THE MANJHOL KUTUMB
Pandit Makhan Lal-Kali, my great great grandparents, Pandit Hira Lal-Laxmi, great grandparents, Pandit Mallhu Ram- Rukmani, grandparents, are the old and the primitive main pillars of our Manjhol Kutumb of My Village Ladori .
To move further downwards from Dada-Dadi, they had five sons and five daughters including one adopted, though unofficially, and their families who lived until the end, in a joint family as Manjhol Kutumb of Ladori, that was the only last but not the least example, that could be seen till recently, of a joint family system adopted by the Manjhol Kutumb in the village, which was never divided until the heads of the different family members migrated from the village in search of greener pastures and better opportunities for their siblings.
At the age of 39, the marriage of my grandfather Pandit Mallhu Ram was fixed with Rukmani Devi, the only daughter of Pandit Singho Ram Bhatti of Ladori through a Gorkha Yajmaan, Subedar Arjun Singh. Rukmani Devi was the only sister of four brothers, Prakash Ram, Nanak Chand, Jai Karan Das and Mahant Ram. At the last spell of his life, my grandfather had been fighting against a serious blood disorder since 1943.
Since the disease had become so acute, he had not been feeling comfortable for over a month. And then, suddenly on one fateful day, he became serious and, as a result, he started losing self control over his limbs. Everyone present at home stood up on the alert, as it was no more difficult to predict about the final truth!
Precisely at 2 PM on 10 December 1945, Dadaji shouted for Dadiji and asked her to daub the floor of the room with fresh cow dung immediately. She did it, but someone stepped on it by mistake. Dadaji told Dadiji to do it again. She again did it. Then Dadaji asked her to sprinkle holy water (Gangajal) on the daubed place. It was also done. While this process was going on, several neighbors have had also gathered outside the Thakur Kamra of Manjhol House, each one of them trying to have a glimpse of Panditji by even standing on his toes and trying to look into the room from behind and over the shoulders, who were already blocking the main door!
The atmosphere was quiet, very tense and gloomy too, all around. Breeze had almost stopped blowing, not even a leaf was moving on the trees or bushes. Birds have had stopped chirping and fluttering. The sky began to overcast unnoticed with dark clouds all over, followed by intermittent drizzle. And then, everyone present was surprised to see Dadaji coming down from his sick bed by himself and laid down on the cow dung pasted floor.
Then he asked boldly, "Gita Sunao". Shalokas from Shrimad Bhagwat Gita were read out loudly. Dadaji himself chanted 'Sankalp' in Sanskrit with Gangajal, Tulsi and Kusha in his hands and at the same moment, Voh 'Chir Smaadi me Vileen ho gaye'. Jaate jaate bole, "Baaner Aaye Hain". Hanumanji par Unki Atoot Aastha Thi! Pandit Mallu Ram Sharma, Jyotishacharya was no more! Last rites began at 4.30 PM!
A small kid of one year seven months and two days old, the writer, was perhaps the only silent spectator of what all happened on 10 December 1945 at Manjhol House, Ladori!
I faintly remember that some days before, one fine day, I was playing on the Veranda at my own outside Thakur Kamra. Dadu, came out on the veranda after finishing his morning prayers. He was in his white dhoti, with its other end thrown around his neck. Naked from waist upwards, showing jagyopavit and multiple rudraksh malas, forehead smeared with chandan, he fingered in my hair, then gave me some 'Kishmish' and a pat on my cheek!
A FLASH BACK
After the demise of Pandit Hira Lal, my great grandmother, Laxmi was left all alone. She was terrorized and repeatedly thrashed by her near relatives in order to grab her share of landed property in village Suliali, that was a part of 1and allotted jointly to both Makhan Lal and his son Hira Lal by the Nurpur Durbar. As a result, she was forcibly thrown out of the house along with her five years old son Mallhu.
Laxmi, then went to her brother's house at Madanpur in search of a temporary shelter and lived there for quite some time. One of her brothers lived in Kashi and taught in a Gurukul. In due course of time, Laxmi came in contact with some kind hearted prominent women of Pathanias, who brought her to Ladori along with her son and offered a piece of land at a place where present Manjhol House is situated. By this time, Mallhu was 15 years boy who had a burning desire to learn Jyotish and Upadhya Krit. He had in mind his maternal uncle (Mama)who lived in Kashi and he always wanted to reach up to him.
One fine morning, Mallhu suddenly disappeared from the village and somehow reached Kashi. It was not known whether Mallhu could ever trace out his Mama in Kashi or not. But for 20 years there was no trace of Mallhu and Laxmi had almost lost all hopes of seeing her son again. One day, it so happened, that Laxmi saw Mallhu in her dream who told his mother that he was in Kashi and was learning Karamkand, Jyotish and Upadhya Krit and would come back home soon. Next morning Laxmi set out for a long journey for an unknown destination - Kashi, without having a slightest idea of the city, to bring her son back home.
On reaching Kashi, she stood tired at Ganga Ghat eagerly looking at each and everyone in utter madness who passed by her. Suddenly, an impressive looking man wrapped in saffron robes appeared before her as if from nowhere! He asked the woman as to why she was standing there and to whom she was searching for? Laxmi narrated the whole story in one breath. The man told her that "Mai, come to the Ghat tomorrow morning and you shall perhaps meet your son". The man disappeared.
Next morning, hardly a minute had passed when a young man in his late 30s approached Laxmi and asked her "Mai, why you are so depressed and shaken, why you are standing here and to whom are you looking for?" Laxmi abruptly cried and tears rolled down her sullen face. She told the man all about her missing son. The stranger told Laxmi that her son was living with him in a Gurukul and that she could come along with him and meet her son Mallhu, who by now was known as Pandit Mallhu Ram Sharma, Jyotishacharya. Laxmi brought her Mallhu back home who was warmly welcomed by the villagers.
At the age of 39, Pandit Mallhu Ram was married to Rukmani, D/o Pandit Singho Ram Bhatti of Ladori. Pandit Mallhu Ram, Jyotishacharya was widely known and respected for his goodness and command over jyotish, Upadhya Krit and Karamkand rituals. Mallhu Ram and Rukmani had a large family of five sons and five daughters including one adopted though unofficially. Since there was no fixed and regular income except that was earned through Upadhya Krit and Dehra Pujan, their financial condition was miserably poor. However, Pandit Mallhu Ram fought and took back his share of landed property at Suliali and family was brought up, educated and married off smoothly. Manjhol Parivar was well settled and spread all around by the time my grand parents left for their heavenly abode one after the other!
On 22 May 1970, Dadiji also left this materialistic world and joined Dadaji in heavens! The legacy left by both of them, is as given below:-
Puran Chand-Kaushalaya
Amrit-Urmila-Raman-Radha Ranjan-Arun Kumar-Vandana-Vivek-Joshua-Ekta-
Antriksh-Abhishek-Anoja-Ashu & Aditya
Kishan Chand-Dana Vati
Swarna-Pushkar-Chander Kanta-Seema -Madhu Mangal-Navneet-Bhavesh-Jayesh-Devishi.
Udham Chand-Lila Vati
Ashok-Rita-Nita-Sonali-Durga-Akash-Sheetal-Nirmal-Suman.
Chakkardhari-Bhagwati
Brijesh-Brinda-Gopeshwar-Aprajita-Arpita.
Ishwer Chander-Pragya
Arvind-Rahul-Vedika-Vinayak- Vajraksh-Rakesh-Sidharth-Rohan-Abha-Narhari-Niharika-Prakriti-
Manjul-Vanshika-Smiridhi.
The main four branches of the Manjhol Kutumb, highlighting names of my Buas' are spread far and wide with their extended, well to do and flourished families within the country and abroad. Their brief introduction is given as under :-
Taro-Nanak of Gangath
Bantu-Makodi-Gorkhu-Sattu- Anjana-Duff-Bounu & Bala
Soma-Daulat of Dah Kulara
Thappo-Tamba-Sudarshan-Chiru-Khukhar & Urnesh.
Manglo-Vasdev of Chabkhra Murara
Rajjan-Deep-Rattan-Kamlesh-Kaka-Ruggal-Veeru-Guddu & Bholi
Ratno-Bhagwant of Indora.
Ashu-Kuka-Ambika-Gaytri-Monu & Minni.
Ramkali-Hans Raj of Nurpur
Shiv-Moksh-Ghatotkach-Anjana & Billu.
My great great grandfather Pandit Makhan Lal was a professionally qualified, learned and an highly experienced personality of his times, who served in the Durbar of Nurpur Kingdom as Raj Purohit for years. Later, his son Pandit Hira Lal also joined him in the Durbar as a Head Cook of the Royal Kitchen. being the best, well known and famous 'Khansama' of his times in the region.
Pandit Makhan Lal and Hira Lal both were considered to be very hardworking, honest, responsible and loyal towards the Durbar and therefore, they were jointly awarded 100 Bighas of agricultural land in Village Suliali, a sister village of Ladori, as a reward for their goodness and honest services. Pandit Makhan Lal, after leaving his home in Kuthiali village in Pathankot area, had migrated to Village Suliali in Tehsil Nurpur.
After the demise of my great great grandfather Pandit Makhan Lal, my great grandfather Hira Lal along with great grandmother Laxmi and young son Mallhu, shifted to Village Ladori from Suliali on the repeated requests of some of the select Pathania families as there was no brahmin family in the village to perform religious rituals. My great grandfather was donated a piece of land in the middle of the village and a hut was erected by him where today's Manjhol House stands! Pandit Mallu Ram and Smt. Rukmani had five sons and five daughters. The detailed pen picture of each one of them is given in the succeeding paras which you may find it as an interesting reading material!
PANDIT PURAN CHAND SHARMA
'Chanda', as he was fondly called by my Dadi Amma, my father was also a classical vocal musician of repute. His love for classical ragas, Tabla and Harmonium was remarkable which enthralled huge gatherings. When at Tabla, lovely and enchanting sounds of 'Taa Dhinna, Taa Dhinna, Tin Dhin ta, Tin Dhin Ta, Tirkit Dhin Ta Tirkit Dhin Ta, Tigad Dhin Ta, Tigad Dhin Ta, at its best, won the hearts of listeners. Mastery over Harmonium also won the hearts of the gatherings when heart touching tunes of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa, SaSa ReRe GaGa MaMa PaPa Dha Ni Sa, SaSa NiNi DhaDha PaPa MaMa Ga Re Sa and Sare Gama Pagama Panidhapa Mapagama Pamagaresa dhun made the mehfil feel like weightless feathers flying above the clouds!
My father, though shy and introvert in nature, he was more loving. Being an extremely introvert person, he preferred living life aloof, no matter what happened around him! A very soft but vigilant character, moving around, in or out of the house, always kept an alert eye on each and every child of Manjhol kutumb for their safety and well being. He was so 'quiet' a persona and 'out of the world' person, who never ever let any one know what all went about deep in his heart for all the family members, towards their safety and happiness!
While readying for going out on work, sometimes wearing black padded mutilated kishti topi or a Safa by choice, an old fashioned coat or a mended jacket, any type of kurta that he could lay his hands on, an old half sized white dhoti, that stretched down only up to his knees, a pair of locally hand made 'chamre -ki- jooti' and an angocha ( a pink parna) thrown over across the shoulder, Gandhi type spectacles, tied with a piece of thread, and of course a walking stick occasionally, used to be his choicest dress code!
Fair complexioned, stout, healthy, hardworking and honest, while being soft stammer spoken, Puran Chand was a person who was loved and respected by one and all, being the head of the Manjhol Parivaar. After every meal, his polite request for a piece of gur was his fancy. Pitaji's regular past time was to enjoy longer sittings on an improvised unfinished wooden log bench fixed permanently in front of a double story, mud brick structure with slate roof overhead karyana-cum-halwaii shop in Hattian, the village market place. The owner of this shop was then 70 years old Pandit Saligram Dubey, nicknamed by the villagers as 'Sallo' whose shop was popularly known as 'Sallo-di-Hatti'.
Most of the village people used to sit on the bench at Sallo-di-Hatti for longer hours in the afternoons. They all enjoyed gossiping and also talked and discussed matters of mutual interest and shared their moments of happiness and sorrows with each other. So, Pitaji was also fond of sitting at Sallo-di-Hatti almost everyday evening and enjoy talking to Sallo as well as with other mates. At times, when we the children surprisingly surrounded Pitaji at the 'Sallo-di-Hatti in Hattian', he would not hesitate either to buy for us some assorted sweets, candies or for that matter, 'hot sizzling pakoras' with green dhania, pudina and chilly chatni.
Villages 'Khajjian' & 'Khajjan' were the two important destinations in my father's life. Pandit Mallhu Ram of Khajjian met and talked to Pandit Mallhu Ram of Ladori regarding marriage proposal of his daughter Krishna with his son Puran Chand as Pandit Mallhu Ram of Khajjian had heard lot about the fame, name and reputation of Pandit Mallhu Ram of Ladori. The marriage proposal was accepted with great pleasure and all the nitty-gritty of the marriage were finalized then and there. On the fixed date, a baraat of about twenty persons, set out on foot along with few ponies that carried luggage via Chownki and Bhadwar for Village Khajjian situated right on the Pathankot-Dharamshala National Highway in Tehsil Nurpur. The marriage was solemnized and the bride was brought home at Ladori. However, the marriage did not survive for more than a year due to untimely demise of Maa Krishna who could not become mother herself before she was gone!
After the death of mother Krishna due to tuberculosis, a frantic search was launched by my Dada Mallhu Ram looking for a suitable girl in order to solemnize the second marriage of his son Puran Chand.
A very tiny village Khajjan, is situated closely at the bank of Jabbar Khad, three kilometers down eastwards from Nurpur Town, on the then pony track leading to Chamba via Chowari. There lived a poor Khajuria Brahmin family, a family which was made pujari and custodian of Mandir Kalyanrai by an order of the then Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur Kingdom.
Pandit Kunj Behari Lal Khajuria, the pujari of Mandir Kalyanrai had two children. Son Kishan Dyal and daughter Kaushalya Devi. Once, while on the way to Nurpur on foot, my Dadaji visited Mandir Kalyanrai to pay his reverence to the deity of Lord Krishna. On having found a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere surrounded by lush green environment covered with fresh fruits and different types of flower bearing plants and trees with pujari's hut situated right in front of the temple court yard, amidst the grove of mango trees, he stayed in the temple premises for a while unexpectedly.
Pandit Kunj Behari Lal Khajuria, the pujari of the temple also knew personally my Dadaji very well. The pujari welcomed him and had a social interaction for a while. He offered a basket of some selected fresh fruits as 'Prasad' of temple and also offered a glass of cool pitcher water to drink. The glass of water was brought out from inside the hut by pujari's daughter Kaushalya. This was the moment, the search for a girl for Puran Chand halted there!
The pujari was overwhelmed when my Dadaji proposed him whether he was willingly ready to give his daughter Kaushalya for his son Puran Chand. The matter was discussed then and there and marriage date was fixed keeping in view the intermediary functions and prevailing customs. Soon thereafter, marriage was solemnized in a simple ceremony and Kaushalya became another member of Manjhol Kutumb. Puran Chand and Kaushalya Devi have four sons and a daughter. Eldest son Amrit Lal being the 'Writer' of the current Manjhol Kutumb's story.
My father being the eldest among the five brothers, had to lead his early life almost in misery and he also had to look after the household management being the eldest among the five sons. There being no permanent source of income of Dadaji in those days except for meagre income earned by Karamkand, Upadhayakrit and Vedic rituals, solemnized occasionally at the houses of Pathamia Jazmaans and others, was not sufficient even to meet the daily needs of the family. My father did not receive required attention towards his schooling for want of resources.
He was, however, taught reading and writing at home by Dadaji with more emphasis on Paurohitya, Upadhayakrit and Vedic priestly rituals. Later on, since all the four younger brothers were somehow educated and Kishan Chand, Udham Chand and Chakkardhari got service, my father had to look after household management at home like looking after of milch animals, bringing green fodder and firewood from the nearby jungles every morning and also attend to invitations of Jazmaans for solemnizing religious rituals.
To bring firewood for cooking purposes, several visits to Jazmaan's houses for vedic and karamkand rituals, conducting puja like Satyanarayan katha, Navratra pujan, Mundan, Yajagyopavit, marriage ceremonies and so on, at their houses, farms and ask for 'dakshina' in terms of cash, clothes and dry rations was my father's routine. Door to door collection of dakshina and dry rations on Sakranti, Ekadashi, Amavassya and other similar festivities and pious days of the month was also a must as desired by the Jazmaans., Everyday morning Jal Abhishek of Thakurji in Beda, collection of cooked food from door to door as Bhog for Thakurji from some select Pathania homes was Pitaji's daily practice.
As I have seen my father, he could read Hindi version of religious epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagwat Gita with great ease, wearing thin steel framed Gandhi type spectacles. He had number of hymns, Shalokas, Dohas, Chopais and poems from other religious scriptures learnt by heart that he would usually quote or sing them where relevant, before the gatherings on special occasions.
After his second marriage with Kaushalya Devi, my father was sent to his maternal uncle in Lahore in order to learn and earn some money. While living in Lahore, his uncle arranged him a small Paan-Bira-Cigarette shop in Red Light Area of Hira Mandi, now a posh and busy market of Anarkali Bazar in the middle of the city. My father worked very hard to build reputation of his Paan Shop and was able to attract large number of clients of repute including big and rich of the city.
He soon became famous and known name in the vicinity and in the occasional artistic people's get-to-gathers, Congregations, Sammelans and Mehfils of select ones, and first floor round the clock dancing and music centers of Hira Mandi, who used to place bulk orders for Pitaji's Special Paan-Bira! At times, two elderly ladies assisted him in completing such orders. Both Chachu Chakkardhari and Ishwar Chander also received there higher education there while Pitaji was in Lahore.
Major part of my father's later life was passed in Ladori after 1947 till his departure from this materialistic world in March 1974. He left behind mother Kaushalya, four sons and a daughter, I being the eldes. During his lifetime, daughter Urmila was married off to Om Prakash Shastri of Village Indpur, sometime in mid 60s while I was married in July 1973. Pitaji lived with us at Pathankot army quarter for few months. He was too happy, joyous and optimistic to know that his daughter-in-law Rama was pregnant and therefore, he became over possessive of her and not let her exert a little and do any kind of heavy household chores and avoid unnecessary stress.
He had, however, suggested Rama to have modest morning and evening walks for a while within the colony, along the boundary wall track. Our daughter Vandana was born on 14 July 1974 at Military Hospital, Pathankot, but it was painful to tell you readers that Pitaji breathed his last in March 1974 and was not lucky enough to see his first grand child, bless and hold her in his palms!
My father being shy, aloof and extremely introvert type of a person, passed his whole life in simplicity with no specific demands. Being always in simple clothes, a shirtwhite dhoti with Angosha thrown over the shoulder, was his simple dress code in summers. His dhoti could be compared with some kind of a half pant that hardly reached down up to his knees. Locally hand made leather jutti and overlapping an old blanket, blackish hard kishti topi or occasional pinkish safa, in winters suited him most!
He had never experienced the luxuries of wearing 'Banyaan' and putting on 'socks' in his life. Any type of male jewelry like rings or bracelets were not his liking. He had dense black hair growth and Sarno, Premo, Chuchu and Omma Nai were used to be his favourite local barbers for occasional shaving and haircut sitting on the floor.
Pitaji always preferred siting in isolation in a pensive mood. When in a happy mood, he sat humming classical raagas with closed eyes. He could be seen occasionally fiddling with his hooka, cleaning it, shining it, replenishing water and readying it for use, going inside-out along with the Chillum held in a hand, for fetching burning coal from the kitchen. He was always prepared to receive happily his neighborhood hooka-friends any time at home, and spend time with them holding talks on the subject of their mutual interest.
