family.

 Srirangam​ continued to be in touch with me.  Every new year, he would send a greeting card to my family, with a special message for my mother.  His​ love and loyalty to our family ​​were unbelievable!

 During the fourteen years he was in Saudi​ Arabia, he not only managed to send his two sons to a good school, but also saved sufficient money which he wisely invested in real estate both in his native place and in Chennai. He owned more properties than ​​ I.

 Every two years​, when he visited us on his holiday, we could see his growing prosperity reflected in his growing tummy. He​ was putting on weight and was having a blood pressure problem.  He was acquiring health problems associated with wealth.​ During his seventh trip to India, after 14 years in Saudi Arabia, he had a massive heart attack. He had to undergo a ​​bypass surgery to get rid of the four blocks in his heart.  He was only 46.  Under pressure from his family, he decided to quit his job in Saudi Arabia and​ stay back in Chennai.  

 * * * * *

 Six months after his return to India and after fully recovering from his health problem, Srirangam​ visited me. He said that he had​ decided to work again as a driver. He would​ look for a job elsewhere, only if I did not​ want him. When I told him that I​ ​could not afford the kind of salary he was used to, he said he ​​would accept whatever salary I offered him, ​He was talking based on the strength of the​ adequate savings he had in his bank account.​ I promptly hired him back​, and the whole family was delighted.  Soon I ​​realised that I was not only his employer but also a consultant in sorting out his family issues, which he encountered frequently. 

 Years rolled on.  Both his sons became graduates and found decent jobs. A dream come true for Srirangam, who had studied only upto 4^th standard. Both sons were married off to girls from good families. His elder son​ married a girl from Rajapalayam, while his second son got married to a girl from Salem. Srirangam was delighted when his first son presented him with two ​​grandchildren - a ​​granddaughter and a grandson. The second son also caught up and presented his parents with a grandson. Srirangam was street smart with a lot of common sense. He had already built separate houses for each of his ​​sons in the land he had invested in to avoid problems faced by joint families. He lived in his own house with his wife close to his children`s homes.

 Within a couple of years​, tragedy struck the family. His second son​, who was doing very well in a ​​nationalised​ bank and had risen to become a manager of a branch, died of cancer when he was in his early thirties​, leaving behind a young wife and a son. Srirangam was devastated. Soon​,​ he recovered from the tragedy and made arrangements to ensure that his second son`s family was well looked after,

In the ​​meantime, when I retired from my job, he also retired. Having fulfilled all his responsibilities in life, he became busy travelling across the country, going on pilgrimages​ and visiting foreign countries with his family groups and generally having a good time. During his sojourns, he would not forget to call me and enquire about my health. When in Chennai, he would visit my home often with his wife to pay his respects. He lived a full life​, always valuing relationships. I began to treat him like a younger brother, a part of my family.

 Just a few weeks ago​, he had called​ and promised to visit me in my new home at Nana Nani. But it was not to be.​ He passed away suddenly ​​from cardiac arrest while recovering from a surgery for Hernia. He was 74.  I will miss him, because it is very difficult to get such fiercely loyal souls these days. I pray god that his soul attains Satgati and gives strength to his family for bearing this irreparable loss!

Sugandhi Dandapani - A visual artist by instinct

 The Senior citizen home where I am staying has many talented residents who excel in their favourite hobbies. Among them Suganthy Dandapani (64) stands out . She specialises in making handicrafts to suit special occasions and miniature replicas of popular temples.

Suganthi was born  in Tirukoilur in Tamil Nadu, but was brought up in Chennai, where her father Pandurangan , was working as an officer in the Railway Mail Service. She is the third among four sisters.  She did her schooling in Singaram Pillai Girls Secondary High School at Villivakkam.  Though she was a bright student, and received appreciation for many of her essays on various topics from her teachers, she did not continue her education beyond 11^th standard.  Her conservative parents did not allow her to study further citing the family tradition. When she was 26, she was married to Dandapani whose family was running a jewellery shop in Nagapattinam. Until her marriage, she utilised her time giving free tuitions to poor children in her neighbourhood and also learning tailoring, besides making wire baskets.

