It was the year 1986.I had completed my graduation and like
most of the fresh graduates then,I was applying for Government and bank jobs.In
the menwhile ,I had also joined an IAS Coaching Institute in Chennai.Dad was
eager that I should join the civil services and I was keen too.Alas ! But ! That
was not too happen.
Like all enthusiastic fathers keen on securing a stable
future for their kids,It was him who did the running around .I just had to sign
the application forms.He would carefully browse newspapers for advertisements
of the upcoming competitive exams.I do the same now for my girls.
We had shifted to Chennai just recently.Father was posted as the Assistant Director of Investigation
Having served for more than two and a half decades in the eastern region,this
was his first stint in the south and for the first time in his career, he was
all set to occupy a prestigious Government accomodation.Needless to
say,mother,my brother and myself were thrilled.
The motive of the transfer was clear.He was in search of a suitable groom
for his daughter and the transfer at the opportune moment suited him fine.Most
of our relatives were in Chennai and as he started applying for the exams,simultaneously,
he was also in the process of exchanging horoscopes .
In the days when internet was unheard of and snail mail the
order of the day,Subbu would
painstakingly write letters to the parents of prospective grooms .He would
brief Nayaki on the suitors and ask her for her concurrence.She was too naïve or
too obedient or too shy or whatever ,Nayaki would say rather coyly…”Do as you please Anna.I
know that you will find the best for me.”
Anna had choices clearly listed out and and it was 1) chartered
accountant,2)civil services,3)banks ,in that order.When we received Doc’s
horoscope,he was not too keen.Anyway as they say matches are made in heaven and
the knot tied on earth.So it was destiny that brought us together and I am
truly thankful for that.It was a distant relative who had suggested this
alliance.Thripura mami was a very learned woman and an astrologer too.She
happened to be Nayaki’s newly wedded cousin’s grand mother-in-law.
The horoscope of a budding ophthalmologist was sent to my father
Subbu in 1985 when we were still in Kolkata. Subbu’s chittappa…Nagarajan
chittappa was the family astrologer and he had approved of the match.The
matching of the horoscopes was conveyed to the boy’s family .Nayaki’s recent
photograph was forwarded along with the letter.
Doc’s father T.R.Mahalingam alias Ambi was slow to respond.We
were still in Calcutta and more than three months had lapsed since my father had
sent the letter to Ambi.I think he sent a reminder also to 1& 2 TPS
Nagar,Medical College Road Thanjavur .
A few days later we received Ambi’s letter.”Dear Sir ! Much
though we are interested in pursuing this alliance and taking it further,we are
unable to proceed.We wish your daughter a happy future.”The photograph was also
returned.
In the meantime we had begun to pack bag and baggage.The
containers had arrived and with a heavy heart we were preparing ourselves to
leave Calcutta for good.Our association with the city of joy was coming to an
end….As I had a glimpse of the Bhagirathi Hooghly from the Howrah Bridge,Nayaki was
unaware of the flow of where she was
headed to.With tears and dreams in her eyes Nayaki occupied the top berth of the
Ist class coupe of Coramandel Express…and the train chugged slowly away from the station…..