To smoke Hooka number of times in a day, or after each meal, depended on his fancy, will and pleasure. Occasionally, while on a trip to a nearby village, he used to smoke his favorite brand of Telegraph cigarettes. If I may quote here that Pitaji also had a weakness or a strong inclination towards which he and his close associates occasionally enjoyed 'Sutta' (Extract of Marijuana) after mixing it with cigarette tobacco. The friends 'Chaukri' included Pitaji, Rulia Ramji, Babu Ramji, Mistry Biro Ram while Ramdasji being their guru. All of them would hardly miss a chance to get together at a pre-determined place and enjoy the 'sutta'' to their entire satisfaction and enjoyment once or twice in a month.
At the meal time, specially at lunch, he would sit on the 'Chouka' near the Chullah and rest four brothers would sit at their own seats according to seniority. If it was 'Rasoi' , means dal-bhaat, Pitaji would ask for an 'half' of a freshly cut Ghamiree, a local citrus fruit and some cut onion. He would also ask for a fresh green chilly from the kitchen garden. He was accustomed of having a piece of 'gur' or a bit of raw sugar after each meal, that he would only ask for shyly. He would sometimes, when free, help Chachu Kishan Chand in the back yard kitchen garden in digging, levelling, maintaining, pruning and watering the small rectangular, square, triangular and octagonal vegetable fields resembling geometrical equations!
On occasions when Pitaji went out to an adjoining village for bringing dry rations in bulk, like wheat or Dhaan etc., he used to take me along so that I could help him in sharing a little load. On the way, following him from behind, I would be extra vigilant and try not to miss a chance to pick up burning cigarette butt thrown by him on the track, and smoke it to the extreme end and puff off the smoke for a fun!
Pitaji used to prepare sufficient stock of aromatic tambaku himself at home for use in his hooka for himself and the guests. Whenever he planned to prepare tambaku, he would ask one of us to bring Raab, a kind of sugar mill residue from Sallo-di-Hatti, in a small pot already in use for bringing and storing Raab.
After having gathered all the required ingredients like pack of dry tambaku leaves, raab, some kind of scent, in order to add little aromatic tinge in tambaku, a light hammer for crushing and making smooth and binding mixture on a big flat stone already fixed in the court yard floor.. While Pitaji did all that, we the children sat surrounding him in a semi circle and talked funny and gave unwanted suggestions to Pitaji who never felt irritated but loved our presence around him!
My father was always at peace and tranquil, who would never lose his temper, come what may unless and until provoked unnecessarily. I have not seen him being angry on any one in the family or in public in my whole life except on one occasion when he had to slap me reluctantly for a grave fault because I had denied Dinu Tau, father of Bua Ramkali, to bring a Batou of cool water from Naun for him, as at that particular moment, I was busy in stoning at ripe 'Maara' at the top of Mara Tree behind Mallu's shop .('Maara' is a very yummy wild fruit with a unique aroma and sweet- sour taste when ripen fully).
Tau had come to me and requested time and again to bring water from Naun but on that day, I flatly and roughly refused him at his face. When Pitaji came to know about this, he hurried to the place where I was, talked to me harshly and then slapped me hard! That was the first and last time when Pitaji punished someone physically in the family.
It was not that I never listened Tau and brought cool drinking water for him before but on the contrary, I used to go to old man's house, who lived all alone, and ask for the 'Batou' for bringing water; why because Tau being a very good cook, his Daal-Bhaat with Green Chilly Chatni and Jamun,Amrood, Mithu and Lucat seasonal fruit trees in his backyard garden, always attracted me most and I considered it not a small gift for me in return of a small Batou of water even if myself was being selfish!
Being extremely introvert type of a person, he was not at all argumentative. He would always mind his own business. At leisure, he could be seen occasionally following family children, though in hiding, playing outside Manjhol House or away from home, in order to keep an eye over their activities and ensure their safe return home on time! He would not hesitate shouting their names from a distance to warn and alert them with his presence nearby. However, sometimes, children felt irritated with his routine practice.
Visiting 'Hattian'( Market Place) number of times all day long by young and the old males of every family of Village Ladori was perhaps a fancy. Your khana would not digest unless and until you make five to ten rounds of Hattian, sit around there, gossip with friends and play for hours, eat hot pakoras with green chatni in the afternoon at Sallo-di-Hatti and also enjoy meeting new people those who have had just come home from across the country's borders on annual leave.
In the evenings, Pitaji used to go to Hattian and sit for longer hours, till night at Pandit Ramdas Halwaii's shop situated at the far end of the bazaar near shiva temple and village dispensary. Ramdasji was a lean, thin and quite an old person. His shop was all time favorite place of almost all residents of Ladori. He was a very good bhajan singer and a classical dancer too. His special 'Patisa' and 'hot pakoras' were very famous in the village and far and wide and used to be 'sold out' the same day he prepared them. He was also a religious person and a regular mandir goer. He was a good friend of Pitaji who would sit at his shop gossiping till late hours at night enjoying smoking hooka daily and also 'sutta', at times. Pitaji would come back home when the shop was closed for the day.
It was a routine practice that Tau Ramdas would give Pitaji a 'Purra', a paper wrapper, of different types of sweets for us children free of cost, putting a piece or bit of each mithai in the so called 'Purra', be that a smallest piece of Patisa, few pieces of Badana, half of a Jalebi, some Samian, one or two Pakoras, a piece of Burfi, small quantity of mix of namkeen and sweet Boor, a bit of Bera, half a muthi Boondi, a Samosa which altogether would weigh approximately a 'Chataank'.
In the beginning, this 'Purra' was used to be given to me when I was too young. After quite some time later, this practice was changed and this assorted mithai Purra was transferred to Raman, my junior. All the children would eagerly wait till Pitaji returned home from Hattian only to enjoy their small share of sweets which they would somehow try to get from Raman after requesting or pleasing him in many ways. There were awkward times too when the situation worsened and 'purra snatching' game was played. Whosoever was able to get hold of partially torn and mutilated purra, was considered lucky. In the melee, there were fights among them too.
However, two girls Urmila and Chander Kanta were always at advantage who usually got their share from Raman quite easily. But at times, during fights, these girls remained empty handed and being sad! It was all daily fun at night among us children until the Purra was finished! Bilo, a street dog who was a regular visitor to our house and was always around, was satisfied with what he could get from someone apart from licking the wrapper paper! Even today, the remains of Sallo-di-Hatti and Ramdas-di-Hatti remind us of our 'Childhood days' and caring 'Pitaji' which is more than enough for us to be emotional for a while!
During winters, a dug up Angithi used to be lit up around four in the afternoon everyday which was situated in the middle of one of the varandas of the house, under the slate roof, directly facing the main entrance door of Manjhol Kutumb's house. At the Angithi, Pitaji had his permanent seat along the back wall, near the heap of assorted firewood of different kinds, shapes and sizes, meant for burning into the angithi while other chachus used to sit away from the angithi wrapped in blankets. It had become Pitaji's normal duty to sort out suitable logs and pieces of wood and, feed the Angithi as and when needed and not let the flames put out.
Many young and old people who were fond of listening to punjabi songs used to come to our house any time even at odd hours of the day for listening the radio. Chachu Chakkardhari had purchased a battery operated Murphy Radio in the year 1955-56, the only one in our village, which was brought by me in a Bus from Pathankot being a junior school boy, and it was placed prominently on a wooden shelf on one of the walls of a varanda near the Angithi.
Interested people used to came to our house even in the late dark or rainy nights as these people were self forced to head for Manjhol House with the help of a torch or lantern in their hand for sitting at the Angithi and enjoying listening to punjabi songs like....Laude vele Mahye Auna, Mann Pakawan Kanak da, Ander Jawan Bahar Jawan, Lal Chuda Chhankda, Tainu Diangi Panj Patashe ke Munshi Khat Likh De or Vaajre Da Sitta Ni Assi Talli Te Marodia.....
Gossiping, telling and listening to tales and short stories, specially by Dinu Tau, and sharing their personal experiences with others was the daily routine. Sometimes, echo of loud laughter by all of them together, freely at a high pitch, in the middle of silent night, gave an impression of their happiness, joy and pleasure, they all enjoyed while feeling the cozy warmth of Angithi on such cold, windy and rainy nights.
Children like us would not buzz off to sleep despite repeated requests, orders or threats by our elders as we still insisted to continue sitting obstinately, lowering our heads between the knees until late nights, listening and enjoying the tone, tenor of gossips and laughter and also the body language of all of them present around the Angithi!
In order to fulfill the need of fresh milk in bulk at home, for the then big joint family like ours, keeping milch animals was mandatory for us like other households in the village. There being two buffalos and five cows in addition to their siblings, at home, it became first and the foremost duty of my father to look after the animals properly, maintain them regularly and constantly keeping their health and sanitation in view. To pay full attention to cattle in order to ensure their continuous upkeep in all respects, cleanliness in and around their shed, daily feeding, watering, cleaning, bathing and nurturing them properly, irrespective of seasonal conditions, was the routine practice of my both the parents.
Pitaji would get up at four in the morning. He would freshen his Hooka and smoke for a while and then he would get ready to go to upper reaches of the nearby jungle where quality green grass was available in plenty. The daily travel, come & go, facing chilly cold morning winds in winters and hot air in summers, through, and on the core-sandy- stony bed of Jabbar Khad, four to five kilometers one way, away from home. On return from the jungle, wading into knee deep waters, time and again, with heavy load of fresh fodder (Ghass) on the back, was his daily practice. Trekking up and down through the thorny bushes, on the kuchha, stony walk on risky and narrow wild and winding track slopes, with up and downhill climbs, carrying loads on the back, was not much of a problem for my father, he being so young and sturdy then!
During winters, in order to prepare a nutritious feed for cows, a mixture of course grain flour, khal, binoula and some other coarse cereals, if available at hand, and fresh leaves of 'Dhamman Tree', a native small sized tree, is grown by itself everywhere in villages of Nurpur tehsil in abundance. Leaves of this fodder tree are considered to be so nutritious, healthy, these are specially recommended for milch animals. Green leaves of Dhamman are then put together, in double the quantity, in a big vessel mixed with other ingredients and used to be left for boiling whole night on the low heat, on our Angithi everyday night. The responsibility for making necessary arrangements for preparing this animal diet, was that of my father and Amma. Thus, this delicious and nutritious preparation was served to the animals in the morning, along with their main routine feed of wheat husk and shredded fresh green jowaar.
My father lived in Lahore until partition of the country in 1947. On return home, he had a shop in Hattian. The Shop belonged to Som Dutt Chachu. This shop was nothing but a time pass for Pitaji which was soon given up. It was in Lahore that my father underwent a great change in his attitude, understanding and body language when he came in close contact with a group of classical music lovers of Hira Mandi, adjoining Anarkali Bazar, from whom he learnt classical vocal music. He was very good at Tabla and Harmonium too. Since he became good at classical songs, he later became a sought after singer in various in-house, outdoor stage shows, mehfils and program in various temples.
Though, in spite of social handicap of stammering which made him shy and aloof all his life, he occasionally enthralled the gathering with a free flow and melodious voice at his best! one of his classics - Yadunath ji jaag, bhore bhai...... is still fresh in our minds! Pitaji and Amma breathed their last in Mar 1974 and 22 Jul 2000 respectively! Pranaam!!
SHRI KISHAN CHAND SHARMA
Chachu Kishan Chand comes at second place in Manjhol Kutumb brothers, after Puran Chand, my father. He was also an introvert type of a person and very calm. He was very intelligent and shrewd from his very childhood days, and used to be a leader in his school. Being borne in a educated brahmin family, Kishan Chand was a disciplined and an obedient boy. He completed his academic education upto matriculation in Chamba. Despite his being first class matriculate of those olden days, he was not lucky enough to achieve much in his life despite his own and family's genuine efforts. He could not achieve a dignified place in spite of his being first class matriculate of 20s. He served in various private firms for a short time, one after the other almost all his life including giving English tuition or teaching in schools. He also served in RB Jhodamal Kuthiala, Forest Lesses, in their Chamba Office as an accountant for a short duration. Anybody or everybody would appreciate that very few matriculates of brilliant caliber like him, that too first class, were hardly found in remote areas of old Himachal Pradesh during that period of time!
But as luck would have it, nothing much happened because of lack of financial and moral support and proper guidance from any corner and as a result, Chachu had to content with a clerical job in Resettlement Department in Calcutta from 1942 to 1945. I vividly remember that Chachu worked in Chamba region of old Himachal Pradesh. Whenever he came home, he brought lot of dry fruits that we enjoyed very much. Chachu was shy of speaking much and mostly remained in a posture of silent spectator, but had a golden heart full of love and affection for all of us children.
Chachu was never seen angry even if we created havoc in the house and ran upstairs and downstairs making noise all around and shouting loudly in the house. He would rather keep looking at and enjoy his short stay at home in the company of children! He would also occasionally give each one of us some coins to buy and eat biscuits or sugar candies from Hattian. He was, however, a peace loving, kind hearted, simple, soft spoken, introvert, and self made person who loved solitude. His love for gardening, landscaping, agriculture, horticulture and masonry was remarkable. While at home, he would work hard for hours in the backyard kitchen garden in order to sow seasonal vegetables, pruning fruit and citrus trees and clearing of the garden from unwanted wild growth.
He would dig out all available area in the kitchen garden with spade, clean and clear it, smoothen it and finally level it with the help of a flat wooden stick. He would then prepare separate portions of different sizes and shapes according to available area, for sowing different kinds of bush and creeper vegetables and condiment plants, with proper connecting water channels.
He had a peculiar type of hobby of doing masonry works in and around own house. Years before, when we were quite young, Chachu played a major role in the construction of Northside double story portion of Manjhol House that has four bed rooms and two wide varandas. Two rooms, one at the ground and the other on the first floor of this portion, belong to Chachi Dana Vati. The other first floor room belonged to Chachi Lila Vati which is still lying vacant, whereas the room at the ground floor is commonly used. Few years later, Chachu himself laid flat natural stone slabs, brought in from the Jabbar Khad, in the big courtyard of our house. While doing so, we the children helped him voluntarily. He had also been carrying out minor maintenance works of the house from time to time.
Chachu tried his hand in doing cement flooring works of ground floor veranda of northside double story portion, and also in Chachi Pragya's room on the ground floor of the west side double story block where I assisted him by supplying water and handing him over this or that thing, being a small boy then! Years after, he also carried out a risky brick work of damaged first floor outer mud brick wall of Chachi Bhagwati's room, top portion of which had fallen down due to leaking 'slate' roof. The work was completed with the help of Nikka and Kaku, my juniors, safely and successfully. Chachu also once helped for three consecutive days, the professional mason in constructing pucca Tulsi in the courtyard of Ladori House. Chachu had nearly all types of masonry tools with him. I have seen and helped him in doing petty masonry repairs at home, at many occasions. My junior most Arun Kumar who presently lives at village Khajjan, has almost inherited all the hobbies of Chachu and tries doing things in the same manner.
From mid 70s to mid 80s Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh, was constructed on River Beas. Hundreds of thousands of native people were uprooted from their homeland and were financially compensated while some others, whose land came directly within the precincts of the dam, were allotted alternative land in Rajasthan under the mutual arrangements of both the state governments. Chachi Dana Vati D/o Shri Het Ram Shah of Jawali, was also allotted land in Tehsil Anupgarh of Ganga Nagar District of Rajasthan in place of her land that came in the Pong Dam. This land was called, in revenue language, as Murraba. Murraba bole toh, khane wala ni, it is a chunk of 16 acres of land at one place which was allotted to the outsees of Pong Dam for their rehabilitation. Chachu's later part of life was very hard. He lived all alone and preparing food himself, when he needed all care of himself by his family, he had to work hard and toil in Rajasthan for many years looking after the Murraba!
When allotted, this land was found situated right in the middle of the wilderness where nothing was visible like agricultural land but the uneven area full of boulders, rocks, wild growth and more than fifteen feet high thorny hedges and bushes apart from the wild sarkanda type grass, big and giant type over grown thorny thuhar trees on this barren land! Chachu, the old man, had to spend first few months to clear the land from years' old dense wild growth with the help of gori- tractors, bulldozers in order to level the land and creating proper water channels for even irrigation purposes. In the beginning, Chachu used to visit Anupgarh very often.
When the whole Murraba was ready for cultivation, he had to live at Anupgarh for months. Rajasthan Government has provided single room quarters for the outsider land allottees. Chachu used to live all alone in his room at Anupgarh and look after the management of the land wandering all day in the sun and arranging the contract farming for each crop. When Chachu felt uncomfortable and was unable to stay there all alone, the Murraba had to be disposed off, unwillingly though!
Chachu was one of the active founder members of the then Snatan Dharam Middle School, Ladori who did not hesitate to do virtual physical work at site, day and night, in order to see and ensure that the school functioned as scheduled. He took to school's construction site, all the available hand tools like kassi or spade and some items of furniture from home, like bench or stool in order to facilitate and speed up the work. One heavy ceiling hanging ten kilograms brass 'Ghanta' which was lying in our house from the times of our great grandfathers, was also donated to the school by Chachu for morning school bells.. When the school officially started, Chachu was appointed as English Teacher by the Management Committee, who served in the school for quite some time until he was recalled by his former employer firm in Chamba on better terms and conditions.
Simple and tranquil life style interested Chachu most. Band gala coat, serge pyajama, white safa, canvas shoes, fountain pen hung in the upper left pocket of the coat, pocket watch and a dangling Chhari in hand, was his favorite dress code in winters. In summers, he preferred white kurta-pyjama with cool cotton jacket. He was though a god fearing person, but he never displayed his daily morning routine. Being a reserved natured person, he lived his life almost cocooned in himself. I may say that I might have had seen him smiling on certain occasions of rejoice, but never seen him laughing aloud in public ever! However, on the other hand, Chachi Dana Vati, was a jolly-good type, loving and quite an extrovert who could talk to anyone, at length, at any time. She was also a staunch religious and pious lady who spent nearly half a day, everyday, in praying and doing morning rituals. Both Chachu and Chachi spent later part of their lives in New Delhi with their only son Pushkar Raj Kaushal, popularly known as Raju Bhai, where they breathed their last at 80 each, one after the other on 22 Mar 1984 and 17 Oct 1995 respectively! Pranam!!
SHRI UDHAM CHAND SHARMA
At number three among five brothers, Udham Chand Sharma was married to Lila Vati, daughter of Pandit Girdhari Lal of Village Jawali. Udham Chand and Lila Vati have two daughters Nirmal and Suman and two sons Ashok and Durga. Chachu Udham Chand also worked almost all his life for M/s Jodhamal Kuthiala, forest lessees, a private firm of repute and retired as their General Manage at the ripe age of 84 years! He was also a first class matriculate but unfortunately, he also like his elder brother Kishan Chand, could not get a good slot even though the persons of his quality, ability, caliber and brilliance were hardly found in those days and could be counted on finger tips!
As a result, he had to satisfy himself with a temporary job in private sector that was not much preferred then among the youth. As luck would have it, had he been suitably advised, guided and supported by someone to join the armed forces, which was though a bit difficult task being English regime, he would have had retired as a very senior army officer. It would not be out of context to mention here that My Village Ladori is proud to have produced over 30 armed forces officers from the rank of Major General down to Lieutenant. Though being short statured, he had a well built physic with a charming persona. Round and impressive face with dense beard, voice loud and clear, sporting a prominent dimple at the tip of his chin, made him still more attractive man who was one among the very well dressed persons in town. Chachu was very cool, calm, composed and loving who never lost his temper.
