A Cottage in Swami Hills - 3. Vaithi

A Cottage in Swami Hills *

3. Vaithi

Whether it is TOMCO Hair oil or Mysore sandal soap or Parker Ink we knew only one shop in Kumbakonam ehere we can get our daily needs fulfilled and that is Vaithi Kadai. (Vaithis's shop). It started as Kuppuswamy shop when his father was managing it and by that time I started studying 6th standard (1962) in Kumbakonam, it has become Vaithi's  shop as his son Vaithi was managing it. My visits during that time were mostly as a person accompanying my grandfather. At the age of 10, I was considered too small to go for purchases. When my grandfather ordered the items, i was looking with great aw the way Vaithi was managing the show. There were two sections in the shop both facing the road. Vaithi had two assistants but he hardly used them. using the rope which was hanging from the top, he almost swirled from one side to the other like a stunt artiste all the time carrying either a note book or a pen or a soap to the customer who was waiting for it. I never saw him sitting in the shop. When my grandfather finished his shopping, vaithi collected the money and gave me a few chocolates. He said "This is for sekar". I think this strongly attracted me to his shop. 

I believed everythig on earth is available in his shop. It was not worth buying a thing if it was not in Vaithi's shop. In 1967, when my Uncle returned from USA, my aunty asked me to get Halo shampoo. I went straight to Vaithis's shop and asked for it. he did not have it. I returned and told my aunt that such a shampoo did not exist. Probably, she was making a mistake. I think then she asked some one else and got the shampoo from Shri Raghavendra stores in Big Bazar street. 

vaithi was slim and was always dressed in a sleeveless vest on the dhoti. He passed by my house on a cycle in the morning and opened his shop promptly at 8 AM. When all shops closed, he used to keep his shop open till late in the night. During Deepavali, we could see him working so hard that his eyes used to look red for want of sleep. after Deepavali, he closed his shop for a few days but came around in his cycle to wish every one.

He did not get married. I was told that there was a woman in his life. Unverified accounts stated that he had some relationship with her. I saw a lady hovering over his shop many times and always engaged in some talk with him. But, I never ventured to know more about the relationship. That was his personal life. 

After my grandfather passed away and after my moving from Kumbakonam, our contacts continued. The shop shifted to a smaller place in our street. He had no assistants. The shop resembled a "potti kadai". (a make shift shop). items were less in number. But, vaithi was there. Even after my marriage, during my visits in Kumbakonam,I used to buy from Vaithi's shop only, if I can manage.

It was ten years back.  I was walking along the road and Vaithi saluted me in the usual way. I also saluted, stopped and went to his shop. We did not know what to speak. I could see that he was not doing well. He looked aged. I could see the face wrinkled. he was wearing Rudraksha mala. He used to wear it earlier but it now looked prominent as he had become slimmer. He might be having some health problem.

After some casual talk about life in Kumbakonam, he said "Sekar, take something from my shop. I do not want you to buy it. Just take whatever you want. He then pointed to the cool drinks, biscuits and then of course chocolates." I told him "Vaithi, Give me the same as per our custom. Two chocolates. not the fancy ones. The nutrine candies.". For a minute he looked at me, took my hands kept them on his eyes and started crying.  I felt difficult to stand there on the road with him so emotional. He then released my hands and said, "you have not changed". He handed over me two Nutrine candy chocolates. I  said "our contract demands that I keep up my side. You can offer anything but I can take only what built our relationship".

Next day I left Kumbakonam. I did not see vaithi after that visit. The shop is there but Vaithi is not there. he might have sold it.  

I miss him. A friendly shopkeeper, a sweet person and a friend.

  * Cottage in swami hills refers to the house in which we lived in Kumbakonam. This phrase was used once by my grandfather when I asked him that as some  people go in summer to Kodaikanal and Ooty where they have a cottage whether we would also be able to go and stay like them one day. My grandfather replied that he already has a cottage near swami Hills (swamimalai) and he referred to his house and there was no need for him to go anywhere.