Who else would have the amazing grace to say the above without fear and frown other than you my dearest friend from Schooldays? You are indeed one of the many angels in my life; I wouldn’t want you to wait for me ever,
So I am excited to remember the trump card of my school days.
Lekha K Nayar, Lekhu as I called her dearly.
Lekhu was slim, tall, with a long face, pretty, with a beautiful built and I always felt she held her shoulders bend to the front a bit to stand short of her height, to be one among equals never letting the world know who she was. Her father was in charge of the complete police force in Kollam, a high ranking IPS officer. Mother was teaching in College.
As a kid, having seen many Police officers on the road and driving around in Police Jeeps, I always thought, this is one group of humans, who are cast with a poker face without a smile, whose role was to discipline and catch thieves.
Lekhu’s Achan Krishnan Nair uncle is the one who changed the perception of Police in me. He never kept a serious face, he was pleasant, charming, and always had a thin smile (punchiri) well the best comparison is Sri. Prem Nazir the evergreen hero of Malayalam movies. He was a good teacher and a great writer.
(I reinforced my desire to join the Army once again. My first inspiration; my uncles who were DySP in BSF and CRP)
Sabitha Aunty, Lekhu’s Amma, was taller than most of the ladies I had come across, she was majestic, and believe me, I always felt she kept her position as a teacher at home too, and I wouldn’t dare to make a mistake in my behaviour and cross the line. I managed my relationship with her, with utmost care.
Preethu and Seemu were such cute little ones, younger to Lekhu who were babies for me, adorable ones.
I experienced the real meaning of humility from this family, and I am proud I see it even today in Lekhu.
I had two very close friends there, Injammu and Achachen, Lekhu’s grandparents. Sabitha Aunty’s parents. The most adorable couple. Achachen was known as Shakespeare Velayudhan Nair, and this pet name or nick name could have been given by Shakespeare himself for his command of English second to none. He was a towering personality and one of the greatest teachers Kerala ever had. The minute I landed at her place Achachen would call out for Lekhu “Your Cycle friend has come”.
If Achachen was dark and over 6 ft., Injammu was like the snow I see here these days, petite, and with a hip that protruded to one side, I still don’t know why?, but she was a real angel, so soft spoken I always felt she was singing and not talking. I started calling Lekha, “Lekhu” after hearing her call so. To be around her was to experience tranquility in every sense of the word.
I remember squeezing behind the sofa in her drawing room and behind the folding carved wooden screen to see Injammu. This screen always fascinated me as I had never seen that anywhere before something that can fold. This was one item which I Pin Interest then and later procured to use widely in my office.
Then we had Momammen, Lekhu’s uncle, one amazing thing about us who grew up together in 60’s and 70’s, we were all family friends not just kids being friends, most of us knew everyone in the family and we called them the same name as our friends. We had plenty of time and opportunity for practical lessons of growing up to a complete human being. We learned how to behave, how to respect each other, to talk, to handle situations, to help. We moulded our life with real people and not with gadgets.
I can never forget the pride I felt when I came to know Lekhu’s aunt Lali-Chechy was my aunt Mollymamas school mate. I became a hero as I was instrumental in them connecting to each other after a decade or more.
I can feel the energy of all of them who left us, wherever they are in heaven, I can feel Injammus gentle touch on my palm like a feather, holding me close and every time I wear my mundum neriyathum, the typical Kerala home wear, I remember her along with a few others..
For me and many of my friends who lived and died for our School, St Joseph’s Convent, Tuet, Kollam, Lekhu was our ace card in every deal we made for our School, at the district youth festivals, the Inter School Children’s Day competitions, JC (Junior Chamber) Club , Rotary Club, Lions Club competitions etc.
She was our own precious property whom we protected and preserved. She was our nightingale, she was different, and her voice was calm, smooth and resonated strength in us and gave us so much of confidence, to perform and win for our school in whatever we participated. Whatever the song was, and for any high pitch she chose, her voice never squeaked like many who did nasal singing (mooki pattu) or had silver (vellikambi) and we never failed in any competitions we participated.
There is so much more……..
Pin Interest Folding Screen: Hypothecated!!!! to the folding wooden screen at Lekhu’s home in the 70’s
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