Raymond's light blue suiting with close neck coat, wide moori pant with an upwards single fold at the toes, Shaffer's fountain pen hung in the left upper pocket of the coat, brown leather shoes and Kashmiri fur kishti cap was his general dress code in winters. An elegant cotton suiting with Ray Ban goggles and a cotton cap was his preference in summers. He was, however, not fond of wearing necktie. It was customary in the company that all the office staff were expected to wear headgear while present within the office premises He always preferred to wear lace less brownish leather shoes (Gurgabi) as laced shoes were not his liking. Chachu used to polish his shoes and then 'shave' himself first thing in the morning before bath.
Being a religious and god fearing man, he would devote half an hour daily for morning prayers reciting Sanskrit hymns from Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. After pooja, he would dress up, have his hasty breakfast. While readying for the office in the morning, his big fat brownish leather wallet, always full of new currency notes of different denomination, always attracted our attention and mesmerized us children! He always preferred to walk to and from the office every day, whether at Pathankot or in Jammu, in order to keep himself fit and healthy. He would use the office car only when necessarily required.
While in Ladori, on occasional leisure trips for a day or two, Chachu would create an atmosphere where all Manjhol Kutumb children found themselves in a happy and jovial mood as each one of us expected some kind of gifts, goodies or coins from him. But before giving anything to us, he would merrily call all of us to his room and ask to climb up on his back one by one, while he laid down on the floor mat, facing downwards, and ask each one to do walkover on the whole body vigorously as he would, in turn, received relief from the stiffened body.
At the same time, he would caught hold one of us and try to rub his beard hard on the cheeks being funny and playful with us. Then he would give, apart from the gift items and dry fruits, at least a Chavanni or Athanni each, for enjoying sugar candies in Hattian! Due to poverty looming around being under privileged village background, our big joint family always remained heavily depended on Chachu's financial support for years. He was very generous and had deep love and affection for each member of our family. He loved every child of the family as his own. He was an example of honesty and goodness in his own right. Rai Bahadur Jodhamal Kuthiala himself, had great respect and belief in him and he never hesitated in doing any good for the upliftment and progress of the company he served, even at his own risk.
Once it so happened that Rai Bahadur Jodhamal Kuthiala, while on a visit to his Pathankot office in Dhangu Road, wanted to give some kind of a gift to Chachu. So he called Chachu himself in his office and placed before him, on the table, two wrist watches and asked him to pick up one. One was golden Rolex and the other one was HMT make. Chachu politely and humbly denied taking the gift offered to him saying that he had already a wrist watch. But on persuasion by the top boss himself, Chachu could not resist much and chose to pick up HMT watch! All present were pleasantly surprised as perhaps they were unaware of the extent of Chachu's simplicity and honesty!
Similarly, on an other occasion, Chachu politely declined accepting a heavy amount from Shri Bipen Lal Kuthiala, one of the sons of Rai Bahadur Jodhamal Kuthiala, an American educated and Chachu's immediate boss, on the occasion of marriage of his daughter Nirmal at Pathankot. In spite of great resistance and submission by Chachu, he had no option left but to accept a still bigger amount as 'shagun offered by the boss'. This also indicate Chachu's simplicity, greatness, sincerity, honesty and sense of respect towards the company and the employer!
One fine day while roaming about aimlessly in and around Jodhamal Nagar and across Dhangu Road Pathankot, both myself and Ashok strayed away and reached Chachu's office unexpectedly. It was quite an hot summer day and we were thirsty too. As if gala sookh raha tha! We planned and headed towards Chachu's office. Both of us entered Chachu's office one after the other. Chachu threw on us a surprised look and simultaneously gave us a faint smile, but he could not make out as to why both of us have had come to his office without his knowledge? Chachu asked us as to what for, both of you have come here? We only laughed, showed teeth while scratching our heads cunningly and could not explain. On the other hand, when we had entered into the office, kitchen staff had already noticed us.
As we were already known to most of the kitchen staff, a cook hurriedly brought in two bottles of chilled Coca-Cola for us. On this, Chachu felt embarrassed and told the man that it was not necessary. However, we both enjoyed the cold drink obstinately, for which actually we had come there. Our purpose was fulfilled but the kitchen staff got strict instructions not to serve anything, except plain water if need be, to my family visitors in future! Why this type of attitude? Yes Chachu perhaps did not want to get obliged by even such small gratitude relating to his family members!
During the year 1958, I had been to Jammu along with Dadi and sister Swaran Kanta. Then I had not sufficient clothes with me and therefore, I used to wear Ashok's clothes very often. Chachu, being very kind, had already noticed that. One day, surprisingly, he took both of us to a very big cloth showroom in Raghunath Bazar and bought for us similar blue blazers, black pants and white shirts. We were also given a pair of black leather shoes with grey socks. It showed that how Chachu was generous, concerned and thoughtful enough towards his family members and had deep love for each and every child of Manjhol Kutumb!
My close association with Udho Chachu and his immediate family began when I was a school boy and used to visit Jammu in short but regular intervals. The actual intimacy with the family grew when I was free after matriculation examination in the year 1961. My Dadi had been the force behind who always wanted me to go to Jammu and on the other side, also pressured Chachu to arrange for some kind of naukri for me there in Jammu. When result of 10th class was declared, I was already there in Jammu. On my passing matriculation, Chachu asked one of his friends to see if I could be adjusted in his factory, for a supervisory or clerical job!
Soon I Joined M/s GM Separators Mfg. Coy Pvt. Ltd., at Satwari Industrial Estate as a clerk on a total monthly salary of Rs. 100 and I was also given a new hero bicycle for coming up and down from canal road. In the office, I was all-in-all. At the first place, I was a manager, then a clerk or a peon for running the office! However, I had to leave the job after three months as I was to go to Bombay to Chachu Subhash who was then serving in Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd there, as Purchase Officer. In Bombay, I worked as an apprentice for few months in an engineering works in Andheri, but I was deported back home on health grounds. After that, I remained jobless at home for quite some time at home!
Well before I had joined the job at Jammu, on one fine morning at the breakfast time, Chachu asked me if I was interested in becoming a commercial pilot in the Indian Airlines! Being a raw and below average matriculate village boy, it was a lightening shock for me to hear this unexpected suggestion from Chachu and as a result, my eyes and mouth opened wide and an awkward facial expression, worth noticing, was there at that moment!
But, at the same time, a cosmic scene flashed before my eyes and I saw myself negotiating with the aero plane panel in an effort to control the unsteady plane with my face changing its contours and colors. I felt unable to streamline and align the plane and its fall on the earth anytime, with a thud, seemed inevitable! After coming back to normal, I thought that perhaps it was nothing but a joke that Chachu had played with me! However, at the same moment, I became happy and felt butterflies in my stomach as if I was already flying up and down in thoughts, in the open skies, beneath, through and over the clouds, though without an aero plane!
Looking at me surprisingly, Chachu said, why worry, and showed me the advertisement published in the news paper for 100 matriculate trainee pilots and further said that why you could not be one of them, if you so desired! Instantly, I had a deep thought in the matter and, while seeing straight into Chachu's eyes, I said jokingly, "I would pity on myself and the aero plane which I would be flying. I would also pray God to grant me more strength, will power or some kind of an extra intelligence for at least a slower and less damaging crash landing, if not safer one or else I might find my plane hovering over in circles, in the sky until the whole fuel was burnt out and then it came straight down on the earth and met with its final fate! Chachu smiled vainly and the subject matter was forgotten! Was my immature decision taken then, right? Perhaps yes, perhaps no!
Chachu's house construction in Jodhamal Nagar, Dhangu Road, Pathankot commenced during early 1963. Chachu Ishwer Chander was looking after the management of the construction work. When the spade work was completed only up to DPC level, Chachu Ishwar Chander had to leave for Patiala as he got the call for joining army as a Religious teacher in the direct rank of Naib Subedar at a short notice. Now Udho Chachu had no option and asked me to come forward and take over the supervision work and further construction up to the final completion of the house.
I came down to Pathankot immediately from Ladori and dumped my small bundle of luggage in a barsati room at third floor of the Kothi of Shri Kishori Lal, next door to our plot, who was also a businessman dealing with jungle wood. The room was given to us without any rent for temporary stay. The Kothi of Shri Kishori Lal was also still vacant and still under final stages of completion. He was a close friend of Chachu. The pride possession I received from Chachu Ishwar Chander was a bicycle that fascinated me too much. While studying at Nurpur, Chachi Bhagwati had taught me cooking. So there was not much difficulty for me to cook my food for myself during my stay at Jodhamal Nagar.
Though I was only 17 then, just a village school boy with not even general awareness and with least maturity and experience of life for handling an important house building project, that too in a city, independently such as this with ten rooms of different shapes and sizes including four major bed rooms, two kitchens and two washrooms. A very big veranda, the sprawling courtyard and last but not the least, a big wooden entrance gate door! The house was equally divided in to two sets. But still I managed the situation somehow, and completed the house construction very fast by running around all the day in managing the construction materials, masons, carpenters and the labor by working heart and soul.
Anybody and anyone would definitely appreciate and admire my selfless efforts that myself alone completed the huge grill and wood primary coloring and final painting work of doors, windows, panels and number of big and small almirahs from inside-out and thereby saved lot of money going against the daily wages of one or more professional painters. However, Chachu had never expected or asked me to do painting work. I did the painting work voluntarily and also enjoyed it. Almost every day I brought heavy loads of assorted items from the hardware shop situated at Ghandi Chowk, on my bicycle avoiding use of rikshaw thereby saving cartage.
I was happy and content that I could accomplish the job given to me by Chachu, though with his necessary guidance and blessings. During construction period, Chachu used to come down to Pathankot from Jammu to oversee the work progress himself and gave me the necessary instructions and the money required. At the same time, I would show him the income and expenditure details along with bills, maintained in the register and cash in hand. Chachu was impressed the way I maintained the account that he had never asked me to do. During this period, I came much closer to Chachu's heart who appreciated my efforts and hard work at this early stage of my life, in completion of the house on time!
Elder daughter of Pandit Girdhari Lal of Village Jawali, Chachi Lilo was a very humble, religious and pious beyond limits. A staunch follower of gods, sitting at prayers almost half a day everyday, Chachi would sacrifice almost half a day for daily morning and evening prayers in isolation! You might have had found her, at times, talking or murmuring to herself with an angry expression on the face, while doing daily household chores. Not always but kabhi kabhi aise lagta tha ki aaj Dadi nahi, Chachu hi unke nishaane par thy! When she was happy and in a jolly mood, none could exactly guess the exact reason behind it! As I had all alone looked after the construction work of her house, Chachi had a special place for me in her heart. When the house construction was on, the family was living in Jammu as Chachu was looking after Jammu Office and Kala Kot coal mines owned by the company.
When the family started living in new house at Pathankot, Chachi would not hesitate to complain to me at times, on my unexpected overnight visit to Pathankot house, that I failed to make an appropriate hiding place in the house for storing cow dung cakes (Uple) and the firewood for use in an emergency! Some times, when at the Chullah in the kitchen preparing food, Chachi would talk irritatingly to herself and struggle with rain-wet firewood logs, hitting them, time and again, with chimta saying, "Agg lagge ina lakarian jo, baldian-e-ni"! However, she would not tire, until she was successful in preparing required number of rotis!
So far I am concerned, I had always been too close to Chachu during my boyhood. By now, I had grown bigger and had joined the army. Though I was his son like, but both of us were friendly too. I was quite open and talked to Chachu on any matter without any hesitation, reservation, shyness or fear. We also used to cut jokes at times! Once when I happened to be present at Pathankot house during my leave, Chachu called me and tried to give me a costly brand of Gold Flake pack of 20 cigarettes that he had been offered in a social get together party, the other day. Chachu was a non-smoker. I wondered for a moment aur socha....ab kya karun? but at the same time I swiftly caught hold the cigarette packet and thanked Chachu for his lovely and friendly gesture and simultaneously scratched my head and left his room and thought, Chachu already knew that I smoke! O' My God! What next? May be Chachu would call me some day and offer a bottle of whiskey!
In May 1972, I happened to visit Chachu's house at Jhodamal Nagar when I came on leave from Srinagar. On entering into the house, I observed that both Chachu-Chachi seemed worried and stressed...but pleasantly! Actually, they were in the process of packing. On my enquiry, it came to be known that they were readying to go to Mumbai in order to bless son Ashok and their would-be bahu Nalini, daughter of Shri & Shrimati Vinayak and Indira Tendulkar of Mumbai on their marriage scheduled to be held on 25 May 1972. This was, indeed a very good news for me so I asked Chachi that if I could help them in packing and accompany them up to railway station! Ashok and Nalini have had met with each other on Nalini's work place where Ashok used to visit at times and as a result, they were attracted to each other and decided to marry! Ashok and Nalini have three lovely daughters Rita, Nita and Sonali. Three of them are very well settled with their respective families and are living happily. Me and Sonali follow each other on face book.
My marriage was fixed on 20 July 1973 with Rama Kumari, daughter of Shri & Shrimati Sain Das Shah & Shahni Soma Vati of Narot Mehra. She was studying in Arya Higher Secondary School, Pathankot and living in their own house in Kartholi Mohalla, near Banarsi Halwaii shop. One day, sitting idle at home, an idea struck to me and I requested Nirmal to go and see the girl somehow and let me know that how she looks like. Nirmal along with Raksha Mami went to see Rama in Kartholi Mohalla.
On return Nirmal's body language and smiles explained all! She said all is okay. Then it was decided that the marriage be conducted at Pathankot itself instead of Ladori thinking that Narot Mehra is situated at next door to Pathankot. Chachu being the wholly solley in charge of his Pathankot Office, got some rooms of the Company Kothi at Dhangu Road opened and got these ready for us to conduct the marriage function. One of the company cars was also made available for us and Chachu accompanied the baarat in the same car along with my father and Chachu Ishwer Chander.
On return from Narot Mehra, the 'House Entry Ceremony' of the bride into Chachu's house was celebrated in a simple way, where both of us, along with few others, stayed for three days before proceeding to Ladori. It was all due to Chachu's goodness gestures, love towards joint our family and his own reputation in town that everything went well and no difficulty was experienced by us in conducting the marriage ceremony at Pathankot.
In early November 1991, after finishing my work at pension office, I went to Jodhamal Nagar in order to meet Chachu. He was sitting on a chair in the veranda wearing warm clothing . Chachi was also there. I touched feet of both of them and sat on the chair nearby. Chachi went to the kitchen for preparing tea. Both of us talked for a while.
While talking, Chachu asked me a question which shocked me and I thought that Chachu had taken me wrong! Chachu had asked about the well being of Ram Rattan's wife (Eldest son of Taro Bua of Gangath), thinking as if I was Ram Rattan from Gangath! Chachu had not recognized me at the first instant. Then I told him that I am Amrit not Ram Rattan. After taking tea, I left the house worried!
Next year in1992, I had to visit Pathankot in July for some other reason. I stayed at Dhaki, Pathankot. Shri Gurprasad of Jawali was also there. Next day morning, after breakfast, I got ready and told Gurprasadji that I was to go to Jodhamal Nagar to meet Chachaji. Hearing this, Gurprasad was surprised with his eyes and mouth open wide as if he was shocked! After taking a deep sigh, he told me that if I was not aware of the fact that Udham Chandji had already expired on 20 December 1991!
I was shocked to hear the sad news and trembled with an unknown fear mixed with anger that how come and why I was not informed by anyone! Mama Gurprasad further told me that Lila Vati was with her son Guddu in Delhi. I straightaway rushed to Rohini, Delhi same day and met Chachiji. She had gone so weak that she was unable to speak much with me but her tears explained all pains she was then going through! Few years later, she also followed Chachu on 22 Oct 1998! .
Udho, as Dadi called him, was popular and known by this nick-name in Ladori, who lived in Pathankot with Chachi Lilo in their later life. Now, in the absence of both of them and the house being disposed off already under the compelling circumstances, there remains no point visiting Jodhamal Nagar any more now! Their family room on the first floor of Manjhol House in Ladori, is still lying vacant, closed and unused from decades, waiting for none!
SHRI CHAKKAR DHARI SHASTRI
Vikrmi Sammbat 2 Falgun 1975,13 Feb 1919, a son was born to Shri and Shrimati Mallu Ram and Rukmani Devi. He was named Chakkardhari. At the age of six, he was admitted in Urdu Primary and passed it in next six years. Then, in order to get Sanskrit education, he was sent to Lahore. After studying Sanskrit in Snatan Dharam Sabha, Bachhowali for two years, Chakkardhari had to come back home due to ill health.
Since poverty was looming around in the family at home, one Teja Singh, driver and one of the trust worthies of Raja Dhyan Singh of Shekhupura, Lahore helped Chakkardhari and recommended him for the job of Hukka Attendant and baby sitter in the Herem of Shekhupura Kingdom but young Chakkardhari was unhappy about the nature of job as he had already decided to do something big in life. If I may say that Chachu Chakkardhari, who was at number four, was one among the rarest of the rare characters, as known to one and all of his times, and it would not be an exaggeration.
From his childhood creativities and general activities, it was apparent that the future of the boy would be very good, if not too excellent. But, at every step of his life, there were problems and hurdles to solve and cross, hurdles of proper guidance, good school in easy approach, better social environment surrounded by good and aspiring true friends and last but not the least, misery in the family and want of moral support of the superiors, established and learned people!
Young Chakkardhari had perhaps aspired to extend his reach up to the skies to achieve successes in the fields of writing, publishing, teaching, ayurveda, homeopathy and astrology to become one of the known and famous personalities of repute. But very few people are blessed to fully succeed in achieving their aspired goals in life. Chakkardhari, being a young lad at childhood stage, was eager to possess all those qualities of a famous and the rich, as soon as possible. Since the social and financial support was the main handicap, there was no other way left except to begin with some kind of a work or job and to earn little money in order to get admission in a good institution!
My great grandfather Hira Lal had a brother named Bal Mukund who lived at Village Suliali. He was a Karamkandi brahmin and his main stay was preparation of Rasoi (Dham) at marriage functions and at the times of community langars. His son Manohar Lal, popularly known as 'Manoru' also followed his father's footprints and became a famous 'Rasoia' of the area. Since Manohar Lal was very clever and shrewd type of a person, he somehow managed to recruit himself in Jammu Maharaj Kingdom and then joining the Kitchen services and later succeeded in becoming Head Khansama of the Royal Kitchen of Jammu Kingdom!
Manohar Lal was closely known to one Teja Singh who had earlier served in Jammu Durbar as a driver in Royal Caravan. Teja Singh had later changed his loyalty towards Raja Dhyan Singh of Shekhupura, Lahore. Taking advantage of old acquaintance, Manohar Lal asked Teja Singh for fixing young boy Chakkardhari, his cousin brother, for some kind of work in the Herem (Janankhana) of Shekhupura Kingdom. On Teja's reference, Chakkardhari was given a job of Hukka Attendant and Baby Sitter in the Herem where only queens and princesses lived along with number of maids and entry of men was strictly prohibited. Even the entry of the King himself into the Herem was possible only after prior notice!
Despite there being no difficulty in maintaining the Shahi Hooka, caring and looking after small royal kids inside the beautiful interiors filled with soothing rare fragrances and with painted roofs with loud and bright colors, large sized heavy Belgium chandeliers hanging overhead, wall to wall colourful designer parsian carpet spread out over the vast floor area, unique golden and antique furniture arranged meticulously in the main hall area, heavy, colourful and graceful long drapes fluttering inside the Herem due to the cool breeze flowing all day, rare and beautiful indoor plants and different color flowers with smart little colourful smartian birds hovering over chirping musically, attracted attention of all inmates, water fountains at prominent places with rose petals scattered over the water bodies, making the environment enchanting, all those conveniences, comforts and aisho-o-aaram coming together, the prevalent atmosphere inside the Janankhana, could not make Chakkardhari feel at home, who was still not happy enough in continuing the job of Hooka Attendant!
