Memories about Chittanda |
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| “Although I was born and completed my studies at
Ahmedabad, we used to visit Chittanda during our Summer vacations. I still
remember how eagerly we used to wait for our vacations to start!! I still remember climbing on the Guava Tree in our compound and how my cousins used to wonder how can a girl do such a monkey's act and how I used to be so proud of my courage. My visits to the Kodumbu Ambalam with all my cousins were like trekking experience. The taste of payasam at Shankaramangalam Ambalam used to drag all of us to the temple in the evenings. More than darshan, we were interested in the payasam. Now my parents are settled there. I am currently in Delhi and we ensure that our kids reach Chittanda on their vacations. I do not want them to miss such experiences which you will not get in a Metro like Delhi.” - Mrs. Sudha My real association with Pathiyaram/Chittanda began in 1975, as we migrated there only during 1975. Prior to that we were in Kumbalangad, where I spent my childhood. Also, from 1975 to 1979, I was away in Ooty doing my studies there. Since 1982, I am in Delhi.
| Of course, I used to go home every year during holidays. My parents and brother is staying at Pathiyaram. Whenever I think of my village, it evokes a lot of nostalgic memories. I remember the cool and serene environs of the vast ‘parambu’ where I used to sit and prepare for the University examinations as also idle away during vacations. What an unforgettable experience it was to sit on the lap of ‘mother nature’ in all its pristine glory, the cool and gentle breeze, the chirping of a variety of birds, the ‘chillum-chillum’ calls of the squirrels; the sweet scent of flowers, the smell of ripe jack fruit, cashew fruit and mangoes, the Jamun fruits and the guava, piercing the nostrils! I vividly remember the evenings there, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the horizon, lying down on the big flat rock. Even now, I go to the same spot, eagerly wanting to show my city born daughter that spectacle but alas, the trees have grown so tall that it now blocks that charming view. The place is frequented by peacocks and I have been lucky enough to witness the spectacular rhythmic dance of peacocks several times, with its beautiful feathers spread, with a cloudy sky in the background, accompanied by thunder. We used to collect the peacock feathers and the thorn of porcupine and preserve it. "Even though I am forced to spend the large part of my life in the metropolitan city of Delhi, may be after retirement from service, I eagerly look forward to returning back to my village and lead a quiet life.” - Mr.Vijayan Punnathur, New Delhi I was born and brought up in this lively village and am proud of having spent 23 long years before migrating to Mumbai (Thane district), looking for greener pastures, to build up a career, that is. |
While looking back, I cannot single out any particular experience or memories so as to fill this column up. The entire school and college life was certainly a memorable experience. Chittanda has all the good qualities that any contemporary Kerala village can boast of today. The quarry which promotes direct and indirect employment to about 10-15% of its people, serene temples, a good school, post office, convenient public transporting facilities, encouragement to upcoming children through competitions organized by its many arts and sports clubs, spots of tourist attractions like the breath-taking waterfalls of 'Cherukkichola' and, above all, an amazing co-existence of different socio-religious groups, to name a few. Social uplift programmes like 'Jalanidhi' etc. have been a runaway success in Chittanda owing to the excellent cooperation of its people. It is pertinent to stress the religious tolerance and cooperation of Chittandaites. As far as my knowledge goes, no other village in our Panchayat has such a huge concentration of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike who peacefully coexist, helping and understanding each other. I urge every Chittandaite who visits this site to share his/her memories/contributions so as to make this website more and more popular. K. Suresh [email protected] |