Translated into English by Saravanan Karmegam.
Chapter 16: Nanyang Hotel
…..
That big room- “Marriage Hall”- facing the Kimberley Street, in Nanyang Hotel had been kept booked in the name of Manikkam. The estate owner from other side of the island, Muthazhaku Pillai requested to allot the marriage hall on that date.
“Chooda Lisaalv”
Jaggaria Marakkayar from Market Street employed all tricks he knew to get it alloted on that date but in vain.
“Chooda Lisaalv”
Bansiyang, the businessman from Beach Street literally begged, and told him that he needed it for some traders coming from Bangkok.
“Chooda Lisaalv”
It was fifteen to nine in the night. Manikkam, Auditor Jeyaraman, Anabananda Adigal, and lungi shop owner Kumaravel alighted from the rickshaw, entered the building through rear entry and climbed on the stairs.
Lingwan, who was sitting on a three legged bamboo stool behind the stairs rose on seeing them and greeted them with an indecipherable grin on his face.
“Come in sir….come…come”
The mixed sounds of ceramic utensils’ clanks and nasal noises of Chinese men were coming from Kode coffee centre in the front.
Panchang, the owner of the hotel, standing on the steps at entrance greeted them.
“Come in sir….come …come…”
Next to the steps, were lying a table with marble top and some empty chairs around it. Straight above head, an electric lamp was hanging. Manikkam walked in front running his left hand fingers into his hair. “No one is visible around here. I think the business runs so well. O…today is Saturday…isn’t it? A mixed noise of some people teasing each other came from the big room in the rear which customers usually refered as ‘harem’. They would come out to show their face only when the ‘chaste women’ who had never stepped out of their houses called out to them.
The rooms on both sides seemed to have people inside. The hasty voices erupting out of feigning feelings and the sounds of furniture items being moved were heard through the wooden partition walls.
The door of room 16 that was left half closed was pulled in suddenly with a thud and closed with a latch.
“It is Koolavaanigan Sathaiah1” Adigal mumbled as he was stroking his beard.
Anbanandar had an acute sense of observation at places like these. Just a tip of small finger is enough for him to assess the person behind it.
They went to the ‘Marriage Hall” and sat there. Panchang went to them with coffee mugs and ceramic plates. He kept them on the table and stood there scratching his head. Manikkam signalled him to leave them. As he was leaving, Panchang told them Mariyam had arrived in from Eppo. No response from anyone.
Lungi shop owner wrung his right hand excitedly. ‘It seems that there must be some new faces in the harem. I can ask them to come here. Already running short of time. This guy is just adamant and never listens to anyone. Eppo Mariyam…Who’s that? Mariyammm….Mariyammm…Eppo Mariyamm….Oh My god! Is it that buffalo? I just can’t handle her. That bearded fellow is only fit for her. She is a Chinese woman from Alor Setar. What a name! Simlan might have come. Let me wait for some more time’
“Those men from Sumathra, Pandian and Naavannaa are coming here”- Manikkam announced as he was pouring tea in the cups.
“We can add up Sathaiah too” Adigal told.
“Sathaiah, our revered Guru of sweet Tamil language is now doing empirical examination on the secret behind the birth of Manimegalai” Manikkam pointed his right hand to the rear. “It is very difficult to get him out of room 16 now”
The coarse voice of auditor rose up, drawn out in singing.
“Buddham Saranam Kachaami
Dhammam saranam kachaa…ami
Sangam saranam kachaa….aaa…mi”
‘I strong condemn your denigrating words about Sathanaar.” Adigal grew furious and shouted. “If you insult the great men of our past like this, how would our Tamil language flourish?”
“Adigaaal! Let your anger be calmed down. Manikkam waved his hands signalling his intention to calm him down. “Forgetting that the great men of our past were also mortal beings is the reason why the Tamil language didn’t flourish and got perished.
Adigal stroked his beard closing his eyes.
“As this statement came from you, this issue ends up here. Had I uttered this, he would have chopped my head off by now” the auditor rubbed his neck faking fear.
“If the mother Goddess of Tamil gives order, we would chop off anyone’s head for that matter” Adigal thundered. “No matter whether they are our close relatives or wives or children”
The cracking sound of cot shaking and someone moaning came from the adjacent room.
“The genesis of birth is indeed a repugnant one”- auditor’s eye lids closed.
“The very thought of it gets me puked up” Adigal covered his nose with his left hand.
“Let it be…we can’t do anything about it. Can we?” the lungi shop owner grew furious. Does that mean that we all can take off our dhoties and run into the forests of Pilas?”