Each day morning, cleaning, changing, refilling fresh water, shining the Hooka's silver water tank with metal polish, then to clean and fill the intricately designed and glazed 'Chillum' with specially prepared aromatic tobacco and to fill it with burning coal on the tobacco was Chakkardhari's every day job, though many times in a day! \
The Hooka, along with its long smoking pipe with golden handy knob at the end, was required to be shifted and mounted at select points at many occasions, at the wish and pleasure of the young, and beautiful queens in addition to looking after the royal kids. But still, Chakkadhari was not at all happy, at times, by the exhibition of indecent body language and unscrupulous behavior with him by the queens, the maids and the eunuchs inside the Herem, who would always try to pamper, fondle and touch shy and young handsome boy!
In the year 1930, the 11 years old, fair complexioned, handsome pre-teenager Chakkardhari, who had high aspirations and wanted to do something big in his life rather than to continuing with the present job, had made up his mind to quit the job as soon as possible and was looking for an appropriate opportunity. On repeated complaints made by him to his father Pandit Mallhu Ram and others regarding his unhappiness and utter dislike over the current job, specially which was at the mercy of the super women, but none cooperated. Therefore, on one fine day, Chakkardhari deserted the Kingdom in the guise of a third gender, against the wishes of all, especially the queens!
With the passage of time, in the year 1934 January, Chachu took admission in Sanskrit Vidyalaya, Lahore. His elder brother Puran Chand was already there in Lahore who had a small shop of Paan-Bira and cigarettes, in the middle of Hira Mandi near Anarkali Bazar, Lahore. Chachu Chakkardhari, received his higher Sanskrit education in Lahore and lived with his elder brother. In the year 1935, Chachu passed Pragya Sanskrit in second division and received scholarship of Rs. 5 per month. For Visharad (BA Sanskrit), he took further admission in Snatan Dharam Maha Vidyalaya, Lahore.
Chakkardhar passed his Shastri Examination (Visharad) in the year 1938. For next three years, he remained idle at home at Ladori and learned Panditya from Dadaji. With the efforts and help of Thakur Rajeshwar Singh Pathania, who was an administrative officer in the Education Department, Himachal Pradesh, Chachu Chakkardhari got appointed as a Shastri Teacher in a School at Rilhu. Himachal Pradesh at the monthly salary of Rs. 30 per month with a mandatory monthly deduction of Rs 5 against the relief fund against world war II. So Rs 25 was take home salary for next few years!
On 20 June 1944, Chachu was transferred from Rihlu to District Board High School, Nurpur. After having served for 23 years at Nurpur, he was got transferred to Dalash in Kullu with the connivance of some unscrupulous people who hatched a conspiracy with some particular school staff members and local petty political leaders. Chachu fought back strongly and got himself first transferred to a school in Sidhpur Ghara in tehsil Nurpur and then finally came back to Nurpur school where he served until his retirement on 28 Feb 1977.
During transfer litigation period, Chachu wrote a long and detailed paper in the form of a poem, 'Badli ki kahani, Kavita ki jubani' describing in its minute detail, about each and every group, section, player and bad wisher behind the scene including what all had happened in connection with his transfer from Nurpur School to a school in Dalash, Kullu, especially impressing upon the malpractices and corruption prevalent at every step. The poem was got published in Delhi and circulated far and wide, particularly in Himachal Pradesh. The poem was an eye opener for all those involved and a forced slap on the face of local opposition and the group of petty political leaders as Pandit Chakkardhari Shastri had won the battle and re-joined duty at Nurpur school!
Perhaps due to his long solitary living during study period, boyhood life being under the umbrella of his learned father Mallhu Ram Jyotishacharya, study of Hindi -Sanskrit literature and holy scriptures, deep interest in snatan sanskriti, karamkand and adhyatam, regular association and interaction with the 'greats' of sadhu smaj, Chachu found himself nearly transformed completely, had finally decided to adopt Vairagya. He was therefore, quite rigid and reluctant to marry in life. He therefore, had already denied and dropped all the marriage proposals on one pretext or the other due to his dislike and burning desire towards detachment from the worldly concerns! To be precise, Chachu had dropped twenty three marriage proposals already. Actually he wanted to adopt Vairagya in this materialistic world but somehow could not do so due to some compelling reasons. Though my Dada-Dadi were highly objectionable, unhappy and annoyed over Chachu's attitude, on the other hand, they were worried about his future life.
One day, at late night, a knock was heard at the main entrance door of Manjhol House. None could understand as to who might have had knocked at that hour of night, that too in a dark rainy night! My father Puran Chand opened the door. Dinu Tau, our neighbor was at the door. My father asked him, 'Bhai, sab theek hai, itni raat gai? Pandit Dina Nath, our next door neighbor had just returned from Village Bhangoori, and had come straight to Manjhol House. Dadaji had also come out. They sat in a room.
Dinu Tau told Dadaji that believe it or not but he had agreed on your behalf to the marriage proposal for Chakkardhari put forth before him by one Pandit Tej Ram of Village Bhangoori in Punjab and he had given them a 'Word'. He had also brought a Naarial and a rupee coin in token of 'Roka'. Dada-Dadi could not utter a word for a minute but outwardly seemed happy and pleasantly surprised. The other day, Chakkardhari was apprised of the whole matter by Dada-Dadi. His elder brothers Chanda, Kisso and Udho and sisters Taro and Soma also persuaded Chakkardhari in order to accept the marriage proposal and also uphold the 'word and respect' of Pandit Dina Nath and the goodwill of Manjhol Kutumb! Chakkardhari nodded in confirmation.
Now the pressure had been built up over Chakkardhari keeping in view the respect of the parents and the family, he could not resist much. Shagun ceremony was held against the wishes of Dulah. Self proclaimed Baba Chakardhari was stunned and thought 'Maya bari ya Brahm'. Babaji had to become dulah. Horse was chosen as mode of conveyance in place of a Palki. Forcefully, baraat party's journey from Ladori to Bhangoori began but Babaji-cum-Dulhe Raja was sad, unhappy and hairan-pareshan!
Being Vairagi and vairagaya thoughts were shattered into pieces. 'Maya' (Bride) ko babaji ke saath mandap me bitha dia gaya. While sitting in the mandap by the side of the bride, babaji thought that it was nothing but a joke going on with him. Soon marriage ceremony was over. Bhagwati, a 14 years old innocent girl, Babaji ke gale mharr di gai!
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While in Nurpur School, Chachu gave education to many boys of manjhol kutumb and near relatives. First of all, Subhash Chand and Som Dutt, sons of Chachu's Mama Praksh Ram, then Ram Rattan and Rajpal, sons of his sister Taro Devi, uske baad, Pushkar Raj, son of his elder brother Kishan Chand, Fir number aaya, Amrit Lal and Raman Lal, sons of eldest brother Puran Chand, Ashok Kumar son of Bhai Udham Chand, Harbans Lal, brother-in-law, and Arvind Nayan, son of youngest brother Ishwer Chander. Total time altogether was 35 years as each one of them stayed with Chachu's family at Nurpur for minimum three to maximum eight years, at different periods of times!
When I was in Ladori Primary School in 50s, Chachu was a regular visitor of ancestral Ladori home. 'Chakra' as he was fondly called by Dadi, was very near to her heart! He used to come down home from Nurpur on every week end and go back the next day walking all the way, covering a distance of six miles one way. From Nurpur, he would start from Chaugaan, then taking a short cut and kuchha clumsy descent before joining the main road down below. Then Lateria-da-Soota, Hard Khadd, Telian-da-Pind, Hindora Gharat, crossing winding Jabar Khadd 15 times walking over muddy, sandy track and walking through the Jabbar Khad waters or crossing the Khadd on stepping stones, then to reach at Ghaluin-di-Kuwali,\ followed by Chikla and Upla Maira and finally reach Ladori!
In hot summers, he would generally dress up in pristine white standars class dhoti and malmal kurta with Chamba Chapple, knitted with pure leather strings and straps and carried a crafty, brownish and fancy Charri dangling in hands. His shining black curly hair, handsome and impressive face would turn pinkish when he reached home. Closed neck serge coat, rosy Safa, Chooridar with designer colourful canvas shoes with thick spongy sole, and of course Charri in hand as always, was the select dress code of my Chachu!
Among other extra curricular activities that Chachu Chakkardhari was involved in, he also had keen interest in sports too. He was an above average Volleyball player. He was known for his skills and 'knack' to deliver pin pointed 'Service to the opponent'. In Nurpur School, he played the game everyday without fail during PT and Sports periods. While in the Volleyball court, Chachu's body language, signs, signals, hooting and shouting used to be worth noting! Playing a game like Volleyball wearing dhoti-kurta outfit, moving knotted 'Choti' up & down at the back of the head while running and jumping around within the court, and forehead smeared in 'Tilak' was also a matter of attraction. Dhoti tucked above the knees and fast foot work with canvas shoes, used to be an added charisma of Chachu! In the year 1962, Chachu received a severe sprain in his lower back while playing volleyball in the Nurpur School grounds, and as a result, his movements were restricted for about a long period of two and a half months.
A renowned Vaid in Patiala had prescribed 'Shankhpushpi and Brahmi Kaada' which brought some relief to Chachu. Homeopathy medicines also helped him in quick relief from lower back sprain! During the course of his treatment, Chachu developed interest in Aurved and Unani medicines. So he somehow, got his name registered in Punjab Ayurved and Unani Sansthan to enable him to manufacture medicines at his own. After having collected some established and known 'Nuskhas' of vaidyas, Ayurvedic practitioners' and select sadhu mahatmas expert in the ayurvedic field', based on genuine ayurvedic scriptures and other such medicine books and literature, Chachu started making ayurvedic medicines at home which were found to be very affective and were in demand in plenty, though free of cost!
Chachu had been sending me down the jabbar khad hill bushes and to the different cattle grazing grounds very often, for collection of dry cow dung. Within few days' time I used to make a huge dump of such sacred dry cow dung. Though it was very difficult and cumbersome work for a boy like me, searching for scattered dry cow dung all alone, penetrating through dense and prickly bushes, up and down the hill, yet I did my work honestly always and created a pyramid of cow dung in the kitchen garden.
The cow dung so gathered was arranged in a round shape, layer-wise, one over the other into a three feet deep dug out trench, by Chachu himself with the help of Chachi Bhagwati, in the backyard garden and the material was kept in the center, in a packed and securely wrapped earthen pot. Then the fire was lit by pouring some desi ghee in the cow dung so arranged in the shape of a pyramid. The mixture of various rare medicinal ingredients including gold, silver, mercury, pearls and few other necessarily required supporting elements, was thus made (Samput) until it reached at a required temperature. We the children also used to sit till late night, making round balls 'matras' of such final preparations.
Chachu was also very particular about the cleanliness of the area in and around the Ladori House. Whenever he found that the track outside the main door was full of wild growth and garbage, he would pick up shawl and spade himself and clear the wild growth on both the sides of the tracks leading to Manjhol House from Hattian (Market). He would also instruct all of us to ensure proper drainage is made along the track for easy outflow of rain water.
He was also very fond of growing vegetables in the kitchen garden and would suggest us growing seasonal vegetables and fruits in the backyard kitchen garden instead of loitering around aimlessly in the village. Many times Chachu brought standard packeted seeds of different vegetables from Nurpur and sowed these seeds by scattering in the Lahri garden himself by digging and preparing the kyaries. We helped him watering the fields. Every day morning we would go and see the seeds turning into baby plants!
No, Chachu was not 'Khadus' as most people used to say! He was a learned, jyotishacharya, sahityacharya and prakand karamkandi vidhwaan of those times. Being 'Antermukhi', he used to talk 'to the point'. He used to visit Ladori home on every week end without fail. I am talking about the times of early 1950s. Perhaps it was because of Dadi's instructions that he should come home on every Saturday. On the other hand, Chachu also had an attachment with the then family members and children and that is why, he could not resist for not coming home regularly. As in those days, we did not have any furniture at home except for a lone iron chair, that too with one of its twisted legs, which was considered unsafe for use. Every one had to sit either on a cot or on the mats spread out on each veranda and in the rooms! At home, when in a jovial mood, Chachu would usually sing his self- written melodious shastriya songs which attracted the attention of all present in the house. While he sang, he was appreciated by one and all, though silently! At times, when in a pensive mood, sitting on the mat against the wall in the veranda, in an awkward position, with eyes closed, making funny facial postures of his mouth, totally unaware of the presence of onlookers, who were compelled to burst into laughter!
In the year 1956-57, I was sent to Nurpur by Dadi where I was admitted in 6th class in Govt, High School, Nurpur, though against my wishes. I was not at all happy going to Nurpur, leaving behind my Ladori friends, but no one listened to me. When I reached Nurpur, Chachu-Chachi both were used to live in a thatched mud roof house which was, perhaps abandoned by its owner years ago, in Rampuri Mohalla, Nurpur. Prior to shifting to this house, they used to live in Master Tula Ram's house situated opposite 'Kohlu Walon ki Dukan' on the main bazaar road and by the side of a short-cut going down to Dhakki Bus Stand. Since I have had a faint remembrance about that house, I am not in a position to explain about the house except a big wooden staircase inside the house was used to go to in our rooms at the first floor. Sometime later Master Tula Ram served as Headmaster in Snatan Dharam High School, Ladori. After having shifted from Tula Ram's house, Chachu took this independent abandoned house on rent in Rampuri Mohalla, situated at a narrow and steep street adjoining an old dry Talaab, which is now being used as a community ground, where today Chachu Ishwer Chander's house 'Pragaya Nivas' stands.
First May 1957. It was my first day in Nurpur School. My school is located in a beautiful, artistic, majestic and environs of full of romance inside the historical and world famous ruins of Nurpur (Dhameri) Fort. It was a beautiful morning with cool breeze coming down from the north-eastern mountainous horizon overlooking Nurpur Town. The first period was Sanskrit and Drawing. Out of 60 students in the class 6th, 50 were to go for Chachu's Sanskrit period and rest ten were to go to the senior wing of the school for attending drawing period.
Since I had a deep interested in 'Drawing' all through my early life, I wanted to learn drawing first, at least up to matriculation. I had also planned and wanted to take 'science subject' as one of the main subjects but Chachu never allowed to do so. Earlier, too, Chachu did not allow any of my seniors to take subjects other than Sanskrit and Hindi. They included Chachu Subhash and Som Dutt, Bhai Ram Rattan, Rajpal and Raju Bhai. But I decided to take 'drawing' as an optional subject but was not allowed by Chachu who became very annoyed on me as to why I did not come to his Sanskrit period and chose to go to drawing period without his consultation, knowledge and permission?
Chachu used to take maximum Sanskrit and Hindi periods of the school though there was one more Shastri Teacher, Shri Jagan Nath Shastri in the school. Same day evening, at home, I was called by Chachu shouting and it was finally decided that I would 'take' Sanskrit as an optional subject and not drawing. I was not at all happy and stood before Chachu with my head down, listening to his rebukes. Then Chachu shouted again and said, 'Bahar nikal Badmaash'! When I got out of Chachu's room, I stared at him angrily, thumping my feet and murmuring, 'I hate Sanskrit! Had I been allowed to study 'Drawing' from the beginning, who knows, I would have had found my way to a bright future either in architecture or fine arts!
In this way I became regular student of Chachu both for Sanskrit and Hindi until matriculation. After a period of about two years, now that I was in 8th class and was in the process of growing, biological changes in me could easily be noticed, mainly being the height, the quality of voice and soft hair showing up on my face. In the past two years, a great change was seen occurring in my way of life and at the same time I began to feel a sense of responsibility and gradual involvement in the school scouts, NCC, games and sports and recreational activities.
But, by nature, Chachu never seemed outwardly happy with me and he never talked to me directly until otherwise there was an emergency. Why because, generally I was a below average student ever since of my schooling. I had slowly developed a sense of dislike and even hatred towards studies. Whenever I was given a sum, not to talk of solving it, I ended up standing on the bench for rest of the period! Mathematics was a subject for me, due to fear of which, my both mental and physical growth had badly been affected. Only due to this unforeseen and ambiguous fear of plus, minus and into, I was compelled to hatch a conspiracy for duplicating the signatures of Chachu on the answer sheets of weekly mathematics unit test paper where i never crossed from zero to 5 marks at the most. Hardly two months had been passed with this practice, when the whole picture became clear when the Mathematics teacher had a talk with Chachu in the staff room regarding my poor performance in mathematics. Chachu told the Math teacher that he had never signed such an answer sheet of Amrit Lal ever!
I was in 7th class when Ihad been doing this type of blunder. Next day, I was summoned by the Math teacher Shri Hans Raj Sharma who was considered very strict and hard-hearted. He had such a charisma that he had created a fearsome and frightening atmosphere in the whole school. He asked for an explanation in the voice that I had never heard before. Since I had nothing to say, it could be anybody's guess that what might have had happened to me then!
The fault was all mine. Certainly, I had made Chachu annoyed due to my stupidity of duplicating his signatures on the answer sheets of weekly mathematics unit tests taken by Shari Hans Raj, our Mathematics Teacher where I had obtained either a big zero or marks less than five! On this, Chachu had declared me as 'Badmaash No.1'! But still, I was always sure that Chachu had a soft corner for me inside. Though the things were used to be conveyed to me through Chachi at home, I was sure that Chachu definitely wanted me to talk to him every now and then, but I could not do so always due to my boyish hesitation and his egoistic attitude!
Chachu Chakkardhari's pen picture would be incomplete if I do not talk about Chachi Bhagwati. Chachi Bhagwati was a 'Bhagwati' in the true sense of her name who never let her husband exert a little for any kind of work, big or small, at home and served him heart and soul during his life time. She loved everyone heartly. She lived at Nurpur with her two sons Brijesh and Gopi. Brijesh looks after shakti printing press while Gopi is an engineer in a PSU. I being her third son, loved and respected her most as she took all the responsibilities of my early life, my early education and brought up me to be able to get some job in order to earn living.
I lived with her at Nurpur for a period of five years and she gave me all that was needed and took care of my all daily needs being a school boy until I completed my matriculation in the year 1961. Chachi Bhagwati was not less than my real Amma who showered on me her love without any prejudice. Bent like bow from waist upwards, she felt energetic enough and did not tire even by taking all the responsibilities on her ageing shoulders. Crackling sound of her wooden slippers (Kharaon) while doing daily chores from five in the morning till eleven at night continuously, did not disturb anyone at all! My mother-like who taught me many things and filled my life with all good moral ethics, is indeed unforgettable in my rest of the life! I miss you Maa!
Tall, slim, handsome, fair complexioned, suited-booted, well dressed, hair stylist, Bollywood-aspirant, chain smoker of Passing Show English Brand Cigarettes, close friend of Chachu Chakkardhari Shastri, Shri Shailander Singh Guleria, BABT, descendant of Guler Kindom's Royal Family, was our School English Teacher and NCC Officer. When I was in 8th class, he recruited me in school NCC and later also appointed me as a NCC Squad Champion based on my performance in 'Drill', command & control and delivery of 'cautions' on parade. He had special concern for me as I was one of the most familiars in the school for an extra curricular activities. Leave aside other academic subjects, as I was not bad in English, and that he was kind enough on me.
I had also been participating in village Ram Lila and variety shows every now and then where I played important roles and different acts staged by Village New Vishnu Dramatic Club and learned about the knack of speaking before the audience.. I became one of the sought after young stage performers and was considered as an important part of the Club's Executive Body when, ( Quite some time later, I played Laxman for three consecutive years in 1975, 1976 and 1977 on public demand). During this period I was also chosen unanimously, a member of Nurpur School Recreational Committee that organized weekly recreational programs on each Saturday where I used to manage and participate on stage while performing various one man acts. I was mostly admired for my titbits on stage.