Suganthy says,” Most of the ladies in our  Vysya community, to which I  belong, learn to make wire baskets using the cross stitch method from a young age.  These baskets are used extensively in marriages”.

Suganthi`s creative mind made her think beyond wire baskets. For her elder sister`s son`s fourth birthday, she dressed him like a priest and fabricated a Sivalingam using cardboard and other materials. A special photo of the boy worshipping the Sivalaingam was taken, which was very much appreciated by everyone in the family. That was the beginning of Suganthy`s tryst with custom-made handicrafts and miniatures.

After marriage, she moved to Nagapattinam, where her husband`s family was settled. It was a joint family where again she had to live with a lot of restrictions.  However, she was allowed to display her talents at the nearby Kanniga Parameshwari temple. On special occasions she would fabricate different types of braids (Jadais). She  also used her imagination to try to adorn the deity with other types of make ups (Alanagaram) using different materials. It was around this time that she learnt to make ICE lingams. She and her husband have performed `Panchlinga Puja` using five Ice lingams she had made and Jothirlinga Puja using twelve Ice Lingams. At the Senior Citizen Home, she continues with this practice.

After  they celebrated their  30^th wedding anniversary, they moved to  Nana Nani, Phase 4 in Coimbatore, in 2017 to lead an independent life  without any responsibilities. Since they did not have any children they felt a well run senior citizen home would offer them better security and all the other facilities required by them at their age. Sugandhi could also  actively involve herself in her favorite hobby without any restrictions. It was a turning point  in their lives.

Phase 4 has a big Mahalaxmi Temple. In their very  first year, Suganthy fabricated several Jadais  (braids), which were used in adorning the head of the Processional deity ( Amman) in the temple. The Jadai , using several layers fabricated as a crown, adorns the deity even today. Any festival celebrated in the temple  witnesses some contribution from Suganthy in the form of a special decoration of the deity. Similarly, any programmes based on religious festivals will have on display an item specially fabricated by her. The Ramanavami festival last year had a miniature of the new Ayodhya temple, like the ones that architects make, made by her, displayed in a corner of the stage. Similarly, she had made a miniature of the Ayyappa temple featuring the hill, complete with the eighteen steps in the meditation hall of the community where a mega Puja for lord Ayyppa was performed,

Suganthy also celebrates every festival at home with appropriate decorations in the puja room to suit the festival. She had an exhibition depicting the story of Krishna Jayanthi at home .  She was thrilled when a popular singer visited her home on the occasion and sang a few songs on Krishna.

Suganthy recalls two memorable events  in her life. She says,” At the Neelayadakshi temple in Nagapattinam, during  Shivaratri  our  family contribution was the special Ice Lingam, which I would make and place it in an identified location in the temple. After puja in the main temple when our family returned to the area, we would be thrilled to find the Lingam surrounded by hundreds of lamps lit by devotees. 

 A couple of years ago, when a handicrafts exhibition was organized in the Meditation  Hall of the Senior Citizen Home,  my stall was highly appreciated by Mrs Uma Maheshwari, the JMD of the Ananya Homes, who was the chief guest on the occasion".

For all her talent, Suganthy had no formal training in the art. She is  a visual artist by instinct who is primarily guided by an innate, intuitive ability and gut feeling in making artistic decisions

She uses her imagination and some reference photos to fabricate items with cardboard, thermocole, fevicol and other relevant materials. Her husband Dandapani is of great help these days. He not only gives ideas, procures materials, but also actively helps in the fabrication of items. The couple is popular in the community for their active role in all the religious festivals held in the community.

Though her formal education had ended with the school, that did not stop her from learning Sanskrit and the Vedas after moving into the  Home. She studied Sanskrit at the Samskruthaa Bharathi in  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. After passing the Kovidha exams, she started teaching Sanskrit online to interested residents in the community. She has also learnt the Vedas from the experts in the community and is now part of all Veda chanting groups active in the community.

Suganthi`s life is one more  example to prove that age is no barrier to pursue one`s passion for anything. And that well-run Senior Citizen Homes with a vibrant community offer plenty of opportunities for any creative pursuits.

