Remembering KV Thatha....

Krishnamurthy Vaidyanathan a.k.a KV thatha (my favourite thatha) would be subject of this blog. Never I had imagined that i would be writing an obituary column for this great man (the one among the few whom i will ever see). He was affectionately called as Vaidyanatha Iyer (Chief Cashier Mount Road, Chennai), who had seen such higher pedestal and who had such a command to recruits of young blood into the ocean of State Bank of India.



Born in Melatur, lost his mother before the age of 1, also had bitter experiences and treatment meted out by his step mother and a lunatic father at a very young age. KV, was patronised by his maternal uncle (Mr VS Subramania Iyer) whom he had respected and adored and also mentioned and remembered him with a sparkling smile. This man was a self made man, who had tremendous will power and sheer determination right from his young age till his last breathe.

When you hear back the stories of My Parent's marriage (btw, it was a twin marriage - at the same mandapam) and the people who talk high about his father-in-law (KV Thatha) to my father, made me to realise that he was a man who had the astronomical powers to go places but never aspired to be in the big league.



He was ably supported by my patti (Neelu....What a sweet lady) - She was born in Nagapatinam and were raised by foster parents (Mr Srinivas Iyer and Madam Alamelu) in an aristocratic manner. She used to tell me about the stories of her years in Poona/Aurangabad and the days with her parents. My patti is an addict to cinema where if she would have born before Thomas Alva Edison's phonograph, she would cursed the whole world.

There were instances of Ram (my brother) who was forced to watch a ANR movie instead of Andhaman Kadhali for a "five star". All my patti needed was a 2 yr old to come with her for a movie. Her knowledge of Music and her carnatic rendition of a theeratha vilayatu pillai was only next to NC Vasanthakokilam / MLV. She should have been great singer, had my grandpa thought otherwise.

Going on vacation to Chennai for Summer holidays (especially to the granny's place is always of the enjoyable ones...i believe the coming generations not only they will miss these treasures, but they are pushed to levels where it would be a fanstasy to aspire.

To mention in the words of Ram, KV and Neelu were more like the Boon and Marsh (the famous australian opening pair), who had not only successful, but had one of the finest innings and finishes. Though there had been middle order collapses in the name of their sons, the couple had a great journey till they had their last breathe.
Building a house at the age of 75 and the stubborness coupled with great mental resolve was the one of the admiring factors of KV.

I would be much happier had Neelu stayed with us to see my house (or) KV stayed for our marriages. To quote one of the favourite quotes of my headmaster Shri TMS - "God takes the people whom he likes the most",probably he liked KV and Neelu more than rest of us.

Regards,
Lakshman