Sunday, January 17, 2010

...contd

The village is almost like a miniature version of a vintage English hamlet itself, where everyone's life in the village revolves around the Home Church, physically and emotionally. The Church bell reminds the villagers of the Sabbath on a Sunday morning, Wedding Chimes or announces the death of one of its villagers. As a matter of tradition, it has been passed on from generation to generation that every relegious ceremony be followed without question. This is in a way a great way of communal harmony that brings together all men, women and children together to share joy or sorrow.

People are of the simplest kinds... far away from the qualms of an average urban man. They are primarily doctors, professors, teachers and a few lawyers. Well, they love to pass on that tradition too. However, they live very simple lives primarily being of noble professions and not wanting more than a stable life, enough to live with their heads high.


Now here is what I love about the village. When I say simple, I mean their lifestyle means straightforward. They embrace nature as a part of their existence. Each house is a natural garden with some of the best plants that grow in its terrain and a mini orchard of atleast one coconut tree, Jackfruit, guava and Curryleaves.

The village became well-known as Monday Market, because in the years between 1950-1980, it became a huge market place, when all the produce of the ghats would be sold for very cheap in whole sale rates on every Monday at Neyyoor.

Neyoor, the vacation town as I call it, buzzes every Christmas, while the village which sang 'Peace and calm the night' suddenly sings 'Wake O Earth, Wake everything'. Children who left for good, come by visitng parents and loved ones from every corner of the world. And whats best, its the season of weddings. Whats followed as a 'Oor Kaadu' tradition, every villager is invited to bless the couple.

Well, I wonder at the diversity we still live in from huge city jungles to humble villages. I am still amazed at the connection and attachment we have towards a place so primitive from complicated urban scenes and leave it behind with the same peace it sustained till then, only to come back another year and awaken it.

Cant cities have a bit of that flavour too? Is it too hard?

Monday, January 11, 2010

Neyyoor, Vacation Town

So, It's been a while. Happy new Year! 11 days too old.
Havent been around for close to a month. Home for Christmas.

18 Dec 09, I headed straight to Chennai from Bangalore. Was there for a few days before preparing for a long journey ahead. The day is 22 Dec. I was heading towards the Cape Comorin to a village called Neyyoor, about 20km from town limits. Its a linear village extending about 5 sq.km. Reasons that take me to one such far away place is the emotional attachment that my father has to towards his birthplace with a constant reminder to both his children that we should never, ever abandon this place long after they are gone. I guess this is a narrative to every vacation parent to their vacation children.

Neyoor, is a village developed by English missionaries and thus goes without saying that life in Neyoor revolves around the church. They came like a saviour at the time when local backward caste people here were tortured by high cast people over rights and laws. A village with close to 5000 people mostly composed of a the retiring community in majority propostion almost doubles its strength in summer vacations and more so for Christmas. The crowds are from returning baby boomers and their families meeting parents and in laws or attending a relative's wedding.

More interesting things to come... but I am too sleepy to keep my eyes and brains up.

This could give you some insight before I continue this to my next post.
http://neyyoorchurchcsi.org/index.htm
http://www.india9.com/i9show/Neyyoor-72509.htm