Hiya All
Here I am bloggin my thoughts, ideas, journals and ofcourse my inevitable ramblings. Greatly appreciate you'll stopping by and add comments if you will. See ya!
Here I am bloggin my thoughts, ideas, journals and ofcourse my inevitable ramblings. Greatly appreciate you'll stopping by and add comments if you will. See ya!
The Penance
Posted 17th August 2008 at 06:51 PM by Anandchitra
Shanthi sat by herself in her Thinnai (balcony) in the front of her house. Her late husband, Raman, had built this house as soon as he got promoted as the Superindentent and thereafter only kept adding more and more additions to the house.
Shanthi still remembered a day, almost a year before that promotion that Raman got. One very big fight broke out between Shanthi and Raman. Ever since their marriage, Shanthi knew her husband to be the kindest and softest soul any one can ever know. Above all he had principles. After their kids came along, things started to get more difficult. Raman was employed by the Government and he could not make it beyond the basic level of pay where he had joined in.
The fight was all about that pay and his job. Shanthi had sent the kids to her mother because she wanted to talk to Raman about his job.
She was fed up with his job going nowhere and the pay too less and too much expenses mounting up and her need to compete with her friends and to keep up with them. What started as a discussion grew out of proportion and went into a full blown fight.
She accused her husband of being stuck in a going nowhere job. She was fed up with the struggles of making ends meet. She could never keep up with her friends anymore. Raman tried his best to explain about his principles against taking bribes and they both knew that in order to move up in the department Raman will have to start taking bribes.
So the fight went on and on. More addressing the pent up anger of Shanthi and also Raman’s need to not give in to the way of the world.
The next morning saw both of them going about their routine as if nothing had happened the day before. Shanthi picked up their children and her usual routine with school started. Raman went to work and came home with a bundle of cash wrapped in a newspaper which he promptly gave to his wife. She did not ask where he got it and he did not tell either. There was a subtle change in her husband that a preoccupied Shanthi failed to notice.
His demeanor showed he had lost to life as he had not succeeded in holding to his principles. Shanthi could not see that as her mind was now in over drive catching up with her friends. Purchases of silk sarees and jewellery started to increase. They were invited to more parties and Shanthi started to host parties as well. This gave her a chance to show off her sarees and jewels. Her kids got their fancy birthday parties and fancier clothes and not needed toys.
Soon the years rolled by and the kids grew up, went to good colleges by seats bought by their father and got married to the girls their mother selected for them. Only the brides that came in where exact duplicates of Shanthi. Among their mission was the separation of child and parent and soon Shanthi saw her sons leave her home to far away places and only kept in touch with the occasional phone call, which she had to make.
Today was the fourteenth day after the passing away of her husband. All of a sudden he had suffered a severe cardiac arrest and had been rushed to the hospital. By the time Shanthi reached the hospital, everything was over. She then brought the body of her husband alone back to their home.
She had to wait for cremation as her sons failed to show up immediately. They had lots of excuses each. Finally she had her nephew do the last rites for her husband after which her sons’ showed up. Her relatives were convinced that her sons’ did not want to do the religious ceremonies. Shanthi knew that both her daughters-in-law did not want to take any part in the ceremony. Hence the delay. Somehow the thirteenth day functions were performed and her sons’ along with their families left soon after.
Neither one of her sons’ invited her to their houses. They did not even tell her that she could come any time. Nor did they ask about how she was going to manage alone.
This action from their part, caused more grief and shock to Shanthi.
Today as she sat in her Thinnai on her favorite easy chair and leant back, her mind wandered through the past. The key incident that played over her mind being the one big fight she had with her late husband. Maybe because she could see now that it was a turning point in her life.
Now with so much time on her hand, she could see where she had done wrong. She knew she erred in trying to justify the need for more money by making Raman accept bribes. Looking back she could see the hurt in her husband which she had ignored.
She did not even have to wonder if it was worth it. Without any doubt she knew it had not been worth it at all.
She should have exercised patience and placed more value on the things that really matter. A good home and a better family life. Her children would then have grown up grounded in reality and would have placed importance with their father.
Now she could not find fault in their behavior because she had not been a good role model to them growing up.
Totally caught up in remorse she failed to notice her servant and gardener Muniyandi come upto the Thinnai to talk to her.
He stood by the steps politely and waited for her to break out of her reverie. “What is it Muniyappa?” she asked with a casual familiarity. He answered “Amma, I have a son who needs some help to get admission into Kaliappa high school for the 10th standard.” Kaliappa high school was a prestigious school and getting into it would certainly guarantee admission into a top college. “So how can I help?” asked Shanthi her mind more in her torment than in helping her house help.
