Tamil short stories written by Goutham Balasubramaniam, based on true incidents.

(தமிழ் தெரியாத நண்பர்களுக்காக ஆங்கில வடிவில்)

(Transliterated in English for those who cant understand Tamil script)
Complete translation into English * Coming Soon*

போலாமா ராமேஸ்வரம் 

INCIDENTS PORTRAITED IN THIS STORY ARE TRUE, BUT THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO HURT ANYONE'S EMOTIONS OR SOCIAL ISSUES.

My encounters when I once travelled from Tirunelveli district to Rameswaram, the birth place of Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

 i enjoy all my travels.. I am a touristtt !!!!

ithu nadanthathu May 2013 la.. date nybagam illa, but kandippa May than.

College le vacation lam mudinchu, oruvazhiya tirunelveli ku vadhu serndhen. chinna vayasula irundhe leave mudinchu school/college ku porathuna oru kaduppu. teaching job ku vandhum intha pazhakkam pogala.

Morning Appa call pannaaru.

thambi ooruku poitiya.

....

sari unga amma rameshwaram polam nu sonna..

O.. dharalama polamae..

unaku yeppa leave irukum nu sollu, poitu varuvom.

ippo than vacation mudinchu join panniruken, udane leave poda venam, innum oru masam pogattum.

sari..

(end of call)

2 days later..

Dad calling...

enna da room ku vandhutiya..

...

sari intha maasame leave irukuma??

...

illa unga amma ku intha maasame rameshwaram poganumam!!

amma vuku mattuma?? illa namma family la ellaruma??

ellarum dhan.. as usual amma dhan tour ku thalaivi..

Velangirum..

hahahaa.. seri nee leave irukanu pathutu sollu.

sari pa.

என்ன suddena ராமேஸ்வரம் ??? அதுவும் பரம்பரையே கிளம்பி வருது ..

my family sincerely plans and executes plans for such pilgrimages only. no happy trips or picnics :P. Kovilkuku porathuna mattum ellarum onnu serndhudu vanga.

Kandippa kovil trip la minimum 10 temples vandhurum. nammala paithiyam aakama vidamatanunga. car la periya pasangaluku ukkara idam irukadhu.. saria thoonga mudiyathu. sathama pesakoodathu. 3 idly ku mela vangithara matanunga. bayangara kaduppa irukum.

இதையெல்லாம் நினைச்சாலே சங்கடமா இருக்கு .. ம்ம்ம்ம்

the very next morning ..

Dad calls..

dei.. nee leave pottu tu erode ku vandhuru. nama inga irundhu kilambi rameshawaram poitu .. unna anga irundhu tirunelveli ku bus yethi vidrom.

appa leave ..

leave??

leave kidaikudhanu therila pa..

ne innuma kekala..

pa.. nenga nethu evening thane pesuninga. nan inaiku college ku pona thane therium..

dei. nan unta 3 days ah sollitu iruken.. u dis obedient fellow..

(Grrrrrrrr)

sari.. afternoon phone panren..

நல்ல வேல காலேஜ் ல CL இருந்துச்சு. .

That Evening ..

Calling Dad..

Appa.. leave iruku.. nan nalaiku oruku kilambi varatuma??

leave ezhuthi kuduthutiya??

illa pa..

sari, yeppo kilambanum nu nan solren..

ogai..

One week..

Two weeks..

the Last week of May..

Dad Calling..

sollungapa..

thambi ne friday kilambi ..

Kilambi..

Rameshwaram vandhuru..

ங!!!! Nan mattuma ?? nenga ellarum??

nanga car la varom da.. nee night kilambi rameshwaram vandhru..

sari..

அதான பாத்தேன் ..என்னடா நம்ம வீட்ல கரெக்டா பிளான் லாம் பண்றாங்களே ன்னு.. ஹிஹிஹி .. ஆரம்பிச்சுடானுங்க

kelambitu unaku call panren.. ne time adjust bus yeridu..

sari pa.. enne sudden change plan la???

adhelam unga amma va kettuko..

(எல்லாத்துக்கும் அம்மாவ கேளு .!!!)

sari.. nan kilambi varen..

