More Childhood Memories

This Lazy Chair has got a way of taking you afar into the past and Naradaa enjoys these trips. So, here comes some more memories from Naradaa's childhood.

Since I was the eldest in the generation, I think my grandfather had decided that I was the one to be groomed to do all the priestly functions, do Pujas, learn to recite all the mantras and grow up exactly as a Nambudiri should. My childhood companions were the children from the servants’ homes, unless my cousins come on a visit during holidays. I do remember the traditional games we played, such as thalama, a local variation of cricket probably, Kara a variation of hocky etc. Having treated very delicately, I was not very good at these tough games and many a times I had cried, complained, and got my companions shouted at by grandmas.

Achu was a good companion during those days and I used to play with him quite a lot. He was the one who secretly gave me basic lessons in swimming, taking me to the family pond, holding me and coaxing me to flap my hands and legs correctly for floating. He used to be a strong kid, had loved me so much that he used to lose to me in games, just for the sake of satisfying my ego.

The day he took me to learn swimming for the first time, he was scolded and beaten up and was banned from seeing me again. The next couple of days, I was so miserable and finally, the great grandma intervened and allowed me to play with Achu again. Even now I remember what great grandma had said to nobody in particular.

‘Let Kunchu learn all that he wants. He should fall down and get hurt a little, while growing up. Don't be too soft and spoil him.' - Kunchu was the pet name for me and practically everybody in the house called me Kunchu.