KALLIDAIKURICHI STORIES…….PITCHALOO PATTI:-

KALLIDAIKURICHI STORIES…….PITCHALOO PATTI:-

Pitchaloo patti was an iconic figure of Veerappapuram Street in Kallidaikurichi. She was a widow and used to look like a fully matured, round pumpkin wrapped in a saffron color saree. Saree is an unstitched dress material wrapped around in typical fashion. There are six yards and nine yards sarees. Old aged ladies generally wrap themselves with a nine yard sarees. Being a widow with tonsured head, Pitchaloo patti used to cover her shaven head with the saree in a typical manner. Widows in Tamil Nadu, in olden days shaved their head and lived a very rustic and Spartan life with limited food. They were forbidden to wear big ornaments, colorful clothes and talk to males other than their immediate family members.

Pitchaloo was no exception. She led a very secluded life. It was not known where her children were and what were they up to, as she never had any visitors or social interaction with anyone other than her immediate and near ones who went along with her in the morning to the river for her morning bathe. After that she used to carry a pitcher of water from Tambrabarani to drink during the day. While returning from the river she used to visit the Ganapathi temple by the side of Kanadian canal. She always used to pray for a sudden and unexpected death without any suffering.

The same prayer she used to repeat so loudly in order for everyone to listen. We all used to make fun of her saying that the return ticket of all of us would be confirmed by Lakshmipathi, the presiding deity of Kallidaikurichi temple, as per his own will and wish. We all had little say in that. Pitchaloo would never agree and she continued her prayers that way.    

One thing very unique about Pitchaloo was, she never ever bought any soap for washing clothes. She would use the ones left over on the river bed by one who had gone to take a dip. If anyone asked her why did Pitchaloo use their washing soap pat would come the reply that she was tolerating her company all these days and could she not take even take such a small liberty with her!!

Pitchaloo, probably did not attend any school as in her days there were schools for girls in Palayamkottai which was very far. She must have studied up to class five in the school by the side of the Ganapthi temple. But she was very smart in mathematics and could reconcile the amount of paddy unloaded and left in the granary with great ease. When one bullock cart fellow after harvesting and handing over the paddy bags was trying to cheat her, Pitchaloo had caught him red handed as she had a complete set of tally marks nicely smeared on the wall while the bags were getting unloaded. He had to touch her feet and beg her pardon to save his face. The entire street watched the fun and decided to black list him once and for all.

If any vegetable vendor, hawker or stainless steel merchant came to sell wares in our street, Pitchaloo was the principal negotiator and she would ensure that we all get the best bargain.

Children always used to taunt her to get best fun out of her. Thus if anyone had a small eruption of boil on the eye lid he would go to Pitchaloo’s house. Knock the front door and when Pitchaloo would ask who had come to disturb her in the afternoon siesta the boy would say that “ Kili Katti” in Tamil meaning eruption on the eye lid. The superstition was that the eruption would vanish in no time.

Similarly during the Karthigai deepam celebration we would sneak into her back yard to get the best fire- wood from her back yard to make camp fire. Pitchaloo would make so much noise, but she was aware that we were taking the wood from her backyard but still she would turn a blind eye even after making big noise. This was a routine affair!

Pitcaloo’s prayers did not go in vain. Lakshmipathi answered her prayer well. It was an Ekadasi and Pitchaloo was fasting that day. After her pooja, she was reclining in her swing keeping milk in the stove to boil. She breathed her last in the swing itself. There was smell of burning milk emanating from the house of Pitchaloo.  After getting no response to repeated shouting, the main door lock was broken open by the neighbors. When they entered, they found her body on the swing swaying slowly in tune to the music of Kunnakudi aired by AIR Thirunelveli Station!!