The next day in college, college la vela seiratha illa leave apply panratha. nalla vela principal yedhum kekama leave sanction pannitaaru. nan thirumbhavum cabin ku poitu irundhen.. yedhir la oru tuticorin boy vandhaan..

Dei, thambi..

Sir..

Nellai le irundhu Rameshwaram ku Mid night la bus irukuma??

therila sir.. yarutayavadhu ketu sollren ..

hmm...

Moments later..

Sir.. midnight la bus irukadham.. neenga bus change pannithan poganum.. Tuticorin illa na thiruchendoor pona rameshwaram bus kidaikum..

(ivan correct ah than solraana?? illa adichu vidrana??)

rameshwaram porathuku yedhuku tiruchendoor poganum.. paya namala suthalla vida pakurano..!!!! irukadhu..

ok da thanks..

:)

.. Friday night ..

Dad calls..

dei. nanga kelambitom.. early morning vandhurvom.. ne kilambi vandhuru..

hmmm..

rameshwaram vandhutu call pannu.. vandi anupuren..

hmmm hmm..

That same Night..

Arun raj & Me went for having dinner at our regular hotel. annaikunu paathu hotel super super items ah serve pannitu irundhaga.. ai jolly nu sapda order panna arambichen.

Arun : machi.. night travel pana pora.. niraya sapdatha daa..

yen??

stomach valikkum.. travell pana mudiathu..

(Sari kammiya ve sapduvom)

2 idlies and a banana..

dei arun 11.30 ku alarm vechuruken.. elupi vitruda..

sari machi.. nanum mulichurundha unna elupi vidren..

ம்ம்ம்க்கும் ...

nalla thongitu irundhen..

Deiii ... Deiii ...

machiiiee Deiii ...Deiii ...Deiii ...machieee... elundridaaa.....deeiiii...

... ..... .. . .. .. .. .

faint noise..

who is the DISTURBANCE..

mulichu paakum podhu Time 12.30AM..

dei venna.. enda enna elupala..

podanggg.. unna 11 mani le irundhu elupite iruken.. nee dhan maadu madiri thongura..

sari sari.. tension agatha..ipo enne vidincha pochu..

(ஓ யாரோ தூரத்துல மச்சி மச்சி ன்னு கூபுட்ற மாதிரி இருந்துச்சே ..அது இவன் தானா )

Sari machi.. nan kilamburen.. nalaiku night vandhurren..

Ok. da..

So my journey started.. 

இனி எத்தன பஸ் மாதி போகணுமோ .. எத்தன கிலோமீட்டர் போகணுமோ யாருக்கு தெரியும் .. அண்டாவா ..அற தூக்கத்துல இப்படி அல கழிக்குறாங்களே ..

room le irundhu bus stand ku poitu irundhen.. 12.50Am exactly. room vittu pogum podhu time eh pakuradhu.. en habit I say..

Appoo..

walking down to bus stand.

ஆரம்பமே அசத்தல்

Sudden ah power cut. ada cha.. itha yosichu than 11.30ku kelambalam nu nenachen. ippo late panni power cut matikitene. sari ..

...குத்து மதிப்பா நடப்போம் ..

nalla vela.. bus stand kitta konjam light iruku. there is a hospital near to bus stand, they must have a generator. i got some light..

road eh cross pannum podhu, i felt i was not alone. Yeah, I got company. I turned around to see who was that. Couldnt see the face, but its a woman in saree carrying a handbag..

i slowed down a bit to see her clearly. hmm.. yeah thats a woman alright :D.

i slowed down to let her pass. We were nearing the auto stand inside the bus stand. and now its very dark..

But now I heard foot steps behind me.. i turned back but couldnt see the people coming..but like shadows.

That lady who was walking just ahead of me, suddenly stopped and turn around..

WHY?

my heart beat pounded fast.. an auto rickshaw came from the back side.. now i was able to see her face clearly.

IT's NOT HER.. IT's HIM.. OH no .. this not good.. that person was a transgender. She turned and came walking to me .. and signalled me for ******

உலகத்துல எத்தனையோ தொழில் இருக்கே .. இதத்தான் பண்ணனுமா.

that transgender looked stronger.. like a bodybuilder. Even if I say NO. she may snatch my chain, wallet and my wrist watch. OMG!! i need to run.

