Proud Son (soon to be) proud father

I never realised the achievements of my dad as I meet him so easily at home.  

Its only after I took to writing that I fully realised what an achiever my father is.

It is a true "Thavamai Thavamirundhu" feeling for me.  
I am proud to be his son. 

And I want to make him feel proud about me as his son.

I find it fit to publish here a story about him that appeared in The Hindu dated 20.11.2005

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`Chithralaya' Gopu, proprietor of Mannar & Co, Oho Productions "In those days only persons with a tuft were preferred for government service"

Years ago director and comedy playwright `Chithralaya' Gopu started `Mannar & Co.' in the film "Kalyana Parisu". Gopu, its "sole proprietor," is still going strong and is entering the 50th year in the film world. He talks to S.R. Ashok Kumar about his experience in the filmdom and his association with Sivaji Ganesan.

You `sport a kudumi (tuft) and I will get you a job in a local post office. Forget cinema within 24 hours.' Had this ultimatum not been served on Chithralaya Gopu (Sadagopan then) by his uncle 50 years ago, he would not have stepped into the celluloid world. The fear of having a tuft made him to reject the job and enter films. Gopu says, `In those days only persons with a tuft were preferred for government service. I put my foot down and said `No.' With nothing else to do, I joined films. But never did I imagine that I would stand before the White House 45 years later with a `kudumi' playing the role of sastrigal in the famous television serial "Washingtonil Thirumanam," which I scripted and directed.'

Unlike others, Gopu did not struggle to get into the film industry. His classmate director, C.V. Sridhar, was already an established dialogue writer. He decided to make use of Gopu's sense of humour and asked him to handle the comedy track in `Kalyana Parisu'.

Even today the imaginary firm `Mannar and Co' track, involving Thangavelu and Saroja, evokes laughter.

"I myself was the inspiration for the track. As I come from an orthodox family, I could not tell my in-laws that I worked in films. I simply told them that I was working for a shipping firm called `Mannar and Co'. When the film unit sent a car to pick me up, my wife cross-checked with the driver and the cat was out of the bag".

Another masterpiece of his was `Kaathalikka Neramillai' with its famous track `Oho productions' headed by Nagesh. He and Baliah gave life to Gopu's dialogues.

Then came "Ooty Varai Uravu", "Kalai Koil", "Nil.. Gavani... Kadhalee", "Shanthi Nilayam", "Uththaravinri Ullae Vaa", "Moondru Deivangal", "Veetukku Veedu" and "Gallatta Kalyanam." "Kasethan Kadavulladaa'' and "Paati Sollai Thattathae".

`Gallatta Kalyanam' was originally a half-an-hour skit written by Gopu for a starnite organised by Sivaji Ganesan to raise funds for the Army during Chinese aggression. When Gopu read out the play to Sivaji, he burst out laughing and immediately gave an advance to him, saying he was going to film the play. Jayalalitha acted with Sivaji in the movie, which became a super-hit. The same paired again in `Sumati En Sundari'. Ms. Jayalalithaa had mentioned to Gopu about a Bengali story, which he scripted for Tamil.

Gopu always enjoyed writing comedy. His drama troupe in the 1960s, `Unity Club', had Muthuraman, Manorama and Gopalakrishnan. Many of his stage plays such as `Kaasethaan Kadavulada' were made into hit movies.

In this movie produced by AVM, Gopu took to direction.

He entered small screen after `Patti Sollai Thattathe'

When he received the Kalaimamani Award from Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa in 1992, she recalled: "I still remember your dialogues."

"Many stars have told me whenever they face a problem, they watch my films. And later, when they deal with the problem, they find it nothing," Gopu says.

Perhaps, it is this feedback that keeps him going strong.

Cover up

Somehow I never felt any feeling of empathy towards the petty kings of Indian History who tremble on hearing from their not too well dressed messengers about the advancement of a mighty army. Their dilemma was not only to choose which direction to run away but also to choose who among the mistress should they take with them so that they hibernate happily.

One June morning for a moment I did feel sorry for all the above souls as I had to encounter a sort of similar situation. For me the messenger was my 7 year old son and the head of the might army was my wife.

“Daddy, Mommy asked you to wrap my books and notebooks with brown covers”.

The thing which I dreaded the most – wrapping brown covers for notebooks was assigned to me. The reason for my hating is very simple - I am not good at it or to put it more frankly very bad at it.

My wife joined the party and asked me “Please wrap those covers, tomorrow our son’s school is re-opening.”

It was the moment of truth for me. All I had to say was – “sorry I don’t know how to do it”.

