Monday, February 12, 2007
Unforgettable journey Madurai to Kalyan
The story dates back to about 2000 Sept. That was a time when I had to make frequent trips to Tamilnadu to finalise my sister's wedding.
The marriage was on May and it was March when I was returning all alone by the 6340 Nagercoil Mumbai Express. Since it was not the peak season procuring tickets was not difficult. Boarded from Madurai after bidding adieu to my Mausi and her husband. I was travelling in Sleeper class (the luxury of AC travel was not affordable to me then). Of the six berths, three were already occupied by an old lady, her son and his wife. I got a window seat and said a small prayer for a comfortable journey.
Kodaikanal road was the next station and hear boarded an elderly gentleman who looked very grumpy. He asked the trio to vacate his berth as he had the window seat. I was upset that it would be a boring journey with no one to talk to . So five us travelled together with the old man and me reading books and the trio either looking at us or talking among themselves.
Slowly the train entered Karur from where all the action began. Here boarded an army man who was full of energy with word go. He came in with lots of luggage was trying to make space below the seat by pushing our luggage. I made a feeble complain but he was already gone to get his next lot. The side berths had two youngsters who were going to Bombay in search of employment. With all the berths occupied the train started off from Karur. It was nearing dinner time when everyone started opening their tiffin boxes. My mausi (aunt) had packed idlis with mulagai poodi which I was hogging without paying attention to the surroundings. Suddenly, the tough army man said " Why don't you try my tomato chutney it will taste great with idlis" Not ready for this, I was reluctant but he insisted and I did what he wanted. The chutney was amazing and the idlis did taste great. This prompted me to share my idlis with everyone including the old man who had not spoken till now. He said he was a light eater, to this the army man took out a pack of chips saying they are homemade. The old man too fell for it and thus we ended up sharing our food.
Once we finished dinner, the army man took over. He regaled us with his anecdotes. He was talking about his daughter who was about 10 yrs and how she disciplined him. His wife and kids lived in Karur and he was in Solapur. His daughter used to scold him if wore shorts in the village saying they are not our culture. The daughter was very active and took part in school cultural programmes. Once she was performing a group dance and her partner a boy of the same class forget his steps and was standing like a zombie. She hold him and started showing him his steps much to the amusement of the gathered audience. She showed us a snap of the girl and she was cute. She was equally brilliant in her studies. I could see his face lit up whenever he talked about her. The audience that is me, the old man, the old lady her son, his wife and the two youngsters had their ears glued to him.
Suddenly, his face fell down and what he said shocked and pained us. The daughter had a hole in her heart and had to visit a hospital every month. But the next moment he was back at it again and confidently said that she would be cured very soon. Everyone wished the same.
Soon it was time to sleep and we all slept well. I did sleep but the thought about the girl and her family disturbed me.
Next morning it was time for him to alight as we were nearing Solapur. I can still remember that scene. Everyone was sad to see him go. The old lady asked to him stay on till the end. I could see her eyes were moist. But the call of duty cannot be avoided and he got down at Solapur.
Then on we all talked to each other as if we all were acquaintances. We arrived at Pune on time. That's when the old man who till then was talking in monosyllables and a occasional word or two suddenly got up and told us that Pune station has the best bhelpuri and everyone should try it. He got down and got 4 packets of bhelpuri for us. Everyone enjoyed it and thanked him. Then on it was his call. He too had many tales for us. He said that he had gone to Rameswaram to complete the annual rites of his deceased father. After a spiritual tour he came to Madurai and then Kodaikanal. He had travelled all alone. Here I must mention that he must be about 70 or nearby. He had visited many places in India and loved to travel. The journey from Pune to Kalyan was filled with his tales and some occasional questions by the trio who were amused at his energy. I was a spectator with few questions.
The train came to halt at Vithalwadi a station before Kalyan and found it perfect to jump off to catch an Ambernath local. Started getting up wishing everyone all the best and thanking them for a wonderful journey, when the old lady asked why don't I come with them as they were new to the city and would love to have me for company. I was touched , but expressed my inability due to work commitments. Got down at Vithalwadi for my onward journey with sweet memories of a never to forget trip. This journey was more significant as my trip to Madurai was boring with noone to talk to.
What I learnt here is do not judge people by looks. The old man who seem to be grumpy when he entered the compartment or the army man who looked to be bossy were never what they seemed to be. I remember my school principal often saying "Looks are deceptive." How true.
