CONTENTS:
1)- ANUBHAVAM PAZHAMAI.2)- TOPIC OF THE POST.
3)- HISTORY OF US.
4)- TODAY IN US HISTORY.
5)- US MEDIA ON STRANGE DOG.
6)- US MEDIA ON A HINDU SECT DEVOTED TO ENVIRONMENT.
7)- JUST SMILE PLEASE.
8)- FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
9)- COMPUTER LEARNING.
10)- அந்த நாள் ஞாபகம் வந்ததே.
1)- ANUBHAVAM PAZHAMAI:
When we look back on History of residential buildings HERE IN iNDIA, Kalpathi, the Heritage Village of Kerala instantly comes to my mind!I had travelled a lot in Malabar region where Kalpathi plays a prominent role! Whatever you read under this Para, you can physically see in this village, both old & new!One of our friends in the Yahoo group of Thatha Patti, Sri Gopala krishnan, narrates it beautifully in first person!
1.1 Nalukettu
i) Nalukettu means there are living areas on the four sides having a centre open area in the house. This open area used to be either rectangular or square pattern. My house at Pandalam was having a rectangular Nadumittam. It was a small nalukettu. Open area gave sufficient sun light to all the sides. Normally it will be about 10'x10' square or smaller size of 7'x4' in rectangular type.
The living areas on the four sides are divided to Koodam or thalam, pura or bed room, adukkala or kitchen and Ara or store room.
Normally there will be thalams in the east and part of south side . Kitchen used to be on the north west side and pura on the south west corner.
The Ara used to be in the centre of west side and additional rooms on west side behind Ara.
Pathayam( Grain storage area) used to be kept in Southern thalam sometimes with a partition called patthaya pura.
Thinna is an extension of the nalukettu, in the front and was separated from Talam by wood work called Nera. Most of the wood works were out of jack wood. Olden Nalukettu were with thatched roof with palm leaves. By the time I was born all have become tiled.
ii) Pathayam perum… (Pathayam will deliver)
It is an old saying of a lazy man in a family. He was asked how he will survive keeping idle, he answered- " Pathayam perum, chakki kutthum, amma veikkum, Jnan unnum"( Pathayam will deliver paddy, chakki will make it as rice, mother will cook and give me rice, and I will eat )
iii) Thinna ( Varanda)
Thinna or corridor is a very big expansion of out sit out of today. Thinna used to be the full length of the house in the front side with a width ranging from 8 feet to 5 feet. One side it's roofing will have support over a beam over nira and other side it is supported by another beam on pillars. These beams were called Utharam and the slanting roof was made using supporters of the tile on Pattika and kazukkol. Pattika will be fitted length wise over Kazukkol to support the tiles and Kazhukkol was provided connecting the two beams breadth wise at a separation of about 3 feet among them.
On olden days the flooring used to be finished with cowdung, later with cement and currently in old Nalukettu retained with new structuring with either granite or tiles.
The flooring of thinna used to be about 3 feet high from the front ground level. Some thinnas were having the front left as it is , but some had addition of bench like arrangement along the pillar side made of brick and finished.
a) Use of thinna
Later in many houses the two ends of thinna were made to mini rooms for children study with windows and doors and brick works.
Thinna was the main place persons available specially men. Seating arrangements like slanting chair, stool, chairs, mats were all provided there. Guests were normally received in Thinna.
Reading, writing , performing sandhya all were done in Thinna.
Specially in Nair community sandhya deepam was raised in the main entrance in the thinna. Nama japam and prayers were offered there. In Brahmin families deepam was raised before Ara normally.
Nampoothiries invariably received guests in Thinna. Recently I had been to Ameda temple and met the Nampoothiri. He received me in the posh thinna of the Nalukeetu.
b) Corridors
In modern new buildings the corridors appear similar to thinna. I do recollect making the last minute reading and keeping books in the corridors of school and college. In fact use of corridor is a semi resting place in these places when waiting for some body.
c) Taking food
Thinna was used taking food during sadya. Normally people used to go to kitchen to take food. Guests were offered butter milk, coffee etc in Thinna. Normally elders were used to be in Thinna most of the day while in House.
iv) 4. Thalam or koodam
As I mentioned koodam or thalam used to be on the eastern side full and part of southern and northern side. The nadumittam side of thalam was not closed. It received light from Nadumittam.