“Amma if you give a letter of recommendation, it will help us I think” he ended somewhat uncertainly.
Something in his uncertain voice made Shanthi snap out of her misery. She could clearly hear the cry for help now. She also felt the anguish and sorrow behind the eyes of another father.
It was almost like hearing Raman calling out to her. She knew what to do now. She asked Muniyandi to bring his son to her home the next morning. When she met his son, she was impressed by self assured manner and his mature replies to her questions.
Very soon she followed up with an appointment with the Principal of the school and accompanied Muniyandi’s son to an interview armed with recommendations from prominent people, whom her late husband knew.
The boy got the admission and it seemed to Shanthi doors opened for her as well. She could see clearly now her folly of her youth and could see even clearer that she had to do penance to earn her peace of mind. This was what Raman would have wanted to.
Her time was now spent with children from poor backgrounds making sure they got the education they deserved. In those cases where the children did not want to study further, she got them into vocational training so as to help them establish a secure future.
Slowly and steadily Shanthi dipped into her wealth and soon she had nothing but the house she lived in. Her children were aghast and convinced Muniyandi had done something to her and forbade her from selling the house. Shanthi coolly informed them that it was not for them to say. Also since they had not rushed to cremate their father and perform his last rites, she said she also did not want them to perform her rites. If anything she knew there was a grateful Muniyandi who would genuinely perform her last rites. Now she knew the meaning of the words ..”Jadhigal Illayadi pappa..” (There are no castes.. from Bharatiyar).
She thankfully spent the rest of her life in helping the poor, the downtrodden and those left behind by the ambitious in a brutal and often cruel society. She could now see Raman look at her with genuine admiration and was glad she could finally do what she must have done so many years before for him.
Total Comments 20
Comments
 |  Dear AC Madam, Touching story (fiction)... You have written very nicely, the mistakes done by Shanti and the realization of the "same" Shanthi from the mistakes. I am really surprised to see the sons' nature and behaviour.... She took the correct impression that Muniyandi was the right person to do her last rites... "Jadhigal Illayadi pappa...." Very true, apt to this situation.. Keep it up...dear.. Gowri |
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| |  Why should you be surprised at the sons' nature and behaviour.. they are reflecting their mother and also dominated by their own wives.. thats the point .. how the wife's dominate the husbands'. I have seen such son's behaviour in many many families.. Thanks for stepping in dear:) |
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| |  Dear Chitu sis Wonderful! I now feel that i am missing IL more n more. Life might have been good for Shanthi had she learned the meaning of the words 'Jadhigal Ilayadi Pappa' when she was young. But she must have done some good deeds in her previous birth or her parents must have done so she could at least realize the true meaning of that before her life came to an end. Your powerful story beautifully conveys the message, 'What goes around comes around.' Love Meena |
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| | You are very young of age but very mature and wise my dearest Meena.. Yes thats the point I wanted to make.. Somehow sometimes one does get caught up with the run towards acquiring more material things.. and then compromise principles along the way.. But there is always a chance towards redemption.. and the lucky ones catch the break and make amends.. thanks dear for steppin here:) |
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| | Dear AC, Whatever may be the reason behind.... sons would be sons to their parents, isn't ??? Getting irritated by the nature of the sons !! With love, |
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| | Gowri sometimes these things happen in real life too.. I know my cousins family the son's wife did not want to do all the rites so she said she had her periods.. if she wanted she could have taken medicine to postpone.. thoughnot trying to find fault.. still some are that way I think.. anyway this is just fiction.. to show turning point in the heroine's life had to do something dramatic.. thanks for explaining your point of view.. |
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| |  Portrayal of reality !!Dear AC, I wouldn't have missed this blog at any cost !! You have brought out the harsh realities of life, this is very true nowadays ! 'Truth is stranger than fiction' is very apt for this story. There are many Shanthis in this world, who have this "herd mentality". They live in their own fake world and expect their husbands to dance to their whims and fancies ! For them, the outward show is more important than what is really at stake. Poor Raman, even though he had to yield to his wife's persuasion, he was like a living vegetable, cause he lost his principles which he must have valued a lot ! As for the children, they grew up to be just like their mother, practical & selfish ! I am happy that Shanthi realised her folly during her last days and made Raman alive by helping the poor like Muniyandi and others. That way, she had sort of done her "Prayarchiththaam" . (ப்ராயர்சித்தம்) When Raman was alive, she made him a living vegetable, but when he was no more, she made him live in the happiness of the needy. As you sow, so you reap ! That's what she can expect from her children. Had she cultivated the moral values earlier when they were kids, she wouldn't have to face their indifference today. Eventually, she had done her good deeds and sure Raman will be proud of her today! :) A very conceptual story that makes one speculate ! Regards Krithika |
