HUGE WAVES AT THE REUNION

I have been travelling quite a bit in the recent months. And each trip, five days off a suitcase, without my usual routine is now getting to me. And after some time too many people, too much socialising can really get me gritting my teeth. Having fun did not cease but you know what I mean.

I just took my time writing about these memories because I was busy washing clothes, catching up with maid and the local society gossip and in general feeling good to be back to my chair and my remote.....

But these two back-to-back trips were a treat. After the pampered Raj Bhavan stay in Jaipur we came down to Chennai and came to the VGP Golden Beach Resort. One among the oldest resorts, it was also known for being a location for film shootings. Our taxi driver informed me that serials are being shot into the nights even these days. In fact huge statues are still quite in vogue here and it is still a big-time wedding destination. And why not?

The beach, fairly clean is about 30 ft away and on a full moon night, waves crashing away with a gentle breeze blowing, it is bound to make this a memorable location for anyone.

Even us. It was the 50th reunion of the Gopalpuram Boys High School. And Murali studied there. So, there we arrived from a chilly Jaipur to a balmy beach resort. A few of the 'old boys' were walking around and we got a very warm welcome.

Out of the 39 students of the 1973 batch 15 of them were present (if I have my numbers correct). For we had booked the entire groundfloor rooms of the single storeyed block with rooms. (There was no Rm No 213).

I had met a few of them earlier at the Alumni Club, next to Boats Club in Chennai. I remember it distinctly for that was the first time I had heard of the club and what a location! But then I digress....

The reunion was loud, obviously reminiscent and filled with drinks and food. I met with a few of the wives for the first time and they were a joy to be with. It was such a short time, but that 'aapko pehle bhi kahin dekha hai' feeling was strong.

And typically when you have a beach, there is a walk. With no kettle in the room, M and I dragged ourselves to the beach for a surprisingly pleasant view. I excused myself almost immediately for a very suspicious looking man followed a few of us and then parked himself nearby. Soon I realised that he was the strong man of the fishermen team and soon there were a bunch of men to pull the boat, collect stuff from it and let it go for another round.

Some of the ladies collected seashells but I left to enjoy the call of the crows. We do not have any in Hyderabad, though every once in a while we might hear a caw on a tree nearby.

For some reason an events manager had been given the task of taking care of our morning hours. While, as you all know by now, I hate any form of physical activity and more so games, I protested and stayed in the background. But this guy was a smart cookie, smooth talker and had us all playing to his tune. In fact competition was the hallmark of all games and everyone was cheerful and participatory.

Given the ambience, beer to banta hi tha.... And some of us at the bar talked and this was my scene. I feel in control when I am listening. The school was a government funded school and the students not too rich. So higher education, though a given, did not entail a premium Institute, unless you did it on your own heat. The usual struggles of young men, getting jobs, changing jobs, etc.

Those were the years when going to the USA for higher studies was also a major social status. Some of the students from the Class of 73 also landed on foreign shores.

Some looked for government jobs and one of them got a memorable job as a Station Master, posted in remote Maharashtra. As I said, struggles were by the day and the SM fought for basic facilities, gathering leadership qualities en route. Remained a maverick.

Some became Chartered Accountants and joined respectable companies and are flourishing now, rubbing shoulders with the upper echelons of society. But here, at the reunion, they remained true to themselves and to us.

Among the other unique jobs was joining the merchant Navy. Many joined corporate houses, to grow in stature there. And it was a pleasure to know that these white collared honchos, we're in their earlier avatar part of a 'gang'.

Very few became entrepreneurs, starting from scratch and not being able to afford college education. He could teach us all a lesson or two on perseverance, optimism and a hunger to do something in life.

From what I gathered from the spoken memories, getting highest marks in class and playing some game or the other was what these boys wanted. Some were weak in certain subjects and those good in those subjects helped the others to get through exams. And these were strong memories. Apparently young Murali was good in maths. Of course I knew that, but it was nice to hear about it. Now of course he beats his chest and says he is an expert on GST and on any law subject. Quite the drag, but he is an expert.

There was a caring in every chat, memories of old time wins, heart breaks and a lot more to share and talk about, but they all returned to the present times where the wives were around and we had to be included.

The service at the resort was great, even to the rooms, prompt and quick. And the food equally good and in plentiful. We were well fed and looked after. After the games were done we decided to catch up. We had met after 35.or 40 years and there was a lot of sharing to do. And those living in Chennai decided to join us for the evening.

When I heard a few of them talk, I realised that the core strength of each of them came from the disciplined lives their parents lived. With money not available in plenty, they all lived within their means and thus were able to handle the troubles that were to come.

It was the Horlicks, thayir shadam and the rare treat of a masal dosai that kept them rooted, cheerful with an eagerness to achieve. Though I use a brush to make a sweeping statement, this was the story of every Brahmin boy coming from a middle to a lower middle class family. It was the grit and determination of the family and the individual himself who would later do something in life.

I will talk of us Brahmin girls at a later, suitable date. Meanwhile there is a crow at the tree today and maybe I might get a guest... So the myth goes.

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