Thalam used to be above three feet height from the Nadumittam. On Nadumittam side it had granite works and support on pillars. Depending on the size of Nalukettu thalam used to have anything between 15 feet to 10 feet length and breadth of same or 10 feet to 5 feet in rectangular types.
a) Thalam and performance of samskaras
All small samskaras are conducted in the Thalam. This included namakaranam, seemantham, sraadham etc. For marriage and upanayanam external Pandals were raised in the house. For Nandi etc both southern thalam and eastern thalam were used together.
The northern thalam used to be the place for normal food taking. Kitchen used to get close to it. When guests were there it was changed to southern thalam which had more space. Food was taken sitting on the floor with palaka or thadukku as preferred.
b) Pathayappura, oonchal
Southern thalam was mostly used for keeping pathayam, kattil for elders , Oonchal etc. Over the pathayam people used to relax using as kattil. Or remaining space was used as bed room in the pathayappura.
v) Nadumittam
Nadumittam used to be in the centre of the house. It used to be under 3 feet from the level of thalam. The pillars of the nadumittam used to be very decorated. This mittam had medium sand spread and kept very very neat. Washing hand was never permitted in Nadumittam. It was considered sacred. During rainy season for passing of water falling in the nadumittam , there used to be a drain called ovu. It will have grills on either side so that creepers like snakes do not enter Nadumittam.
Some houses were having Thulasi thara in the centre of nadumittam but mostly outside.
vi) OVu ( Hole permitting to go out cleaning water)
The Thalam is similar to our today living room. It had ovu to let out water after periodic cleaning. These used to be holes of above one inch diameter. Normally ovu will be firmly closed with wooden pegs so that nothing creeps in through it. Only on cleaning with water it was opened to let out drain water and closed.
Today ovu has disappeared in our buildings . If cleaned with water after pest control spray or anything like that, water is absorbed in sponge or cotton cloth, taken in buckets and thrown to out side.
vii) Kitchen and dining
Between kitchen and dining there used to have a small partition with door later. I do recollect it was not there earlier in my house. Dining was done in the vadakkae thalam . An extension of kitchen similar to our work area was there. Grinding stones( Attukal and Ammikkal) were provided there. All kitchen preliminary works were done there. On those days water was kept in a big chembukalam out side with a tumbler . Hand washing before and after meals had to be done going away from work area to parambu( Cultivating area)
viii) Ara
Ara and nilavara I have covered in detail in my earlier postings and as such not repeated. Ara was used to keep important things and in Brahmin houses nilavilakku was lighted in front of it.
ix) Pura
Pura was the main bed room. It was a practice once entered puramuri, after bath only women folk have to enter kitchen.
x) Chayippu
Chayippu was an extension behind Ara . There used to be two or three rooms . These chayippu used for all misc purposes including as additional bed rooms, bed room for women during periods etc.
These rooms were slanting much and one had to be careful while standing not to hit the roof. Later these chayppu were made with asbestos roofing which required less slanting and the problem of height was solved.
xi) Tulasi thara
I will conclude this posting with Tulasi thara. In the front of the house there used to be a raised ground with planting of Tulsi plant. Tulasi thara could be raised anything between 1.5 feet to 2.5 feet . and square of about 3'x3'. Lighting deepam in the evening was compulsory. Some people keep a vinaga idol also in the Tulasi thara before Thulasi.
As a cultural heritage still in Brahmin houses Tulsi thara is there, planting Tulsi is there and lighting lamp in the evening is there. Some people offer arghyam to Tulasi in the morning and offer prayers to Ganesha.
Many houses in Tamil nadu are having Tulsi thara instead front in the back of the house.
Having gone thro' the Narration above on concept of the house layout, click now the Link below to read the text as well as the short video!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpathi
http://en.kendincos.net/video-jlhnlvht-heritage-village-a-trip-to-kalpathy-.html
Even in the Movies & Serials, such houses are displayed along with the Paddy fields in & around!Our own anchestral homes in Malabar are of the same layout mostly even now where Joint family was the culture! Mega Grinding stones, Attukal & Ammikal were permanently installed on the floor when Thayir kadial was anchored by the side on a pillar!
