Patriotism at Mylara Krupa

Every Independence or Republic Day celebration brings back patriotic memories – of a personal kind.

The premises where we were brought up (I use the past tense as I now live in Bangalore – although my mother continues to live there) in the spacious place is named “Mylara Krupa” on Devaparthiva Road. In my previous post on my school days in CFTRI I had mentioned about the sense of patriotism I had been exposed to by the spontaneous display by our principal Mrs. Caroline Parpia on Martyr’s Day. This probably played an important part in my life.

As I grew up, I remember that I have not missed any of either the Independence Day or Republic Day functions. And I was exposed to quite a few of them! Our Schools and Colleges, my father’s work place – CFTRI, my grand-father’s work place – The City Law Courts, my father’s and grand-father’s recreation club – Cosmopolitan Club. I had plenty of support from my elders. So, probably the patriotism rubbed in.

As early as in the early 70’s I started celebrating the Independence Day and the Republic Day in OUR HOUSE. I would ask my “Taata” Shri. Subba Rao to hoist the National Flag, before he left for the other flag hoisting ceremonies.

The zeal to hoist the National Flag was such that I would go to any means to hoist a flag – even if it meant (as I realize now) violating the National Flag code (I may please be excused for that). Unfortunately, the zeal would start on the previous night with no time for major preparations. It would generally mean that my mother (who was adept at tailoring) would have to dig into the bundle of cut, semi-cut, uncut clothes and bring out pieces of clothes having any resemblance to the national tri-colour. My artistic elder brother would draw by hand the ‘chakra’. This was because my “taata” would not have time to organize of a proper flag.

The flag post would be the “madi-koolu” – the 8 foot length of cane used to spread the clothes used for religious purposes. The flag would be tied – yes, tied – not hoisted on top of this pole. Flower petals would be placed inside and the flag folded and now tied with a piece of rope. The pole would now be place in a hole dug in front of the “tulasi katte”. All the family members and some invited neighbours would stand around the Flag Pole. “Taata” would then untie (Unfurl?) the flag and we would all sing “Jana GaNa Mana”.

My “Ajji” used to support the event by cooking “kobri mithai” on most days else we would distribute “kallu sakkare” to the invities and family members before dispersing for the other events of the day.

As there would be cultural programmes at CFTRI, which I would attend without fail, the honour and responsibility of lowering the flag (complete with the flag pole) rested on my “ajji” – which she would unfailingly observe at 6.00 PM.

My “troublesome” enthusiasm went to such an extent that “taata” finally bought me a proper National Flag (2ft x 3 ft) which was used for 2-3 years. I then started insisting that we “hoist” the flag instead of tying it to the pole. My brother had to use his ingenuity to install a pulley using a wooden spool at the top of the pole and we would run a piece of cotton rope to formally “unfurl” the National Tri Colour.

With the sad demise of “taata” in 1976 the event unfortunately came to an end. The National Flag continues to be a priced possession carrying many fond and patriotic memories.

A Tribute to my “TAATA” (Grandfather).

My first memories of him are the wavy white hair – parted in the middle, fair, tall, majestically upright, devout and pious, ever friendly. He was then already in his late sixties. He was a leading advocate with offices in Rave Beedi (Soji Street), founder member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Mysore (1944 - undivided – as it is now), an all-round sportsman with Tennis, Cricket and Golf being the main stays, a voracious reader and a thorough family man. Wondering who this person is? Do any of the old Mysoreans recognize him?

You have it right, if your guess is “K.M. Subba Rao, B.A., LL.B.” (This nameplate still maintains its place of pride on the main door of our house in Devaparthiva Road). It is my pride to have been born into his family.

He was known for punctuality in every thing he did. This was brought to our attention by a trader near his office. My grandfather had a “Sun-beam” bicycle that he rode to office daily in the morning. He followed a particular route. This particular trader informed us later that he used to correct the time in his watch when my grandfather passed his shop.

He was one who would never ask for a favour. Being an active member of the Rotary Club and the Kanteerava Narasimha Raja Sports Club, the annual meetings would normally end late in the evening after the usual rounds of “high spirits” and dinner. It would usually be after 10.30 PM. It was common knowledge among the members of both organizations that, he would never stay back after 10.30 PM. He would just get up and leave. If, by chance, anyone noticed his departure and offered a ride home, he would take it. Else, he would walk back home. (KNSC at the foot hills of Chamundi was a clean 6-7 Kms from home – remember the present MG Road is less than a decade old!).

The strict disciplinarian – with respect to his profession – that he was, was amply demonstrated many a time in our house. He had many clients who came from villages. They normally would come to meet him at our house outside office hours bringing along with them fresh vegetables from their farms. He would never take those vegetables for free. He would ensure that the present market price is paid to the client before the bag of vegetables could be taken into the house.

He was a multi-faceted sports person. He used to narrate an incident where he won three different sporting events on the same day – football in the morning, followed by a cricket match and ending the day with a cross country running race! Not many professional sports persons can claim that achievement today.

The last I say him play tennis was at the inauguration of the Mysore Tennis Club in Chamarajapuram, Mysore in 1969 at the age of 73. He partnered Mr. B. S Dattatri in the inaugural exhibition match.

The memory of visits to the Zoo, the Dasara Exhibition, the Vijayadashami procession (for which he would bring tickets to the Municipal Pendal for the entire family), the Rotary Meetings, the Annual get-together at NSC or even the occasional KR Market purchase trip would be a thrill we looked out for.

I should not call him “my grandfather”. I can only humbly and with pride call myself “his grandson”.