Page 8 - Memoirs of Sarasworthy Somasundaram

Kathiripillai

Kathiripillai was my mother’s father. He died when my mother was young … and yet…

He came of a very strict Hindu family. Probably the only Christian from his family
circle. He was a teacher and quite a strict disciplinarian both at home and abroad. (My
mother loved him and often regaled us with stories of earlier years. Apparently
Periamarma, her elder brother, collected most of the punishments, while my mother went
free!)

He had married into a Christin family and they lived near the Tellipallai Mission
School. His brothers kept in touch with him and he with them.

When he died, his brothers came over and took his body to their ancestral home;
and proceeded to follow the Hindu funeral rites. Grandmother was worried. She had no
one to turn to. Grand father came of a strong Hindu clan) Her son, Periamarma, was just a
child: Eventually she managed to send a post-haste message to one of our evangelistic
workers (minister?) but he was scared to intervene! He appealed to a Missionary.
Missionary Brown walked in, had a word with grand-mother. Stretched out is hand to
Periamarma and leading him up to Grand-father’s brothers, said “Kathiripillai is a Christian.
His family would like him to be buried according to Christian rites. His son will go with me.”

He beckoned to the Pastor (who according to my grandfather, had stood apart
shivering.) and between them carried the coffin to the carriage. After depositing the coffin
firmly at the back, he lifted Periamarma up in front next to him. He took the reins in his
hands and the pastor climbed up the other side, and they drove off.
The eldest of my grandfather’s brothers had said “Annah’s body is being taken to be
buried. He is our brother. Come let us follow” And they did. No incidents. It was a quiet
funeral. They loved their brother.

I remember one of his brothers used to visit us when we were kids. He would sit and
talk to my mother and my grandmother. We were too young to appreciate his visits. Now I
wish we had continued to keep in touch with them.

(He would never eat or drink in our house. It amused us kids but in later years, I
realised it was traditional at the time. Strict Hindus or Brahmins would never share a meal
with Christians.)

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