Chachu being one among thousands of select Karamkandi brahmins, pandits, poets, writers, jyotishacharayas, sahityacharyas and homeopaths, his charisma was worth admiring during his life time. Well built, fair complexioned with a charming persona, he was in demand always. Dressed in closed high neck serge coat, pinkish safa, forehead smeared in yellow chandan, Chooridars, branded multi color Canvas Shoes with Charri dangling in hand in winters, he was indeed one among the best dressed men in town. In summers, he would prefer pristine white malmal kurta-dhoti with matching cool half sleeve jacket, brisk and composed walk with his choicest hand made pure leather knitted Chamba Chapple and of course Charri in hand as always, were his usual seasonal dress codes. Though he had a new Raleigh Bicycle, considered to be a proud possession in those days of 50s, he mainly used it for his weekend visits to Village Ladori!
He always preferred to walk up and down to school from Rampuri Mohalla to the school situated inside the Nurpur Fort boundary wall, every morning, during lunch hour and at the time of final closing down the school in the afternoon. Thus, he would travel about three and a half kilometers everyday which definitely helped him keep physically fit and sturdy. While walking to and from the school, Chachu would meet people at way side, exchange salutation, talk to them, on matters of mutual interest. Sometimes, when in a hurry either to reach school or home, he would just through a smile at, or simply raise his finger or give a head nod in return of the compliments and postpone the talk for next time. Though, being an introvert type of a person, he would not hesitate to talk to a person, in detail, whether known or unknown.
Year 1959, 8th class. Chachu used to sit at the far end of the large and sprawling ancient fort's veranda with a row of huge round concrete pillars, of Junior block of the school in summers. In winters, he would choose a sunny and hiding place beside the temple ruins in an open area. He would hardly visit different class rooms for attending his periods except on rainy or stormy days. Instead, the particular class would come to him in a 'Q' where he would be camping in the open. Due to Chachu's adamant attitude, most of the staff were generally seen unhappy with him on the plea that Panditji was an egoistic person.
In June 1944, Chachu was posted to District Board High School, Nurpur from Rihlu. After having served for 23 years at Nurpur school, in the year 1967, he was got transferred to Dalash, in Kullu, in deep Himachal Pradesh under mysterious circumstances, which was considered to be a punishment posting done by a group of naughty people within and outside Nurpur school. As a result, Chachu had to fight a long battle before he was once again transferred back to Nurpur school because of unseen loopholes left out by the conspirators. In fact \at the first place, it all happened as a result of Chachu's rigid attitudinal stand, arrogant temperament and lesser social mix up. When Chachu took classes in the open, students used to sit on the floor mat in a semi circle before him. In Chachu's class, there was a practice that in the beginning of the period, meanings of some of the select difficult words from the lesson learnt a day before, were asked. Those who could not answer correctly, would remain standing and the one who answered correctly, would be asked to serve two 'slaps' to all those who failed.
My personal relations with Chachu were generally sour all the way, and were never evidently sweet except once when he gave me a loud smile, though under compelling circumstances, and won my heart! The incidence, in detail, will come up in my coming posts. Chachu, being discreetly known among the school children as a 'CID', had virtually some 'Khabris' from junior classes. They were put to work by him to dig out information about the so called misdeeds of some select popular students like me. I being known among many of the school girls, Chachu had doubts about me and had branded me as 'Badmash'!
What actually had been the practice for class punishment by the class teachers in those days in the schools, that when a student who answered the 'meaning' of a select word correctly, was asked to serve two forceful slaps to those who failed, except the girl students. In primary schools too, the same practice was there. The only difference was that when a boy serving slaps, he would first grip his nose with the left hand and then slap with right hand!
So far I was concerned, many a times, I answered correctly but double the times I failed, and almost remained fear-stricken in the class. When the boy serving slaps would reach me, Chachu would ask him, "Iss Badmash ko chaar laga"! and this practice went on for quite some time. Though, it was not always that I did not answer correctly, there were times when I answered boldly with full confidence! I, however, had to undergo extra punishment being given to me by the teacher for no fault of mine. But it was more than enough then, and I had finally thought at the back of my mind, what was to be done, to 'stop' this nuisance for ever!
Next day during Hindi period, when Sushil, one of the so called intelligent boys in the class, who was of a short stature, came serving two slaps to each one, reached me and looked back at the teacher in utter confusion?#$@ Chachu said, "Chaar". When Sushil slapped me twice and was about to hit next one, I acted sharply at the blink of an eye, and hit him hard with my right hand instead! To his most unexpected and terrible surprise, Sushil lost his balance and fell back on Chachu's table behind. As a result, red ink from the open inkpot kept on the table, spilled and spread over the table with few stray droplets fell on his white clothes! What would have had been Chachu's reaction then, it was anybody's guess! I was taken to task by him then and there and was made Murga for the rest of the period!
Next day, I found myself fallen deep down in guilty conscience. My best class mate Harbans Singh Katoch who is from Nagni, came forward in my rescue and advised me to beg pardon from Guruji at home for the blunder committed by me in the class in his presence. I mentally prepared myself at night and first I took Chachiji into confidence. I told her about what had happened in the school, the other day and that I wanted to say sorry to Chachu. In turn, Chachi spoke to Chachu. When Chachu was sitting on the floor looking at the news paper, in his room, I went near him with my head down, touched his feet and begged for pardon! Chachu kept quiet but looked softly at me. My friend Harbans Singh Katoch is now a retired senior army officer! The story by me, 'A Collapsed Dream' about our school friendship, is worth a reading material!
The year 1960, 9th class. A circular was received by the school which said that a state level speech competition was being organized by All India Radio, Jalandhar at SD College, Dharamshala in the first week of July 1960. Each High School of Himachal Pradesh was directed to depute two students to take part in the 'Speech Competition'. The subject matter of the speech was 'Merits and demerits of living in the School Boarding House'. One student would speak on Merits while other on Demerits. Chachu being the In charge of School Recreation Committee, was asked by the Principal to select two such students who could do better in the competition. Names of Satish and Sushil were recommended by Chachu being the 'Intelligent' students of 9th class.
But, English Teacher and Deputy Principal Shri Shailender Singh Guleria was of a different opinion and politely requested Shri Chakkardhari Shastri to reconsider his decision for nominating Satish and Sushil, purely on the basis of academic grounds, who totally lacked public speaking experience and unknown about the stage performances. He suggested to Panditji my name and pleaded for me, keeping in view my regular performance on stage and participation in routine extra curricular activities in the school and further requested Pandit Chakkardhari Shastri to re-consider his decision and nominate Amrit Lal in place of one of the two. But, Panditji was not prepared to nominate me as, according to him, I was nothing for good fellow in his eyes. But, the Deputy Principal further stressed upon Panditji that he was pretty sure that Amrit Lal would definitely do better than those two nominated by you. After consultations with the Principal, name of Sushil was dropped and myself and Satish were finally earmarked. I was to speak on Merits and Satish on Demerits as per the script prepared by the school faculty.
On the advice of English Teacher Guleria to me only, I rigorously practiced delivery of speech both at the high and low pitch, by going downhill for many days, to a lonely and tranquil area of Nurpur JabBar khad via Dhaki bus Stop, and spoke before the Rocks, stones, waters, trees and the grazing cattle time and again. By doing so, I learned the script by heart and also smoothened my throat and the voice.
On June 30, both myself and Satish were escorted by Shri Raghubir Singh, our Social Studies Teacher, from Nurpur to Dharamshala by bus. The same evening, we were taken to SD College Campus to locate the venue of the 'Speech Competition'. There were already lots of outstation students gathered there in order to identify the location. I had left no efforts in order to look good! I had no doubts about my presentation with spotless wide moori, finally creased two 'Lathe ka Pajamas' , two new check shirts with large collars. Blue & White new Bata V Chappals, was not less than any luxury footwear for me! Above all, my dense black curly and puffy hair was enough to envy anyone around!
Hundreds of students from all over the state have had gathered at the venue. On 1st July 1960, first screening of the participants was held. Satish, my colleague was screened out from the competition in the very first day and was sent back to Nurpur. There were several sessions of screening in the following days. I managed to retain myself until the last six competitors when the final competition among the six competitors began on 3rd Jul 1960 and the final day. All the competitors spoke on dais by reading the script while I spoke from the very first day without the script or any help though, a copy of the script was handy with the three judges, sitting in front row. I spoke rhythmically...and spoke extempore and won first position in my section of 'Merits' while Miss Rakesh Bala, daughter of a senior Police Officer stood first in her section of 'Demrits'!
News of my victory went down to Nurpur like a lightning flash, as soon as the result was declared by the AIR Team. Since schools were to be closed for two months summer vacation, the broadcasting of the speech on AIR was scheduled in the first week of Sep 60. Two months later my and Miss Rakesh Bala's speech was heard in the school grounds on a Murphy Radio placed prominently, with an operator, on the day of its broadcast, in a school function organized on a grand scale. The function began after unfurling of the National Flag by the Ex-Raja of the then Nurpur Kingdom
Children and faculties of all the schools in the town, dignitaries from various institutions and government departments, senior citizens and parents were present. Laden with fresh flower garlands, I was made to sit between Ex-Raja and the School Principal, on the specially erected dais, for that, as they said, that I had made School, Town and the District proud! I was overwhelmed and choked to hear my name several times in opening and closing addresses to the gathering! Chachu was the member of the organizing committee. Though Chachu did not give me a pat on my back but his body language and intermittent loud smiles at me, said all that he was the only person in the huge gathering who was very happy and seen visibly emotional, for a boy who had made him proud. it was all that I wanted from my Chachu!
Both Chachu-Chachi were very fond of keeping milch animal, especially a native cow at home, in order to have supply of plenty of fresh and pure milk. At the same time, they were fully aware about all the connected day-to-day chores with animal keeping and daily arrangements for supply of fodder and feed, cleanliness, bathing of animals in summer and the Vet advice.
Once, in the early morning, a person known to Chachu who was a resident of Village Janera, came home to meet him and showing the kundli of his son who was a student of 5th class in Nurpur School. After finishing their talks, Chachu casually asked him if he could arrange some Tura (Pho) that was needed for our cow. The man smiled and submitted with folded hands saying that he had already sold out excess Pho and now what they have, was only for their own consumption. However, at the same time he assured Chachu that he could spare around a quintal of Pho, as a complementary gift for your cow. But the problem was that how you could bring it home?
I was sitting on a cot inside my independent room, with an open book kept in front, pretending as if reading! Actually, at the back of my mind, I was planning as to how to arrange 'four annas' by that evening and to see the picture of 'Raja Harish Chander' in the open air theatre at Chaugaan by playing truant from home as ever!
Chachu was talking to a visitor in the courtyard regarding getting some Pho (Tura) from him. Out of curiosity, I came out of the room and stood at the door and overheard them talking. I had got the point. I interrupted and volunteered myself and told Chachu that I would go to Janera and bring Pho myself. Chachu was gladdened to hear my suggestion!
Next day, it was Sunday. I got up early in the morning, put on my khaki nikkar, tied an angocha around my head and walked out of the house hurriedly, tying laces of my brown PT shoes, and set out for Village Janera adventurously, on foot. The village is situated on the high ground, opposite Nurpur Head Water Works at Leteria-da-Soota, on the west side, across the Jabbar Khad.
To negotiate the kuchha winding up and downhill cattle track (pag-dandi) from Jabbar Khad, that led to Village Janera, all through the dense bushy forest, was quite a risky and tiresome exercise, but still more difficult and dangerous while carrying a bulky and swollen load like trangadi of Pho, on the head!
On reaching at his 'Dudhaar', a makeshift mud hut erected in a corner of his fields under the grove of mango trees, at the 'Khalara ', a place where husk is removed from the grains by a pair of oxen moving round & round over the heap of wheat crop and dragging behind a bulky thatched platform in order to crush the crop for separating the grains from the husk.
On reaching at Khalara, the Kissan gave me his 'Trangadi' (jute mesh) and also helped in packing securely, a moderate quantity of the Pho. Like this, I accomplished the job in three consecutive days and brought home, more than a quintal and a half, of Pho!
With narrow, wet, snake winding and slippery streets, Rampuri
Mohalla of Nurpur Town, is situated atop a pyramid type high landscape. A
better part of my early life was spent here where I learnt all good habits and
of course little of bad ones too! Here I learnt to respect elders, help
friends, worked hard and accomplished household chores honestly! On the other
hand, in order to fulfil self- motives, small time thefts of eatables from the
kitchen and one or two coins from Chachu’s pocket, telling lies and shirk
works, at times, were some of the day-to-day activities of my early boyhood!
Mohalle mein ek Taalab, sookha sa, kahin
paani, kahi sookha. Back wall of my room
emerged direct from the north boundary wall of this Taalab. The Taalab was
almost ten feet below from my room’s floor level. There were two windows on
this back wall with few rusty sarias fitted diagonally with no wooden support
in the middle. My room had a tin sheet roof. The room’s entrance opening was in
the main house courtyard. I lived in this room for five long years along with
other boy named Harbans Lal, brother of Chachi Bhagwati. He was also studying
in Nurpur School. Since he was not at all a co-operative fellow, we were not in
good terms with each other. Though, we
lived in this room together all these years, we never talked to each other till
we left apart after schooling! To be more precise about the situation of this
room, I may mention here that it was rightly situated at the place, where
today’s ‘Pragya Sadan’ stands!
I
learned all the good or bad things while living in this room! I was quite sure that I was truly obedient at
heart and faithful, both to Chachi-Chachu and never let them down. I never
brought home complaints ever. They had full belief in me. Because of my village
background and shy type of nature, I was generally known around in the
neighbourhood as ‘not too bad a boy!
Chachi-Chachu
being so good due to their general behaviour and relations in the Rampuri,
their goodness, aura and charisma was worth the praise. I was a regular visitor
of one of the business families of traders and cloth merchants, next to our
door. Shri Som Dutt Thapra and his wife had once requested Chachi that, if
Amrit Lal could be made ‘Mama’ of their children as Mrs Som Dutt had no
brother. On being okay by the Chachi, on the occasion of Mundan Ceremony of
their son Ashok, I was asked to play the role of a ‘Mama’. Ever since then, I
became one of their family members!
On the Mundan Ceremony, I received 11 rupees
in all, apart from lots of love, sweets, fruits and costly clothes, shoes with socks, towel and number of hankies, from their
different family members. The next day, I bought for me a new ‘Banyan’ too for
rupee one from the market. From then on, I always kept upper buttons of my
shirt open in order to show off my luxury possession! But on the other hand, I
was not a boy of any exception. I was also not totally unspoiled. Due to ever increasing
childish demands for acquiring or getting things somehow, that were always beyond easy approach,
ways out to satisfy the greed of money and material, had to be explored, by
hook or crook!
As an idiom says, ‘Money
makes the Mare go’ or for that matter, ‘Daam Banaye Kaam’, every one required a bit of extra money in order to get
what they wanted. It is said that the childhood demands are astronomical, vast and unexpected!
Children require more of everything. So, did I. To get what I wanted to eat in
school during recess, cunningly, I had always been in the look, out of an opportune ‘time’ preferably Chachu's prayer time in the morning, to put my hand in
to the pocket of his kurta or coat hanged on the wall searching for at least a coin of ‘Chavanni or Athanni’, not
more, I swear!
If I could feel and caught hold of a ‘Chavanni’ in the pocket, at that time of hurry- worry, that would
serve my purpose to watch a ‘picture’, sitting flatly on the ground in open air theatre, from Raat 12 baje se 3 ka show, were some of my happiest moments of my childhood! At around 11.30 at night, but with a guilty conscience, I would prepare myself finally, to slip out, between and through the ‘weak iron rods’ of an old window, quickly jump down at Taalab side, look around, and then ran fast on my toes, reach Caugaan. On nearing 'The End' of the film, ran double the fast back
home, before the audience of of Rampuri, climb up the outer wall of my room from Taalab side like batman, enter the room and pretend to sleep, lest Chachi woke up at 4! Myself and Harbans, brother of my Chachi, were never in good terms for all those years, but we had our own secrets!
Chachi used to keep lot of 'Chiller' in a small old trunk in her Puja Room, which was never locked. She had an empty ‘Blue Dibbi’, packing of blue ink tablets used
by the students. This ‘Dibbi’ was always full of ‘Chiller’, from where Chachi
used to give me money while sending me to bazar for purchase of sabji and grocery. One
day, Chachi caught me red handed when I was trying to open the Dibbi in a
hurry. But when Chachi suddenly appeared before me, I could not understand what
to do and the Dibbi fell down on the floor from my trembling hands, scattering the
chiller all around!
Chachi did not say anything to me but I felt ashamed of
what I was trying to do and went out of the room! She collected the Chiller and
kept the Dibbi the same way in the trunk. Then she called me and gave me an ‘Athanni’! She also told me sternly that she would give me an
‘Athanni’ twice a week but on the condition that I would never steal again! Believe it or not, uske baad maine chori karna chor dia. Aisi thi meri Chachi Bhagwati!
After having met Swamy Muktanandji Maharaj at Saraswati Dham at Pathankot, Chachu developed an interest in recalling of souls of the dead. Swamyji was a staunch follower and preacher of Arya Samaj but he used to showcase his 'knowhow' about recalling the souls and spoke to them and took their opinion on matters of common interest, and also sought-after ways and means of remedial measures for escaping from impending evils.
To know about how souls were recalled, Chachu went to the Swamyji's ashram. Swamiji used a piece of fine wood plate of the size of 8x8 inch, cut in to an oval and then finished it like a 'Paan ka Patta' shape with two glass balls fixed beneath the wooden legs, at either side, that worked as wheels, for smooth movement on the white paper placed on the floor, and a pencil securely fixed through a hole at its tip is called 'The Planchat'.
Two young boys would sit face to face placing their hands smoothly on the 'Planchat'. Then Chachu would meditate for a minute with closed eyes and recall the soul of the person already decided. In a short while, the boys would feel vibration in the Planchat and at the same time, it would start moving on the paper, back and forth, and start writing on the paper something that Chachu could only read.
I had also been the part of this practice myself once when the souls of our Dadaji and Bhai Ram were recalled. It was really astonishing to know that these souls replied correctly each and every question asked. However, there were occasions when answer did not tally with the question asked!
In the year 1981, Smt. Amriteshwar, Editor and Founder of 'Surya India' and mother-in-law of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's elder son Sanjay Gandhi, called Chachu at her residence and wanted to know all about the 'recalling of the souls'! Using his 'Sankalp Shakti', Chachu practically recalled the soul of one of her dear departed ones, without knowing any details prior recalling except the relation. The soul 'wrote' his name on the paper with greetings. Smt. Amriteshwar was impressed! Following this, apart from discussion on the subject matter, Chachu wrote a detailed write-up for Surya India, which was published in their magazine with all praise for him!
Akhil Bhartya Sankirtan Sammelan was held near Nighambodh Ghat, Delhi. Chachu
Chakkardhari Shastri, Sahytyacharya also attended the Sammelan and discussed the subject matter relating to
‘Parlok Vidya’ with Swamy Karpatri Ji at Krishnabodhashram. Swamy Karpatri Ji’s
magazine 'Sidhant' relating to Parlok Vidya, was being published from Mumbai.
Chachu shared his experiences with Shri Sadashiv Phadke, the writer of Sidhant, a resident of Colaba, Mumbai, through
exchange of protracted correspondence, who was quite impressed with Chachu's view point and made him the member of Theosophical Society of India'!
On the repeated requests of
Shri Virender Ji, Founder of Dainik Vir Pratap, Chachu wrote 15 episodes continuously on ‘Parlok Vidya’ in the Daily Vir Pratap. This write-up was very
interesting and full of astonishment, thrill and amazement. Bakshi Sita Ram, Advocate
General, Shimla wrote many letters to Chachu enquiring on this ‘Vidya’. Chachu
assured him of giving detailed knowledge of Parlok Vidya and therefore, introduced him to Shri Krishan
Fhadke of Dhoot Papeshwar Farmacy of Mumbai, who was a person of proficiency, influence and of course a 'Maharathi' in ‘Parlok Vidya’!
