The Mail Train ……………

Returning from Akkaraipattu

 

It is not that far from Sea Sand Guest to the Kovil. It took me about less than 10 – 15 minutes to reach the place via a de tour. 

According to what I heard Mr. & Mrs. Keteeshwaran wanted to have their Wedding ceremony in the very same area they spent their childhood and life thereafter, up to date. 

By the time I reach there, the religious customs rituals have already begun. I missed the Thali tying occasion. 

I was treated in a very ‘warmly and a very close relative way’. I was offered a tea and with some sweets.  Everything was so perfectly arrange. The Musical instruments play through out the ceremony have the power to take you to another planet. For about few moments, I felt that I have reached ‘Simple traditional history’ from ‘Complex Modernity. 

Like in the movie, ‘Mona Lisa Smiles’ explains, just because you find something ancient that doesn’t mean it is primitive’. 

It is so happy to see that the Rituals, the customs and the traditions of the cultures of some communities of the world we live still exist. The religious Wedding Traditions, rituals and customs that follows at a traditional wedding ceremony of the Tamil + Hindu have not changed, modernized or removed things partially or totally, though we live in the year 2015.  

According to my understanding, only difference I noticed was the youngsters of today with very modern cameras from this modern technological world we live. There is something else that is well protected. That is the ‘Pottu’ that the Tamil Ladies put on their foreheads, in the middle area between their eyes. Some use Traditional Pottu but the girls and the ladies of today, wears ‘various patterned pottu that they buy from the modern shops. 

And the garland of flowers they use when they styling their hair, shows there uniqueness.  The Bride looked so elegant and a symbol of the Traditions and cultural heritages. 

Keteesh sir’s sister, at very first glance invited me to her friend’s place, worrying about my untidy hair and untidy way of dressed. Before posing for any photographs she wanted me to dress nicely, neatly at least. I followed her to the place of her friend. It’s a Calm and quite place. I noticed a successful ginger garden, cultivated using barrels, very good alternative, intelligent thing to use them for. 

Sister's Friend's Home Garden

Next step of the function was arranged at the ‘Vibulanantha Children’s Development Centre’. According to what I heard from the girl who works there as a clerk (?), officer in charge, the centre is about 22 years old. And that is the hostel where Mr. Keteeshwaran spent his early childhood.      

Embracing every smile of the people there, I could breathe easily with no difficulty. Mr. Keteeshwarsn was the only person I knew from the group. Yet finally I felt that I know everyone better than the ones I knew for a long time.

His Sisters were very kind to me. Thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality.

After lunch I wanted to walk a bit to the Bus Stop yet it was not possible because the worrying sister didn’t want me to walk to the bus stop, helped me to take a three wheeler to the bus stop. 

There was  a bus leading to Trincomalee from Akkraipattu. I got in to the bus and finished the entire bottle of Fanta given by one of the sisters; she works as a teacher at a village in Trinco. 

The Bus was full of people. Smiling faces. They watched a movie while travelling, that is a modern technique that the bus owners use to entertain their passengers through out the journey. 

I wanted to have a cup of tea before I reach the Rail Station. I stepped in to the Sun Shine restaurant just in front of the Bus Stand. I very greedily drank the hot cup of tea; I do not mind telling the Brand Name because it aided my thirst to its maximum length. NesTea.

I stopped at the OUSL regional Centre for a sanitary need. It was so good to have some one I know to get some help. 

I was early, enough of time to get the ticket. Sharp 5.00 O’clock they issued the ticket. The Train reached the Station before 5.30. but before that I wanted to have another cup of tea at the station canteen maintained by a very friendly and so human person I think if I heard his name accurately, he is Gagan.

I have never traveled alone, at night. It was a very fascinating, total experience for me.  At the beginning I was a little afraid for no reason. After a short while that the journey began towards Colombo, it rained a bit. The wind was so moisture and no dry. The seats were comfortable enough for a good nap.   

  

The Baticaloa Station was no noisy or busier like the Fort or Kandy, Mahawa Stations. That is a home like Station. From Batticaloa, passing Erawur , Devapuram ( The City of Gods’) and some other very historical names the Train proceeds. 

The Sky of Devapuram looked so ‘Heavenly Beautiful’. It was so eye pleasing to view the sky full of clouds with various patterns. I am not a good Phone Photographer; I end up with having spoiled snap shots.   

 

The Mail Train Proceeds like a shy bride

The Sky of Devapuram seemed like a responsible groom

The Clouds Claps happily

Waving Wind,

The Night of East ,

Wished them harmony

Wished them Happy togetherness

The Mail Train proceeds

Passengers on Train,

Like New Relatives joined them

Breathe libertifully,

with confidence

The Mail Train proceeds

The Night of East,

Writes Poems, 

whispers to the Stars glittering

& Glamoring

The Night of East

Writes new Chapters

The Mail Train proceeds

No Gloomed Tunnels

Aha! good thing for them

The Nests of East are Quite but awaken

The Mail Train proceeds

The Thal Trees 

Smile like happy toddler 

The Mail Train proceeds

Is she muttering a lullaby

Cradling Ganesh's Cradle,

in her dreams,

in her realities

The Mind Travels further

The Mail Train proceeds 

 

Though it was little windy and wetted I didn’t wanted to close the window. Perhaps it was little bothering for the other passengers but I became little selfish that journeying night. 

The Mahawa Station has not gone to sleep awaiting to welcome the Mail Train with its passengers. It is a so awaken station. Hot Cup of Paal coffee was sold to any passengers that needed some awaken attitude.

I fall asleep on and off.

Traveling night on a train is a very enchanting experience. The Mail Train Journey was so rhythmic, I felt. 

I do not think that I wrote every thing that I felt Traveling on Train. You missed loads of things when narrating or essaying your experiences. You do not have to use the adjectives you know to express your feelings. Words automatically come with no difficulty though they are grammatically incorrect. 

I must thank every person who shared a word with me on and off train.

I must thank every person who shared a smile with me

I am happy that I could manage my broken Spoken Tamil abilities to some extent sometimes to express my gratitude and happiness.

The Mail Train Reached Back Fort Station exactly at 4.00 am in the Morning ……………..