Chai... i need to get away from these people, bus stand la, theatre la, train la.. Intha madiri sila transgenders tholla thanga mudiala. ooru ku train la thaniya poravanga kitta asingama pesurathe ithungaluku velaya pochu.

Gear eh maathu da gauti.. anga oda arambichavan.. tuticorin bus platformla than ninen..

sari .. namma rameshwaram poganumla.. adha marandura koodathu.

time 1.00am aagiyum rameshwaram bus um varala. tuticorin bus um illa..

time keeper te keten. rameshwaram ku last bus poiruchu paa. early morning thaan tuticorin kum bus...

சூப்பர் !!!! நான் அப்போவே நெனச்சேன் .. ஆரம்பமே அசத்தல்

thoongama irundirundha.. rameshwaram bus eh pidichurukalam.. poche.. vada poche.. ippo thookam poi., midnight eh thaandi road le nikkuren..

sari ippo ore oru alternative than iruku.

nellai->madurai->Rameshwaram. enna oru 200 Km extra varum pola. vara vazhi illama.. madurai ku polam nu mudivu panni.. madurai platform ku ponen..

summa solla koodathu.. andha time la kooda summa jay jay nu kootam..

inaiku nan bus yeri.. madurai ku poi .. anga oru bus kidaichu..கிழிஞ்சுது...

but for my luck i got a seat in a bus very soon.. Finally the journey started by 2 hrs delay.

texted dad..

Ive Crossed tuticorin.

..

put mobile in pockets and slept for while.. when i woke up.. bus was at Kovilpatti bus stand. This time .. a REAL beautiful girl walked in. .

 I AM BAADDDDD MAANN..

இது நிஜம் தானா ,, இல்ல கனவா. .

she sat on the aisle beside my seat. agaa . kovilpatti la ivlo azhagana ponna?? sooobbeeeerr..

apadiye ava phone yedutha.. yeduthu..yarukko location share pannuchu.. udane call vandhuchu avaluku..
sanda poda arambicha.. pottukitte vandhaa.. madurai vanduruchu..

nan yeppavo seat maari ukkandhuten.. yedho bus full airuchunu oru ponnu vandhu ukkandhuchu.. adhum committed, also a mental. cha..

4.45am,at Madurai Maatuthaavani bus stand..

onna .. renda.. 8 platform vechurukanunga.. ithula nan rameshwaram bus enganun yeppadi kandu pidipen. :(..

ramnad bus irundhuchu.. adhula yeri ukkanden. oru co passenger eh paathu keten..

intha bus rameshawaram poguma ..

'pogathu' nu sollitu avan thoongitaan..

keezha poi conductor ta keten.. Rameshwaram pogathu. Ramnad than pogum nu sonnaru.

oho.. ramnad vera. rameshwaram veraya.. hmmm...

ippadiye.. madurai to ramnad then to rameshwaram nu poitu irundhen... madurai ie irundu oru second kooda thookame varala. buring eyes .. thirsty .. very tired. but couldnt get sleep.

i just reached rameshwaram by 7.50am.. temple is still far away.

விதி இனிமேல் தான் விளையாடும் ன்னு தெரியாமலே நான் பஸ்ல தூக்கம் வராம வேடிக்கை பாத்துட்டு இருந்தேன்..

hmm.. i was waiting for Paamban (பாம்பன் ) bridge to come. 2+Km ride :) 

Dad called.. 

dei.. mani 8 aachu innuma ne vandhu serala??

bus kidaikala pa.. adhan time airuchu..

sari enga iruka??

Pamban bridge la iruken..

Sari .. bridge mudincha udane.. left la oru bus stop la bus nikkum adhula irangiru..

left laya?? yen?

soldratha seida Useless fellow..

hmmm..

(he is a typical indian father)

pakkathu seat le oru navy man irundharu. avarukita rameshwaram temple ku yeppadi poganum nu keten.. 

he replied in a gentle and clear manner. I thanked him. 

Oh! innum rameshwaram porathuke 11Km iruku. anga irundhu oru town bus pidichu than temple ku poganumam.

Calling Dad..

He didnt pick up..

So i continued my journey.. rameshwaram pora vazhi la thaan INS*** iruku. oru vela andha navy man anga dhan poraro?? 