 

 

Babu Krishnaswamy A film maker with passion for history

 The news of Babu Krishnaswamy`s demise on this Sunday came as a surprise to me. I knew he was ailing for some time, but did not expect the news so soon after receiving a telephone call from him just a few weeks ago. He said it was just a courtesy call, wanting to know how I was doing and that he would be happy to meet me during my next trip to Chennai. During the earlier two trips to Chennai, I could not meet him as he was not in a condition to see me. His wife Mohana also came on the line and said that they would be happy to see me during my next trip, scheduled any time during January 2026. I feel bad that I will not be meeting my good friend of 55 years anymore.

 I was introduced to Babu by another good friend, Desikan, who was then with Reader`s Digest. It was the early seventies when Babu was still associated with Jaishree Pictures, in which his two elder brothers were partners, producing ad films, documentaries and radio spots. I had moved to Delhi in 1971 to join ACIL, the sister company of Clarion McCann. A few radio spots produced by them for our Delhi clients brought me closer to Babu.

 Babu and his wife Mohana, accompanied by Desi and Nirmala, had attended my wedding on 26^th January,1972 in Chennai. Knowing my devotion to Venkatachalapathy, they had organised a car to take Prabha and me to Tirupati for a darshan the next morning. In the evening, Babu hosted a dinner at his house on MG Road, which his whole family, including all his brothers and his famous dancer sister Padma Subramaniam, attended. It was indeed a touching gesture by Babu, which brought us very close, a friendship that grew over the years.

 While I was still in Delhi, ACIL commissioned Babu to produce a film for our client CARE, an NGO headquartered in the US, which works in the areas of health and nutrition. We had recommended two alternative approaches — one ‘positive’ to be tested in the villages of Uttar Pradesh and another ‘negative’ to be tested in the villages of Andhra Pradesh. A benchmark study and a post-study conducted by CARE revealed that the negative approach, which used fear produced by Babu, worked better than the positive approach. That experience was also the beginning of my long association with Rural marketing

 That was also the time when Babu decided to part company with his brothers to pursue his dream of producing a documentary on the 5000 years of subcontinental history, under his own banner- Kishnaswamy Associates. While he was still fleshing out the idea and seeking funding for the mega project, including from the government, he and Mohana visited my home in Delhi and stayed with me for two days. I got to know more about his mega dream for which he had staked every resource at his command. After many ups and downs, including a mild heart attack caused by the extreme stress he was undergoing, his magnum opus, `Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi`, became a reality. The enormous success of the film made him undertake many other projects dealing with various aspects of Indian civilisation, and television serials on interesting subjects.

 I moved to Chennai in 1974 and built a house, close to his palatial home on the first main  road in Sastri Nagar. Like me, he also had two daughters and a son with similar age profiles, all of them studying in Sishya. The families became close thanks to the use of our family`s cars in rotation to take the children to school. Babu`s son Bharath was a classmate of my elder daughter Kavita.

 The years rolled on with both of us pursuing our businesses, meeting only during family get-togethers or special occasions. Later, my involvement with Consumer Association India started by our friend Desikan, in which Babu was also a part, provided  opportunities for us to meet more often.

 In all the years that I have known Babu, he has been a dear, caring friend. I found him to be a scholar and passionate about whatever he undertook. An excellent conversationalist, he was very articulate both as a speaker and writer. I had the privilege of extracting  the  abridged version of his  autobiography  published  in  the Madras Musings issue dated June 2018,

 His wife Mohana had been a pillar of strength to him in all his endeavours. Babu was always proud of his wife and her immense contributions to his achievements as a filmmaker. Blessed with talented children brought up with the right values, Babu lived a full life, winning many accolades and awards for his role as a filmmaker.

 I will always remember Babu for his encouragement and the moral support he extended to me, along with Desikan, when I was going through a turbulent period in my professional life, before I moved to Chennai.

 While offering my heartfelt condolences to the family, I pray to god that his soul attains Satgati!

 

 

SOWMYA SRINIVASAN More than a professional Storyteller!

