PROLOGUE
DR. Carl Jung has written extensively on
the theory of Synchronism...
of events in Time & Space- people getting connected in some strange ways- Our own hindu Karma doctrine has stated the law of rebirth and of gunas and samskars. So some traits do follow in a family-and now science tells us DNA goes back to 7 generations.
of events in Time & Space- people getting connected in some strange ways- Our own hindu Karma doctrine has stated the law of rebirth and of gunas and samskars. So some traits do follow in a family-and now science tells us DNA goes back to 7 generations.
Some things we Trikannad's seem to
have is:
1.Ships
-Sea &Travel is in our Family-3 generations.
2.Flair for
Writing.
3.Faith and
Respect for Spirituality per se -(-not rituals may be)
4.Hard work
and integrity in dealings.
5.Overseas
working.
Some details:
This was told to me in
youth by my Elders and later was confirmed at Ramnagar in 1981..
TRIKKANAD FAMILY GENEOLOGY
Our paternal Grandfather-Balakrishna (Bakut ) Ajja. born in Ramnagar, 3rd son of Trikannad Bhavanishanker Rao of Kanhangad (then Hosdrug Dist). Completed his school there itself -He was a close friend and classmate of Sw. Ramdas (poorva ashram is Padukone Vithal) and Ajjas close friend also .
Trikannad's links to Anandashram is mentioned in "Glimpses of Divine"penned by late Sri Trikannad. Chandrashekar, eldest brother of our grandfather.Marriage links to Padukones is also established
With no jobs available in South Canaras then and loss of lands and all position lost in agriculture, our people had to seek jobs anywhere--some where.
Bakut Ajja left
Ramnagar, and somewhere got onto a Ship that
went to Burma in search of a job!! In those times many sought
employment in Burma, Ceylon, Malaya and especially clerks and workers were much
in demand in agriculture and in administration especially by the
British. I was told (and believe) his ship was wrecked in
the final stages of voyage near shores of Burma and this is possible with strong
tidal currents seen where the river Irawwaddy enters the sea. Bakut Ajja swam
ashore....managed somehow to find help and then get a job as a clerk in Govt
due to his good command in the English language!!
Almost sounds like fiction, but
as i grew up with him from the age of 6 till 14 . I sincerely believe it was
true.
-He did not abandon his roots or
filial ties and once came back to Mangalore and got married (arranged old style)
to Sow. Rukma (nee Naimpally) at Mangalore but returned back to Burma as he
saw no employment prospects in Mangalore. He was a strong willed person, proud
and dignified and in fact rejected any financial assistance and land given at
his Marriage and preferred to return back to his work . The incident was
unfortunately not seen well --despite the fact that today it will be given a
Salutation and Respected. The matter was in fact later a cause for sparking off
much acrimony and family misgivings , but that is Life. I also feel he found the ambience in our home
town Kodial to be very orthodox and conservative and very restrictive. It may
be recalled that the tradition did not like our Community "Amchis" going overseas and often passed
harsh censures on Overseas travel -However in his rented house in Lakshman Gramani st or
till102A P.H.Rd but had Srimad Bhagavatam pics inc Bhishma , Sri Rama and
Ahalya painting , MK Gandhi and Nehru portrait and was indeed deeply
Spiritual. Every day I used to help collect Flowers froma tree between 6.30 7 am and he would
offer it with his prayers Also at 10-11 am was his daily ShreeVishnu Sahasranama
Reading He sponsored Harikathas and esp late Sant Keshav das(then Keshav Pai in
1954-1955 and I used to be taken to SA Hall for all of these programes.
His outlook on Religious practice has been evident in all of us and I think it had some thing to do with attitudes on leaving Indian shores .
But when a door closes on us--God opens a Window some where for us and Anandsashram and Swami Ramdas it was that provided the sanctuary. In fact my younger sister Nalini (late) & I were initiated in Ram Nam in 1955 itself and many other systems esp Shree Ganesh chaturti.He used to visit Ramnagar when ever he was disturbed for Peace ;but I never quite understood then--but felt the Shelter and Warmth of Ramnagar.
His outlook on Religious practice has been evident in all of us and I think it had some thing to do with attitudes on leaving Indian shores .
But when a door closes on us--God opens a Window some where for us and Anandsashram and Swami Ramdas it was that provided the sanctuary. In fact my younger sister Nalini (late) & I were initiated in Ram Nam in 1955 itself and many other systems esp Shree Ganesh chaturti.He used to visit Ramnagar when ever he was disturbed for Peace ;but I never quite understood then--but felt the Shelter and Warmth of Ramnagar.
