Close to the border of Tamil Nadu in Palakkad district, is this small village Nallepilli. A serene hamlet comprising a main road, several small streets that lead to this main road, a BSNL exchange, post office, acres of paddy fields spread in all directions, several small lakes and ofcourse the Shiva, Shashtha and Bhagavathi temples. If something can overpower you here, it is the stunning silence in the middle of the day, and the hospitality of the residents.
I visited Nallepilli in December 2009, for the Shashtha Preethi (the festival during the month of December when Lord Aiyyappan is worshipped). I entered the agraharam of the village at about 9AM, and was looking around when some residents came up to me and enquired if I needed help. When I mentioned to them who I was looking for, they directed me to the house of my friend and within a quarter of an hour we had visitors at the friend's place asking if he needed any help to host us. This was quite a pleasant experience for city dwellers like me, who wouldnt even know his neighbour in the apartment complex he lives in. My friend let them know that my wife's great grand father was a resident of the same village, and that he was the headmaster of the school (the only one then).
The narration of the link we shared with the visitors was hardly over when two old men came to meet us. One of them is related to my wife, while the other was a student of the headmaster. Their happiness on discovering a relation that was lost until now was so childlike. Extremely naive, and so uncomplicated!!
Needless to say, we had a fantastic time at the village, and almost felt like settling down there to a simple, steady and uncomplicated life, filled with abundant silence.
The next visit was in May 2010 for the kumbabhishekam of the Shashtha temple. Close to 1000 people attended the function, and were served a sumptuous lunch. Food was served the previous day as well - thrice. Nobody went hungry.
In all these events, residents of the entire village worked in groups (committees as we would say in the urban world), to ensure the function went off well. Some worked back stage, while some worked on the stage. But none had a complaint that his/her work went unrecognized.
People who have moved out of the village seeking different career options in places as far away as Delhi and Bombay were back in Nallepilli for the function; it was "their village" and "their function". A good union to relive the nostalgia of the years spent in the village, and keep the tradition going undisturbed. This was quite a strength to the current residents to stay back and continue the good work with support and patronage from those who moved out of the village for professional reasons.
If you look at neighbouring Tamil Nadu, villages that boasted of a past where such events were known for their grandeur, there isnt even a whine or whimper these days. It is a pity that none of the ancient temples receive due patronage or support anymore.
May Nallepilli and its tradition be kept alive for a long long time.
I visited Nallepilli in December 2009, for the Shashtha Preethi (the festival during the month of December when Lord Aiyyappan is worshipped). I entered the agraharam of the village at about 9AM, and was looking around when some residents came up to me and enquired if I needed help. When I mentioned to them who I was looking for, they directed me to the house of my friend and within a quarter of an hour we had visitors at the friend's place asking if he needed any help to host us. This was quite a pleasant experience for city dwellers like me, who wouldnt even know his neighbour in the apartment complex he lives in. My friend let them know that my wife's great grand father was a resident of the same village, and that he was the headmaster of the school (the only one then).
The narration of the link we shared with the visitors was hardly over when two old men came to meet us. One of them is related to my wife, while the other was a student of the headmaster. Their happiness on discovering a relation that was lost until now was so childlike. Extremely naive, and so uncomplicated!!
Needless to say, we had a fantastic time at the village, and almost felt like settling down there to a simple, steady and uncomplicated life, filled with abundant silence.
The next visit was in May 2010 for the kumbabhishekam of the Shashtha temple. Close to 1000 people attended the function, and were served a sumptuous lunch. Food was served the previous day as well - thrice. Nobody went hungry.
In all these events, residents of the entire village worked in groups (committees as we would say in the urban world), to ensure the function went off well. Some worked back stage, while some worked on the stage. But none had a complaint that his/her work went unrecognized.
People who have moved out of the village seeking different career options in places as far away as Delhi and Bombay were back in Nallepilli for the function; it was "their village" and "their function". A good union to relive the nostalgia of the years spent in the village, and keep the tradition going undisturbed. This was quite a strength to the current residents to stay back and continue the good work with support and patronage from those who moved out of the village for professional reasons.
If you look at neighbouring Tamil Nadu, villages that boasted of a past where such events were known for their grandeur, there isnt even a whine or whimper these days. It is a pity that none of the ancient temples receive due patronage or support anymore.
May Nallepilli and its tradition be kept alive for a long long time.
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