 During my recent visits to my younger daughter Sowmya`s home in Coimbatore, I found her busy doing crochet work whenever she has free time- which she has in plenty as both her daughter Uthara and son Keshav left home to pursue their higher education- Uthara doing her PhD in theoretical evolution in Germany and Keshav doing an integrated PhD in Ecology and Evolution at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Hyderabad. And her husband, Srinivasan (Retd. Group Captain, IAF), is busy visiting Chennai often on his consultancy assignments.

“I learnt to Crochet from my Athai (father's sister) when I was in my teens, spending a boring summer holiday in Mumbai with them! The bug bit me again during the 2020 pandemic, also for the same reasons of boredom! I renewed my craziness and obsession! Through my initial trials and tribulations, I made only circular crochet patterns, as I loved the designs. These patterns were done over the years 2021 - 24! Now I am trying different patterns!”(The attached photos indicate a few designs she has done in crocheting.)

I was impressed with how Sowmya keeps herself occupied. Apart from  maintaining a home, Crochet work, Sowmya also keeps herself busy with activities related to her role as a Professional Storyteller.

Right from her school days in Chennai, she showed an inclination to be a performing artist, while my elder daughter Kavitha is a Visual artist. She used to take part in school plays and also learnt Bharatanatyam along with her sister. We had the Arangetram of the duo in 1987. Though neither pursued their interest in dancing, the knowledge and experience gained came in handy in the careers they chose to pursue later.

 

 After acquiring a BSc degree from Madras University and MPhil in Psychology (HR) from Annamalai University, Sowmya did a Diploma course in  Special Education from the Spastic Society of India. She was  employed there until her marriage in 1998, when she moved to Bangalore, where her husband was stationed.

 

Sowmya says, “ It was while working in the Spastic Society of India, I realised the importance of storytelling in  communicating with the differently  abled Children”

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She decided to undergo training in Storytelling therapy from the World Storytelling Institute (Chennai) run by Eric Miller. This led to her taking up Professional storytelling as a vocation. By then, her two children had arrived, and she had given up teaching differently abled children.

 

Sowmya has been actively involved with  Professional Storytelling for over 15 years. She uses storytelling and creative techniques to develop imagination through a venture called SoulSpace Storytell.

 

Professional storytelling involves telling stories not only to children but also to adults. While many Professional storytellers have used their talent to monetise their talent, Sowmya, a compassionate girl that she is, decided to use her knowledge to help society. Being a student of  psychology, she has been able to use the knowledge to devise interesting programmes aimed at different target audiences

 

The healing storytelling called Soul Story Mandala is one such effort to engage adults deeply with stories for self-development and wellbeing. She is an associate at Muktha Foundation, Bangalore, an organisation working in the space of mental health and abuse prevention. Recently, she has come together with 3 storytellers from across India to form the Story Circle of Love that has a vision to spread stories for renewal and hope in the Community.

 

 She is one of the founder-members of Bangalore Storytelling Society, a not-for-profit community that promotes, nurtures and spreads awareness about the Art of Oral Storytelling. Interestingly, she was one of the five  members of the society to participate in a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one of his monthly `Manki Bath ` programmes.

 

Sowmya feels that there are no limits to gaining new knowledge. She has been regularly attending online courses on subjects related to her vocation.  She is a certified Mindfulness practitioner and Happiness coach.

 

She has facilitated training programmes and workshops for many educational institutes and designed the curriculum on Storytelling for some.

In December 2024, she was a Special invitee Storyteller at the Bursa Storytelling Festival, Turkey. In June 2025, her workshop on Storytelling & Wellbeing, called Story Mandala, was selected for the Sydney Storytelling Conference and received heartwarming reviews.

 

Among the several recognitions she has received are the Yuva Shakti award (2021) from Rotary Club Kria Shakthi (District 3232) and the Vocational Service award from Rotary Club Bangalore West and RC Spandana (2022).

 

She is a published author with two books to her credit. First is a children’s picture book on Pratham Storyweaver (When Crocodile Craved Chocolate and Chips), and the second is an anthology of poems called “Dragon of Hope and Other Poems from my life”.

