THE SEVEN-DAY SRI LANKAN ADVENTURE
‘MY’
FOREWORD .....
Any
language has its own way of presentation, and beauty of expression – so that
the complete meaning is conveyed, and you get that unique feeling – “Vaah, kyaa baath hai...?”
Example:
Here
is a sentence expressed in three languages
खाली आलतू फालतू बात बोलने से काम थोड़ी बनती है?
(Khalee aalthoo faalthoo baath
bolne se kaam thodee banthee hai?)
சும்மா வெட்டி பேச்சு பேசினா மட்டும் வேலை நடந்திடுமா?
(Summaa
vetti pechu pesinaa mattum velai nadanthidumaa?)
വെറുതെ വാചകമടിച്ചാൽ മാത്രം ജോലി നടക്കുമോ?
(Veruthey vaachakamadichaal
maathram joli nadakkumo?)
If
you literally translate any of the above sentences to English, it may read
something like this: “Will the job be done simply
by talking this and that?”
I
hope I am making my point clear.
I
have a simple assignment – to translate the Tamil version of Radha Madam’s
travelogue to English in order to ensure a wider reachability. I am not sure
how much of justice I will be able to do. But, I promise you that I will try my
level best to retain the poetic beauty throughout. Unlike my other blogs, MY
contribution here is zero, and all I am doing is to run my fingers along my lap
top key board mechanically.... just following the thoughts that comes to my
mind as I am travelling along the original script.
A R C H I T E C T S B E H I N D
T H E O R I G I N A L C R E A T I O N
# TRAVELOGUE OF THE TWENTY SIX #
PROLOGUE
WANT TO EXPLORE THYSELF?
START ON A JOURNEY,
HAVE FAITH IN YOUR JOURNEY,
BELIEVE IN ITS EFFECT,
ENHANCE YOUR STRENGTH.
THE TRUE HUMANE NESS
WILL FILL YOUR LIFE.
AND YOUR EXPERIENCE?
IT EQUALS HUNDREDS OF BOOKS
Such
reflective travels are the ones that help us discover/rediscover our own inner
selves.
One-day
or several days, national or international, pleasure trip or pilgrimage, each
and every journey undertaken with relatives or friends turns out into an
amazing bondage which motivates us to share the treasure of experience with
many.
When
you feel completely exhausted, bodily as well as mentally, even a small journey
you undertake turns out into a rejuvenating tonic. I have taken up several
trips during my life time. However, what motivated me, and inculcated a sense
of complete confidence for venturing on the 7 – day Ramayana trip to Srilanka
were
the
enthusiasm generated by my lovely daughters, the confidence given by the kind
doctors, the amazing experience my daughter shared with me about her recent Cambodia
trip – and above all, that special trust, credibility, confidence, or faith – call
it whatever you want – when I registered with Manivannan’s “Sanjay Tours” ....
The
cost of the trip was immediately deposited, and we started making arrangements
for the imminent trip right away. Reading the introduction by fellow travelers,
the detailed descriptions about the preparations for the trip from Manivannan,
all in our newly created “whatsApp” group pages, and constant flow of messages,
in fact, made the mercury level of my enthusiasm sore like never before. On my
part, I introduced myself to the group as an 80 year ‘young’ passenger, and
shared my curiosity and zest of joining them all, and travelling with them in
the forthcoming trip, through a poem on whatsApp, THUS:
TO THE LAND OF ‘LION’
FLAG
CALLED ‘LANKA’ –
VISUALISED IN THEIR WRITING
BY KAMBAN, BHARATI, AND
KALKI,
JOIN ME, FRIENDS WITH A
SENSE OF COMRADERY,
TO EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN,
AND SHARE,
COME, ALL MY FRIENDS
RUSHING WITH SUCH FERVOUR,
JUST LIKE A LOVELY
DRAGON FLY
LET US ALL UNDERTAKE
THIS PURE AND VIRGIN JOURNEY .....
