Dr C G BALACHANDRAN -
THE PERSON WHO ENABLED MY ENTRY INTO ENGINEERING
It was 19th July 1969. The whole of India was agitated by Mrs Indira Gandhi's ordinance nationalising fourteen large private Banks. These banks together had 85% of the deposits from Indian citizens and Mrs Gandhi viewed them as protecting the rich and preventing the access of funds to the poor. This was to pave way for the split in congress and was responsible for creation of Indira congress in a few years.
My Periappa was pacing up and down in the garden adjoining his house C48, Fourth cross, Thillainagar in Tiruchi. He was furious that Mrs Gandhi could do this at one stroke without bothering about the consequences. He had once served IOB as a probationary officer after his BA Hons and the old loyalty probably raised its head as IOB was also one of the banks which were nationalised. Two other people were present in the garden sipping their cups of coffee in the evening sun who had nothing to do with banking. One was my father and the other was Dr C G Balachandran or my Sithappa. (Balu as he was called).
I came from the college and parked my cycle in the portico and joined the group with a puzzled look at the visitors. As if they were waiting for my arrival, my sithappa asked my Periappa why sekar (my name) did not join Engineering and joined BCom. My Periappa told them, "By that time he came here, the admissions were closed in most of the colleges and so B.Com was the only option. National college is not a bad college and the fellow might as well stick to it as there are no options." He added "Usually Annamalai University used to have some seats left "and go abegging every year" but he had no clue as to the position this year. I remained silent as I had resigned myself to study B.Com.
Balu sithappa at this point of time announced that he had got admission for me in Annamalai University for B.E. and he wanted his advice on this matter. Periappa was taken aback with this development. Even, I could not believe. How Sithappa could have got admission for me when I have not even applied. Periappa told that he had no objection to myself leaving National College and joining Annamalai University but then he asked my father whether he would be able to bear the expenses of the educational fees and the hostel expenses for five years. After some discussions on money matters, Sithappa left the decision to me. he said "I have got a seat in B.E. There ends my work. Now ask Sekar whether he wants to take it or leave it". I was asked to sit in a room and think about it for some time. I took it seriously and went inside the room and tried to think. Nothing came to my mind. I did not have any criteria to weigh both the options and decide. I had joined B.Com and had taken up the study of double entry book keeping and started learning "The theory of marginal utility". I cycled from Thillainagar to the college every day.I had also joined the typing class to enhance my employability as a "clerk in LIC" as one of my cousin sisters ably advised. But, here was something new. It was something I did not envisage or anticipate. While the change enticed me, fear of failure in B.E haunted me.
Finally, I took the decision and told Periappa that I am leaving Tiruchi for good to join B.E in Annamalai. Sithappa said "Thanks" and left for Bangalore where he lived at that time. This is characteristic of Balu Sithappa. This person who did so much of good did not expect "thanks". In fact, he thanked me for choosing B.E. whereas I should be thanking him profusely may be even fallen at his feet for getting seat in B.E.without even application form after the admissions were officially closed. ( I don't think I did anything like that. Probably I thought I was obliging him by joining B.E. !! ).
The year 2008. I met Balu Sithappa in Mumbai when my other sithappa passed away. I asked him how and why he took the trouble of travelling from Bangalore, taking my father and going to Annamalai University to meet the Dean and convinced him using his status as an Alumni to secure admission. I thought my mother might have requested him to intervene. He looked at me for a moment and hesitatingly told "I did it for my father." I exclaimed " what!! but my grandfather passed away in 1968!! and you got admission for me in July 1969". he said "But, years before, I gave him my word that I will put you in B.E. I thought on your own you would have got admission. But, by July second week when it became clear that you were settling down in B.Com, I decided to act. Nothing special. Everyone does it." I fell silent. I was hearing about the background of the statements made in 1969 after 39 years and obviously needed time to react.
It is difficult to understand Balu sithappa unless you understand that he is a 50-50 blend of science and art. By nature, he is a warm emotional loving and caring person. By training he is a scientist going by cold logic and ruthless analysis. This, I think, determined his approach to life and his views on various aspects of life. I had the occasion to sample both the sides and enjoy them.