 

In Coimbatore, in addition to pursuing varied interests as a professional storyteller, her current field of work includes curriculum development and learner-centric pedagogy for adults, and many other initiatives. She is also associated with the Coimbatore Book Club and the amateur stage in Coimbatore. Her performance in a short play staged by Coimbatore Arts and Theatre Society recently was well received by the audience.

 

I am proud of Sowmya and her achievements and how she has learnt to balance her family commitments with her other interests. She is fortunate to have a husband who has given her full freedom to do what she likes to do. I am also lucky that she is based in Coimbatore, one of the many reasons why I moved to Coimbatore to stay in Nana Nani.

 

Pray to God to bestow good health and lots of energy on Sowmya so that she continues to serve society in her own ways.

R.T.Chari- A philanthropist with a vision

 

R.TChari ( 86 ) is considered a crusader in the music and heritage circle of Chennai. He built TAG center, an auditorium on TTK Road in the heart of Chennai. not to make money. but to primarily conduct programmes of his choice and to derive great joy in throwing it open to friends and well-wishers as well? Always preceded by a sumptuous South Indian tiffin.

 

Chari is a hands-on philanthropist, who never believed in cheque book charity. He  has been sharing his wealth with the society, long before Corporate Social Responsibility became a buzz word in the corporate world!

 

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Chari was born in a middle class family of nine children at Mundakanni Amman Koil Street in the heart of Mylapore, His father, could only assure his children three square meals a day and decent education. Chari was mildly dyslexic as a student making his brothers tease him about it. This made him an angry young man who was determined to prove to the world what he was capable of

 

The family`s move to Tambaram where he joined a School run by Christian missionaries, became the first turning point in Chari`s life.. The headmaster of the school discovered that not only was Chari a good student but the tall young man was also good in sports.

 

“My success in sports and the recognition I got because of it changed the attitude of my family towards me.They stopped teasing me” Chari recounts.

 

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Chari`s second  break in life came when he got the admission to the prestigious College of Engineering, Guindy, because of  a timely help provided by a distant relative who was the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu at that time,.After successfully completing his degree in Engineering,Chari joined Seshasayee Group as an Apprentice Engineer in 1961.

 

Chari’s reputation as an engineer who was also a super salesman brought him quick recognition in the company. By1972 he had become the  Chief Technical Commercial Manager.

 

Chari was married to Rangi, a multitalented girl from Bangalore, chosen by his parents, in 1971.Within two weeks of his starting his married life, fate again intervened to change the course of his life.

                                                        

Chari was selected by his company to attend a ‘Foundry Exhibition’ in West Germany and also explore a possible collaboration in Europe.During his trip Chari managed to strike a deal with an Italian company, leading maker of the particular product his  company wanted to produce. However, on his return to India, he found to his dismay that the Management, had decided to drop  their expansion plans.

 

Not one to accept defeat, when Chari requested the management to allow him to try his luck with the new project, they agreed. They allowed him to continue as a Commercial Manager with the company until he proved himself in his business. Chari could have his cake and eat it too! This turned out to be the ultimate break in his life

 

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Along with his brother Gopal who had also come out successfully as an Engineer from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chari launched TAG Corporation with its factory located in Chrompet.

 

TAG Corporation had developed an import substitute item for 4R Dampers, with half the weight and price, which were in great demand by all the Electricity Boards in the country. Chari became the uncrowned king in the manufacture of 4R Dampers, By now he had also cut his umbilical cord with Seshasayee group.

 

Chari started seeing big money and instead of just hoarding the money, he decided,  at the  young age of 40, to share his prosperity with  society. From being a successful businessman, Chari was on the road to becoming a generous philanthropist.

 

For Chari, ‘charity began at home”. He decided to persuade, cajole and  if necessary help every one of his siblings to acquire a house of their own.

 

At this stage Chari also realized the immense joy he was getting by the act of giving and sharing. He  started supporting  deserving health related projects in Chennai.

 

While Chari was continuing with his generosity, an incident in his personal life completely changed the direction of his philanthropic activities.

 

Sharing wealth with music

In his college days Chari was fond of hearing only Tamil, Hindi and English film songs .He would get peeved when he was not allowed to listen to his favourite `Binaca Geethmala` programme, as his brothers used to listen to Carnatic music on the only radio available in the house. This resulted in his developing an aversion towards  Carnatic music.