Among other relatives then living in Pathankot, Shri Dhanpat Rai and family was one of them who had a Photo
Studio by the name of ‘Love & Co’ in Dalhousie Road, Pathankot. The family
had three daughters and were very deeply aspiring for a son. Though daughters are no less than sons in any field of life, but still in Indian society, boys are given preference, rather more undue preference, over girls. So, once, while in
Pathankot, Chachu happened to visit Love & Co Studio in Dalhousie Road, and meet Shri Dhanpat Rai at his studio who, in turn, after having finished their meeting, requested Chachu, by the way, to see if something could be done to please the gods to bless them with a son!
Dhanpat Rai's submission was reminding Chachu time and again and compelled him to think deeply over the request of his relative and find out any suitable solution. Then he thought of 'Planchat Prayog' by which he came to know that one could be blessed with a son if '111 Rudrashtdhyee Yajurved Paath' is accomplished successfully strictly according to laid down procedure and rituals! After having
discussed the matter with Shri Dhanpat Rai, both Chachu Chakkardhari and Ishwar
Chander commenced the ‘Jap Paath’ at Nurpur. During the Paath, Chachu
Chakkardhari thought of recalling the soul of Dadaji for consultation, if the
Paath was being done perfectly.
Dadaji’s soul was recalled which warned Chachu Chakkardhari that the
Jap Paath being done by Bhau (Ishwer) was correct whereas Paath being done by you, was not proper
and was not going to bring fruitful results as desired! Immediately, Chachu stopped the Jap Paath from
the scriptures he had. Next day he went to the market and brought the old edition of the book. He observed that two most important
‘Shalokas’ were missing in the new edition! Then Chachu began the Jap Paath all
over again day and night in order to catch up with Chachu Ishwer and the Paath was completed by both of them successfully. After one and a half years later, Shri Dhanpat Rai and family was
blessed with a son! I had been to Love & Co Studio at several occasions when I was a stupid young village school boy who always insisted and asked them to 'Khich meri fotu'!
In the year
1974, Chachu had a special occasion when he got the privilege of meeting Swamy
Gangeshwra Nandji Udaseen at Brindavan. Since Swamyji had great trust, belief and blind faith in Chachu's intellect and capabilities, he finally decided to gift a hefty volumes of ‘ The Four
Vedas’ i.e. Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda for their safeguard and to install them in a holy public place for the enlightenment of the local people. These Vedas were brought to Nurpur by Chachu and after due welcome, worship and
fanfare, these were enthroned honorably in a sacred room of Sanatan Dharam Sabha,
Nurpur. However, after few years, it was noticed by many that care, cleanliness, regular, timely worship and upkeep of the Holy Vedas was not satisfactory.
Later on, it was decided by
Chachu, in consultation with some select followers of Sanatan Dharam, that these
Vedas should be kept at a place that was considered most pious, easy approachable and suitable. After having decided a final place, these Vedas were taken out from Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Nurpur by Chachu and others with due respect, and
were gracefully handed over to Capt Sikander Lal Sharma who belonged to the Gaytri Privaar
of Hridwar. These Four Vedas can still
be seen preserved safe and sound with due and constant care, in Gaytri Anusandhaan Kendra, Haridwar!
His love for Wanke Behari and Radha Rani attracted him to visit Brindavan Dham each yea during Jul-Augr. He visited Brindaban continuously for forty years since 1948. He used to stay at Anupyati Ashram of Swami Swaroopa Nandji Maharaj. He used to sleep on the floor of his room and truly devote himself in the worship of Wanke Bihari, singing religious bhajans, writing, Krishan bhakti and attending various religious functions conducted in the ashram. He remained almost busy in 'Jap-Tap' and composing poems, when he was at leisure!
In the year of 1951-52, when I was in Ladori Primary, a topic
‘was on’ in the house which was, seriously and deliberately discussed, at
times, by our forefathers sitting around the Manjhol Kutumb’s angithi in the
evening. Dadi usually seemed very much worried and disturbed about my future,
especially the schooling up to matric. Why up to matric? because none had
slightest of an idea to send their children to college in those days! Dadi
always used to say while sniffing ‘Naswaar’ and at the same time, wiping her
nose upwards with a piece of waste cloth, “Iss chutte da ke bnga, bilkul ni
parda, saara din aawaragardi karda h” ! Chakkre (Chakkardhari) ki kai baari
bolia issi Nurpure ki layeya kne uthe-e prah par ow sunda-e ni’!
But Chachu had
a different thought or yet undecided opinion about me. Actually, he wanted to
send me to a Gurukul either in Kurukshetra or Nilokheri! Among the members, some
were agreed some were not. So far Dadi was concerned, she only wanted me to
send to Nurpur only and not far from home for an indefinite period of time.
Thus, Chachu’s idea could not reach to its final fruitful conclusions. Hence,
the matter was closed once for all!
Sometimes, now
and then, I feel elated even on the thought of
I wish, If I were an
Ex-Gurukulian! May be I would have had
become one of the ‘Greats’ in saffron, after having been totally transformed an
individual, with my forehead smeared in ‘Chandan’ and showcasing of Rudraksh
malas, being popular preacher or katha vachak, spiritual Sanskrit writer instead
of English that I generally try to do today!
In the month of August 1957, when Chachu was in Vrindavan Dham, his Guru
Maharaj Swamy Akhandanandji Saraswati asked him to be ready and mentally prepared to accomplish '12 Lakh ka Jap-Paath' of 'Klin Sammohan mantra' or 'Kaam Beej' strictly according to the laid down procedures, rituals and conditions, as prescribed in the holy book titled, 'Kram Dipika, Sanskrit Krishnatattvatmak Vaishnav Granth' , written by Shri Keshav Kashmiri Bhatt and published by Chaukhamba Series, Kashi and as a result, see what would be in store for you! But before that, you must arrange a copy of this holy Granth, which was very rarely available in the open market. However, Chachu successfully procured a copy of this book as desired by his Guruji. Chachu assured his Guruji and completed 12 Lakh Jap with its final 'Anushthaan'!
It is said that, 'miracles do happen'! Soon after the completion of 12 Lakh Klin Sammohan Jap, Chachu was blessed and rewarded, in return by the gods instantly! He was collectively and unanimously chosen and privileged to 'Head' the 'Reception Committee' to receive Dr. S Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India and the central cabinet ministers, at Vrindavan Dham on the pious occasion of the ‘Sampooran Aahuti of the Havan Jagya that was accomplished and solemnized on the eve of
opening ceremony of a newly built up Shri Krishna Temple and a \Yogshala at Vrindavan Dham!
It was only in Vrindavan when Pandit Chakkardhari Shastri Sahytyacharya, had an opportunity of personally greeting the then Vice President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and to read out, from the dais, 'Abhinandanam', composed by him in Sanskrit in the honor of the Vice President of India! Shri Bhim Sen Sachhar, Governor of Orissa, Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda, Central Home Minister, Shri BN Datar, Minister of State for Home, Brij Lal Nehru, Smt. Rameshwari Nehru, were also present.
Apart from these dignitaries, presence of select sadhus like Shankeracharyas , Mahamandaleshwers and other luminaries of sadhu smaj graced the occasion. Swamy Keshva Nand, disciple of Swamy Swroopa Nandji Maharaj and elder son of Pandit Ramdas of Village Ladori, was also present. A sum of Rs. 1500 collected by Chachu was donated by him for the Havan Jagya.
It was again his love for Wanke Behari that he transformed Shrimad Bhagwat Gita into Dogri dialect for which he was awarded Rs. 500 by Lalit Kala Academy, Jammu against part of publication expenditure. 'Ras Chandrika', depicting both 'Maulik or basic needs and Shringar Ras', and other book titled 'Dada Nurpuri' is a collection of his poems depicting different aspects of human life. After ;publication of this book, Chachu 'Dada Nurpuri' ke naam se mashoor ho gaye!
'Ras Chandrika' and 'Dada Nurpuri', the two books on collection of his select poems have had been liked and appreciated by all young and the old. 'Ras Chandrika' is so nice a book, that it found its way to reach the National Library in Moscow! 'Vatsayana Kama Sutra' is another prestigious granth, that is translated by him in 'Dogri'. Chachu's efforts to translate the reputed granth 'Geet Govindam', in Dogri dialect, and the hard work he put in to produce 'Pahari Shabdkosh', however, remained his unfulfilled dreams!
His passion for writing, led him to start his own printing press at Nurpur. Fortnightly news paper 'Kalapdrum' published at his printing press was widely circulated in Himachal Pradesh. At the time of its launch, 'Kalapdrum' was released by Lala Jagat Narain, founder of Dainik Punjab Kesri on 11 Sep 1979 when a life time dream of Chachu came out to be true. Being well known Sanskrit scholar, poet, writer, singer, homeopath and astrologer of repute, Dada Nurpuri, was known far and wide!
On 28 Fen 1977 Chachu retired from service. His near and dear ones, male-female colleagues threw a tea-party for him. Though, Chachu was not accustomed of such parties, as he was not used to eat out, he showed keen interest this time, and accepted the invitation with pleasure. Phool malaon ke dher lag gaye. On the repeated requests by the members, Chachu recited some of his most heart touching poems and also sung few of his favorite songs! All ladies and gentlemen present could be seen pleasantly unhappy. Some of them started sobbing and some crying! Rote rote vo chup nahi ho rahe thy. At the end of the party, all of them escorted Chachu up to his residence with great respect, regards and fanfare. Then they left with heavy hearts.........feeling sad and weepy!
Early in the morning of 28 Oct 1993, Chachu was in a very happy and jovial mood. Holding grand daughter Brinda in his arms, he did maximum masti being playful with her on his bed, and showered all the love on her as before, but this day, it was quite unusual! After throwing an hasty glance on the news paper, he went to the wash room at about 8.15 AM for taking bath, but did not come out till 8.40! The door was knocked several times, but there was no response. Then the door was forced open and he was brought out by Chachu Ishwer Chander with the help of neighbourer. Though it seemed all over, doctor was called in who declared him 'No More'! Heavens broke loose, gloom engulfed Manjhol Kutumb that drowned deep down into the depths of intense sorrow and grief! Sad news spread out in Nurpur town and beyond like a wild fire!
Chachu used to sing his favorite song when in pensive mood................
'JEEVAN KI MADHUMAI BELA ME, HUM PREET LAGANA BHOOL GAYE!
Shiigr hi Bhau Chachu ki khatti-meethi yaadon ke baare me
likhne ki koshish karunga. Aasha hai aap sab unke Jeevan kaal ke jaane-anjaane
pehluon ko jaankar khush aur bismit honge. Jo kuch bhi mein likh raha hounga, vo meri apni soch-samajh aur sachi ghatnaon par aadharit hai. Unke ya Manjhol Kutumb ke doosre bujurgon ke, vyakttitav ke baare me likhna
mere vash ki baat nahi, phir bhi yeh ek meri choti si koshish hai ki unki kuch
purani yaadon ko mein aapke saath share karun. Aapse ek prarthna hai ki parte
samay Sthanak, Bstu-Sthiti, Sandharav, Lekhak ki Manah-sthiti, Jis Vyakti
Vishesh ke baare me likha ja raha hai, unka vyakttitav, aacharan, vichardhara aur Manah-sthiti ko dhyaan
me rakhkar parah jaaye. Likhe gaye 'Shabdon' ke shaabdik maayno me na uljhen aur kahani ka aanand len! I hope you will find reading
interesting. Toh, turant milte hain! Aapko sirf mere Chachu ke swaagat ke lie Ladori ki rahon me phool bichhane hain.......aur palken bhi!!
SHRI ISHWER CHANDER SHARMA
5 feet 9 inches, well built, handsome with charming, attractive and impressive personality, Chachu Ishwer Chander Sharma Jyotishacharya, youngest among the nine, was educated up to Pragya and Visharad (BA Sanskrit) which is equivalent to 'Shastri'. He received his early and preliminary professional education at home from Dadaji mainly in Karamkand, Paurohitya, Upadhayakrit, Ved-Upnishad, Bhagwat, Ramayan, Religious scriptures and prevailing religious rituals. He was a perfect Kundli and Varshphal maker and also a known matrimonial match maker. He was considered an authority over 'Karamkand' in the region and was known far and wide for his control and hold over all kinds of religious rituals in a way that was appreciated and applauded by general public, select 'Yajmans' and especially by the known Pandits, Vidhwans and Acharyas of his time!
Pandit Ishwer Chander Sharma Jyotishacharya, was the most sought after pandit personality in the region for performing and accomplishing religious rituals strictly as per the laid down procedures and systems according to the 'Karamkand'. The word 'Karamkand' is sourced from the holy Vedas which means the detailed 'Pooja Vidhis' for each and every ceremonious or sad occasion. Chanting of Sanskrit hymns with flawless pronunciation, loud and clear, with or without the help of holy scriptures shows the level of the spiritual knowledge of Chachu Ishwer!
Drawing of the 'Mandap' with the help of atta & haldi powder depicting different types of geometrical and flowery patterns, positioning of 'vasudhara' 'Ganesha' 'nav greh', 'kumb ghat, 'yagya kund', akhand jyoti, Chouki par Thakur Birajmaan, in the Mandap, aromatic havan aamaggri ingredients, mixed with pure ghee, dhoop, deep, naivadya, akshat, chandan, roli, moli, kapoor, pure ghee, doodh, dahi, gangajal, panchamrit, panchmewa, mishthan, narial, aamarpatr, samvida, fruits, phool, tulsidal, durba, amarpatr- bandanbaar, dev- vastra, anaaj, dakshina and Thakur Bhog Prasad. An appropriate comfortable seat for the 'Acharya' facing East, keeping in view 'disha bodh', are some of the foremost preliminary requirements for preparing the 'puja-sthal' for carrying out 'puja vidhis', as advised in the Karamkand section of Vedas and Chachu Ishwer was very well known for his quality of adhering to all these pre- conditions before commencing puja!
Apart from the regular monthly pujas conducted by Chachu, like 'Ekadashi', 'Puranmashi', 'Amavas' where Yajman arranged such Pujas at home, there were still other such occasions where the Kul Paurohit had to perform 'Nav Greh Puja' before each 'Sanskar Function' where the occasion and the cause is self explanatory, like Annprashan, Naamkaran, Mundan, Yagyopavit, Marriage, Birthdays, periodic Satyanarain Katha, Havan Yagya on the fulfilment of any Vidhaan, Anushthaan, Jap or Tap, Bhoomi Pujan, Greh Pravesh, Dev Praan Partishtha in a village temple. During festivities like Holi,Dussehra, Diwai, Lohri and Navratri, community pujan vidhis were also carried out by Chachu Ishwer voluntarily. 'After Life' rituals like 'Vaarshik', 'Chaturvaarshik', and thereafter regular yearly 'Pitrishradhs' of the departed souls are conducted where Chachu's services were considered must within Ladori and the neighboring villages and hamlets!
Since Manjhol Kutumb originally belonged to Village Suliali and later my great grandmother Laxmi alongwith her five years old son Mallhu, migrated to Village Ladori carrying with it, the name 'Manjhol' given to this brahmin family while in Suliali, due to its being located in the middle of the village as middle means 'Manjhla', and being 'Manjhla', the family was called 'Manjhol'. When time came, marriage talks of Phau Chachu were in the air. With the efforts of Dadi Rukmani, Chachu's marriage was fixed with 'Pragya', the most beautiful, shy and innocent village girl, and daughter of Shri Khushi Ram of Village Suliali, keeping in view the background of Manjhol Kutumb's past connection with Village Suliali!
Year 1948. Now, that I was almost under five, and have had started recognizing people around me, I faintly remember Dadu sometimes, used to pat on my cheeks with an affectionate smile, and also used to give me plenty of 'kishmish' in return, which I could hardly hold in my small hands at a time. My very early life's first big family function i.e. 'Phau Chachu's marriage' was drawing nearer day by day!
Well before the marriage ceremony, the entire house was repaired, cleaned, cow dung pasted and white washed with 'Makol and red geru at placec. Doors, windows and intricately carved out wooden pillars and main wooden beams supporting roofs from inside, were painted with different shades and colors of paints. The whole house was decorated with multicolor designer flags pasted on jute strings and tied overhead all the ways leading to and from Manjhol House. Kucha and winding stony track to and from Hattian, was neatly cleaned of wild growth and bushes, widened up and decorated with colorful paper flags. Frequency of visits by neighborhood women both during day and late evenings to Manjhol House had also been increased many folds for doing gidha and singing Ghodiyan!
Relatives have had already arrived Ladori days before the marriage. All the five buas have reached home. Bua
Taro-Nanak, Soma-Daulat, Manglo-Vasudev, Ratno-Bhagwant and Kali-Hans Raj were
present along with their children. All
my buas were well to do and lived happily ever after their marriage. They were all humorous, amusing, witty and full of laughter. They were all story tellers,
singers and all of them were talkative being extrovert in nature. Fufas were also equally jolly type and each others leg pullers! Relatives from Khajjan & Khajjian, Bhangoori, Jawali had also arrived. Behan Prkasho and Jija Perso from Sukhnial had arrived with their pony. The hosts, Puran-Kaushlya, Kisso-Danawati, Udho-Lilo,
Chkra-Bhagwati, all were at the service of the guests making them feel at home and comfortable.
Necessary arrangements like timely food,
sleeping and conveniences were all under the command of Dadi Rukmani.
Lots of other arrangements like firewood for preparing Dham, storage of drinking water, dry rations and condiments, big and small utensils like batlohis, deghs, karatas, buckets, pattals, donas, glasses, mats, furniture, charpoys and extra beds were being made under the command of Dadi. A temporary makeshift kitchen area was erected behind the house in the Lahri. A 2x15x3 feet dug out pit Chullah, called Teen in local pahari dialect, was made for preparation of Himachali Dham under the supervision of Chachu Kisso. Teen thus dug out is cleaned, maintained and finished by mud plastering and finally made ready for preparing food.
Firstly, fire is lit in the 'teen' and 'Agni Devta' is prayed by Panditji and the Head Cook before starting cooking. Large antique brass vessels generally called Batlohi or Baltoi are used for cooking. Before use, these vessels are coated with ash slurry at the bottom of each baltohi to avoid them being blackened from outside. Required quantity of water is filled in them and then kept on the 'teen' and then sufficient firewood is fed underneath them in the teen. They are used for cooking 'Cholian-di-daal, 'Manh-di-daal', 'Moong daal'. All the daals are so cooked that their consistency is kept a bit thick. While 'Cholian-di-daal and 'Moong daal' are prepared in pure ghee, Manh-di-daal' and 'Khatta Mahni' are prepared in plenty of kachi Ghani Sarson oil right from the beginning. That is why this daal is also called 'Telie-Manh' in some parts of Himachal Pradesh!
\ Overnight soaked lobia-dahi- mild condiments-madhra prepared in overflowing pure ghee is so tasty, aromatic and delicious and being the most rare and special dish of Himachali Dham! Again, sugar syrup-kishmish-charmagz-giri-badam- meetha-madra is another attraction to add taste in the dham, which is mostly liked by the young ones. Plain rice is the main item of Dham which is prepared in bulk or in proportion of all kinds of daals and 'Khatta'. ' kaju-badam-pista-yellow-meetha- basmati- bhaat', is considered one of the best ceremonious preparations that is served in the beginning of the meal....
