Sunday, December 23, 2007

REMIX :REMIX :REMIX::ULMANASU PORATTANGAL.THE CONFLICT WITHIN

.......This is a REMIX of the previous post !!


My name is Desigachariar ,living in one of the palatial houses in Sir Radhakrishnan Road. Born in an illustrious joint family which had Diwan Bahadurs and Rao Bahadurs by dozens.Originally hailing from Kumbakonam from interior Tamil Nadu, our Great grand father had migrated to Madras. My father was a Diwan in one of the princely states before he settled down here.I remember my childhood days- taken to school by chariot and playing in this huge house of ours with my schoolmates.It was so huge that while playing hide and seek we used to really get lost.I had my own secret entry points and hiding places that I never got out in the games

Today my only child and son Aravamudhan is coming back from USA.Its been many years since he came to India,having settled abroad for over 30 years. I have been visiting him twice every year.This time I invited him to come and spend his holidays in Chennai and to come here along with his family comprising of my wonderful Daughter in law DrRanjani and grandchildren Charu and Nirmala.

The taxi entered the compound and I could spot Aravamudhan , his wife and the kids were waving out.After exchange of pleasenteries, I came straight away to the point.I wanted to sell off the house since he didnt plan to come back again to India.I opened out the plan.One of the biggest builders in India had approached me with the proposal of out right purchase and build a tallest multi storied complex.I would be alloted a duplex flat in the opposite building with an ante room where a caretaker would live .The next week ,the builder and promoter would come in the morning to negotiate and if every thing went well I would endorse my signature. ARA (Aravamudhan )was shell shocked.

ARA : Appa ,we all know you love this house so much.How could you suddenly come to this decision.

ME ; I agree ARA,but all good things have to come to an end.We have discussed about your return to India several times.But I do realise both you and Ranjani have no plans to return.Besides ,the kids are also citizens of that country and I do not think they are going to come back here.

Have you looked at that huge house ,couple of buildings away.With the owners away its being misused by miscreants.With my age catching up, its best I move to a smaller apartment.

I saw sadness creeping in the faces of all.I had myself gone through these sentiments when contemplating about this sale.

I put my hand on his shoulders and said,the reason I called all of you to come down is that I want you all enjoy the house,perhaps one last time before we hand it over to the builders.Please remember,change is eternal and attachment is not necessary.

The next few days it was video,video and video with every corner of the house being covered.

At the end of the week,ARA and Ranjani sat in front of me in the dinner table,wanting to talk to me.I provoked them into talking.

ARA :Appa can I negotiate with the builders

Me : Sure ARA .The price indicated by them is RS 10 crores.

Morning, sharp at 9 ,two latest cars zoomed onto our portico.The portico was large enough to accomodate a dozen such cars.

Me :ARA ,please meet Mr Ismail the builder and Mr Agarwal the promoter

Me : Mr Ismail,Mr Agarwal, my son ARA will discuss with you on the deal.I suppose its ok with you .

Ismail : good morning Mr ARA.I understand this house has been in your families custody for generations ,but please dont worry theres going to be a huge complex coming up making you proud.

ARA :Thats nice Mr Ismail,before we go into price discussions I need an assurance from you.We know once the transaction is complete,we have no control over the property.So we would like to retain some portion say 25 mtrs by 25 mtrs in which we wish to to have a small model of this house and secondly may be plant two Banyan trees which would outlast all of us .

Ismail ; But that would be huge area,but I feel its a great idea.We can talk to the architect and see how best we could accomodate it in the building plan.But your point is well taken to have Nature and not losing the heritage totally.

By this time I was curious to know how well my son had negotiated.And when they disclosed what they had discussed, I felt very proud.Nature and sentiment will find a place in the future plan !!Great idea,how come It never occured to me .

The discussions went on and in the best of spirits.The entire thing was minuted and documents too prepared in the next few hours.

Agarwal ;Sir ,would you mind signing the document here

Me : OK. Never did I realise that a Win Win situation would emerge out of a situation like this.

A person was introduced as a Chief engineer(CE) who gently spelt out how they were to go ahead with the demolition.