2)- TOPIC OF THE POST:
As an Ex.Railway-man, I made it a point to visit one Heritage Railway Station,. Lenox, 100 miles away from our Apt!
http://berkshirescenicrailroad.org/ is the Link to know about this historic place!
Also view the Slide-show below!
It is an experience on a side of the Berkshires that you won’t see from your car. Our 90 minute, 20 mile roundtrip excursion between the picturesque towns of Lenox and Stockbridge is an entertaining and educational experience for the whole family. During your excursion in our restored 1920’s passenger cars hauled by vintage diesel-electric locomotives, you’ll learn about the region’s rich industrial origins and discover the natural scenic beauty found along the Housatonic River. Our trains depart from the restored 1903 Lenox Station. At Lenox, find exhibits about railroading including Yokun Block Station, featuring working vintage railroad equipment and visit our museum store.
3)- HISTORY OF US- Continued.
3rd in the row of States alphabetically, Arizona became a state in 1912!
http://az.gov/ is the Link to know about it, a Govt site!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona is one more Link!
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/national/usstatesterritoriesandpossessions/arizona/index.html
Nick-name- The Grand Canyan State.
State logos are-
Flower- saaguaro cactus blossom. it is the largest cactus in US, first blooming when it is 50-70 years old.It grows very slow at first, taking almost 10years to growby one inch!
Bird- The cactus wren.
Fossil- Petrified wood.
Capital- Phonenix.
4)- TODAY IN HISTORY:
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday. The event is celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States,
5)- US MEDIA ON STRANGE DOG:
Click the Link- http://www.bostonherald.com/news/offbeat/view/20101008we_cant_get_enough_of_rufus/srvc=news&position=also
6)- US MEDIA ON A HINDU SECT DEVOTED TO ENVIRONMENT:
The fact not even known to us at all, has been collected from the Link below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/world/asia/08iht-letter.html?_r=1&ref=asia
7)- JUST SMILE PLEASE:
After getting all ofPope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he
doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.
Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver,
'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'
'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope,
'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a Cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'
'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do Cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.Supposing somebody sees us what would happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd never have gone to work that morning..
'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile!
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel.. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors
it, accelerating the limo to 205 kph.. (Remember, the Pope is German)
'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.
'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.
The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the despatcher
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.
'So bust him,' says the Chief.
'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.
The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'
'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.
The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the Mayor? "
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'
Cop: 'I think it's God!'
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'
Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'
Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humour out of life,
And pass it on to other folk!
8)- FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favourite cake for me,and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good,and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to knowto be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,
'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child.
9) COMPUTER TUTORIALS:
Here is an opportunity to learn Computer- ON-LINE totally free! For details, click the Link below!
http://inpics.net/
10) அந்த நாள் ஞாபகம் வந்ததே!
Here is one more Nostalgic presentation by Sri Gopala krishnan of Thatha Patti group of Yahoo!
RANTHA VILAKKU (LANTERN)
Just read the text below given again in first person!
One man from electricity board came and asked, whether we require "current" in 1963 middle, if I recollect. After assessing the requirement he had to give his estimate to his supervisor. Most of us wanted and on those days they arranged a person to wiring and collected money.
Seasoned teak wood poles were planted and power was drawn through glittering aluminium wires. It was extended by two whether proof wires from near by post through a fuse career using a messenger wire and clipping to it. One of the normal tiles over the house at a height was replaced with " Pukayodu" (Smoke permitting tile) the power wires were taken to main switch box leading through this tile. Till such time we were living with Lantern and Chimney villakku and other oil lamps. When I completed my college life in 1964, we had five bulbs working with current and switched on and off with tumbler switches in our house.
1.Kerosene bottles
As my memory goes, my father used to get Kerosene in bottles or in big tin. It was supplied through ration shops. Some thing about 5 litres were getting biweekly, if I recollect. We had to manage the entire lighting with that. Small kerosene tins were not available on those days. Kerosene was filled to lamps using "fanal". For taking from tin to bottles there used to be a pump. The bigger sizes of the same still we can see in ration shops of the day.