“Kumaravel! Be calm. Be calm” Auditor intervened with emotion filled words as if he was trying to prevent a deluge. “I used to despise hasty decisions. Those who involve in despicable acts in fact will become despicable themselves- like those who eat beef become bovines, those who eat greens become leaves. So, if you intend to indulge in any such despicable act, let us first consider taking Somapanam as preventive so as to avert the ill effects of such action….”
The sound of some men climbing on the stairs was heard.
Pandian’s voice rose high and precluded his arrival.
“Kalai naadiya thamizhnaadudai sezhiyarkiduthiraiyaa
Malainaadiyar mangoliyar manaiyirkadaithiramim” (For the king Pandian who hails from Tamil Nadu which is known for its penchant for nurturing art and culture, let the doors of women from Kerala and Mangolia be kept open)
Next followed Naavannaa’s voice.
“Mazalai thirumozhiyil sila malayum sila thamizhum
Kuzharitharu kunanaadiyar kuruki kadai thiramin” (The doors of women hailing from the east who speak a bit of Malay and Tamil in lisp be kept open)
With a laughter, both of them entered the ‘marriage hall’.
“Only now I have the privilege of knowing Naavannaa’s in-depth knowledge in Tamil” Manikkam sat straight and threw off a grin.
“Pawn shop building has a lot of things to offer. Naavanna has actually mastered Kalingathu Bharani” Pandian told as he pointed to Naavannaa. “Get us coffee”
Manaikkam’s finger pressed the calling bell. The server boy came running. Coffee was ordered. Those who came there sat down.
Pandian took out the cigarette box from his pocket, pulled out a cigarette and tossed the box onto the table.
The boy came with coffee mugs and saucers, kept them on the table and left.
Panchang came running anxiously and begged them to keep the doors shut.
“Piikkilu…pooso poognjaa oraang” Manikkam burst out.
The hotel owner bent down a little and hissed something into his ears. Manikkam bobbed his head and gave permission. Panchang shut the door and left.
“My dear men! Now listen to me” Manikkam told them as he stretched out his legs.
“Mr Subramani who is otherwise popular as Malaya Thiruvalluvar and the revered lady Valliyammai residing at Datho Kiramat Street, popularly known as Kannaki of Kaliyug leading a chaste life according to the tenets prescribed by the great men, are now entering the room no 9, better known in our circle as Rathikeli Vilasam”
“Where is Kovalan then?” lungi shop owner lowered his head a little.
“He had gone out- I mean to Thirukadaiyur Madhavi’s house- on some business call”
“Ah…ah…ah….” Adigal let out a burst of laughter stroking his beard.
“Perfect match of names” Lungi shop owner remarked. “Subramniyar- Valliyammaiyar”
“Their sobriquet is still better than that. Thiruvalluva Nayanar- Kannaki Nachiyar” the auditor raised his hand up, pointing towards the hill lock.
Stunned at this statement, Adigal turned his face to him and watched him in singular keenness, speechless, unable to decide whether to laugh or chide at him.
The lungi shop owner bid them good bye and left with an excuse of having some important work somewhere.
The stout, red bodied Sathaiah came in.
“Welcome…Welcome…let your visit be a good one” Anabananda Adigal greeted him.
“The Guruji of our sweet Tamil language! Welcome!”- Auditor Jeyaraman’s eyes narrowed. “Let his health be nourished” he said.
“Koolavanigan Sathan may have a seat” Manikkam showed him a chair.
“Thank you.”
They heard a mixed sound of some people climbing on stairs with definite steps.
“Japanese army” Manikkam announced taking out the cigarette from his mouth. “They are the henchmen of Major Keniyochi Ichiyama”
The boy came running and alerted them in a lowered tone before darting out “Japanese army…Japanese army men”
Seconds passed in silence.
The Japanese Army lieutenant entered their room leaving two of his corporals standing guard at the door.
“Cheekku”
He glanced Adigal’s face and his dark beard intently and roared again.
“Thamiro…Masta…Adigal got up and politely told him with his head bowed.
“O…Thamiro…Thamiro Jotho”
He threw his eyes around the room once and waved his hands signalling that there was nothing more to see and left the room.
They heard the Japanese army men climbing down the stairs and leaving by their cars after conducting intimidating inquiries with roars and stumping of boots on floor in adjacent rooms.
Adigal rose, his hands were stroking his long beard. He started singing.
“Let us start our kitchen
Let us make our rice
Let us be served with generous amount of toddy
Let the women singers
Sing their heart-rending songs”
Auditor rose and gave out a yell aloud.
“Panchang”
Adigal’s singing got interrupted.
“Panchaa….ang” auditor’s calling pervaded every corner of that hotel and echoed.
***Ended***
Next: Chapter 17: The Ministry of Tamils will be published soon.
Note:
1. Koolavanigan Sathaiah is the author of one of the five Tamil epics, Manimegalai. He was a Buddhist. (Koolavanigan means the one who sells grains)
