A tribute to my grandfather

As i was traveliing back from my field work in the village this Tuesday, i came into the range of my mobile network and i got a message telling me about my Appachi's (grandfather's) death. I for a moment felt very sad but i knew that this was the best thing that can happen to him given his situation in the last few months where he had lost his mind. Today i got a called from my father who told me that around 1000 people came to pay their respect. I was surprised. I never thought my grandfather had so many well wishers.

Well as i write it i go on a trip down the memory lane. My Grandfather was born in a well to do family in Kerala. But because of certain problems  he spend the prime of his life in some what a poverty situation. He raised 9 children in total. All of them today are well placed in life. He is a blessed  person who had a  good life.

I still rememer him playing Ludo with me. Me, my brother and my aunt who at that time was not married played Ludo together. My Grandfather was my God father too. But we never had any heart to heart talk. Maybe because i only spent my vacations there in Kerala. But i knew he loved me a lot. This was quite evident from the fact that he used to cycle down Pampady market and by meat and fish. Man i can never forget the fish he purchased. They were some of the best i ever had. Appachi loved the weekly markets in Pampady. As my dad always tell " Its his hunting ground".

He was a typical Indian husband to his wife. He ordered her around. But he could not live without her. He used to always ask me "Yeda Ashwin. Amma yenndiye?". (Where's Amma).  He used to yell at her at times but again he could not live without her. He used to love playing cards with all his sons with a small peg of rum to top it all. He loved fish a lot. He could not eat any meal without fish.

He had a heart attack many years back. He took it all well. But he got a major attack this year after which he lost his mind. He was like a small child. I took care of him for a month. I am glad i could. On the 14 Aug 2006 at 6.30 he breath ed his last. Well that ends an era in my life.