It was 1966. Balu Sithappa returned from UK ( He lived in 33, Alders, Teddington, Middlesex and was working in National Physical Laboratory as a scientist between 1963 to 1966). He was in Kumbakonam in a transit holiday from UK to Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. We were walking feverishly doing some round of Big Bazar Street. He was clad in a dhoti and did not look like a Doctorate in Physics. He resembled a local person with probably a high school background. He suddenly asked me" Sekar, are you feeling thirsty?" I did not answer, As a rule, we hardly entered any hotel or restaurant in Kumbakonam. Only when my Periappa came, we used to get something from Venkata Lodge in Mutt Street. Then he told me " I am your sithappa. You know what it means in Tamil "small father"." Then he took me to "Anjaneya Vilas sharbath shop" near the Uchi Pillayar Koil and we had some cool drinks. That was his affection. Instantaneous. There is no tomorrow for him if he wants to do something for you.
I remember one instance when he trained me on memory power. He told me to read one passage from any book and memorise it. Next day, I should read the second paragraph but recite both the first and the second. Third day, I should read the third paragraph but recite all the three. The passages can be on anything. He even followed it up with me for a few days. When I sat and studied in the "office room" in Kumbakonam, he used to observe and then go and tell my grandmother that he was happy that I was disciplined in studies. He never liked my habit of standing with both the hands on my hips. He would say "Don't stand like that. It looks as if you have no work". He delivered his praises and reprimands with a direct look. He never minced his words and was not bothered how you took it. At times, he could be very blunt.
He was a scientist by profession who did his research in Acoustics. His thesis was on propagation of sound in liquids of different densities and it had implications on many aspects of construction. He was advisor to many buildings and the Symphony theatre in Bangalore had some features incorporated due to his consultancy. (now its name has been changed). He was awarded a Mobil scholarship to tour all over the world to study the effect of noise pollution. I am writing these because if you put Dr C G Balachandran in Google only references to his being a Mrudangam Guru will appear and hence I have to emphasise his other important side.
In 1968, I joined Government Arts College as a PUC student. I decided to appear for National Science Talent search examination which would give me the scholarship for my entire education apart from possibility of securing admission in famous colleges. But, I had to do a project before appearing for Examination. I had no idea how to go about it and one fine morning discussed with my friend Vasan who said we could do research on the bouncing of tennis balls. I had no clue as to how anyone could do a project by getting balls and bouncing them. I related to sithappa who was on a visit to Kumbakonam. I thought he would laugh it off. He took it very seriously. He told me that it was an excellent idea. He asked me to prepare a table of observations. He asked me to purchase different balls (of different makes) and then drop them from a fixed height. (actually he asked me to tie them and cut the thread off with a candle flame but we did not do it). The he said we would measure the bounce by keeping baskets of different heights. Vasan was euphoric. His idea was getting recognition. Soon Vasan and myself were doing the experiments of the bounce of balls in the terrace room in his house. Sithappa saw the readings and did some corrections in the columns, asked us to replicate them and that is all!! our project was done. In three days, we had our project with us with a grand title "A proposed methodology for outgoing quality control for tennis balls". This is my first brush with him as a scientist and realised that he had the power to convert a small childish idea into a full fledged experimental project. To close the episode, we did not get the scholarship but vasan did become a scientist and worked in Canada for many years.
