Friday 5 July 2013

On The Banks Of Periyar...


It was another Sunday morning, and we were playing Cricket. As expected, in a few minutes time, there appeared Bhargavan, with his big fishing rod, followed by his little son Nandi. We stopped the game, as they crossed the pitch and headed towards the Periyar River. Bhargavan was a compounder in the government medical college and his son studied in lower primary class in a government school. I have never seen anybody else from their family, just the son and his father. I always used to wonder how the child followed the man like a disciple. Both were happy and comfortable in each other’s company. By evening, they came back happily, with the day’s catch. Nandi always carried an aluminium pot which would be filled by evening. I have never seen him playing with the children of his age-group, as for him Bhargavan was the world, and the encyclopaedia of the art of fishing. 

Bhargavan always had the patience to clarify every repeated doubt, his son asked. They used to talk a lot, about fishing, world, school, hospital and so on. This scenario repeated every holiday, but they never missed a Sunday. We could hear the loud cheer of Nandi, when his father used to catch a fish. It was delightful to watch how by evening Nandi walked proudly with the catch, in front of his father, who would be puffing out his Beedi behind.

Even after the 10 long years from then, we still play cricket, wait for Bhargavan and Nandi to cross the pitch as they head towards the banks of Periyar. The only differences I could make out is that, now Nandi pedals a cycle, with a grey haired Bhargavan sitting behind comfortably with his Beedi, and now they don’t carry that pot, instead a black bag, as it seems the wave of development had caressed them too.

It’s a wonder, how even time stood still, watching a sweet friendship between a dad and his son.


(Linking this to Ultimate Blog Challenge)  

38 comments :

  1. This is such a beautiful narrative of a father and son. Your writing is reminiscent of classic literature- I really enjoyed the tone of this piece. I just discovered your blog via the UBC, I'll be back for sure!

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  2. This is so sweet. a simple tale of friendship of father and son.

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  3. Such a great writer you are - I feel as if I'm there! I wonder who cooks the fish, or do they give them away, and the joy is in the fishing?

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  4. How sweet is that!

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  5. How sweet is the Father and son friendship(?) or is it an eternal bonding!!

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    1. Its an eternal friendship between a dad and his son...Thank You Usha...

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  6. rare.. especially given the generation gap... :)

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  7. Beautifully narrated ! had soul in it !

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  8. Good Lord! you are Brilliant!! A very good read...

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  9. wonderful narration of a bond between father and son.

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  10. Nice depiction of a father & son who takes life on their stride, go on together not succumbing to Time.

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  11. Nice memory and excellent narration!

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  12. I could picture your story in a black and white film reel running in my head. Beautiful imagery.

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  13. Nice narration Sreedev. A beautiful bond, beautifully narrated :)

    -Vaisakh

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  14. U sketched a picture...beautifully narrated!!

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  15. what a sweet relationship-impressed!

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  16. Times are bound to change and normally for good :) I must Confess.. you truly write good .. real good ,Shri !
    Why I said so is .. because .. this story somehow reminded me of Malgudi Days!! The way things would come to life while reading .. the same way!

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  17. Life's joys are simple. pure. honest. A very nice tale.

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  18. Simple joys of life can be discovered in the company of whom we love. Relationships nurtured over a period of time becomes a constant source of happiness. A simple tale very nicely told.

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  19. Kollam Nannayittundu !! Very simple , however, showcases the bonding of a Dad and a Son.

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