But somehow since I belong to the school of thought that says never lie in life unless you are married. I said “I don’t have time”.

“But do you know how to wrap covers”, my wife asked me.

This was my second chance to come out honestly “Yes honey, I really don’t know how to wrap covers but I am good at tearing them”.

But a successful family life requires some myths.

I replied “I am a master”.

“Then do it, it is a men’s job.”

The above comment made things worse for me. I had to prove of my gender worthiness.

I was given a pair of scissors and books. I felt like a cabaret dancer asked to do a Varnam in Bharatanatyam.

My wife and son were curiously gaping at me as expectant as the orchestra looking at their lead musician.

I started cutting with shaky hands.

“You are not good at using scissors.” My wife claimed.

“I would have become a barber had I been good at it”. I tried to joke.

Providence came to my rescue as my wife had a sudden visitor who had brought some sarees for sale. For once I was happy at the sight of the saree seller. What better diversion for women than sarees!

It was the golden opportunity for me to escape. I simply grabbed the books and put them in a bag. My quick mind worked the simple way out. I could do it at any shop on my way to office and can lie. “Its my work dear”.

I stepped out confidently admiring my disaster management skills and handed over the books to a shop keeper requesting him to wrap brown covers.

The shop keeper looked at me indifferently and said “We don’t do such jobs”.

I handed over a 100 rupee note and said I can pay whatever he wants. He was still unimpressed and told me that it was very easy work and I myself can do it. He was rubbing salt in to my wounds.

I was upset for a moment and again my quick brain thought about Govind the office boy. He was the most trustworthy person who always helped me in times of crisis - right from a puncture in my car tire to paying my delayed credit cards.

I went happily to my office and was heading towards Govind.

I was shocked when I learnt that Govind’s wife had delivered a baby boy and he was off to his hometown.

Govind definitely deserved a son because he knew how to wrap covers but not at this juncture.

It was one of the worst days and I was cursing God for not having postponed Govind’s son’s entry in to this cruel world by at least a day.

I was a depressed man at work that day. I never knew fatherhood demanded such uphill tasks as wrapping covers for children’s books.

The next day was the opening day of my son’s school.

“Please give the books which you have wrapped”. We have to go early today to school” my wife told me in a hurried voice.

“Oh God”! I remembered that I had left the bag containing the books in my office. And my office was at least an hour’s drive from my house.

“Where are the books”?

“They are in the office”.

“Office? Why did you take them to office”?

“Because I wanted to get the books wrapped”.

“Why in office? You could have done it here”.

Like a erring criminal of a Indian movie who always admits his guilt in the final moments of a movie, I weakly replied “I am not used to wrapping covers”.

What? You don’t know how to wrap covers? You never told me before?

“I never thought this as a big thing to tell you honey… You remember -I told on our marriage day that I cannot swim, and that I cannot ride on a giant wheel and even the fact that I snore when I am very tired”. But it never struck me to tell you that I am a poor wrapper dear”

“At least you could have told me yesterday, I would have done it.” Now our poor son is going to school without books on the first day”.

My son began to cry which made matters worse for me.

“I would have never married you had I known you never knew such a simple thing as wrapping covers on a note book”

It was the last straw for me. She never used such cruel words when her right leg got fractured during our first ride on a bike after marriage.

I shouted “Enough is enough.” I will not rest until you admire my wrapping skills. You may be so impressed that you may even suggest that we can go for more kid”. I don’t exactly remember what my wife threw at me.

I rushed to my office. I was a man with a mission. I wanted to be a good wrapper at the end of the day.

I took my bag and entered my boss’ room.

“Boss, I want leave today”?

“What for”?

“I want to wrap covers for my son’s books”.

What? No one has requested me leave for wrapping covers for son’s books”.

I was stubborn and my boss gave up. I thanked him and was leaving his room”.

My boss stopped me.

“I will give you leave on one condition”. You also take my son’s books. You please wrap them too…You know Govind is on leave and I am not good at wrapping covers”.

I could not understand how my boss could say this with a smile.

A stage for excellence - for an achiever par excellent

Recognition for an achiever

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

Y.Gee.Mahendra was recently honoured for his contribution to the stage, cinema and television.

FELICITATION: The veterans on stage with YGM.

It was encomiums all the way for Y. Gee. Mahendra at the function organised (by Alandur/Prabhat/IOB/ Sify) to felicitate the actor on his successful completion of 45 years in theatre, 35 in cinema and 30 on television.

