My son Raghu "enjoying" paandi melam

My relative Udayan chettan came to me a couple of days after the utsavam 2009 of Sreedharamangalam Sreekrishna kshethram, Chalakudy with his camera. He had taken some pictures and videos and wanted to download them to be burnt into a cd. When I was viewing the videos, I found Raghu, my son "enjoying" the melam which I would like to share with you. He had landed there directly from his classes and was in his uniform.....

You can view a more larger screenview of the above in the YouTube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcXYukGrv4&feature=channel_page

Amma of Rajavihar

Dear all,

Amma left us all on the early morning of 18th day of this month. Though was hospitalized twice a couple of months back, she was leading her life, although with debilities of one sort or other. She felt dizziness in the mornings and became generally weak. A few days ago, her BP level showed a lower level. When taken to the doctor, he changed the dose of the BP tablet she was taking.

On 17th night, amma was not getting sleep. We sat near her bed while she said she was not well. She was restless, praying aloud calling the Gods. Hours passed by and at about 1 AM, she wanted to eat something and we gave her a biscuit and a glass of water. At that time, we did not know that the moment of truth had arrived before the doorstep. We thought she was about to lie down. She suddenly developed some breathing problems. She took three or four deep breaths. Her body shivered slightly and then lay down there without a movement, her head near my lap, my brother massaging her feet, my sister and my wife holding her body. We stayed there motionless in the dimness and stillness of the room, without able to utter a word, father sitting on a chair placed some distance away in the same room. We did not know what to do for a few minutes. While a cold wind swept over Rajavihar, we all stood there without even looking at one another. We, the children of Rajavihar stayed there looking at Amma, the source of our well-being. Murali chettan mustered the courage and went near Achan, who seemed in some other world and told that she had left us. Achan loudly said “Vishalam maricho..?” He was crying... but we did not even have the courage to cry. When we opened the door the cold wind was still sweeping over Rajavihar.... a cold wind indeed...
murari