The marriage was on May and it was March when I was returning all alone by the 6340 Nagercoil Mumbai Express. Since it was not the peak season procuring tickets was not difficult. Boarded from Madurai after bidding adieu to my Mausi and her husband. I was travelling in Sleeper class (the luxury of AC travel was not affordable to me then). Of the six berths, three were already occupied by an old lady, her son and his wife. I got a window seat and said a small prayer for a comfortable journey.
Kodaikanal road was the next station and hear boarded an elderly gentleman who looked very grumpy. He asked the trio to vacate his berth as he had the window seat. I was upset that it would be a boring journey with no one to talk to . So five us travelled together with the old man and me reading books and the trio either looking at us or talking among themselves.
Slowly the train entered Karur from where all the action began. Here boarded an army man who was full of energy with word go. He came in with lots of luggage was trying to make space below the seat by pushing our luggage. I made a feeble complain but he was already gone to get his next lot. The side berths had two youngsters who were going to Bombay in search of employment. With all the berths occupied the train started off from Karur. It was nearing dinner time when everyone started opening their tiffin boxes. My mausi (aunt) had packed idlis with mulagai poodi which I was hogging without paying attention to the surroundings. Suddenly, the tough army man said " Why don't you try my tomato chutney it will taste great with idlis" Not ready for this, I was reluctant but he insisted and I did what he wanted. The chutney was amazing and the idlis did taste great. This prompted me to share my idlis with everyone including the old man who had not spoken till now. He said he was a light eater, to this the army man took out a pack of chips saying they are homemade. The old man too fell for it and thus we ended up sharing our food.
Once we finished dinner, the army man took over. He regaled us with his anecdotes. He was talking about his daughter who was about 10 yrs and how she disciplined him. His wife and kids lived in Karur and he was in Solapur. His daughter used to scold him if wore shorts in the village saying they are not our culture. The daughter was very active and took part in school cultural programmes. Once she was performing a group dance and her partner a boy of the same class forget his steps and was standing like a zombie. She hold him and started showing him his steps much to the amusement of the gathered audience. She showed us a snap of the girl and she was cute. She was equally brilliant in her studies. I could see his face lit up whenever he talked about her. The audience that is me, the old man, the old lady her son, his wife and the two youngsters had their ears glued to him.
Suddenly, his face fell down and what he said shocked and pained us. The daughter had a hole in her heart and had to visit a hospital every month. But the next moment he was back at it again and confidently said that she would be cured very soon. Everyone wished the same.
Soon it was time to sleep and we all slept well. I did sleep but the thought about the girl and her family disturbed me.
Next morning it was time for him to alight as we were nearing Solapur. I can still remember that scene. Everyone was sad to see him go. The old lady asked to him stay on till the end. I could see her eyes were moist. But the call of duty cannot be avoided and he got down at Solapur.
Then on we all talked to each other as if we all were acquaintances. We arrived at Pune on time. That's when the old man who till then was talking in monosyllables and a occasional word or two suddenly got up and told us that Pune station has the best bhelpuri and everyone should try it. He got down and got 4 packets of bhelpuri for us. Everyone enjoyed it and thanked him. Then on it was his call. He too had many tales for us. He said that he had gone to Rameswaram to complete the annual rites of his deceased father. After a spiritual tour he came to Madurai and then Kodaikanal. He had travelled all alone. Here I must mention that he must be about 70 or nearby. He had visited many places in India and loved to travel. The journey from Pune to Kalyan was filled with his tales and some occasional questions by the trio who were amused at his energy. I was a spectator with few questions.
The train came to halt at Vithalwadi a station before Kalyan and found it perfect to jump off to catch an Ambernath local. Started getting up wishing everyone all the best and thanking them for a wonderful journey, when the old lady asked why don't I come with them as they were new to the city and would love to have me for company. I was touched , but expressed my inability due to work commitments. Got down at Vithalwadi for my onward journey with sweet memories of a never to forget trip. This journey was more significant as my trip to Madurai was boring with noone to talk to.
What I learnt here is do not judge people by looks. The old man who seem to be grumpy when he entered the compartment or the army man who looked to be bossy were never what they seemed to be. I remember my school principal often saying "Looks are deceptive." How true.
Labels: karur, Madurai junction, tomato chutney, vithalwadi