C E :Sir,We are quite aware that this is an old construction , built with all care ,to last centuries.Therfore,we are going to use a very latest technique to bring it down.We are going to use Implosion technique with a special white flame method.The entire house will momentarily be turned into white heat state when everything gets pulverised and then the controlled explosives will ensure a perfect implosion.All that will be left is dust.Then our bull dozers move in and level off the ground.Would you believe it sir, all this will take just 30 minutes.

Being perfect hosts ARA and his wife saw the guests off.Then he came and sat in front of me, perhaps a little guilt over powering all of us.

The next day,several trucks came and took away all the things.Century old stuff.My son explained the agreement was to dispose them off to museums world over,of course with all Govt formalities.The granite and marble stones,at the entrance of the house, bearing the names of Rao Bahadhurs and Diwan Bahadurs would also be preserved. That evening we were moved to the opposite house.Next morning was the D Day.I woke up as usual at 4 am and completed my morning walk to beach.By 6 am the TV vans had occupied the vantage points to cover the first time spectacle.By 9 the experts had wired the house with explosives.The implosion was scheduled at 10 am.Once again,Lot of excitement in the air.

There was pang of sorrow deep in me, but I have always been taught change was eternal and nothing was ever permanent.So I quickly overcame it.

The demolition was completed and the house disappered right in front of my eyes.A little later Ismail and Agarwal dropped in.They had a plan in hand.The way the architect had envisaged ,dovetailing the model of the now non existant house and two Banyan trees was just terrific.It appeared that,with the help of current technology, one could have the cake and eat it too. Amazing.

ARA and family left chennai after their brief holidays.

The construction of the building was going on at breakneck speed.

One day ,I was told an IT major was going to occupy the building.That evening when I was sitting in my balcony around 6 pm,hundreds of youngsters,bubbling with enthuthiasm trooped out of the building.It reminded me of beautiful butterflies.Such a lovely sight it was.

I was living all alone in that house and now that place was full of effervescent life and energy. I felt the whole place was living. What a change for good.

I was happy and rushed into call ARA and tell him about this exciting news and also tell him that Banyan tree had started growing,and it would definitely outlast all of us !!


TC
CU

REMIX REMIX;;;; WHY ?
In view of the popular sentiments that the original was TOO HEAVY a write up,thought I will do a REMIX (a Currently popular phenomenon in moviedom ).And perhaps it would be better to welcome the NEW YEAR in a more Happy note !!

79 comments:

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

Again happened to be the opener :)

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

Nothing but a change in the climax!

Though it was very nice of you that you had incorporated the people's suggestion to make this as a happy ending, somehow i am NOT in.

Perhaps is it because of the version1?

Best Wishes.

Cheers,
Raghavan alias Saravanan M.

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

Just to remind you about my another blog.

A new aspect from my side - a movie review on 'Taare Zameen Par' is here :

http://blogsofraghs.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/a-thought-on-taare-zameen-par/

Peep in when you get time.

Thank you!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Raghavan alias Saravanan M
Thanks for Boni..!!
As you see majority of comments were for a positive ending and some even felt sorry..So keeping in moods with the new year season,thought why not we begin New Year on a happy note
Lokks it didnt carry the impact on you..Original; is original I guess..lol
Will Visit ur blog
Thanks for your opinion

TC
CU

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

//thought why not we begin New Year on a happy note//

that's great sir. Change is the only Constant :)

Happy New Year to you and your near & dears!

//Lokks it didnt carry the impact on you..Original; is original I guess..lol//

:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ வேதா
Varugaikku nandri..Let happy endings be the Happy Begining for all in the New year..thanks ma
TC
CU

Prats said...

happy yes...but since it was anyway a hypothetical story...it shouldn't have mattered....this take on the same issue is a good one and positive too...it hasn't lost the essence and still handled the positivity well..
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Prats,
Hi welcome.Hypothetical yes.but it managed to ruffle nerves here and there..So why not I thought,give a Twist (LOL) and make it Happy and positive as you mentioned
WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO..
TC
CU

Sudha said...

