The Chembur Mama

If you happen to see a white-haired man of about 70 years of age in the Central Avenue area of Chembur, Mumbai between Diamaond Garden and Chembur Rly. Station wearing “Veshti”, a loose fitting T Shirt with a US institution/company monogram and with a cloth bag in hand, you are meeting the typical Chembur Mama. The cotton bag is a recent adornment ever since A.P.Mani Stores started charging extra for plastic carry bags. Mostly hailing from Palakadu in Kerala, he has lived in Mumbai for well over 50 years, first in Matunga as bachelor and patron of South Indian Concerns ( popularly called The Concerns). After an arranged marriage with a “young woman well trained in household affairs” ( now Mami), he moved to his own flat “ 600 sq. One BHK” bought for Rs, 80000 with a loan of Rs 40000 from Govt of Maharashtra in a four storeyed building in the then developing Chembur. Today he is a senior citizen, retired from work and spending time with his children and relations. In spite of his long living in Mumbai, he has not picked up any Marathi. He is none the worse for it though as his regular business deals with Chembur vegetable shops, grocers and occasional jeweller all take place in Talayalam (Tamil spoken in a Malayalam intonation and accent). Even his asking for “kai vaccha banian” (banian with sleeves) has been understood by the shopkeeper.

When he first arrived in Mumbai in early fifties with his Matriculation certificate and 45/120 words speed in typing/ shorthand, he was grabbed by the private companies owned by Gujaratis and some British Companies with offers of jobs as typist. He later got a choice of as junior manager either in Sales because of his fluent English or in Accounts because of his numeracy skills.. The salary was modest and he saved enough to send home to his parents some cash. He recollects those sunny days, “Eight annas got you a breakfast of 2 idlis, one vada, one dosa with unlimited sambhar and fresh coconut chutney and a steaming cup of coffee in Rama Nayak's while a book of monthly meals coupons was just Rs 22. Transport to and fro offices in South Mumbai were in the Local suburban trains costing as little as 2 annas”. The children were born as he and Mami were careful to limit their number just to two or three keeping in mind the limited space in their home.

Now the children have grown: the elder son is CA, married and has moved over to his own flat in the adjoining Ghatkopar/Deonar, the only daughter is married and lives in Philadelphia with her husband. The younger son is an IIT/IIM product and works as a professor in Nothewestern University. Though the elder son asked the parents to move to his abode, Mami confidentially told Mama that the offer is not without strings as they would be made to baby-sit their grandson. She had had enough of grooming children and now wants to live without such responsibility. She wanted to be the queen of all she surveys which is not possible living with mattu- ponnu.(daughter-in-law). Mama, true to his wont all through his married and working life of never saying “NO” to the boss, quietly agreed. Mama’s Housing Society is now under redevelopment and he is expecting to move to his new 1.5 f.s.i. flat soon. They now divide their time between Chembur (temporarily rented flat), Ghatkopar and the USA.

Mama like most of his contemporaries is a simple man with clean habits. Long ago soon after his first job he was tempted to smoke once, choked and resolved never to smoke again. Drinking was considered a sin and even as a marketing man he entertained the clients but he sipped only soda. He has not missed performing Sandyavandanam even for a day. After retirement he has joined the Veda Classes to learn to recite the Rudram, the Chamakam and the Suktams. He performs all the rituals lie Amavasiya Tharpanam, Mahalaya Shradam and of course the two annual “ceremonies” for his departed parents. He visits the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Cheda Nagar occasionally on festival days like Thai Poosam, Skanda Shasti etc. but the visit to Sri Ramar Koil every day is a must as it gives him the needed daily walk of about a mile or two which he says is good for both “body and soul”.

He is member of the famous The Fine Arts Society and attends, with Mami in consort, all its music programmes, dramas and dance recitals and thus makes up the average age of the audience as something 55+. On these occasions the 8.00 clock dinner at home is missed because of the medhu vada, uppuma, Kara baath eaten at the Society canteen during the “Thani Avarthanam” by the percussionists. (solo performance by the accompanying artists)

Family crises arise occasionally like when a year ago his professor son in USA announced his decision to marry his co-professor, an American of Chinese origin. After some initial unpleasantness and after many consultations and clarifications with his daughter and son-in-law in he consented. As he told his wife “it is wise to accept a foreign mattuponnu, rather than losing the son”. They attended the wedding and Mama is not tired of telling how the foreign mattuponnu took care of his amavasya tharpanam and the night “palaharam” ( light meal mostly of fruits / tiffin) during the few days they stayed in USA. after the wedding.

All said, the Chembur Mama is embodiment of peace within and without.