In 1969, after the Tiruchi meeting related in the beginning, I joined Annamalai University on July 24th and had started my stay in the hostel on Aug 5th. It was a very bad time for me with seniors descending on the rooms and ragging us by asking silly questions and asking us to sing and dance. One of the first letters I received was from Balu Sithappa. He had written almost two full pages (very unusual) and had given many instructions as to how I should conduct myself in the hostel. I think I followed them strictly especially the one which said "Do not enter any one's room". He also gave me a hmt sona watch during his next visit to Kumbakonam and I still have it and it is in excellent working condition. ( I am attaching a photo of this watch below)
For people who think that scientists are people going around wearing thick glasses and always sitting with thick books, Sithappa was an exception. He did not wear glasses to start with. He did not read thick books atleast not often. He was probably a person who did not have to convince people of his scholarship by external trappings. My grandfather once told me that even as a boy, he would play with the Talcum Powder container (dabba) while answering complicated questions. He was extremely popular with a lot of people who came to the Kumbakonam house in the capacity of maids, milk vendor or people who did odd jobs. He was at home in their group and they called him "Baliah". Once my grandfather lamented that the progress of civilisation has corrupted the village women, for instance even the girls in villages have started wearing blouses. Balu Sithappa took up a fight with him on the spot. He asked, "How could anyone be so heartless to say that a girl wearing blouse is a sign of moral corruption?". He was unorthodox when it came to the concepts as to how the society should manage itself. He was religious. Twice I accompanied him to Tirupathi where he performed Pujas to Balaji. Otherwise, I had not found him speaking about Gods and swamijis much nor he kept an elaborate system of Puja, Japa etc like my grandfather. He was matter of fact when it came to eating non-vegetarian dishes. He said that the English ate only those animals which had no intelligence. for instance they neither ate dogs nor horses. He was generous when it came to treating us with food. I remember he took us to Woodlands in Bangalore and we all had the unlimited thali. Similarly, he took me once to Geetha veekays in Chennai which a record player playing songs of your request. I asked them to play "Zindagi kaisi hai paheli" by Manna Dey. I was a new convert to Hindi film music at that time having joined Annamalai University.
He learnt mrudangam at an early age and had very high regards for his Guru Naina Pillai, He was a gifted player and had exceptional talent. He played when my father sang and I have seen that a good chemistry existed between them. He also sang and I have heard him singing as a"nattuvanar" for my Sithi's dance. (incidentally, my sithi is an accomplished Bharathanatyam dancer) One of his excellent performances according to me was " Ethanai sonnalum...." in raga Saveri set to Adhi tala and composed by Subbaramier. He sang this number in an enjoyable way (the context of this song is the mother chides her daughter (the Nayika) for estranging herself from the Lord Nataraja.)
I had the opportunity to stay with my Sithappa's family for almost two weeks after I completed my PUC (and the Tennis balls project which I stated earlier). I wrote my IIT Entrance examination and started in the evening along with my father, mother and two brothers. (Our Past President Prof. Zakir Hussain died that day). Next morning, Sithappa came to Cantonment station and took us to his house in Vaiyalikkaval (Lower Palace orchard). We found his house to be very large, beautiful and very neatly maintained. We were given one entire room to ourselves. Probably, that is the first time I saw separate bedrooms in a house. They had a pomeranian by name Dougal and he was a great entertainer. Every morning, we used to go for what my sithappa called "constitutional" (walk in our language). Dougal used to run riot at the sight of autos and we had to restrain him. ( sad to tell here that Dougal met his end ultimately in the wheels of an auto). During that trip, I saw his tremendous interest in stage performances. He used to meet one Mr Dakshinamurthy who at that time was pursuing M.E in Metallurgy and was an excellent Violin player. They used to discuss many things and I had gone to one or two small concerts. He liked musicians of all genres. He liked Beatles as well as Balamurali Krishna. He criticised many singers openly. His criticism was very sharp- razor sharp- but he would deliver that with a smile. He called a very popular Mridangam player's performance as "adi suga mrudanga taalamu" (a word play on the famous kriti "Soga soga Mrudanga taalamu" by Saint Thyagaraja). Once he spoke about another composer that he mixed so many sanskrit words in Tamil that after anupallavi it did not look like a Tamil song at all. He had an air of irreverence when it came to mentioning some big names in music and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember he spoke in tongue in cheek about Sharmila Tagore that in Aradhana she looked "natural" in Rajesh Khanna's mother's role.Let me hasten to add that I personally do not agree with this comment.
