Humble Beginning
We hired an auto from the town of oppiliappan jovial-near Kumbakonam to my fathers ancestral village tell you the truth it was true to its name a "VILLAGE"(After a long fight with the authorities people in the village have managed to get bus services their small village.) The road to the village was as expected - Narrow,hardly maintained and a dirt track.After an excruciating journey we reached the village - POUNDARIGAPURAM.

Every south Indian Name would have to it a village name attached which was a part of my fathers name too.But this name stopped with my father after we severed all ties with the village after my grandfather migrated to the city of chennai in serach of greener pastures.As we walked through the village my father showed me the parts of the vacant agricultural land that was once owned by us.The He told "It extended from here till say about that post ..(Which was about 1 km away..)"That was a vast extent of land.I was never used to such open places after spending a large portion of my life in flats and small independent houses.As city resident I was always used to "CUBICLES","ENCLAVES","APARTMENTS" etc...!! The idea of imagining vast open spaces was a welcome change indeed.

It was like working on the sets of a barathiraja...movie..!!watch the prostine beauty of nature.I mean it was really pristine..!No truks,tractors..!People using bullock carts !Air without pollution and a noise free environment. Truly a welcome change.The cell phone was dead as it could reach any transmitting station.A relief for even a cell phone buff like me.

Rustic Beauty with the fragrance of the farm land..!Quite Amazing Indeed!..

Then he showed the old ancestral home,the adjoining mango orchard,the village post-office(an indispensible part of the village economy),a temple tank and a small dilapilated temple.We visited the temple and as soon as we entered ...A sudden attack by the Bats that took shelter there..The god there seem to like their company,Then the pujari performed a simple pooja to the lord there and gave us the prasad.The lord there had no flowers for any decoration.Then we bid adieu to the place and again looked at the village.A perfect Malgudi type environ..!
Quite a nostalgic journey...!!While returning back he told me these words..

"SON...Always remember about your humble beginning....!" (Even though this village will not be a part of my surname now :)
Quite a strong statement..Indeed!!!