Later.. At Rameshwaram bus stand ..

bus stand ku vandha podhu time 8.15 irukum nalla pasi. thookam vera illa, tiredness pottu thaakuchu. ippo edhavadhu sapda kidaicha nalla irukume nu nenachen. kandipa yarum saptruka maatanga, avangaloda join pannikalam. 

Dad called..

appa .. nan.. bus st...

dei. anga oru town bus eh pidichu kovil ku vandhuru.. 

car anupurennu sonninga..

car laam varathu ivlo thooram vandhutela, appadiye bus pidichuva..

OK..

( I told u.. he is a typical indian)

Bus no.3 shed me to the main entrance of the temple.

direct sun made something to my eyes.. stomach brattled..

Again dad called and told me Come to the hotel Opposite to the temple entrance. I went there and searched every table.. no sign of  them. Called to dad and asked Where they were.

Dei.. u useless fellow.. how long should we wait in the hotel. Where were u roaming around. Cant u just find this  hotel.. Okay.. come to the road that leads to the ocean..

OH!!! Dear family u cant wait just 2 more min for me???? I travelled 400KM  and reached my destination with lots of wear and tear. Blaming me Useless.???? Nice, I say.. Gaut hold ur temper da..

I couldn’t find them on the road to ocean. Too much crowd..

Called to dad.. again he didn’t pick up..

என்ன டா இப்படி அலையவிடறீங்க

Oru china vishyatha communicate panna mudiala. Enna Useless nu sollringa..

உள்ளக்குள் ரொம்பவும் கோவம் வந்துச்சு ..என்ன பண்ணி தொலைய .. நான் என்ன தெரு பிள்ளையார் கோவிலுக்கா வந்துருக்கேன் உடனே வீட்டுக்கு திரும்பி போக .. வந்ததும் வந்துட்டோம் ..

Apadiye theditu vandhen..oru autorickshaw la Ammavum Chithiyum ponanga. Nalla vela Chithi enna pathutanga. Udane autova niruthi enna pick up pannitanga.. appo dad call pannaru,

Dei.. u ***** fellow. Engada pona??

Appa nan chithi kooda auto la poren..

Onnum venam . nera koviluku va..

What??? Nan saria thoongala, onnum sapadala. Ivlo thooram travel pannathula ore kasa kasanu iruku.. travel bag eh thookitu evanathu kovil ku povana??? Why is dad talking like this???

Amma phone eh vangi. Gouthama room ku kutitu porom. Konjam refresh aitu varatum nu sollitu cut pannitanga.

Hotel ponom.. apada konjam rest edukalam. Sapada edhvadhu irukum nu nenachen..

But for my bad luck.. Room key appa kita irundhuchu..

avaraku call panna tension anaaru... avaru vandhu key kuduthu.. nan refresh aga.. innum 30 min airuchu.

Kovil ku kootitu porom nu sollitu ..Tonsure section ku kutitu poi mottai adichanga..

இன்னும் என்னென பண்ண முடியுமோ எல்லாம் பண்ணுங்கடா..

Summa vae rameshwaram la 22 wells (கிணறு) irukum.. nanga ellathulayum kulichu.. mudikkum podhu.. enaku eppo venalum uyir pogura condition..  

கண்ண இருட்டிக்கிட்டு வந்துச்சு ..

Kadaisiya Ocean la kulikanum nu en thangachi sonnaa.. ellarum ocean ku poi kulichom..

En mottai thalaile ore erichal .. burning sensation b’cas of salt water.

..

Room ku vandhu kulichen.. sapada polam nu sonnanga.. ellarum hotel le nokki nadanthom. Nalla hotel eh kandipidichu sapda ukkandhom.

Ellartayum kettutu nan dhan order panna arambichen.. Appo..

Appa voda relative oruthar anga vandhaar..

Dad: vanga ukkarunga sapadalam

Relative : Ithu punniyasthalam.. inga vandhutu unga appavuku Pindam vekkama poga koodathu voi.

Dad : sari vechuralam..

Relative : sapada venam.. ippo vango pindam vechutu vandhu sapadalam..

Dad : sari, ellarum vanga polam.. pindam enga vekkanum???