-
RADHA KAVI
THE SEVEN – DAY JOURNEY
Beginning
17 January, 2018 and concluding 24 January, seven days of non-stop travel - from
Srilanka’s northernmost tip to her southernmost tip, numerous ancient Indian /
Budhist temples; fresh and virgin roads; hillocks of Srilanka filled with
natural resources; forest areas; paddy fields wrapped up in green blankets;
seacoast with dancing waves; gulf-like locales; streams; rivers; waterfalls;
vast lakes; refurbication activities;
This
virgin tour of 7 days undertaken by our team of 26, covering countless
kilometers of the amazing land of Srilanka, using all modes of transport, like
Aero plane, Minibus, Motor boat, Auto rickshaw was as if the 7 days flew off
like 7 seconds.
Another
aspect that made this trip an unforgettable and life-time experience to me was
that I had as my co-passengers people with amazing attitudes, excellent
educational qualifications, vast experience in similar lengthy travels,
storehouses of overflowing talents inside, and above all, with servicing
mentality, and contentment – such noble souls......
TOUR ORGANISER
Manivannan - Proprietor
of Sanjay Tours – enterprising youngster, with rocklike determination – to
prove his mettle – his attempts through small but firm steps – hard work
without rest or relaxation – step by step meteoric rise from bottom to top –
countless national and international tours – capacity to plan and execute with
precision big or small tours, and ability to sort out any issue – his skill to
attend to complaints with a smiling face that would make people forget what
they want to complain about – some of the highlights.
And
decent accommodations, food, optimal routes, timings, (sticking to the maximum
possible extent), occasionally exhibiting his culinary skills by preparing
tasty food himself, brief narrations at the visiting locales, and several such
talents and pluses – the knack of reading people’s minds, and helping without
their asking, personalized individual attention all of which made us gel
completely with him, and accept him as another member of our family – this, I
would say, was the pinnacle of the trip.
THE TEAM
Total
: 26 members
Couples 9
Relatives 3
Friends 4 (2
pairs)
Majority
of the participants were in the age group of 50 – 75.
However,
all of them believed age was just a number, and continuously entertained
themselves by singing and dancing, shared their childhood / youth memories,
showcased their talents without any inhibition, assigned nick names to other
members and pulled their legs at the drop of a hat, throughout the trip – all
these, in fact busted the fear and myth of boredom that usually tests your
patience in such long journeys…
I
am giving below short introduction about each of them, seen in my perspective –
this will help you to not only understand their personality, but also, throw a
light into the way they entertained others through their active participation.
INTRODUCTION
NILWALA -
II
1.
AMIRDHA: My
Daughter – literally, my ‘crutch’ during the entire trip, ‘carrier’ of my
belongings throughout, and ‘guide’ helping me getting in and out of the van at
every stop over – enthusiastic talker on any subject, became a pet for everyone.
Nick
name: “KALA KALA”
2.
GEETHA: My
daughter’s sister-in-law – gets emotional very fast, jolly type, tend to
express her views frankly with everybody, and stands firmly holding her view
point every time, easily creates rapport with each and every one.
Nick name: “FRIENDSHIP”
3&4: SOORYA – MOORTHY COUPLE: Celebrated and enjoyed their wedding anniversary during the trip.
Moorthy: made sure that he was the last to enter
the bus every time and hell bent on receiving the standing applause from
co-passengers.
Soorya: enthusiastic throughout – expert on
songs of all languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu) – makes sure that her enthusiasm
is contagious, raising the spirit of everyone around
Nick name: “WEDDING DAY JODI”
Saraswati: very soft in nature, pleasing looks, always
dressing up elegantly, expert in singing Malayalam songs in her own soft voice
Nick
name: “GENTLE”
Sivaraman: very jovial type, adds spice through his
punch dialogues
(“I
am lucky that I have a beautiful wife. I don’t know whether I deserve to have
her”)
Helps
others without waiting for their asking (including buying bread pack for me)
Nick
name: “NAUGHTY”
Mani: self introduction – neatly summarized
in a few words – you get only a smile for any of your queries
Seetha: what she described about her husband
was gem of a narration, and her notings about the trip – super English script
Nick
name: “MOUNA RAAGAM” - ‘Silent Raga’ for both
Usha: non-stop narration – on any topic and everytime
– excellent description about their earlier travel adventures – neat and cogent
way of presentation – extremely proud about husband, prompts with lines to help
him sing – herself sings with a sweet voice
Nick
name: “ENERGETIC”
Ananthu:
all rounder – plays Mouth Organ –
well-trained carnatic music – expertise in photography – well-qualified – the day
would start with his prayer song – sees everything with a photographic eye – full
of love for wife and extremely proud about her
Nick
name: “Mr. CHARM”
United
by love braving severe opposition, thanks to their common passion – service to
society
Padma: multi talented – storehouse of energy,
excellent catalyst & motivator – dancer, singer, and actor – mono acting
specialist – releases telugu songs/poems suiting the context – independently managing a service set up (NGO) initiated by
Mahatma Gandhi in the name of Kasturba – exclusively for women - taking care of
destitutes, innocent victims disowned by society etc.