"All these people who are on stage today to bless me have at some point in my life held me by the hand and helped me further my career as a performer. I begin with thanking my mother," said YGM in his thanksgiving speech. On the dais were seated AVM. Saravanan, directors K. Balachander, Rama. Narayanan and S. P. Muthuraman, Nagesh and A. Natarajan.

The speeches, without exception, were pithy and to the point. It was touching to see Mrs. YGP walk up to the stage slowly a little later — her face beaming with pride. ARS, the eternal emcee of YGM shows, introduced each speaker and offered relevant inputs.

Crowning glory

Nagesh had words of praise for the writer of UAA's play, `Thanthramukhi' (that preceded the function), `Chitralaya' Sriram. "His dad Gopu was an excellent writer. His sense of humour was wonderful," he said and narrated humorous anecdotes that happened during his stint as a stage artiste with the YGPs.

"There were people who objected to my choice of Mahendra for the lead role in the soap, `Sahana,' but I stood my ground. I knew he would deliver the goods and he did," said K. Balachander who first introduced YGM to films with `Navagraham.' "I'm happy I've introduced people from whom I've gained a lot. Mahendra is a wholesome actor," he smiled. But the crowning glory came from AVM. Saravanan, who compared Mahendra's timing in comedy with that of the inimitable Nagesh. "To me the compliment is equal to winning the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Nagesh is my Dhronar, my guru," responded YGM.

Un(der)cover

MURTHY

I would like to introduce myself as Sathyamurthy’s Baliya Snehidan T A Sriram..…My sympathies always lie with this poor soul because not many people can be a close friend of mine for nearly three decades and yet say life has been good to them. Thanks to Cheran…many of us have developed an openness while talking about of childhood pranks and the joy of growing up as friends. Taking a leaf out of Cheran, I would like to talk about the formative days of our friendship.

All good things in life start with a disguise of misfortune. I was sad for having been forced to take up Commerce group in +2 . Little did I realize then that I would be spending the best part of my life over the next two years notwithstanding the fact that I would rub shoulders with the then Kaddi Mannan Sathyamurthy..

It was the late seventies when Sridevi was the heart throb of Tamil cinemas… and now with Asin and Jyotika taking over we can say our friendship is not only time tested but also heroine tested…We can even title this blog as as “Sridevi mudhal Asin varai”. But I am not sure whether Murthy’s wife is aware.. that he has always had a soft corner for voluptuous heroines.. You may have guessed that his favourite heroine now is Nayandara…

Like Tamil Cinemas our friend ship started with a Hate Love relationship… The cause of our differences were very musical… The vexed but hot topic of the 70’s- MSV vs Illayaraja ensured that we were always on the opposition benches. I happened to fall in love with the melodies of Annakili and 16 vayadinilla.. but Murthy had turned a deaf ear and was still loyal to the enchanting music of Melisai mannar.

It is really true that opposites poles attract. I and Murthy always begged to differ in many things. say. Gavaskar vs Vishy.. Venkat vs Prassana… Kamal vs Rajni.. and so on.. The only thing we concurred was that our Advanced English Teacher Prassana Madhavan was the funniest creature that we have ever encountered in our little lives… The bespectacled English Teacher never realized in spite of some of our knotty giggles that his pant’s zib always raises its altitude to only 60% of its of its maximum capabilities..

Murthy always knew his limits and he had to restrain himself in arguments with me as I was the Cricket captain during our break sessions and Murthy’s ambition was to play at least a solitary match in our muddy grounds …

Murthy is never short of plans and shortcuts. One day he walked towards us with a shiny new bat… He was upbeat and thrilled and was confident that he would be make his dream debut at last .. But it turned out to be otherwise.. as we had no hesitation in taking his bat with the condition that Murthy took care of the score book. This was because we strongly felt that was the only way he could score runs.. While his new bat was doing the talking.. a depressed Murthy sat speechless.. But the story is not all sad.. as later Murthy never brought his bat but still managed to get in to the team… (he learnt my weakness for Panneer soda ).

All good things have come to an end .. and we humans don’t understand the significance of precious things unless we lose them…Thank god. I and Murthy still haven’t lost of will to argue with each other…

Only the topics have changed to Sachin vs Ganguly or Vijay vs Vikram.. To win over me, he’s still uses the bribing trick on me . Panneer Soda has given place to an offer to publish my blogs.

I always wonder why Murthy has always taken opposite sides to me… Now I know the answer.. I am not in touch with my school friends who were in on my side and who concurred with me. But this old man (even on this he will have a difference of opinion) is still there with me .. .