Relative : vanga nan azhachundu poren.. 2 km dhan..

யோவ் .. குடுமி ..எங்க இருந்துயா வந்த?? பவானி, ஈரோடு ல தான் உங்க இம்ச தாங்க முடியல .. இப்போ ராமெஷ்வரதுலயுமா????

Me : appo sapadu???

Dad: vaa vandhu saptukalam..

Me: nan varala neenga ponga.. unga appa ku dhane pindam vekuringa. Nan varala..

Dad : u disobedient fellow..

Me: let me be. Im starving! Cant u see..

Dad: get lost..

Me: thank u!!

Avaru typical indian.. nan illa. I’m a badass.

Andha hotel la sapada enaku pidikala.. so appadiye veliya vandhen.. enala romba thooram nadaka mudiathu. Kandipa sapte aganum. Udane oruku kilambanum.. innum Main God eh pakala. Just theertham mattum dhan vangirukom (from the 22 wells). So ASAP I must have some food for my sake..

To my bad luck, entha hotel um open agala. Nan thirumbhavum  enga lodge ku ponen.. rest edukalamae. Thoongave illaye. Room key????

Its with dad, super!!! Sari.. apadiye reception  sofa le collapse aanen. Appo dhan paathen. Reception le oru refrigerator niraya Ice creams and softdrinks.

Oh ! Yeass Abhi!!

Rendu ice creams and oru mountain dew 1.5L vangi kuduchu mudichen. I need calories. Soft drinks arenot good for health. But they carry calories. Paravala ippo konjam nalla irundhuchu. Apadiye andha sofale light ah thoongiten.

Yaaro elupunanga..

Appa!??

Vaa room ku polam.. room ku vandhu thoongu.. konjam neram pindam vekkura varaikum unnala wait panna mudiathula??

….

என் நிலைமை எனக்கு தான் தெரியும் !

Room le thoongitu irundhen.. en thangachi elupi vitta..

Enne di ..

Intha..

Enna ithu.

Soan pappadi..

Mikka magilchi dear..

niraya soan pappadi sapten.. blood glucose level rises..

Again slept.

2 hrs  later..time was 2pm..

Sari ma, nan ooruku kilamburen. Anitha, manoj, chithi kitta sollirunga.

Appa vum amma vum bus yethivida varuvanganu nenachen.. aanaa yarum varala :( ellarukum thookam varutham. car la jollya vandha ungalukke thookam varuthe.. enaku yeppadi irukum :( 

You are a LONER da gauti..

Oru pechuku kooda bus stand ku varatuma nu yaarum sollala.. Mano vum anitha vum thoongitu irupangale. Sari disturb panna vendam.

Veliya vandhu bus stop enganu visarichutu bus le yeri ukkandhen..

Cha.. papa kita sollitu vandhurukalame. Nan sapadalnu soan papadi lam kuduthale..  sari.. evening call pannuvom..

Back to rameshwaram bus stand..

Tirunelveli ku straight bus illayam.. papanaasam (பாபநாசம்) bus irundhuchu.. adhule yerunen seats full..

Conductor: enga sir poganum..

me: Tirunelveli.

Conductor yaaryo iraki vittutu enne ukkara sonnaru..

Me: paravala nan adutha bus la varen.. avara yen iranga solringa???

Cond: avan, adutha stop irungiruvaan thambi, neenga ukkaarunga..

Hmm… yeppadiyo return journey start airuchu.. conductor um pakkathula ukkandu pesite vandhaaru,, konjam 

neram kalichu rush airuchu bus.. so avarum busy aitaaru.

Enaku konjam neram thoongunathu pathala.. ippo romba romba tired ah irundhuchu.. thoongavum mudiala.

Sari nu earphones edukka bag kull kai vitten..

ஆகா . ஆகா .. அருமை ..அருமை..

FM radio kettu embuttu naal aaguthu. apadiyee kanna moodunen. 

ராமன் ஆண்டாலும் ராவணன் ஆண்டாலும் . எனக்கொரு கவலை இல்ல .. 

nan nalla thoongiten.. romba asathi. lost too much fluids and calories.. 

கண்விழித்து பார்க்கும்போது...தூரத்தில்!!!  நெல்லை நகரம் ..

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