You have made this like Mirch masala (award winning hindi movie starring Nasserudin shaw).There are two endings for the movies.Thus this story Too.Creative track back.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Sudhakar
Thanks for your comments.Never knew that of a movie with similar two ends!!Like to see the movie too,Shaw is a great actor!!
TC
CU

m.flowerr said...

This is much better then the earlier!
I prefer happy endings and so are you there.Thanks for that!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@m.flowerr
Hi thanks for your comment..Happy endings go along with the current festive season too..isnt it ?
TC
CU

UL said...

CU hi, caught both your posts today and both lovely. Sad and happy, opposite sentiments beautifully narrated. But then that's reality is it not?Life is indeed full of opposites...the moral I would like to take away from here - 'change is inevitable, dont try to prevent change and of course the less attachment to this material world, the better.' Thanks for sharing such wise thoughts through superb real-life like stories, keep writing into the new year, hope you have a wonderful holiday season. HAPPY NEWYEAR '08!

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

That was beautifully written!!Its an awful feeling to see a home demolished isnt it?

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ UL
You have broought it out much better than me..just wonderful..I have no words to add..

Happy new year to you

TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vishnupriya Janardhanan
Awful is the word Vishnupriya ..You said it

Wish you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Kavitha Jay said...

yay happy ending...love it :)

Anush said...

thalae, actually unmaiya solla pona, enakku 1st version than innum pidichudhu.

But i gess thats the thing with all remixes rite? the original is always the best?

and a happy new year to u as well [:)] keep us entertained with more such posts!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Mystery
Welcome.Long time ..Happy Happy Ending..but see the kind of mixed response this evokes !!LOL

Wish you a Happy New Year !!
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@crazyBugga
Welcome and thanks for your comments.As I mentioned earlier see the kind of mixed responses its evoking.
Wish you a Happy New Year !!
TC
CU

Sahasra said...

U described the reality.I may be a part of ur story.Though my house was not such a mansion,but a lovely home in 3 acres with all my relatives under one roof.It was such a beautiful place where my brother,me and all my cousins grew up,playing peek-a-boo,break-the-chain and all funny games etc;I have fond memories as my childhood was in that home with my grandparents,paternal uncles and aunts.When the D-day has come,it was terrible for all of us to digest.The so called shelter for generations is no more a home but just a dishelved place.The chats under the neem tree at chai-time was no more.Had i known the idea of this story,I would have preserved my HOME(if I was old enuff to discuss with dad and my uncles)Luckily my grandparents had not gone thr' this.

A very impressive post which made me relish my childhood and of course made me sad to remember the gross incident too

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@sahasra
Wecome sahasra ..long time since you have been here..well,life goes on isnt it,with memories very much part of our journey..lets cherish the sweeter ones,the happier ones..and of course learn from butter ones..Hope you went thru both the stories,the one with happy ending too !

Wish you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Sahasra said...

Just now I read the first story.the first one is too sorrowful to take.Hope I did the right thing to read ur latest version first,or else I would have been choked imagining my grandpa.

Yeah,I truly agree ,life is a learning curve.It is not a cake walk.I had gone thr' this and would never commit the same at any cost.

I am short of words to express my feelings.U really need an Accolade for ur creative writing skills.

Are u a writer?I'm just curious to know .....

Sahasra said...

Wish u a happy new year to you and your near and dear.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@sahasra
Welcome again..Thanks for your comments..No ,i am not a writer..Its only in Blogs i started this experiment.If you have time scroll back into one of my older posts on..Blog ,this far..I have mentioned how I slipped into this story telling,oops,story writing !!
Thanks again for your nice words and sharing your feelings

Once again wishing you a Happy New Year

TC
CU

The Artist said...

This version is full of life...a beginning of a new era...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ The Artist
Thanks for the positive words.Let the New Year Bloom on A positive note
New Year Wishes To you
TC
CU

PurpleHeart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PurpleHeart said...

Wow ! I enjoy happy endings. And it was wise and graceful of the protagonist to accept the change life has brought about. Happy new year to u too !! :-)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ PurpleHeart
Thanks for your comments..Its true,most of the times one resists changes and suffers..Sometimes this suffering is passed on to the near and dear ones too.
Heres wishing you a Happy New Year!
TC
CU

Deekshanya said...