To prepare the most wanted and liked special dish of Himachali Dham, i.e. aamchoor-kala chana-besan -jaggery- 'khatta mahni, in kachi ghani sarson oil, head cook would be extra careful and interested, in order to safeguard his own interests and reputation'. For that, one or two heavy base iron karatas are placed on the 'teen' in which the mahni is prepared in its first few stages, and then left for simmering conveniently on low heat, until a thick layer of 'malai', dotted red with chilly flakes, is formed all over the karata. When boiling hot, sweet-sour-spicy tinge of khatta mahni gives nostrils, a soothing aroma feeling when taken, mixed with silky and creamy 'manh-ki-daal'! Some 'mad lovers' of khatta mahni could be seen sipping it hot, bit-by-bit, by lifting the 'leaf dona' with both their hands and feel romantic tongue twister, hair raising upwards, and eye lids closed for a moment! Last but not the least, in order to keep the sanctity of the cooking area intact, a flour boundary line is drawn to avoid unauthorized trespassing into the cooking area! Bole toh 'Laxman Rekha!
It was Augut, 1948. Marriage day came and final function celebrations began. After 'Ubtan or Haldi' and 'Tel-Saand' functions, Chachu was brought out for taking bath in the middle of our house courtyard surrounded by all the local guests, gharatis and children in their best of attires. After bath, Chachu was given new and special clothes made for the occasion. An achken, embroidered all over with light pinkish in hue, which was brought in from the house of Bhathianwale, Dadi's myka, matched perfectly with chooridar and 'made to order' tilledar jutti, made Chachu look like a Duleh Raja. A light pink safa with glittering silvery Sehra tied around it, made Chachu Dulah of the year! Even today, I vividly remember that my Pitaji took me along in Chachu's baraat to village Suliali for three days. I still remember that there were lot of relatives and local people in the baraat. Women were, however, not allowed to accompany the baarat in those times!
After having finished the 'Tamol and Ghodiyan Session', vivah songs like 'Teri Amma lagaye Tamol ve mein Baari Bannya', Teri Bhabi lagay Tamol ve mein Baari Bany, Mathe te Chamkan Baal Mere Bannade de', 'Sehre thian Larian Hazaar, Mere Bannade de', the baraat left Village Suliali, little before noon. Few ponies also accompanied the baraat for carriage of beddings and other luggage. I was only a small kid in the baraat and almost everyone tried to make fun fondle with me. I was so happy and joyous in accompanying the baraat that I knew no bounds of my happiness. I was, perhaps, like an apple of the eyes of all! Chachu made me sit in his lap on the horse which was so high and sturdy, beautifully decorated with floral sheets, embroidered pads and fresh flower garlands. When the baraat was about to move, more than half of the baaratis were already out of sight, because Duleh Raja's horse would not move without having eaten a bowlful of soaked chana dal!
My Bua Manglo had sewn for me, two pairs of new colorful kurtu-suthnu with her hands, with the help of needle and thread. She had gladly agreed to my humble request to make 'Gumblewala Khisa' (side pockets) in my kurtus! This marriage day, since early morning I had worn my new clothes and got ready for baarat and running around from this 'Pasari to that Pasari (Verandas)! I also wore floral designer printed canvas buttu,(boots) and a dark brown glitter embroidered Gol Topi. A large silken scarf, which Amma had kept in her trunk for years, was tied around my neck. Behan Swarno applied kajal in my eyes and cut my nails. An oversized synthetic multicolor haar, attracted many towards me amazingly!
Six long miles to go under the intimidating, partially overcast sky! Kuchha, winding, stony and uneven track full of many risky ascents and descents in the route going to Village Suliali, was to be negotiated on foot. While Chachu's horse enjoyed soaked chana daal at home, more than half of the baraatis had already left and descended steep down winding stony kuali and reached Chikly Jabbar Khad. From Jabbar Khad, a strenuous steep upward tough walk on uneven rocky track that ends up at a plain area of Charoa hamlet, had to be negotiated.
From Charoa, baraat party had to walk in a straight 'Q' because of a limited three feet wide track available through the crop or ploughed fields, and then reach at a cluster of mud houses at 'Mamuh'. Then comes a small Village 'Gurchali'. Gurchali is known for its centuries old deepest pucca well in Himachal. This well's water can be approached through downstairs that reach up to water level! I had also once been there at the water level when I was in my early twenties! As legend has it that, some say that 'Gith-mithu' humans of the size of hand palm, or for that matter, 'Lillyputs' live in this well!
Immediately after passing through Gurchali, baraat had to enter into a quiet, shady, dark, difficult, ghostly and scary wilderness of a sky high dense chir forest. This stretch of forest area is called 'Chalaun'. After having passed through the Chaloun area somehow, the colorful baraat passed through Kuthera, a small village situated besides the track and then after going through the fields on a narrow track, the baraat reached at 'Makod Jamman', an area which has now become a part of Village Suliali. In the days gone by, it is said that clouds of different types, sizes and shapes of 'ants', 'makodas' and insects were seen crawling all over and around a prominent, old and a huge 'Jamun Tree' which stood in the middle of the road here, that is why, this part of Suliali was named as 'Makod Jamman'.
On reaching Suliali in the evening. all tired and exhausted, the baraat party was led to a primary school building closed for summer vacations, where all kinds of arrangements like charpais, matkas of drinking water, petromax for lighting, durries and 'Pands' made of khajoor leaves. White wash and regular cleaning of the area was given due attention. Cool drinking water was specially brought in from Dibkeshwer Maharaj (Dibku) during the stay of baraat. Hot tea in Peetal ke glasson me and 'Boondi- Mathi in green leaf 'donas' me, were served on arrival of the baraat. I, however, enjoyed the sweets and had a glass of milk, which was specially brought in for me, from Chachi's house.
After a short while, the baraat was requested by the hosts to come for Milni ceremony at an open common place under a Peepal Tree, between the primary school and the house of the hosts. This time I was again helped by my Pitaji to sit in Chachu's lap on the horse. Some elderly people embraced with each other and exchanged sweets and gifts. Then came the dinner time at Chachi's house, and the baraat reached at their main entrance with Duleh Raja and myself sitting on the horse. My tilledar topi and Chachu's Sehra sent around shining sparks, in the number of bright petromax lights!
Within next few minutes, the baraat was asked to enter into the main 'Swagat Gate', made of banana trees and other ornamental flowers and leaves. All the baraatis entered in, one after the other, in order to occupy their seats for dinner sitting on the mats, spread out in rows facing each other, in the courtyard. The kuchha big courtyard was very well maintained, cow dung pasted and washed with 'makol' and 'geru' at the side boundaries of the courtyard. The open area of the Courtyard, that was all covered overhead by colorful guddi paper cut flags, gave a satisfying and soothing look in the petromax light. The low lying large verandas on either side of the courtyard, were full of young and old women and children in their best of colorful attires, singing and dancing, tuning with 'Dholki'! Welcome Vevah Suhag Geets were being sung continuously, greeting the baraat! Green leaf pattals, donas and glasses of drinking water, were already placed at a reasonable distance, before the mats. A special 'Galicha Seat' with extraordinary large green leaf pattal with number of donas, was prominently made for 'Dulhe Raja' in the middle of the courtyard!
As soon as I tried to sit on the mat for eating along side my Pitaji, a group of four big girls appeared before us as if from nowhere, laughing and talking funny! From their body language, it appeared that they have had already pin pointed me and had some plans for me! They started touching and teasing me. They asked my name time and again, and also inquired about my topi and scarf. One of them said that my Haar was very nice, if I could give it to her! Then suddenly, one of the girls caught hold me from my arms and almost dragged me towards them against my wishes. Pitaji advised them that it was enough and they should leave the child alone. But they would not listen. Then these girls took me to a room inside the house forcefully where Dulhan (Chachi) was sitting, surrounded by many young girls and women. I was pushed into the lap of Chachi who held me with her hands, embraced and hugged me. She asked my name but I was not in a position to talk. I insisted to go out of the room somehow! I was again caught hold by many girls who pulled and pushed me from all sides. One of them so dared that she hugged and kissed me. I was about to cry when someone from outside came in searching for me. I took a sigh of relief!
The baraat stayed in Suliali for two nights. It was all fun for me each time, when the baraat went to Chachi's house for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As it was my first ever outdoor visit, that too, with a baraat, I felt myself on the top of the World. Even today, I remember that when the baraat went to Chachi's house for Brahm Bhoj, I ate plenty of sweets to my fill and also brought home lot of sweets tied in an handkerchief. Pragya Chachi had come to Ladori and became a member of Manjhol Kutumb after having taken 'Aashirbad' of our 'Nag Kul Devta' birajmaan at Suliali! Chachu-Chachi were very happy ever after. They both loved us children so much and used to give 'boor' or 'machalies' (candy) every now and then. We used to go to their room, as and when we liked!
in the year 1949-50, I was admitted in Ladori primary school. For the next five to seven years, my domestic association with Chachu has had been very interesting and amazing since my boyhood, as there had always been chasing, hide and seek between two of us. He being a strict disciplinarian, wanted us children to live within limits. But children of my age would always prefer free and independent environs and playful way of life! So, me too always wanted to live and act according to my own wish and pleasure and therefore, I did not find myself always comfortable to come to terms with Chachu. He being a very important person in the family (VIP), each one of us, was naturally connected with him directly for anything and everything! May be it could be his unseen love, care and affection and playful moments at times, or else unwanted fearsome environs created in the house more often!
Chachu first served as Hindi Teacher in Govt. High School, Kotla (HP) for few years. Sometime later in the year 1963, he joined the army as Religious Teacher in 'direct entry' as Naib Subedar in the armd corps. At the time of his retirement from service in the year 1985 as Sub Maj, he was granted Honorary Commission in the Rank of a Captain. Shri Ishwer Chander Sharma Shastri, Jyotishacharya was a legend of Mallhu-Rukman's family, who had always been in authority in Manjhol Household. Though with a tougher face look outwardly like a coconut, with a voice so loud and deep, expecting discipline from one and all in the house, he was very considerate, soft and affectionate at heart too!
In order to describe Chachu in my own words, when I was learning in village primary, I may quote two examples of his 'tough' and 'soft' nature. Let us talk about his toughness first! Once when I was a lad of under 11, we both had almost been playing 'chor-sipahi. As I would not resist being naughty at times, Chachu would always be one step ahead and win trapping me doing so! He used to follow me stealthily, and would catch 'red handed' putting me in an absurd and embarrassing situation! I had been declared 'an habitual offender' by him in the house... a Chor! All kinds of activities specially like stealing chiller, eatables, fruits from the neighborhood kitchen gardens, biri-cigarette smoking, school bunking, street fighting, playing attar-pattar (hide & seek), till late evenings, swimming whole day in the Jabbar Khad Dibber (Pool), during rains or hot sunny days, catching fish and many more other such foolish activities that pleased me, but not him!
In the absence of different kinds of yummy and dreamy sweets, delicious fruits, biscuits, toffees or candys, even occasionally, mango & amla murabba, chini, gur, kishmish, baadam, chuhare were used to be our fancy at home. Though, these things were used to be kept hiding securely by Dadi beyond our easy reach, but that did not matter much! On one particular day, it so happened that when Chachu was away from home, even then I was caught by him red handed stealing mango murabba. Actually, I was unaware that Chachu was already back home from 'Hattian' and quietly watched me coming out from the 'kothi'. He took a few hurried but silent long steps, and caught hold me from behind the neck! My mouth was full of murabba and I was unable to speak. He shook me severely from my shoulders while my mouth was swollen with a large chunk of murabba and I was unable either to chew it fast, or swallow it in one go! I felt helpless and looked at Chachu with 'kaatir nazron se', as if begged him to let me go. One could easily imagine what would have had been the 'scene' like at that moment!
Once on a hot summer day, at about two, I opened the door and entered into the kitchen...... 'chupke se', hiding something special in my hand. After closing the door from inside, I sat on my feet before the 'Chullah'. On checking I found that there was still live fire in there. I raked the ash with the help of 'chimta' little deeper, took out a burning coal and lit the cigarette in a hurry. Ab tak hurry-worry me 'chaar-paanch sutte' hi maare thy, when I heard someone's foot steps in the courtyard! Chachi Dano had come back home from the Jabbar Khad after taking bath along with washed clothes. After keeping the washed clothes at one of the verandas, she walked towards the kitchen, opened the door apart and entered in. Might be to her horrible surprise, she smelled 'cigarette' and also saw the kitchen filled with lot of smoke. She then almost shouted, 'O mio'! "Amrtu, tu cigat piye karna.... en?". In perplexity, I threw the cigarette butt into the Chullah. But, it was once again my bad luck, as exactly, at the same time, Chachu had also come around and heard what all Chachi Dano had said. Bass fir kya tha?......... aage jo hua so hua!
Slim trim, six footer, well dressed stylish Fufa Daulat Ram of Village Dah, used to be a timber Thekedar by profession. He used to visit Ladori every now and then. This time he had come to Ladori for a longer stay in connection with his business in which he had bought some Chir trees in Dhaar area adjoining Ladori Khas. Some of his associates used to come to our house at odd time in the evenings and go back at late nights. I always wondered as to what these people do inside the room for so long during night hours? My curiosity had been increasing day by day!
It was winter season. One fine day, at 'sikal dopehar', when none was at home, I planned to enquire and look up inside Fufa's room. So, I entered the room stealthily, unaware of those 'two eyes' constantly following my movements and maneuvers. Inside the room, I could not find any thing worth noticing. Then I thought of opening the almirah which was left half shut. When I opened it apart, I observed three empty bottles kept there. Due to curiosity, I took out one bottle, opened its cover, smelled it and saw some liquid left therein!
I was pretty sure that yeh sharaab hi toh hai. Hurry! why not taste it and see what happens? I made a cup of my right hand palm and holding the bottle by left, poured the whole content into the palm cup. while doing so, there was a pin drop silence except a lone honey bee buzzing around! Slowly and carefully, looking around, I took the right hand little upwards towards the mouth, while lowering my head on to the hand, in order to gulp the sharaab, right then, I felt a forceful thud at the back of my neck from behind! For a second, I could not understand what it was?
In the melee, the bottle fell down and a bit of sharaab content went straight into my mouth and the rest washed my face! Chachu shouted from behind and said, "Badmaash, hun tu sharaab bhi peen lagi pian?". Losing no time, I ran out of the room and went straight to 'Hattian'! I did not return home till eight in the evening, and thought that, Chachu might have had already relayed the 'aaj ki taaza khabar' to all sitting around the 'angithi', embarrassing fufa!
After having served as Hindi Teacher in Govt High School, Kotla (HP) for few yeas, Chachu joined army as Religious Teacher in 'direct entry JCO' in the year 1963 and was posted at Patiala. On my return from Mumbai on medical grounds in early 1963, I was sent to Patiala in order to regain my health. After staying at Patiala for few months until 10 Nov 1963, I got myself recruited in the army at Recruiting Office, Patiala on 11 Nov 1963 without the knowledge of both Chachu-Chachi who were not happy with this and tried to cancel my recruitment somehow but I did not agree and left for Bangalore for training, against their wishes! .
Since I was no more a small boy now, it was my last and lovely encounter with Chachu! While on training in Bangalore, I used to write home letters regularly. I also used to write to one of my village friends, Prem Chand every now and then. It was perhaps Sep 1964, when I wrote an inland letter to Prem Chand, son of Bhindu Ram. Apart from our personal 'gup-shup' in the letter, I had also enquired from him about the well being of a 'girl' to whom he too knew very well, and asked him to convey to her my feelings and also tell her that I would be coming home on Dussehra holidays! My bad luck again, Jalam Singh Pathania, village postman, though he knew me very well, handed this letter over to Chachu in Hattian thinking that the letter was meant for 'Puran Chand', my father, due to perhaps he failed in differentiating names between 'Puran Chand' and 'Prem Chand'!
Chachu called Prem Chand from his house, while going home as his house is also on the same track. Prem came out, and touched Chachu' feet. Chachu tried to discuss the matter with Prem in order to know about the girl out of curiosity. But in spite of pressure built up by Chachu, he did not disclose the name of the girl. He then, wrote me a letter apprising me of the whole episode. I was shocked and remained worried for few days. But then, I thought that since I had not committed a crime whatsoever, then why afraid? I came home during Dussehra festivities and also took part in Ram Lila. However, Chachu did not discuss this matter with me then, or ever after that!
Now let us talk about the 'Softness' of Chachu! In a way, both of us, me and Chachu were nearly equal in some ways! Both of us are 'Fauji'. Both of us joined army in the year 1963. After completion of 22 years of color service, both of us retired in the year 1985. Chachu retired as an officer whereas myself as NCO. As per army orders, there were two options before me in order to improve my service career in the army. Option 1: Apply for posting on the staff of our Embassies/Missions abroad. Option 2: Apply for 'SL Commission' in the army. You cannot apply for both at a time. I chose Option 1 and by the grace of God, succeeded in that after prolonged and rigorous selection process where I was one among the five toppers of the total 25 candidates finally selected for posting abroad, out of 500 applicants from Army, Navy and Air Force from all over the country! Had I chosen option 2, God willing, I would have been a senior retired army officer today!
The
year 1966. It was my life’s second longest train journey from Poona to
Pathankot in Jan 1966 when I reached home to attend the marriage of my younger
sister Urmila. Though, all the responsibilities related to the marriage, had
already been taken over by Chachu Ishwer, who came home on annual leave well
before me, yet it was my duty to assist him and ensure that all other preparations and necessary
arrangements are done on time. First of all, I gave Rs. 1700 to Chachu, the
maximum that I could do from my side. Then I took the responsibility of
decorating the house, ensure cleanliness in and around the house and also ensure proper maintenance and repairs of
the house both inside out. A day before
the marriage, i.e. on 21 Feb 1966, The Manjhol House was heavily decorated and
lighted. Approach streets and tracks were covered with overhead colourful guddi
paper flags in order to welcome Urmila’s baraat from Village Indpur. The house
and the courtyard boundaries, wooden pillars of various verandas, doors and
windows were painted with different paints. The walls were decorated with red-
yellow-geru and white chuna. Vidai Mandap
was beautifully erected in the centre of the courtyard with bamboos painted in
multicolours, supported by freshly cut banana trees, ornamental lush green Saru,
Chir leaves, and fresh flowers.
On 22
Feb 1966, the baraat consisting of 60 baraatis arrived up to Johdan, Ladori in
a bus. A sturdy and lavishly decorated horse was taken upto Johdan, a
kilometre and a half downhill at Jabbar Khad from Manjhol House, for the
conveyance of the Groom followed by the baraat on foot! On the day of Brahm
Bhol on 24 Feb 1966, all the baraatis were sitting on colourful mats, face to
face, in straight rows. Green leaf pattals, donas and brass drinking water glasses had
already been placed in front of each one of them. All the baraatis were in
their best of attires, many of the seniors among them had adorned ‘pink safas’. Seemingly, the baraat party had fully enjoyed the food, sweets and the hospitality
extended to them by the Manjhol Kutumb.
There was great hustle and bustle in
the house midst the band music. In their
best of haar-shringaar and loud make- up, my buas, other neighborhood
women and young girls sung Himachali Vivah songs, specially the abusive ones that are pleasantly acceptable to all on such occasions, locally called ‘gaalian’ like 'Hare Hare Mungre Pathankoton aaye n, Om puchhe Amma nu Paraune Kithon Aaye n, Chup kar Bachha Meria Piyo Tere Aayen n', 'Assi Kaanu Ridhi Mah-Chholian Di Daal, Om Lamba Pai Pai Chatte Maa-Chholian Di Daal, Naale Amma Nu bhi Sadhe Kha Maa-Chholian Di Daal', to
the baraat in general and the Groom, in particular, on the tunes of Dholki and
Chimta.
When the bhoj was almost over, the baraatis were still sitting on the
mats. It was time to read out ‘Shiksha for daughter Urmila’, composed and
beautifully hand written in ink by Chachu Ishwer on a fine colourful drawing paper,
which was ‘glass framed’!