On those days misuse of Kerosene for other purposes were not there. Kerosene was colourless like water.
2. Do Kerosene weigh less than water?
On those days it was a curious question to ask small children and elder women about the weight of Kerosene. One litre of Kerosene weighs only 800 grams. Most may not know it on those days . Why? I studied specific gravity of water and kerosene while in the 9th standard only. I experimented and proved it in my physics practical in 1962!! What was the thrilling experience of conducting the experiments in Labs.. Gone are the college days. Nostalgia can never satisfy those enjoyments.
3. Evaporation of Kerosene
Like petrol kerosene too get evaporated but not so quick. Even with tight cap we can see kerosene level gradually falling down day by day from the bottles . When temperature rises evaporation is more. Actually this evaporation is the principle used in all kerosene lamps.
4.Rantha vilakku
We were three brothers. Mostly only one will be lighted. Another one or two will be either under repair or not lit to save kerosene. It used to go to my elder brother- who was slightly bully(?) Being youngest I had to satisfy with chimmini vilakku. There was a plea- I have less to study and I have to adjust.
A rough description of lantern is given below for youngsters . If not possible to imagine ignore thinking it an old type of lamp, which gave more light. Today youngsters may find it difficult to read with Lantern light. ( Why youngsters- even elders like me!!!)
Basically the lantern has a wider circular cylindrical base with a hole at side top to fill kerosene and a screwing cover. Another threaded hole will fit a burner in the centre. The burner will be having a cotton ribbon, which will dip in kerosene to bottom. It had a turner arrangement to lift the flame up or down. The base use to be about 5" wide and 2.5 " high.
There is a framework fitted to this base through the sides for about one foot. The top of the frame will have a fabricated cylinder of about 2" with a cap in the middle . There is a cantilever arrangement to lift the fabricated cup up or down. On the edge of this frame a handle used to be there with thick wire. Lantern is made using quality tin sheet and wires ( kampi).
Around the burner there is another frame with thick iron wire, which will hold the chimney. Chimney made of transparent glass used to be fitting in to the frame tightly and to the cylindrical cup up through its designed ends. This frame can be removed and refitted.
The lantern is lit simply by lifting the cantilever cup up with the small holder fitted in it. Chimney and frame will slant to one side. The ribbon is lit and slowly chimney is kept upright , slowly releasing the cantilever so that the upper cylinder will rest on Chimneys designed edge . Chimney has to be cleaned since as lantern burn, some smoke will remain with chimney. Chimney used to be the size of a very very large Egg.
Normally lantern is put off with burning off the thread by blowing after raising the chimney frame by another cantilever fitted to the frame, which will lift chimney, and top fabricated cylinder slightly up. Lowering the flame will not put off the lantern. Burning the tip of ribbon gives light. Actually it is kerosene burns(absorbed by capillary action and evaporation at tip temperature )
Normally there were lantern repair people in all places. They will be having spares .Chimney used to be available in stationary shops. I was having a Lantern Late 2004 while in Trivandrum. There it was a must for simple light for prolonged power failures. Our emergency lamps could not stand such prolonged power failures. UPS we could not install being quarters. I gave it to one of my relatives who were desirous of it.
4.1 Lantern lighting period
After fully filing kerosene , a lantern will give light for three days at least in the nights up to 10 PM. from 6 PM. There was no TV on those days, and Radio program too completed by 9 PM on those days. One Lantern used to be in the hall, one in Kitchen for meals. On those days there was no out side separate lighting. If we go out we take lantern.
4.2 Advantages of lantern.
Of all the lamps , because of cotton ribbon, more evaporation at burner and more light. Due to fabricated cylindrical top, hot air went out side along with smoke and cool air with oxygen got in.
Chimney not used to get hot mostly. If got hot it was common to put of lantern for some time and again light. While taking out side wind did not harm the lantern. It was a practice for people to walk with lantern in the night.
4.3 Hanging lanterns
The lantern could be hang using its handle. When important functions are there, lantern used to hang out side varandha and in kitchen or newly made temporary kitchen.
A slightly modified version of lantern we can see in old English films about our coffee estates, tea estates, where anglo Indians using it.
