NOSTALGIA-OUR COW Dearfriends,
Yesterdaynight suddenly the memories of cow with us for a few months while I was about13-14 years old came to my memories. I thought I may write about it today.Nothing important other than nostalgic memories. Gopalakrishnan5-2-2024 In mynative town Pandalam among the Brahmin homes, my home was largest with Nalukettu. The left sidehome of my Atthai, had cowshed and two cows, East side home of my Periappa (Appa’scousin) had small cowshed and two cows. Nearby two iyer homes also had cows. My lateperiappa whom I never saw, after partition of my native home was living alittle away with family. Periappa had sudden demise while my elder brother (bloodrelation 1st generation) was still not born, my periamma wasconceived. Periamma had a big cowshedand 6-7 cows and calves. Yearspassed on after periappa’s death. Periamma will come to my home for all srardhas of my Grandfather and Grandmotherand all auspicious functions. All children of periamma were elder to me. Theyfelt no difference that they were alittle away, mostly we all were together at least 2-3 times a week and all hada commanding on me since I wasyoungest in the families. 1 Mymother desires a cow in our home. Whilemy periamma came for a function in our home, my mother expressed her desire tohave a cow from her. Periamma replied- You are not havinggood health to maintain a cow. However I will give. If you find difficult to maintain, return itat any time without hesitation. My father too was concerned about mother’shealth, but when she expressed more her desire, by the soft nature of my father, he agreed. 2 Cowshed comes up. A semi-permanentcowshed was constructed, roofing with braided coconut leaves and good flooring.Arrangements for tying cow, providing grass and hey were made. A pit was taken toput cow dung later use as manure. 2. Cow arrives. Periammasaid, she will bring the cow, however to show courtesy, myself and my elderbrother agreed to bring the cow. One auspicious day in the evening we bought the young cow, not conceivedso far. A good natured cow. It was given a warm reception with Kumkumapplication etc. and tied in the cow shed. On that night hay was given 3 Amma happy having the cow. Ammashowed all affections to the cow. The cow was send free to feed in ourcompound, though coir was tied in neck, we thought we will tie it in peg whiletaken to street. Oneweek over, the cow finished eating all grass. Kanji and kati was givenin the afternoon and night. After untying,it will go round in the compound and come in front of home-Meyeee. After we go to schoolshe will tie it in the front street. After one week, front street grass wasalso over. It was taken to temple grass grounds where all cows are tied forgrazing. It was brought back, with in a week after grazing in temple compound,it could identify our home entrance- Patippura. 4 Cow produces different mayee throughoutnight. Thelocal panikkar was informed, who was having a young bull. He fixed the time,cow was taken and mated. It came happily. 5 Procuring hey Whilestudying in high school I had a smallside income as assistant to Thazhamonnampoothoori in the sastha temple near Periamma’s home on Saturdays andSun days. (Pulikkunnil Sastha temple). It gave me some income and part of itwas used procuring hey. Thazhamaon Nampoothiries are thanthries at sabarimalatemple. 6 Again different mayeee after 20days Understandingnot conceived, it was again taken to Panikker. Panikkar raised the doubt- With my bull it would haveconsumed already. This continuedfour times. Cow did not consume. 7 My mother’s interest vanishesslowly. Takingall efforts of feeding, cow not getting conceived, my mother was of opinion- Wemay give back the cow. How to give? What reason to say? Her hope of milking thecow had faded by the time. 8 Periamma comes for a srardha. Periamma’sfirst query itself was about the cow gotconsumed or not. Amma reluctantly told- not yet. Periammasaid- Your health is not perfect for keeping a cow.Today itself I will take back. I followed assisting to drive the cow. Almostall hey had exhausted. Periamma told my appa- Aniya , jnan kondupovika pasuvinae,Kondupottae- Appa smiled.We normally talk Malayalam at home unlike Palakkadu side Brahmins. 9 Cowshed for keeping miscellaneousthings. Forlong time cowshed was used for keeping miscellaneous things. Then demolished. 10 All cows sold Aftera decade or so, eldest brother got a Manger job at Kottayam kaitharathu matam,Their home was sold, cows sold, Periamma relocated to Kottayam, in the homeconstructed and given to them. Kaitharathu matam is the richest Brahmin home atKottayam. I do not know, whether the cowgot conceived in later period. I continued the job in the temple till I joinedcollege. Later developments and Today’s condition One eldersister and one elder sister in law are alive with their children in periappa’sfamily. In my family one elder sister and one sister in law are there withtheir children and families. And families of the late brothers also. Mysister’s grandson is a MD doctor in Trivandrum Medical College. He has marrieda co-working Brahmin lady doctor fromTrivandrum Iconstructed a home with department loan in my property which was given to my lateelder brother. My late elder brother demolished theNalukettu owned by him on partition and constructed a RCC built home in hislife time. My late father had a spate room in the home I built and he had hislast breath also there. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1170168613.3105681.1707101499059%40mail.yahoo.com.
