–by Soumini Srinivas
His humility– never forgot his father’s humble beginnings as a tailor, he revered his Pfaff– sewing machine. He was glad I made a lot of use of it, when in Mylapore. Probably in this generation — he was the only gentleman I heard of or saw/met , who stitched his own shirt buttons, and washed his own dirty linen, in his bathroom, and hung them up to dry, every day. He used to do (till age 80) a lot of domestic plumbing, shoe and electrical repairs, despite my protests. He even fell off once, from the ladder, when he climbed up on it to see if the overhead water tank was full or dirty, in Neelangarai. His house in Neelangarai is named “Appu Ghar”.
His modesty and integrity: He never ever differentiated between his friends or acquaintances,in relation to wealth, age or social status. He gave the same importance and attention to Directors, employees, engineering staff, families of friends, to elders and youngsters, rich mill-owners and middle- class people.
He often used to visit his old retired chauffeur from Air India–who served him during his Bombay days–Kunju Nair, all the way in Kerala. Nair was a welcome guest in our homes, in Chennai and in Los Angeles. He used to go to his erstwhile deputies’ homes to give blessings to their children, when they embarked on their education or careers. When he received invitations to their weddings, he made every attempt to be there.
It has been widely acknowledged by his family, that he was a pillar of support (financially and socially) and encouragement, for his family members (brothers and sister) in his early days. Towards the end, he owned much less of financial wealth, than most other people whom he extended support to. But he had accumulated and passed on to his heirs a rich legacy of: wellwishers, massive goodwill, a solid reputation for integrity and honesty, a very strong work ethic, and social prestige, that is very difficult to acquire for an ordinary man. We will cherish this legacy.
He was not an ordinary man by any means, and we had the privilege of living with him and serving him.
HE WAS A LEGEND- AN ICON – A NOBLE GENTLEMAN UPLIFTED FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS BY SHEER PERSEVERANCE, AND DILIGENCE and little self-indulgence. “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”
HE WAS A BUDDHA WHO WAS ENLIGHTENED, BY HIS CONSTANT INTER-RELATIONSHIPS WITH US, ALL COMMON SOULS.
HE LIVED LIKE A HERMIT. BUT MOVED WITH KINGS AND POOR MEN ALIKE, AND HELD HIS HEAD HIGH, IN GRIEF AND JOY, HE WAS SOLID, A PILLAR TO LEAN BACK ON.
In Tamil a saying: ” Uyiranthavan, Thalandavan, illayae, nammidam, Nanbanae,nanbanae”. Applies very well to him in his personal relationships.
Meaning: “There is no difference in status, high or low, between us my friends!”
We will cherish his memories and pass on his legacy to our heirs.
Blessed are we who walked in his shadow.