5. Chimney vilakku.
Chimney vilakku is a younger brother of Lantern. Here instead of metallic base to hold kerosene , a thick glass container in cylindrical form is used. Diameter used to be about 2.5" and height about 1.5" Kerosene could be seen through glass. As usual a burner with thick ribbon and adjustments and proper fitting arrangements with threading. Chimney is fixed to a holder above burner . This holder was part of burner. Chimney was having a wide centre and cylindrical end. The glass container used to have a metal frame with a fixing arrangement. The lamp could either keep on the floor at a height or fixed to wall. Here handling of chimney had to be done carefully. Lowering the wick and blowing the lamp could be put off. For lighting we had to remove glass and light.
The today fear with in us of whether children will break the glass, will it burn them on touching, whether the glass container will break and kerosene will fall all were not there with people. That was the next safe lamp . We had no other lighting arrangements ( I recently red an article about fear in the forum. It come out of mind)
6. Mutta vilakku( Motta vilakku)
He is the youngest brother of chimney vilakku. Here the container used to be best quality tin, a small burner arrangement with turning arrangement and holder for chimney the size of an orange. This gave very little light just for night lamp. It had a fixture arrangement from the bottom container. Actually it was used as night lamp so that children will not fear during night. Some times slightly raising the flame, it was taken for toilet use by people.
7. Nila vilakku
Not only before the advent of kerosene , even after Enna vilakku was used for lighting. Oil lamps had not only the use in pooja rooms. Enna vilakku was used in kitchen. Probably a separate vilakku. My father used to say-" we cannot believe, current may go at any time. Keep lantern or any oil lamp while we take food". It was easier to light oil lamp
8. Ramayyan dalava and oil lamp
Once King Marthanda varma was taking his night meals. Ramayyan dalava was there by his side. SUDDENLY THE NILAVILAKKU STARTED GLOWING LOW. Wick had to be adjusted. There is no time to get small stick and adjust.
Suddenly it came to his mind- Ramayan dalava removed his ring, adjusted the wick with it and nilavilakku started to give flame. Raja got very pleased and rewarded him. The narration is for the purpose- NILAVILAKKU WAS USED IN DINING ROOM.
9. Shadow of lamps.
When all lamps burn, it will give light after a shadow area created by it. It was told never sit in the shadow area. Further we used all these lamps above the floor keeping on some planks or mini stools and keeping over it.( Shadows are called umbra and pen umbra)
10 Lumina of current day lamps
Lumina of the lamps are told in candlepower. ( Now in watts) just like pulling power is told as Horsepower. ( Actually one hp was considered average pulling power of a healthy horse).
Lanterns had more brightness and then chimney lamps. But chimney lamps used to get blown out when taken out side. They had more candlepower . Today our children cannot read with out strain in lantern lights. Our eyes have got tuned to new high wattage lamps.
Today we do not use 40 watts bulb. We feel light from it is insufficient. But this was what we used everywhere when we started using electric power. 25 Watts and 40 watts bulbs were mostly used.
Once 100 watts bulb was told giving very much light and heat. It was during the conversion period. People used to close the eyes while going by the side of it. Today the bulbs we use out side lighting and in kitchen, hall ding hall all are 100 watts ( In case our tube light fails as stand by) . Our eyes have got adjusted to these higher wattage lamps and feel it as the required light.
His narration concludes here!
With this narration, I want to add that whenever I was taken to my anchestral home near Shornur, I was forced to spend the whole vacation there with this mode of lighting since it was not electrified then. infact, there was not even a transistor radio to hear Radio Ceylon in the evenings to hear Tamil movie songs from popular Mayilvahanan, the person with Golden voice- a craze those days!Also no magazines!I had seen my Great Grand-mother who was totally blind used to move freely day & night without light! She takes Lantern to go around the vast & wide Garden surrounding the home during the nights, carefully avoiding pit-holes & wells dug at ground-level! Amazing it was!
THIS POST IS TOTALLY DEDICATED TO OUR ANCESTERS & THER HERITAGE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS PLEASE, SINCE ALL MATTERS DISCUSSED IN 10 PARAS ABOVE ARE OF MY GENERATION & BACK!
Krishnan
Back to you soon with my Silver Post next!