Na na na. I liked the previous story better! But this would have been good too, had I not read the old one! Write more in the lovely new year to come! Thanks for ur wishes.
Take care.
Deeksh!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Deekshanya
Thanks for the views..looks at the end of it ,I need to count the views FOR and AGAINST and see which gets a higher vote..lol
Will try my best on new posts.thanks for the encouragement..
Wishing you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Itchingtowrite said...

i like this version better!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Itchingtowrite
Hi.Thanks for your words..
Wishing You A Happy New Year
TC
CU

Sumana said...

CU, You are tagged
http://expressthemind.blogspot.com/2007/12/decade-to-achieve.html

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Hi Sumana
Will consolidate and release the Tag soon.Thanks for passing by
Wish you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

amna said...

ur opinion poll does not have what i am looking for. "blog whenever you want to"

dont give options like this where the reader is forced to give you a negative poll feedback when he may not be thinking that way at all :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Nags
Hi,welcome .first time I guess.Point well taken..why to impose a constraint,right..well said..
You have a nice blog
Wish you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Sandhya said...

hi

thanx for ur wishes n i reciprocate the same to you.....

Remixes r always good........ though it was less senty than original......... but i love the original one.............

hope we will get entertain by your posts in coming 2008........

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Sandhya
Hi..long time..Thanks for the comments.Original and the Remix..looks both are getting different feedbacks !!just an attempt
Thanks for the wishes,and I reciprocate the same
TC
CU

Gayatri Bhadran said...

i like this version better! very nice! =)

wish you a verry verry happy bright brand new year. God Bless. Cheers!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Gayatri
Thank you for your nice words.keep visiting when u have the time
Wish you a happy new year
TC
CU

Honey Bee said...

Happy New Year CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Honey Bee
Hi..Thank You and Wish you The Same
Tc
Cu

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

Hello Sir,

A Warm Wishes from my side for a very Happy and Satisfied New Year to you and all your family members.

If time permits, just check out this poem here -> http://kavithaikealungal.blogspot.com/2007/12/puthaandu-nalvaazhthukkal-2008.html.

Cheers,
Raghavan alias Saravanan M.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Raghavan alias Saravanan M
Thank you and wish you the same
tc
cu

Drama Queen said...

hah! that was nice!

thanx for laving ur comments on my blog, i'm gonna change my URL soon, i'll let you know...

till, then...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Mridhulaa
hi thanks for passing by
wish You A happy new Year
Tc
CU

Priya said...

Good things always come to end with smiles.

Happy New year.

ceedy said...

Sir you are on a loooooog break it seems
happy new year to you :)

Preethi said...

Wow! what an experimentation with story telling. Just realised that i wasn't attached to the house after all. What mattered were the feelings of Desigachari... he is happy i'm happy. happy new Year to you too.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@priya
Hi..thats nice, isnt it and to begin the New year that way !

Wish you a Happy new year !!
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ c e e d y
Hi,Welcome Man..not on a long break but struggling with managing time !
Simple business Pressure..I am poor at it too..Unable to visit all my friends blog ! Hope the New year helps me.. LOL
Wishing you a Very happy New Year
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Very true Preethi..Its between the ears and the heart ..the struggle I mean..Once we are able take stock,even the most diffucult situation ,perhaps could be laughed off or smiled at !!Thats life I guess
Wish You a very Happy New Year
TC
CU

Sameera Ansari said...

That was a nice story!Nice space you have here :)

Happy New Year!God Bless

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@*~*{Sameera}*~*
hi thanks for the comment.I hope you read the previous one too..this was a sequel to that

Wish you a happy New year

TC
CU

aMus said...

the remix was good...and positive...

it reminded me of an idea in te hardy boys series long time back...choose teh end you want :)

happy new year Cu...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Hi
Welcome back..how was the pampering from parents !!lol
Thanks for your views.Honestly,I enjoyed writing both.While one was sort of reality ,the other spelling out how the issue is to be approached.

