A SYNOPSIS OF MY EARLIER DAYS

As I am popularly known as an Octogenarian Terrace Gardener among all my OTG friends, I wish to share my thoughts of my earlier days as a young man.  My past experience has not only inspired my family but many of my associates who have been part of my journey all along. Sharing such experiences not only helps refresh my memory but am sure will be motivating to others too.

After finishing my Schooling in Chennai, I completed Radio Engineering in 1950-52 with a second Class. Hoping to find a job with my engineering certificate, I came to Delhi for employment. Reaching Delhi in 1953, I was told that my Radio Engineering will not fetch a job, but a typing-shorthand will definitely get me employment.  I learnt typewriting and short hand and attained a proficiency of 60 wpm in typing and 120 wpm in Shorthand (Pitman) and got a job in the Institution of Telecom Engineers and then Central Government in the Education Ministry,  where I worked for 10 years.

With an eagerness to get a private employment, I pursued my graduation  from PG DAV College between 1961 & 1964. In the early sixties graduation was 4 years unlike now. I would attend the evening college between 6.00 pm & 9.30 pm daily while at work and after office hours. Thus I became a B.A.

I joined Birlas  was employed with them for close to twenty years beginning 1965  till 1984.  During this time I had an excellent opportunity to learn Astrology which was usually during my 1 hour of lunch break. This went on for nearly 8 years. I was a person who was always ready to experiment new things and would never miss an opportunity when it came to new things. Of course, in our times technology was not so advanced as the present day, however everyday was a new learning with an opportunity to explore new things.

My instinct, as it was guiding me, wanted to take up dramatics. I did not miss out the chance to act with the now famous actor Delhi Ganesan. My evenings would be busy attending the rehearsals and meeting people of varied interests. Acted in Oru Poi (ஒரு பொய்)   by Thuyavan and Mazhai (மழை )   by Indra Parthsarathy to mention a few.  Just reminiscing those days feels nostalgic.

Janakpuri, in early 70’s, was considered Asia’s biggest residential colony. Having shifted to Janakpuri, by the many Tamilians residing in Delhi, an association was formed mainly for the purpose of establishing a school for the children who otherwise have to travel nearly 18 Kms for their schooling. I have been the Secretary, Vice-President & President of the Janakpuri Tamil Association in the years I was in Delhi. I was very proud to be the most active person in bringing out a DTEA’s Sr. Higher Secondary School in Janakpuri.

We had to organize many cultural programmes for raising funds for the DTEA School. Those times were different as people were very enthusiastic about attending such programmes as this gave them an opportunity to socialize with likeminded people.  My extraordinary enthusiasm to do something very different for the society motivated me to organize programmes single handedly. Finding the right artists, arranging for their stay, receiving them, transportation etc., were done solely by me. The programmes use to happen twice a year during March & September. 

Arranging performances brought me in personal contact with several Artists (both Vocal and Instrumental ). In addition have been organizing religious programmes of eminent speakers from South.  Had also known a number of well-known writers like KiVaJa, Sandilyan and Sujatha (கிவாஜ, சாண்டில்யன், சுஜாதா.)  etc.  Several Carnatic Music Artists (Vocal and Instrumental) are my best friends and some of them have stayed in my house and had food also. The well known dramatists RS Manohar, Crazy Mohan, SV Sekhar are also very well known to me.

I have assisted the famous film director Shri K. Balachander in their filming in Delhi  for “Zara Sa Zindagi” a Hindi remake of “Varumai Niram Sigappu” and “Vealaikaran” a tamil make of Namak Halal in Hindi.  In fact, the film Director Shri SP Muthuraman wanted me to be shot in the film and I appear  with Actress Amla in the song sequence “Thottathile Pathi Katti” (தோட்டத்திலே பாத்தி கட்டி)    and this can be viewed in You Tube.  The senior actor Sarath Babu has become a good friend of mine and used to stay with me whenever he came to Delhi with his previous wife and actress Rama Prabha.

 During my stay at Chennai sometime during 1992, I learnt Pranic Healing (Basic, Advanced and Psychotherapy).  I was practicing Pranic Healing in Delhi for nearly four years.  After coming to Bangalore sometime in 2000  I also leant Acupressure and passed the certificate course from Malleswaram. Later on when we moved to Muthiyal Nagar in 2003 I was elected as the Secretary for the Senior Citizens Welfare Association, Mathikere and held the post for nearly two years.

 Now as you all know I am a full time OTGian dedicating most of my time in our Garden experimenting a lot of things with my OTG partners. I am happy with such good friends like you my interests have now become multifold.