By the evening of the 31st, the air was heavy with excitement as Amma’s shashtipoorthi drew near. Food arrangements had been made with Vasuettan. The “pandhal” people were onsite putting up the “rain resistant” pandhal and other decorations. There was laughter all around as people practiced their Oddissi’s and Bharath Natyam’s. Girish was generously belting out Hindi songs while Govindan navigated between everybody’s legs at breakneck speed. The invitation process was also complete and Muralimman had made a visit to check on the preparation progress. I had to make a quick trip in the morning to my in-laws place to check on my slightly ailing father-in-law and escort my wife and kids back home. Late in the evening Mattimman and family made their arrival. Also Raghu.
June 1st. The day prior to the big day. This day was planned as a day of family celebrations. The family circle converged on to Sreepadam. From Sreepadam itself – my Achan and Amma, Sasiettan, Oppol, Valliamma, Girish and Aswin, myself, Rathi, Kannan and Kuttan and also our niece - Bhoomika. From Kaivalliam, Ammamma, Cheriamma and Cheriachan, Jyothioppol, Prakashettan, Kavitha and Amritha, Ammu and Govind and Rashmi. Also Prakashettan’s parents arrived from Kedaram. From a fool of each other with the games. Musical chairs was the first item and a hardy litte Govindan stuck on till the very end but Kavitha laid claim to the final chair to emerge the winner. An entertaining session of passing the parcel followed next with some imaginative punishments for the poor victims left holding the parcel. It was tough to say which one was better – Oppol’s impersonation of an elephant or Jyothioppol’s one of a hopping frog. Next was a fun round of dumb charades.
Meanwhile more guests arrived including Muralimmaman, Deviammayi and Rudran. Lunch appeared – Morozhichakuttan and Olan followed by Idichupizhinja payasam. The elders settled in for conversations and discussions while the youngsters prepared for the events to follow. The evening rapidly approached. Tea and coffee were accompanied by bajji and Easwaramangalath appam. Our relatives from Tripunithura had joined us. Mema and cheriachan had also arrived in time for a late lunch. At around 5 PM Ammama and Thankavalliamma kicked things off by reading select passages from the Ramayanam. This was followed by a Hindustani song by Aami and then a Tamil song by Aswin. Bhoomika then showed how talented she was with a little dance. Govindan recited a poem, Girish yodeled Ya Ali, Oppol danced a Pushpanjali and Jyothioppol and Aami presented an Odissi piece. Madhu from Kezhke Warriam sang Ajitha Hare and our cousin from Tripunithura, Echu sang a very nice piece. The piece de resistance however was a Ganapathy dance by the five Sreekrishnapuram Belles – Oppol. Jyothioppol, Ammu, Rashmi and Kavitha. The show garnered much applause.
A short break followed while the stage was prepared. Kottakkal Narayanan and party had arrived (Vengeri Narayanan, Kottakal Ravi, Kottakkal Prasad and Kottakkal Sasi) Matters were kicked off with a choliyattom by Rashmi accompanied by the veteran cast. Janaka Thava Darshana - put simply “kalakki”
After that there was 2 ½ hours of Kathakali padam kutcheri. The crowd was 60 to 70 strong. Meanwhile dinner was served – chapathi, kurma, veg biriyani and raitha followed by ice-cream.
The new day dawned – Amma was 60 now. Amma and Cheremma visited the nearby temples. Breakfast was idli and vada. As the day wore on, the guests began to pour in. Vijayan gave us a pleasant surprise by arriving from Kottakkal in the middle of term exams. The elder ladies spent some time reading from the Narayaneeyam. After that all the younger folks took turns falling at Amma’s feet. Amma in turn received blessings from her elders. Achan sat by the side watching intently. Jyothioppol read out a Mangalapathram composed by Cheriachan from Mannarkkad. Cameras clicked away merrily. The local Warriar Samajam adorned Amma much to Amma's consternation with a Ponnada and Amma expressed her thanks in a few but heartfelt words. A lot of family photos were taken. The lunch menu was composed of the usual sadya suspects – Sambaar, Rasam, Erissery, Olan, Avial, Kalan, Pappadum, 2 kinds of uppilittathu etc. etc. Paalada Pradhaman for the payasam. Close to 150 guests attended.
One by one people left and an exciting evening drew to a close. The only regret were the ones missing – Preethi, Ramesettan and kids, Shailaja and Rajeev, Vijayettan and Renjith