In 1975, when I was doing M.E, he came with his family to Mumbai and I spent a weekend with them. They were staying with my Mumbai Sithappa (Ravi). he asked me about my plan after finishing my M.E. I told him about joining some company. He said "why can't you do Ph.D in New Zealand?". During those days, he was staying in New zealand and was working in Department of Scientific Industrial Research. His characteristic approach was to suggest something radical and wait for you to cope up with it. I said that I do not think I will get admission with assistance there. He asked me whether I had travelled in an Aeroplane. I said "no". he asked me how I would get over the fear of flying if I did not try. He told me "First, go by air to madras next time, you will get the confidence to go to New zealand." He asked me to apply for the Ph.D in Tribology in University of Christ Church. He was confident that I would get some assistance. In this respect, I saw similarity among both the Sithappas. Both were optimistic about life and they advised a person to take the risk and go for the best. They had come up in their lives with this approach. So, they were convinced that breaking the shackle of conservatism and pessimistic thought was the first step to progress.
I wrote a poem in Tamil on his eightieth birthday and sent him. He replied that he thought I had described someone else. I had to explain the verses with incidents and convince him that I had written the facts. Similarly, I had faced tough questions about the research I did on the location of Chetlur. I wrote "Chetlur chakram" which was a fictional work based on some shreds of evidence of migration of some people from erstwhile Krishnadeva Raya's empire and developed a story around it that our forefathers came at that time to Thanjavur. In essence, I argued that much of our emphatic declaration that we belong to Kumbakonam is fiction and we have nothing to do with that place. We were migrants who came to Kumbakonam because of my grandfather. In any case, he grilled me much on the plausibility of such a migration.
Anyway, today I am an Engineer (in fact,almost close to the end of my career). But, Who gave me a start? Would anyone have taken the initiative and got a seat for someone without even knowing his marks?
The answer is except Balu sithappa no one would have done it. When he reads this blog, I am sure he would dismiss the statements made with a quizzical look, "How do you validate these statements?". That is the quintessence of the scientific bent of mind he has and an indication that scientist has won over the artist after all.
Post script:
The above article was written on 26th July 2015 almost an year ago. I did not send it to him. Today, Balu sithappa is no more. I dedicate this small article once again to him. I hope he reads it.
THE PERSON WHO ENABLED MY ENTRY INTO ENGINEERING
It was 19th July 1969. The whole of India was agitated by Mrs Indira Gandhi's ordinance nationalising fourteen large private Banks. These banks together had 85% of the deposits from Indian citizens and Mrs Gandhi viewed them as protecting the rich and preventing the access of funds to the poor. This was to pave way for the split in congress and was responsible for creation of Indira congress in a few years.
My Periappa was pacing up and down in the garden adjoining his house C48, Fourth cross, Thillainagar in Tiruchi. He was furious that Mrs Gandhi could do this at one stroke without bothering about the consequences. He had once served IOB as a probationary officer after his BA Hons and the old loyalty probably raised its head as IOB was also one of the banks which were nationalised. Two other people were present in the garden sipping their cups of coffee in the evening sun who had nothing to do with banking. One was my father and the other was Dr C G Balachandran or my Sithappa. (Balu as he was called).
I came from the college and parked my cycle in the portico and joined the group with a puzzled look at the visitors. As if they were waiting for my arrival, my sithappa asked my Periappa why sekar (my name) did not join Engineering and joined BCom. My Periappa told them, "By that time he came here, the admissions were closed in most of the colleges and so B.Com was the only option. National college is not a bad college and the fellow might as well stick to it as there are no options." He added "Usually Annamalai University used to have some seats left "and go abegging every year" but he had no clue as to the position this year. I remained silent as I had resigned myself to study B.Com.
Balu sithappa at this point of time announced that he had got admission for me in Annamalai University for B.E. and he wanted his advice on this matter. Periappa was taken aback with this development. Even, I could not believe. How Sithappa could have got admission for me when I have not even applied. Periappa told that he had no objection to myself leaving National College and joining Annamalai University but then he asked my father whether he would be able to bear the expenses of the educational fees and the hostel expenses for five years. After some discussions on money matters, Sithappa left the decision to me. he said "I have got a seat in B.E. There ends my work. Now ask Sekar whether he wants to take it or leave it". I was asked to sit in a room and think about it for some time. I took it seriously and went inside the room and tried to think. Nothing came to my mind. I did not have any criteria to weigh both the options and decide. I had joined B.Com and had taken up the study of double entry book keeping and started learning "The theory of marginal utility". I cycled from Thillainagar to the college every day.I had also joined the typing class to enhance my employability as a "clerk in LIC" as one of my cousin sisters ably advised. But, here was something new. It was something I did not envisage or anticipate. While the change enticed me, fear of failure in B.E haunted me.