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| | Dear AC, Are they not ashamed of their deeds ? How can they face the world ? Felt very bad on hearing the incidents. With love, |
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| |  Dear AC Mam.. That was a wonderful heavy story indeed..It was like watching a short film .Your narrration was simply Superb !!!!  I think everybody realize their mistakes only during the evening hrs of life.. hmmm..Thats nature.. Shanthi atleast thought of helping the poor in rest of her life and live in peace..Good !! The heartless son's behaviour is really atrocious :( Will it happen really also Mam??? Very bad...Why chidren are like this :( Thanx for this Good story Mam !!! |
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| | dear AC, That was a lovely story...yes there are many like shanthi and her sons..i really am not surprised at their characters but indeed am stunned that shanthi could relent later and spend the rest of her life so meaningfully .....that she had the guts to tell her sons to mind their business......such a person I have not come across......however they are treated by their children no one is magnanimous to spend their wealth on the poor and needy...even i used to think they should write off everything they have to charity....wish i could send this to some cases i know... Mindi |
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| |  my dear anandchitra, I simply loved the story.I have seen women who goaded their husbands to take bribes. I have seen them losing their selfrespect and theat of their kids.The end is the fitting finale to the story. lve mithila kannan |
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| | Moral values imbibed early from childhood would reflect through out one's life and their choices.. dear Krithika your comment/ fb is far better than what I have written.. When some people impose their views and thoughts on spouse or close relatives they need to be aware of its implications.. as in this case where taking a bribe might not be against one's principles it is certainly against others.. The hero of the story compromises for the sake of the children and family.. Glad you liked it.. |
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| | Everybody realises their mistakes as they age.. Could it be they have the wisdom to realise their wrongs.. or is it they have more time to reflect.. dear Brindha.. your stepping in with your kind words makes me come up with one more topic for the upcoming week.. thank you dear.. I owe alot to you.. BTW who is the cutie pie on your avatar? I am glad you liked it.. one of the advantage of writing fiction is we can change any which way we want.. |
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| | Mindi I have also not come across such turn arounds and also people who donate their wealth in real life.. thats why I wrote a story.. writing fiction we can change what we want to.. thanks for steppin in:) |
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| | Mithila I too have heard and seen some wives being abusive of their husbands'.. especially with reference to keeping up with the joneses .. your stepping in here has made my day my friend.. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness.. :) |
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| |  Ac dear....I somehow missed coming to the blog section for the past few days....Glad that I saw this now... A good story.....The character Shanthi is not uncommon. In the end, she realises her folly and repents.....But what about her kids' attitude...Now will they have to repent later and by that time....even their kids would adopt this attitude....Oh...a vicious circle indeed.. Your story is an eye opener...let us be very careful in our behaviour and attitude..lest it will endanger a whole generation... |
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| | Saras you have gone beyond the realm of the story to capture the truth in real life. Yes it will become a vicious circle if one does not catch oneself from committing a sinful act .. or even prod someone to commit an unwilling act.. Each and every act of a person has consequences in this life an dbeyond. Thats why its better not to add to the bad karma.. maybe I should stop my rambling! |
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| |  AC, Very well outlined why some men go for bribes... Maybe that made Raman suffer a heart-attack.. Poorva janma puniyam...made her realise her mistake and rectify it.. How many do that? Maybe later when they reach the age of Shanthi... Sriniketan |
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| | niceso nice to read |
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| | Bhargavi very few in real life realise their mistakes and feels remorse for it.. or maybe I should say almost close to none.. sometimes people do mistakes without realising what they are doing is wrong.. whatever the way many times a wrong cannot be corrected.. thats why my dh keeps on saying be careful before you do an action or tell something.. cannot take it back! Thanks for motivatingme:) |
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Recent Blog Entries by Anandchitra
- Winter vegetables and more (2nd December 2008)
- Rama's Choice (25th November 2008)
- Come Catch me Fat Ghost (19th November 2008)
- Dare to Dream (12th November 2008)
- Shove from Nest (10th November 2008)