In Burma the family had lived very difficult life as the care of 8 children was not an easy task. In college years many took part time jobs and earned a bit. Finally Bakut Ajja by his hard work rose to be Head of the section, known in those days as a "Head Clerk"- to the British Sahibs, a good powerful post and with his impeccable manners dress and bearing earned a good named and retired--. I think he was due yo or may have retired but evacuation on a Steamer during WW2 with imminent Japanese attacks of Rangoon left no choice. It saw him and and most of his family depart in what was described as the Last Boat to sail qs steerage passengers on deck to Calcutta.The rest walked back.
Returned to India and stayed in Calcutta a while .Then resettled in Mangalore for a short and stayed in
Balmatta. The entire family did not quite like Kodial-gaon and so finally moved
out and settled in Madras (same Presidency earlier) some time in 1949. They
took up a rented house in Lakshman Gramani Street Puraswalkam, Madras.
Bakut Ajja was a strong. disciplined
man, deeply religious -but without tedious rituals, did his Shree Vishnu
Sahasranama daily, supported Harikathas in SA Hall. In fact he sponsored late
Shri Keshavdas Pai -eminent harikatha exponent some times.
Lived life with time table in his
daily chores , walks, marketing.
I was left in his care in Dec
1950 and was raised by him for 7 years at
Madras and to me he was extremely kind.He would take me on all evening walks to the market or other
chores-shopping groceries etc and even to buy firewood at the Depot etc. He
would always indulge me to 2 annas for a treat of a cold drink like orange crush
or a fresh hot Naan Roti near market area. He would help me in some home work
and dearly cared for me -despite many family setbacks.
I can never forget the Coat he
stitched for me -see pic.
I have to thank him for
developing in me Reading habits as it was sucha blessings at Sea -in Life. Also
so many things about our Hindu Culture. Sw Sivananda was his favourite and he
got me their DLS Book "Guide For Children"in 1953-4 and the cost was 8 Annas.
--I actually read many chapters several times and it was a factor in career
choice. Then there was
1.Robinson Crusoe classic at age 6-7 & Hitopadesh Folk tales -Jataka Tales (1953- all kind courtesy Grandfather). Higginbothams was a fav stop then.
2. Divine life society Guide for Children- ( in 1953 ,again kind courtesy Grandfather,cost was 8 annas- Half Rupee!! )-So many more --but leave it to Readers imagination.
I used to greet him every morning at about
6.30 am; on that day found he would not stir when I tried to shake him and
called Annama. I was told to Run to Dr Acharya at Tank and reuest him to come
urgently --i ran like a boy possessed and he came --but pronounced him as "no more"
and said in his typical style "He is gone in early hours-- Heart Failure" and
left.
I think Ajja had a premonition as he told
Annama at 5 am that morning when he actually awoke quite cryptically
--
SHE: Gadial bandh
jalla--(clock has stopped)
HE: Thein maj vari bandh
jatha assa -(It is like me stopping!) .
It was quite contrary to his normal wake
up as he went back to Rest--and passed away --
about 5.30 time may be in his sleep. Never
suffered illness and did walks and all till his last day.
The above brief two
lines exchange matter was later explained by Anama to us.
He died in 1957
at age 72 peacefully in his sleep -RIP
2) My father, born in Burma-educated
there ---joined the Armed Forces Medical services - saw action in Imphal etc
decorated; after the war was
sailing as a Ship's Doctor for a while- then Rangoon
Port Health Officer!!--then went on to join BAMC Civil service -CMO and
then returned 1962- after the Army coup.Was decorated with KIH Medal for Wartime service
3) I was born in Mangalore...was
with Maternal grandfather K.Sukumar Ajja --and my Mother.
Grew up in
Madras --left home in 1963 and joined T.S.Dufferin and went to
Sea-
Mangalore- Ramnagar (Kanhangad)--
Burma- Madras and Ships & the Sea all across...God's Grace-Angraha Kripa seems to have been with us for 3
generations .
I have liked Ramnagar
philosophy as it is simple and universal viz.
" Vishva Seva Vishva Prem"--and
Chanting Ram-nam. They also maintain Shree Vishnu Sahasra Naam at 5.50 to 6 a.m
daily and Shree Hanuman Chalisa at 3 pm daily.
Concluding this recall:
TIME
FLIES...
thought for this paper in my
Personal Journal