Finally, I took the decision and told Periappa that I am leaving Tiruchi for good to join B.E in Annamalai. Sithappa said "Thanks" and left for Bangalore where he lived at that time. This is characteristic of Balu Sithappa. This person who did so much of good did not expect "thanks". In fact, he thanked me for choosing B.E. whereas I should be thanking him profusely may be even fallen at his feet for getting seat in B.E.without even application form after the admissions were officially closed. ( I don't think I did anything like that. Probably I thought I was obliging him by joining B.E. !! ).
The year 2008. I met Balu Sithappa in Mumbai when my other sithappa passed away. I asked him how and why he took the trouble of travelling from Bangalore, taking my father and going to Annamalai University to meet the Dean and convinced him using his status as an Alumni to secure admission. I thought my mother might have requested him to intervene. He looked at me for a moment and hesitatingly told "I did it for my father." I exclaimed " what!! but my grandfather passed away in 1968!! and you got admission for me in July 1969". he said "But, years before, I gave him my word that I will put you in B.E. I thought on your own you would have got admission. But, by July second week when it became clear that you were settling down in B.Com, I decided to act. Nothing special. Everyone does it." I fell silent. I was hearing about the background of the statements made in 1969 after 39 years and obviously needed time to react.
It is difficult to understand Balu sithappa unless you understand that he is a 50-50 blend of science and art. By nature, he is a warm emotional loving and caring person. By training he is a scientist going by cold logic and ruthless analysis. This, I think, determined his approach to life and his views on various aspects of life. I had the occasion to sample both the sides and enjoy them.
It was 1966. Balu Sithappa returned from UK ( He lived in 33, Alders, Teddington, Middlesex and was working in National Physical Laboratory as a scientist between 1963 to 1966). He was in Kumbakonam in a transit holiday from UK to Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. We were walking feverishly doing some round of Big Bazar Street. He was clad in a dhoti and did not look like a Doctorate in Physics. He resembled a local person with probably a high school background. He suddenly asked me" Sekar, are you feeling thirsty?" I did not answer, As a rule, we hardly entered any hotel or restaurant in Kumbakonam. Only when my Periappa came, we used to get something from Venkata Lodge in Mutt Street. Then he told me " I am your sithappa. You know what it means in Tamil "small father"." Then he took me to "Anjaneya Vilas sharbath shop" near the Uchi Pillayar Koil and we had some cool drinks. That was his affection. Instantaneous. There is no tomorrow for him if he wants to do something for you.
I remember one instance when he trained me on memory power. He told me to read one passage from any book and memorise it. Next day, I should read the second paragraph but recite both the first and the second. Third day, I should read the third paragraph but recite all the three. The passages can be on anything. He even followed it up with me for a few days. When I sat and studied in the "office room" in Kumbakonam, he used to observe and then go and tell my grandmother that he was happy that I was disciplined in studies. He never liked my habit of standing with both the hands on my hips. He would say "Don't stand like that. It looks as if you have no work". He delivered his praises and reprimands with a direct look. He never minced his words and was not bothered how you took it. At times, he could be very blunt.
He was a scientist by profession who did his research in Acoustics. His thesis was on propagation of sound in liquids of different densities and it had implications on many aspects of construction. He was advisor to many buildings and the Symphony theatre in Bangalore had some features incorporated due to his consultancy. (now its name has been changed). He was awarded a Mobil scholarship to tour all over the world to study the effect of noise pollution. I am writing these because if you put Dr C G Balachandran in Google only references to his being a Mrudangam Guru will appear and hence I have to emphasise his other important side.