So Suma,Wish you a Very Happy New Year

TC
CU

Phoenix said...

i have lots to ask and tell u.so kindly be patient till i finish bombarding you with them :P

1.whoa you are one helluva writer////i must have told this to u so many times :P but seriously this is one good read!

2.since how u r a rich man!where is my treat??? :P just kidding !! :P plz dont have an heart attack :)

3.how can u speak such good bengali?i thought u knew tamil and u r from south india

4.i like the matter of fact way you have towards life and specially property, ive been telling dad to sell off our portoin of our 2 flat home for a better living in some housing complex but alas! sentiments rules!and in more way than one i support him :P

btw
wishing you and your family a very happy new year!! :D

hope you are throughly bored and disgusted and by now have vowed never to visit my blog again! :P jokes apart,plz do visit :)

Keshi said...

Happy New Year CU!

waiting for the remix now ;-)


Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@phoenix
Hi welcome after a long time
Patience I have in plenty so dont bother !!
1)Thanks for nice words on the blog..Stories ans spinning Yarn are my favourites..lol
2)I was born and brought up in Kol till my college in A famous college in Park Street..So Speaking Bangla sholud be to an extent ok..though its very rusted now !!
3) treat is never a problem..Honestly I always feel we fellow bloggers should meet too..How about taking up the initiative !!
4)The kolkata housesbuilt in the old Victorian fashion are just wonderful..I do miss my old home in South Kol...
But change is inevitable,we can perhaps postpone it but can we stop the inevitable..is it worth it !!So You and Dad have to take a decision,isnt it

Equally long answer..

TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Hi Keshi Keshi Keshi ...

This is the remix ma...lol..For the original scroll back...lol

Thanks for the wishes and wish you the same
TC
CU

Lakshmi said...

wish you a very happy new year and thanks for visiting my blog .

I prefer the earlier option..maybe because im against demolishing old properties and it makes me feel sad when anyone decides to do so..be it the older or the younger generation

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Hi..thanks for passing by..interesting comment..old is gold,no doubt,but then how does one achieve it in real life,keeping the balance of old and new !!
Keep passing by ..
Wishing you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Preethi said...

Very nice... again had tears in my eyes... it has gained the positive note but retained the essence.. unlike all remixes. You sure are a great story teller!!

rayshma said...

i like sequels or remixes coz they make me like the original even more! :)
wish u a wonderful 2008! :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Hi Preethi ..long time..thanks for the nice words..tears of joy ;tears of happiness..they alternate in life and make it more meaningful !right !!
Wishing you a Happy New Year
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@rayshma
Hi..Where did you vanish..Holidays ?
Yeah ,in this era of Remixes,the discussions /arguments go on..like the famous Ad..Coffee:Toffee ..but then remix do retain the original essence to keep the intensity on ,isnt it ?
Wish you A Happy New Year

TC
CU

anits said...

nice story if it is happy ending it will b more interesting.... anyway good post! happy new year

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
So looks you are for the Remix,which has the happy ending in tune with the season !!
Wishing you a Very Happy New Year
TC
CU

Lakshmi said...

Change doesnt mean demolition or altering something beyond recognition. The balance can always be maintained..you dont need to get rid of the old to bring out a new ..yet, it can be modified, renovated etc ...my post on monologues is something similar

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@backpakker
Very true..keeping the balance is very important..Invariably one loses sight of it when materialistic issues take over..
Thanks for being here..will have a look at monologs too
TC
CU

venuss66 said...

Hi, Happy New Year! Take care. God Bless.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@venus66
Thank you and wish you de same Venus
TC
CU

Joy said...

Hi,

I liked the original version only.That was more realistic...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Joy
Welcome Joy..long time here
a bit of tragedy the previous one isnt it ? It appeals to the sentiments ..illiya
Belated wishes for a Happy New year..keep coming
TC
CU

m.flowerr said...

Happy New Year.........

Aarthi said...

Hey thts cool...awesome remix and a happy ending....grt gift idea for the new yr....:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Aarthi
Thanks Aarthi..Hows the new job keeping you occupied ?
TC
CU