 

One evening when he was hosting a dinner for some of his family members, he found that the entire conversation was revolving around Carnatic music. He felt terribly left out. Looking at his displeasure his brothers-in-law  challenged  him to listen to 500 hours of Carnatic music to realise its magic. Chari accepted the challenge.

 

He started listening to the tapes of famous Vidwans for a couple of hours every night. His brothers-in-law was proved right. Chari was hooked to Carnatic music in a big way. Soon he became a donor member of Music Academy, attending concerts regularly. Chari realized that Carnatic music was not only giving him great joy but also helped him to become a calmer and a focused person.

 

Just as he had decided to share his wealth with the deserving in the society, he also decided to share the joy of listening to Carnatic music with his close friends and relatives.

 

His first initiative in this direction was to hold Chamber music at his remodeled flat in Poes Garden. For 10 years, Chari organized nearly 50 chamber concerts lasting for about 150 minutes each, always followed by a sumptuous dinner for all the invitees.

 

 

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This abiding interest in Carnatic music led Chari to collect more than 6000 hours of carnatic music. Chari realized the need for chronicling and preserving the treasure trove of music he had collected for posterity.

 

The idea for a Digital Listening Library was born. Chari persuaded the Music Academy in which he was already an executive committee member to house the proposed TAG Music Academy Digital Listening Archives which was launched at the Music Academy on 13^th December 2008.

 

Chari says, “The user can in 10 seconds listen to a song of his choice, categorized under a raga,  name of the song, singer or composer”

 

Chari  sponsored  similar archives in Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, and Pallakad, apart from the one in Madras University`s Music Department besides Singapore and  Sri Lanka.

 

Chari decided to also  extend his help in archiving Indian classical dance. The TAG Viewing Gallery was launched at the Music Academy adding one more dimension to the Academy`s efforts in promoting classical music and dance.

 

His passion for music and how it should be received by the audience extended beyond TAG Centre, which he owns. TAG Corporation has already sponsored state-of-the-art auditoriums in many schools and colleges in Chennai. He constructed the Super Tech 400 seater auditorium at the Guindy Engineering College, his alma mater, which he considers as one of his best contribution

The next big project that Chari launched in February 2002 was the TAG South India Heritage Programme. Held on the last Sunday of every month, these lectures focused on specific aspects of South Indian Heritage, by eminent speakers 

 

Under the auspices of South India Heritage programme, in the last 25 years  he has arranged over 650  lectures, lec-dems, music concerts, plays, religious  discourses, Tamil book reviews  and many more.. Both Tag Centre and the South India Heritage Programme have become synonymous with cultural excellence. The South India Heritage Programme also recognized exceptional music talent with the Ramabadhran Centenary Music Award, instituted in 2004, named after his father and  outstanding performances in Heritage promotion by young achievers were recognized through the Vedavalli Memorial Heritage Award, named after his mother.

 

Chari  has also published a 600 page book titled `South India heritage-an Introduction` which has contributions from 40 eminent scholars. This book is given free to any one going abroad for further studies.

 

Among the recognitions he has got is the S Rajam Award of Excellence for his exemplary work in preserving and promoting fine arts, performing arts and cultural heritage of South India by Sunanda Trust,. On the professional front Chari has been a recipient of the Udyog Patra Award from Government of India. The other recognitions include the Best Alumni Award from Guindy Engineering College.

 

Chari credits his  wife for playing  a big role in bringing up his  children with right values, while he  was very busy with his  business and other activities. He  also would like to recognize the role of his  brother Gopal who was a pillar of strength to him in his business.

 

Chari`s sons have now taken over the day to day running of his highly successful business  Age and health issues have slowed down Chari’s saga of service to society in the area of health, education, music and heritage and other social causes. But he continues to have a monthly get together of chosen friends, all in the age group of 70 plus, on the last Sunday of every month at Tag Centre, where he arranges a programme which entertains  and educates them. Always preceded by a sumptuous breakfast  of South Indian delicacies! A visionary with an indomitable spirit, indeed!