Nick
name: “BUBBLY IRON LADY”
KASI: RSS Loyalist – high connections in
media – worked for Sankara TV and such organizations – matching company for Mani
(silent most of the time – tranquil like the deep ocean)
Nick
name: “SILENT PARTNER”
NILWALA -
I
Raman: always volunteering to help others –
trim build. Main source of entertainment during the whole trip – expresses his
love with total emotion – extreme concern for wife
Nick
name: “VEIN”
Veda: always ready with matching repartee
for the naughty comments of Raman – at one point, she jokingly offered to trade
him, if a good price was quoted, when Manivannan announced there could be
buyers … secretly enjoys the antiques of her caring husband
Nick
name: “THROB”
Nagarajan: always seen in Ramarajan dhoti (not in as
many psychedelic shades, though) – pretending to sleep, but secretly enjoying
the comments of others – forcing his own views in between
Nick
name: “RAMARAJ DHOTI”
Vijayalakshmi: wearing that smiling face, always –
new dazzling silk saree everyday – hails from Singa Nallur – very proud, and
rightfully so, about the musical prowess of her son, a highly talented young Flute
artist – (search for ‘N Vishweshwar – Flute’ on Youtube) – always seen reading
her sloka books
Nick
name: “SLOKAM”
Thangavel: always acting as the right hand of
Manivannan – whether in serving food, or streamlining during check-ins, and
check-outs - enjoys serving food, and ensuring that everybody gets enough food –
reminded of him whenever I think of ‘Vada’ …
Nick
name: “FRONT-RUNNER FOR WORK”
Meenatchi: sobriety and calmness personified – observing
and enjoying/appreciating whatever her husband does
Nick
name: “QUEEN OF PATIENCE”
Anuradha: impeccable dressing sense, the sparkling
colorful dresses adding to her beauty – wearing that contagious smile – always
Nick
name: “PRETTY WOMAN”
Sreeram:
youngest-looking member of the team
– freely mingling and talking with one and all – keen to take snaps of wife in
different angles. Retired from bank , hailing from Coimbatore
Nick
name: “KALIYUGA SREERAMA”
Nick
name: “QUEEN OF SMILES”
22 YOGALAKSHMI - Bosom
friend of Shantha – keen to partake in all activities, dedicated member in many
of the tours organized by Manivannan
Nick
name: “ALLERGIC TO GOLD”
24 MANOHARI long time colleague of Vasantha in
the same department – both retired around the same period
Nick
name “AMMA AND CHINNAMMA”
25 ME (finally) nothing much to boast about
Nick
name: “leaving to your choice” Sivaraman announced my nickname on the very
first day “QUEEN
ELIZABETH”
All three were quiet and pleasing – braving the language barrier they were talking freely with the members – taught us several Sinhala words – calm and composed driving at optimal speed, steering with amazing control – expressing love and concern to members all the time – searched and procured old popular tamil numbers and played for us – readily acted as guides and gave briefings at several locales – we were all aghast at the speed at which the punctured tyre was replaced by them on the last day
Factors
which motivate me in attempting to come out with this ‘travelogue’ is,
All the 26 participants share their wonderful experience with other members
The write up turns out to be soothing to everyone’s minds
My sincere expectation that you get the inspiration to venture into many such travels in future
All the 26 participants share their wonderful experience with other members
The write up turns out to be soothing to everyone’s minds
My sincere expectation that you get the inspiration to venture into many such travels in future
It
is the result of such fervent hope and expectation that I am attempting to
present my thoughts.
Now,
shall we make a re-visit to Srilanka through this write – up ????