In 1968, I joined Government Arts College as a PUC student. I decided to appear for National Science Talent search examination which would give me the scholarship for my entire education apart from possibility of securing admission in famous colleges. But, I had to do a project before appearing for Examination. I had no idea how to go about it and one fine morning discussed with my friend Vasan who said we could do research on the bouncing of tennis balls. I had no clue as to how anyone could do a project by getting balls and bouncing them. I related to sithappa who was on a visit to Kumbakonam. I thought he would laugh it off. He took it very seriously. He told me that it was an excellent idea. He asked me to prepare a table of observations. He asked me to purchase different balls (of different makes) and then drop them from a fixed height. (actually he asked me to tie them and cut the thread off with a candle flame but we did not do it). The he said we would measure the bounce by keeping baskets of different heights. Vasan was euphoric. His idea was getting recognition. Soon Vasan and myself were doing the experiments of the bounce of balls in the terrace room in his house. Sithappa saw the readings and did some corrections in the columns, asked us to replicate them and that is all!! our project was done. In three days, we had our project with us with a grand title "A proposed methodology for outgoing quality control for tennis balls". This is my first brush with him as a scientist and realised that he had the power to convert a small childish idea into a full fledged experimental project. To close the episode, we did not get the scholarship but vasan did become a scientist and worked in Canada for many years.
In 1969, after the Tiruchi meeting related in the beginning, I joined Annamalai University on July 24th and had started my stay in the hostel on Aug 5th. It was a very bad time for me with seniors descending on the rooms and ragging us by asking silly questions and asking us to sing and dance. One of the first letters I received was from Balu Sithappa. He had written almost two full pages (very unusual) and had given many instructions as to how I should conduct myself in the hostel. I think I followed them strictly especially the one which said "Do not enter any one's room". He also gave me a hmt sona watch during his next visit to Kumbakonam and I still have it and it is in excellent working condition. ( I am attaching a photo of this watch below)
For people who think that scientists are people going around wearing thick glasses and always sitting with thick books, Sithappa was an exception. He did not wear glasses to start with. He did not read thick books atleast not often. He was probably a person who did not have to convince people of his scholarship by external trappings. My grandfather once told me that even as a boy, he would play with the Talcum Powder container (dabba) while answering complicated questions. He was extremely popular with a lot of people who came to the Kumbakonam house in the capacity of maids, milk vendor or people who did odd jobs. He was at home in their group and they called him "Baliah". Once my grandfather lamented that the progress of civilisation has corrupted the village women, for instance even the girls in villages have started wearing blouses. Balu Sithappa took up a fight with him on the spot. He asked, "How could anyone be so heartless to say that a girl wearing blouse is a sign of moral corruption?". He was unorthodox when it came to the concepts as to how the society should manage itself. He was religious. Twice I accompanied him to Tirupathi where he performed Pujas to Balaji. Otherwise, I had not found him speaking about Gods and swamijis much nor he kept an elaborate system of Puja, Japa etc like my grandfather. He was matter of fact when it came to eating non-vegetarian dishes. He said that the English ate only those animals which had no intelligence. for instance they neither ate dogs nor horses. He was generous when it came to treating us with food. I remember he took us to Woodlands in Bangalore and we all had the unlimited thali. Similarly, he took me once to Geetha veekays in Chennai which a record player playing songs of your request. I asked them to play "Zindagi kaisi hai paheli" by Manna Dey. I was a new convert to Hindi film music at that time having joined Annamalai University.
He learnt mrudangam at an early age and had very high regards for his Guru Naina Pillai, He was a gifted player and had exceptional talent. He played when my father sang and I have seen that a good chemistry existed between them. He also sang and I have heard him singing as a"nattuvanar" for my Sithi's dance. (incidentally, my sithi is an accomplished Bharathanatyam dancer) One of his excellent performances according to me was " Ethanai sonnalum...." in raga Saveri set to Adhi tala and composed by Subbaramier. He sang this number in an enjoyable way (the context of this song is the mother chides her daughter (the Nayika) for estranging herself from the Lord Nataraja.)