All
the gharaatis, close relatives, friends and their children had gathered at
the Main Veranda while baraatis were still sitting on the mats down in the
courtyard. Puran-Kaushlya, Kisso-Dano, Udho-Lilo, Chkra-Bhagwati and
Bhau-Pragya were there along with their sisters. Taro-Nanak, Soma-Daulat, Manglo-Vasdev, Ratno-Bhagwant
and Ramkali-Hans Raj and their children were also there together on the directions of our Dadi Rukmani. My Pitaji, chachus and smartly dressed fufas
were in their pink ‘Safas’! On request, the music band was stopped and all present were asked to be quiet for a while!
Despite huge congregation inside the Manjhol house, there was a pin drop silence for a moment when Chachu Chakkardhari asked Chachu Ishwer to read out
‘Shiksha’ to the baraat. Chachu Ishwer, who seemed to have had controlled his out bursting emotions already, cleared his throat, and tried to read from the ‘glass frame’ held in his hands!
After having read out only a few lines, his throat choked, face reddened and eyes
filled with tears that rolled down non-stop. He was unable to utter a
single word of the Shiksha. No one present there had ever seen Chachu
Ishwer in such an helpless state of crying from the deep of his heart for his ‘Beti’ who was about to leave
her Myka any moment for ever! This side of Chachu Ishwer's nature, with soft and lovable heart, was an 'hidden treasure' behind his visibly tough, imposing and impressive face look!
Then, Chachu Chakkardhari tried his best to read out the 'Shiksha', though with many pauses, due to choking of his throat too. The atmosphere had become so depressed and gloomy, that not to talk of 'gharaatis, even many among the baraat itself, were seen wiping out their uncontrolled tears! .
In yet another occasion, Chachu's unmeasurable degree of warmth, bond of closeness, love and affection towards Manjhol Kutumb's children, buried deep inside him, was awakened or exposed right in front of me, though inadvertently. Since both of us were in the army for 22 years, many a times, it was usual, that coincidently we both were on annual leave with a difference of some days. Once during early 70s, when I was at home, my leave expired one month earlier than his. On one fine morning, I packed my bags and was about to leave for J&K. I met each one at home, touched their feet including Chachu's and left the home. After having met people in 'Hattian', I walked straight down towards Upla Maira. Hardly, had I reached at Maira, I casually looked behind and noticed to my surprise that Chachu Ishwer was coming swiftly after me, perhaps to catch up with me, may be in order to 'see me off', which was really unexpected of him, and startling enough indeed!
Shortly after, we were walking alongside but could not speak due to then prevailing unfavorable and sad moments! When we both reached at 'right turn' of the road towards Johdan, I slowed down and turned towards Chachu who had also almost joined me. I moved towards him and bent down forward in order to touch his feet. Chachu, in turn, patted my back and perhaps gave his silent Aashirbad. When I straightened up, I noticed Chachu was trying to hide his eyes full of tears! I too, could not stand the scene as my throat was also choked and feeling weepy, I abruptly turned around and walked away down the kucha road going to Nurpur.......Aisa mauka dobara nahi aaya and Chachu left us all and went to his heavenly abode on 24 June 2001. Chachi Pragya also followed him on 24 Feb 2013! Shradhanjli!!
Concluded.
BUA TARO DEVI
Gangath town is situated in Nurpur tehsil and is now a sub tehsil itself. If I may say that in olden days Gangath was a hub of handmade brass utensils, some small, some big and heavy like Batlohis, it would not be an exaggeration. Such kitchen utensils making was the main stay of many more families of the town, These vessels and kitchen utensils were used to be exported to nearby villages, cities of the state of Himachal Pradesh and also to the states specially to Delhi and Punjab, though such type of brass utensils are now generally no longer in routine use, there are still families in Gangath who make Batlohis on order. Due to this domestic home industry, Gangath is also known as "Bhandian Wala Shehar".
From the times immemorial, Village Gangath is situated on the banks of River Chhounch flowing on a very wide span of coastline that gave an inkling of illusion like the reality of The Holy River Ganga and therefore, this small village being situated on the shores of River Chhounch, was named as 'Gangsthal'. By and by, with the passage of time, quite some time later, 'Gangsthal' became to be known as 'Gangthal' and finally, todays popular name came into being as 'Gangath' some hundred years ago. In praise of this village, there is a popular verse that prevailed since olden times, but almost forgotten now :-
Taarif ki karan Gangath Shehar di...
jithe rehndian kai thatharian ne...
Savere Uth ke Chhouncha Nahavan Jaawan...
Kuch Viyodian te kuchh kuwarian ne...
Kish taan bich landian taarian....
Te kuch vaat Farang dian maarian ne....
Like-wise, another popular stanza of poetry, as given below, was sung by the people in 'Gangthal' and elsewhere, as a source of entertainment, in those days:-
Vekho Ravi dian do tharan.....
ikk sukki te dooji bagdi e na....
jehdi bagdi na, udhe ch do kaaji nahawan..
ikk dub gaya te dooja labda e na...
jeda labda e na,..
unn le aandian do majhhan..
ikk fudder te dooji soondi e na....
jehdi soondi na.. unne ditte do katte...
ikk moya da te dooja hilda e na...
jehda hilda e na..
O dudh pia chunge....
My Bua Taro, being the eldest among five buas, was married to a well built, slim trim, handsome and a fair complexioned man with light blue eyes. His name was Nanak Chand Bhardwaj, a very hard working fellow of his times who generally used to carry 'Bushka' load of brass kitchen utility utensils of different types, shape and sizes on his back in his early life. While visiting different villages for the sale of these utensils, he would not mind whether it was night, a sunny, or rainy day or for that matter, at any odd time!
He would knock at the door hawking and selling wares door to door in the adjoining villages and also as far as My Village Ladori to earn his living. When carrying loads on the back was no more comfortable for him, he had to stop visiting door to door. In his later life, he managed a grocery shop in Gangath itself for years, looked after, brought up and educated his large family. Bua Taro was the ditto replica of my Dadi Rukmani as she just gave the physical and facial resemblance of Dadi, and also used to dress like her!
Taro Bua was very humble, soft spoken and a lively lady who loved us all youngsters very much. She and Fufa Nanak had a big family consisting of five sons and three daughters. Ram Rattan (Bantu), Rajpal (Gorkhu), Satpal (Sattu), Dharampal (Duff) and Gopal (Bounu) are the sons while Prem Lata (Makodi), Anjana(Chui) and Vinod Bala (Bala) are lovely daughters. When by chance, we all were together at Gangath, we always created a 'dhamaal' and made the house upside down and also enjoyed teasing Bua and sometimes made her annoyed too! When all of us, Sattu, Duff, myself, Bounu and Kirlu, sat around the Chullah for lunch, we would not satisfy eating until 'Atta' was finished and she had to knead the atta again and again, twice or thrice! But neither she would tire nor agitate. Smiling she would serve us rotis one after the other, and would say 'Chutto' bas bhi karo hun'!
BUA SOMA DEVI
My association with Soma Bua's family remained bit remote. I hardly remember about my only and first ever visit to Dah Kulara when I was under five and had gone to Dah along with my parents. There might be a marriage ceremony of one of my cousin sisters there. I faintly remember that we, and all other family members sat together in a room, eating 'Kharbooje' that Bhai Sudershan had arranged. After eating 'Kharbooje', dhood lassi was served in 'lambe peetal ke glasson me' which I did not like. Bua used to visit Ladori every now and then whenever there was a function at home. Bua Soma was popularly known among the children as she was a very good story-teller. 'Dido-Pida', Tota-Maina', 'Ek tha Raja, Ek thi Rani', 'Billi-Mousi' were some of her pet stories! The story of 'Baggar Bille-di-Dehri' , however, fascinated us too much!
There lived a beautiful Billi with her fiancé Bagger Billa, in the cavity of a huge centuries old barr tree. Bagger Billa was very handsome with long hairy tale, wide and strong chest, heavy paws with strong and sharp nails! In the neighborhood, there also lived a cunning Jackal in a burrow, under a big rock, surrounded by the wild bush. The Jackal was very jealous of Bagger Billa and was always in the look out of Billi to make friendship with her somehow. But due to the fear of Bagger Billa, who was too strong and had sharp nails, cunning jackal was helpless! On one fateful day, the heavens broke loose on Billi, when Bagger Billa suddenly died! In Bagger Billa's remembrance, Billi made a 'Dehri' of him. Billi used to spend much of her time there and keep the Dehri and area around it, neat and clean. Cunning Jackal was very happy and went to Billi to console her but Billi did not talk to him because his intentions were malicious. The cunning Jackal returned to his burrow disappointed!
After entering into his burrow, the Jackal sat rounded up for a while and deeply thought taking revenge both with Bagger Billa and the Billi. Then an idea struck to him to insult Bagger Billa. From then on, during nights, the Jackal would go discreetly and hiding himself to Bagger Billa's Dehri, aur uske oopar 'hugg' ke bhaag jata. These days, Billi was very upset about it. She failed to understand as to who was the culprit dared doing that! In order to catch him red handed, one day Billi kept a 'Garama Garam Tawa' on Billa's Dehri, aur pass me hi chuppkar 'Danda' lekar baith gai. When Jackal came, aur huggne ke lie Dehri par baitha toh Garam Tawa uski bottom ke saath chipak gaya aur cunning Jackal chillane aur gol gol ghoomne laga. Billi bahar nikli aur boli, " Mein jaanti thi, tere sivai koi aur nahi ho sakta". Danda uthakar Billi ne uss baeiman lomere ko peetna shuru kia aur kaha, "Jaar na huggen, baar na huggen, huggen Bille Dehria, teri toh"..........
When I was at the house of Soma Bua at Dah Kulara, their house then gave an old look of dilapidation. In the immediate vicinity outside the house, there was a lush green forest hillock where many jackals, Kakkars and various types of species birds including peacocks lived. Peacocks or kakkars could be heard barking intermittently one after the other. Soma Bua and Fufa Daulat also had a big family of two sons and four daughters. Thappo, Tamba, Chiru and Khukkar are four daughters and Sudarshan and Urnesh are two sons. Teacher by profession, Sudersahan was also a renowned Violin Player whose programs were used to be aired on All India Radio, Jalandhar very often, apart from regular stage performances. Both Sudershan and his daughter Sunanda who is also a renowned classic vocal singer of repute, were awarded and honored by the President of India for their valuable contribution to the music world!.
Fufa Daulat Ram used to come to Ladori very often in connection with his business. He was a lean, tall, handsome and well dressed person. He usually wore white or creamy kurta, band gala jacket and Chooridar with Chamba Chappal. His stiffened Turredar safa with long tail hanging at the back, always attracted people amazingly! Urdu knowing Fufaji always looked impressive and his voice was loud and clear!
BUA MANGLO DEVI
Bua Manglo was
at number three. Being bold, brave and talkative in nature in the family, she could be seen present everywhere, may be
inside or outside the house where there was even a slightest likelihood of
impending commotion either among own family members or in the neighborhood, Bua
Manglo would try her best to resolve the matter then and there!
Bua Manglo was
married to Shri Vasdev Khajuria of Village Jhabkhra Murada, a staunch Punjabi
speaking Pind surrounded by Nauman khad, in Gurdaspur, Punjab. Fufa
Vasdev Khajuria was an employee of Punjab State Electricity Board, who retired
as a SDO. Soon after retirement, he embraced ‘Sanyas’ and passed rest of his life wandering anywhere and everywhere on foot, or on a bicycle, in saffron robes adorned with multiple rudraksh malas worn around the neck and the arms. His wooden slippers (kharaon) and a fancy grip walking stick in one hand and a 'shining brass 'kummandle' in the other, forced passersby to bow down folding their hands into namastey!
It is, however, notable here that Fufa adopted
sanyas only after fulfilling his moral responsibilities towards his family. Bua
Manglo and Fufa Vasdev have a largest family among five buas. Six sons and three daughters. Eldest son Kuldip lives at Jalandhar since his retirement. Rattan Dev and Ashutosh both are retired R&D scientists and live in Dehra Dun while Ruggal, Veeru and Guddu three of them have settled in Germany. Daughters Raj, Kamlesh and Bholi have their happy families in the country and abroad. All were educated and some graduated and then married off before Fufa became Babaji!
He also surrendered
his pension to the government. Being Sanyasi, Fufa visited Ladori twice
on his bicycle. Saffron robes, milky white moustaches and long beard that hung against his chest, presented an ambiance with an aura around his shining face, that showed his first impression being so impressive! During his
visits, our Dadi Rukmani was alive and many a times she used to have hot conversation with him regarding
his adoption of Sanyas. But she never
won over her sanyasi son-in-law and his Gita Updesh! Fufa, who used to call Dadi as 'Amma' while touching her feet, had now been addressing her as
‘Mai’!
It was not that bua loved me more than others, she loved all equally. But since I generally found myself quite near to her, due to my shrewdness, cleverness and bit of a greedy nature, all were under the impression that bua loved me more! Once when I insisted, she would sew my kurtu-suthnu
with hands with the help of sui-dhaaga, and while sitting beside her, I would request her to please make ‘gumble wala khisa’ (side pocket) in my kurtu. Whenever Bua came to Ladori, she brought lot
of sweets, candies and special Jalandhari gur for us all. She always spoke mixed punjabi & pahari dialect which always sounded entertaining for all! She also used to tell 'kisse-kahania and gappen' that attracted attention of all present around! At times,
she would also bring readymade clothes for us. However, our liking or disliking of such clothes never bothered anyone! Whenever we happened to be in
Jalandhar, bua felt truly happy and ensured our best care during our short stay with her and
her family!
BUA SARVATO
Chhoti Bua, Sarvato, as she was popularly known in Manjhol Kutumb, was married to Bhagwant Rai of Village Indora in tehsil Nurpur. After marriage, they lived in Indora, in their ancestral house for some time. In the meantime, Fufa Bhagwant Rai got the job. Indora residence had to be abandoned for ever because of the nature of the job in big cities. Fufa Bhagwant Rai served in Government Scientific Research and Development Establishment throughout his service career.
Once when I was in primary, Fufa came to Ladori. He used to wear coat pant with a English Khaki Hat. Since Fufaji was having white spots all over his body, children like me, in those days, used to call Fufaji as 'Pilpili Saheb' or Angrej Saheb. Many years after the marriage, Bua came to Ladori along with her two sons, Ashu-Kuka. From then on, she regularly came to Ladori every alternate or after three years and stayed for approximately a month and a half.
She used to bring with her old clothes, toys, shoes of Ashu-Kuka as a gift for us, and we, after having received the so called gifts, knew no bounds of our happiness and joy! We would fight among ourselves as to who is going to get which item. Bua never brought us new things. May be we did not deserve! We always thought that we had become friends of Ashu and Kuka. Friends? No, we were never treated as friends by them but were taken for granted, as a source of their entertainment! Though, both of them had shown, as if they had developed a better understanding amongst us, but there still existed a visible gap of living and educational standards, IQ and mannerism, and overall way of talking and our general conduct between them and our village gang!
Almost everyday in the morning, we all used to go to the nearby bushes, behind the Manjhol House for attending nature's call. After having searched and pin pointed a suitably camouflaged big bush, we would enter into it and sit on our feet, face to face, in a circle, all naked, whispering and talking all the time while doing the 'act'. Then we would standup, look down at...and judge, as to whose 'li..d' is more fattier and longer than whom? Indeed, those old days, and the innocent moves like the one as narrated, and other such irritating and mischievous acts committed innocently, are certainly unforgettable! Since then, perhaps we never met again as school boys! In the later life, Ashutosh retired as a 'khadus' Colonel and Vinay, who is married in Bollywood Actor Manoj Kumar's family, retired as an Engineer!
BUA RAMKALI
Pandit Dina Nath, our next door neighbor, was popularly known as Dinu Tau in the village. During 1950s, he was about 65 years old man. Although being almost toothless, still a lone front upper tooth always attracted attention, whosoever met him first time! He was an habitual chewer of supari granules round the clock, and was very particular of having chayvan prash everyday. A lean, thin and of darkest brown skin person, with an average height, Dinu Tau, was a very nice person with jocularly spoken and funny body language maneuvers. An humble, soft spoken and children lover, Dinu Tau was very well known a persona in My Village Ladori! Apart from some of his peculiar habits, he was also a very good cook and a tale teller. He used to tell various types of fairy tales and ghost stories to us children, which were used to be very interesting, entertaining, informative and of course, at times, scary too!
Dinu Tau was also a very good cook. He led his whole life all alone till end. There was none who could help him in any manner. He used to prepare his food and do all the daily household chores by himself. His dal-bhaat and green chilly chatni used to be his specialty being mouthwatering, tempting and hair raising too! We the Manjhol children always wished that Tau gave us some dal-bhat to eat when we went to his house loitering aimlessly, during lunch time! But before we could lay our hands on dal-bhaat, Tau would, first ask one of us to bring a Batlohu (brass vessel) of cool and fresh drinking water from 'Naun', an important source of fresh and cool drinking water of over two centuries old coming direct from the foothills of dhauladhar mountain ranges! Tau was also a religious man who devoted his maximum time, in daily morning and evening prayers.
To know more about Dinu Tau, I have to take you in a flash back. Dinu Tau and his wife Champa Kali lived a happy life in their three room double story house, which was situated at the next door to Manjhol House. They did not have a child for years after their marriage.
It was time when Bua Sarvato was in Dadi's lap, and Dinu Tau's wife Champa Kali also became pregnant. Dadi used to visit Champa Kali twice a day and looked after her well being. Dadi was very kind at heart. When time of delivery came, unfortunately, all did not go well as expected, and Champa Kali expired after giving birth to a girl child. Now a grave problem stood before Dinu Tau as to how this child was to be raised alone by him! But Dadi consoled him and told him that he need not to worry. Dadi brought the child home and both Sarvato and the new borne baby girl, who was named Ramkali by my Dadaji, were brought up together, primary educated and married off.
Ramkali Bua was married to Hans Raj Koul of Nurpur. He was a Patwari by profession who later retired as Kanoongo. Fufa Hans Raj was a healthy, tall, handsome and pinkish white persona. His heavy and deep echoing voice was amazingly loud, clear and decisive. His stiffened white Turredar Safa with with long tail hanging at the back, coat-pant-tie with black shoes attracted people's attention where ever he went on official duty. This made him 'odd man out' in the congregation.
Ramkali Bua and Fufa Hans Raj Koul had a very happy family. Bua was a jolly good natured and a loving woman. She was, though, an extraordinarily obese lady, still she was lively, full of all smiles and laughter all the times! Her thunderous but enchanting voice like a 'mardaani woman', attracted neighborhood women and children to spend maximum leisure time with her. She was so nice a lady that we would hardly see the one like her again in our lives! Both Fufa and Bua while walking together, used to be a matter of pride for Ladori people to see six footer Fufa Hans Raj Koul, dressed in black coat-pant-with red tie, stiffened Turredar white Safa supported with Afghani Golden designer 'Kulla', with an unusually long tail hanging at the back!
Bua, along with her big family lived in their double story pucca house with sprawling courtyard and lush green kitchen garden, in Lambi Gali, an important landmark of Nurpur Town. We the children, used to visit bua frequently, especially on occasions of religious functions and marriages. We also used to visit the deity of Narsingh Bhagwan, installed under a huge Peepal Tree there, by our ancestors, near Bua's house.
As luck would have it, a very bad time descended on this happy family stealthily without any prior warning! Tuberculosis, a dreaded infectious bacterial disease entered into the family. Fufaji's father, who was a retired railway official, was the first victim. After that, slowly.....slowly, whole family was taken into its tight grip and as a result, Fufa, Bua, their sons, Shiv, Moksh, Ghatotkach, daughter Billu, the cute little girl, all went to their heavenly abode one after the other! The only surviving member of the family, daughter Anjana, younger than Moksh, almost unknown and forgotten now, perhaps lives in Chamba with her family, if any, and the families of both Shiv and Moksh are also surviving without the 'head' of family!
Concluded.
