Page 20 - Memorial Book Thilaga Mylvaganam

Thilagi Akka – In Memoriam - Sushma Hariharan, cousin

Thilagi akka is my cousin, my mother’s eldest sister’s eldest
daughter. My earliest memories of Thilagi akka & Myl mamma as I
called them was when they were living in Castle Street, Colombo,
Sri Lanka with grown up children.

Though my visits were few I remember always enjoying a level of
conversation, play and fun that I was not accustomed to.

I got to know them as family only after I migrated to Australia in
1989. By then I was married with a 1+ year daughter. The Myls
were quick to visit and immediately offer all the information,
support, accommodation till we found our own way and the
general wholehearted welcome that continued to be such a
characteristic of their behaviour.

My little family and I never stopped enjoying, trusting and valuing
the inclusion and warm enfolding into their family. We initially
lived at Strathfield walking distance from them and many a time
was spent at their home enjoying Thilagi akka’s cutlets (yum) and
obtaining invaluable advice and guidance, while having a typical
rice & curry with the traditional trimmings of rasam, curd &
pappadam!

Thilagi akkka was an early riser and had completed all her
housework and cooking, leaving the day free for the rest of the
myriad activities she engaged in. She excelled in her knowledge of
both English and Tamil Literature and was extremely well read in
both languages. Her knowledge of the Hindu religion based on
extensive reading of the scriptures, meant she understood the
reasoning and concepts underlining the rituals and thevarams.
In discussing her life experiences and learnings she would often
explain the reading that guided her thinking and behaviour. She
was one of those who taught me that the true value of education
was to provide a road map for the thought that consciously or

Late Mrs. Tilakavati Mylvaganam 19