I had the opportunity to stay with my Sithappa's family for almost two weeks after I completed my PUC (and the Tennis balls project which I stated earlier). I wrote my IIT Entrance examination and started in the evening along with my father, mother and two brothers. (Our Past President Prof. Zakir Hussain died that day). Next morning, Sithappa came to Cantonment station and took us to his house in Vaiyalikkaval (Lower Palace orchard). We found his house to be very large, beautiful and very neatly maintained. We were given one entire room to ourselves. Probably, that is the first time I saw separate bedrooms in a house. They had a pomeranian by name Dougal and he was a great entertainer. Every morning, we used to go for what my sithappa called "constitutional" (walk in our language). Dougal used to run riot at the sight of autos and we had to restrain him. ( sad to tell here that Dougal met his end ultimately in the wheels of an auto). During that trip, I saw his tremendous interest in stage performances. He used to meet one Mr Dakshinamurthy who at that time was pursuing M.E in Metallurgy and was an excellent Violin player. They used to discuss many things and I had gone to one or two small concerts. He liked musicians of all genres. He liked Beatles as well as Balamurali Krishna. He criticised many singers openly. His criticism was very sharp- razor sharp- but he would deliver that with a smile. He called a very popular Mridangam player's performance as "adi suga mrudanga taalamu" (a word play on the famous kriti "Soga soga Mrudanga taalamu" by Saint Thyagaraja). Once he spoke about another composer that he mixed so many sanskrit words in Tamil that after anupallavi it did not look like a Tamil song at all. He had an air of irreverence when it came to mentioning some big names in music and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember he spoke in tongue in cheek about Sharmila Tagore that in Aradhana she looked "natural" in Rajesh Khanna's mother's role.Let me hasten to add that I personally do not agree with this comment.
In 1975, when I was doing M.E, he came with his family to Mumbai and I spent a weekend with them. They were staying with my Mumbai Sithappa (Ravi). he asked me about my plan after finishing my M.E. I told him about joining some company. He said "why can't you do Ph.D in New Zealand?". During those days, he was staying in New zealand and was working in Department of Scientific Industrial Research. His characteristic approach was to suggest something radical and wait for you to cope up with it. I said that I do not think I will get admission with assistance there. He asked me whether I had travelled in an Aeroplane. I said "no". he asked me how I would get over the fear of flying if I did not try. He told me "First, go by air to madras next time, you will get the confidence to go to New zealand." He asked me to apply for the Ph.D in Tribology in University of Christ Church. He was confident that I would get some assistance. In this respect, I saw similarity among both the Sithappas. Both were optimistic about life and they advised a person to take the risk and go for the best. They had come up in their lives with this approach. So, they were convinced that breaking the shackle of conservatism and pessimistic thought was the first step to progress.
I wrote a poem in Tamil on his eightieth birthday and sent him. He replied that he thought I had described someone else. I had to explain the verses with incidents and convince him that I had written the facts. Similarly, I had faced tough questions about the research I did on the location of Chetlur. I wrote "Chetlur chakram" which was a fictional work based on some shreds of evidence of migration of some people from erstwhile Krishnadeva Raya's empire and developed a story around it that our forefathers came at that time to Thanjavur. In essence, I argued that much of our emphatic declaration that we belong to Kumbakonam is fiction and we have nothing to do with that place. We were migrants who came to Kumbakonam because of my grandfather. In any case, he grilled me much on the plausibility of such a migration.
Anyway, today I am an Engineer (in fact,almost close to the end of my career). But, Who gave me a start? Would anyone have taken the initiative and got a seat for someone without even knowing his marks?
The answer is except Balu sithappa no one would have done it. When he reads this blog, I am sure he would dismiss the statements made with a quizzical look, "How do you validate these statements?". That is the quintessence of the scientific bent of mind he has and an indication that scientist has won over the artist after all.
Post script:
The above article was written on 26th July 2015 almost an year ago. I did not send it to him. Today, Balu sithappa is no more. I dedicate this small article once again to him. I hope he reads it.
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