Aami

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1

This is Room No 565

Last two times, when I was unwell

I was in the same room

So, this is like

homecoming for me..

See blood that oozed from its chest.

Likewise, let my blood too

Ooze onto this paper!

And, dipping my pen in it,

Should I call this

an autobiography?

Only as someone without any

burden of future can"

Let me write turning each word

into an act of endearment

As for me,

I'd like to call it poetry"

'In the Neermathalam blossom

When time dropped like dew'

'Like Neelamabari raga

When one relished butter by oneself'

'Time when mind took wings

And swung in the sky'

'In the Neermathalam blossom

When time dropped like dew'

'When one relished butter by oneself

Like Neelamabari raga'

Two days back, it had rained.

That's why Neermathalam (a variety

of pomegranate) has blossomed..

The Neermathalam blooms then

Kamah,

Look at your hair, all messed up!

Grandma,

is there Neermathalam in Calcutta?

How do I know?

Go and ask Bala..

I was asked to make an

earring for the girl..

Balamani doesn't wear ornaments

But why deny it to the girl?

Look!

I want my kid to wear ornaments and all..

Half a sovereign will do..

- Okay.

I've some bits and pieces in my box

I'll bring them.

You know how to make

necklace and pendant?

I'll make it in any fashion you like!

But you should ask your

dad to send the money..

Have you seen Goddess

at Chottanikkara?

What a grand sight!

Like that, you too should wear ornaments

In your ear, hands and neck..

Wear fashionable

bangles and necklaces

And stand at the door when your

dad arrives from Calcutta"

Then he will ask: who

is this princess?!

Will you make ornaments like

that of the goddess for me?

But where is the gold for that?

Nalappat women had such a

lot of gold ornaments!

Do you know how many ornaments I made

For your aunt's marriage?

Everything was given

off to Gandhi"

Did Gandhi come to Guruvayoor

To pick the ornaments of women here?

Grand-uncle, why does

Gandhi need our ornaments?

Who told you?

Goldsmith Narayanan..

The women who took part

in freedom struggle

Donated it to Gandhi when

he came to Guruvayur

If Gandhi asks, will

you give anything?

Of course..

Don't bother grand-uncle"

Come and bathe"

What if Gandhi asks for me?

Will you give me too?

No, we won't give you,

not even to the Mahatma

Even if Lord Guruvayuppan asks

for you, I won't give Kamala

It is poet Vallathol and

writer Kuttikrishna Marar

Please come..

Aren't you stepping down?

- No.

Some other time.

There is a meeting in Kozhikode..

I haven't seen you at

Kalamandalam lately?

Convey my regards.

- Sure.

From where did you get this guy?

By the students..

Youngsters love him more than

Vallathol or Asan (senior poets)

They will be here for lunch

Inform the kitchen"

I've to go to Mangalodayam press

- Okay.

We'll meet some other time then..

When did you come?

- Just now

Do you know him?

I am not sure..

That poem youngsters

rave about - 'Ramanan',

God! I haven't met him before..

I too have read

most of your poems

Your new anthology is titled

'In the Way of Dharma'?

No, I'll give you a copy..

Jaanu, haven't you made

'Pappadam's for the kids?

Yes.

Balamani's eldest

son, what's his name?

You've asked me a hundred times!

Shyam Sunder.

Don't you ask me again!

These fancy names don't

stay in my tongue"

Oh God! it was at the

tip of my tongue!

No pappad for your servant.

Why do you call yourself 'servant'?

Say 'l'..

Valli, that is how you

call yourself, isn't it?

Valli is a cherumi

woman (lower caste)

But you belong to upper caste

Don't teach kids

caste and religion!

Kamala belongs to

human caste, ok?

If lunch is ready, please serve

Koch utty,

When it got late,

I thought you may not come

Balamani said you

were coming yesterday

I had to stay back in Madras

For company work..

Where did you get down?

Shoranur or Thrissivaperur?

Thrissivaperur

Dad, here is my pendant

earring goldsmith made!

Good!

Kids say such things

She has to join the

English school this year.

Two more weeks left before schools reopen..

- So what?

I've booked the tickets

for tomorrow

And I have an urgent meeting

in office on Monday

So, I have to go

tomorrow itself"

Are you all right, Mohandas?

But it is boring here

I like Calcutta

Only Aami wants to stay back

She doesn't want to leave her grandma,

the servants and Punnayurkulam"

So you are leaving tomorrow?

How I wish I were born as Valli!

It is the new car of Am bazheth!

Shining!

You want to take a ride?

If I ask, they'll take me..

Valli, I am leaving"

Aami, come on!

Bye, grand-uncle"

See you..

Kamah,

Come on, get up..

I will die, Krishna"

Nothing will happen

Write whatever comes

to your mind..

Go ahead and write..

I will sit beside you..

Good evening mom.

Aami, go change your

dress and wash"

Why do you look sad?

Our skin AI why is it so dark?

What kind of a question is that?

Some cruel god has smeared us with dirt

And sent us to earth"

But you are not so dark"

You should come and

see my class mates!

All very fair, with

golden hair and all..

But you are studying

in white man's school!

Brother says in our school

only some of us are dark-skinned!

What are you saying?

Nothing.

Will you teach me Bengali?

She's asking if you'll

teach her Bengali..

Had tea and snacks?

Yes

She stinks"

Like Punnayulkulam, we've

no ponds or canals here!

What about you?

I bathe on alternative

days in the bathroom

Look at the old Bengali

lecher ogling!

When I change dress, he peeks..

What did you say?

A British teacher is coming tomorrow

To teach Kamala English

Come on!

Answer my questions!

Kamala!

I don't know stories.

This teacher does not

know any stories!

Listen here..

Next question.

Who is the author of Julius Caesar'?

Who is that?

Krishna, do you remember

when I saw you first?

Come and sleep..

You still have fever!

It is morning!

You haven't left yet?

Better leave..

I've to get ready for school..

Go now, Krishna"

'In the Neermathalam blossom

When time dropped like dew'

'Like Neelamabari raga

When one relished butter by oneself'

'Taking wings, the mind flew

And swung in the sky'

'In the Neermathalam blossom

When time dropped like dew'

'Like Neelamabari raga

When one relished butter by oneself'

'Big girl' m ean s,I'-'\1]

...you too can give birth to a child

Like Balamani gave birth to Sulu..

Grandma, if I look at the Sun like Kunthi

Will I too get a child?

'To whisper a secret

The dawns came near'

Look! When you menstruated,

the Neermathalam blossomed!

The Neermathalam flowers smell the same

As menstruating girls"

'Who wrote like collyrium

The dreams in your eyes..'

Aami.

To teach you drawing"

Go, change your dress and come..

This is your drawing teacher.

'And day and night caressed

With magical peacock feathers...?'

'In the Neermathalam blossom

When time dropped like dew'

'Like Neelamabari raga

When one relished butter by oneself'

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