Here’s a sentiment Indian cinema has played on considerably. Two lovers staying united in death, buried next to each other. Often, the credits would scroll up on a lugubrious still shot of their tombs, built tightly together in symbolic intimacy.
The idea of love surviving death appeals to us, because of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Every Indian knows this love story from history class. I think kids from the West would appreciate it too. Because, they are aware of an interesting variation of this story. In the West, some automobile enthusiasts have wanted to be buried with their cars.
And they have had their way.
Among such burials, George Swanson’s is the most widely reported. Twenty years ago, this American was buried with his ashes placed in the driver’s seat of his favourite car, a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette. He wanted it that way. And he had a family which valued his deathbed wish. He did his bit to make it happen. From reports following this headlines-grabbing event, Swanson left no ‘tombstones’ unturned in ensuring this burial. He reportedly shopped for spacious burial plots. Authorities at many cemeteries rejected the notion. He did not give up.
It appears to have all the elements of a great love story. Kylas Swaminathan however thinks it should have ended differently. “With the Corvette outside the grave,” says Kylas. While conceding everyone is free to do his own thing within the boundaries of legitimate personal freedom, Kylas is disappointed the car had to meet with an untimely end. A machine is immortal. Unlike a human being, it can be repaired, re-engineered and restored any number of times.
Kylas believes ensuring a longer run for one’s car is a greater act of love. As a collector of vintage and classic cars, he has met aged people, who, knowing the end is at hand, look around for car enthusiasts who can be entrusted with their machines. Before they leave, they want their beloved machines placed in safe hands.
“They make inquiries about prospective buyers. They short-list them and conduct interviews before giving away their cars. Some put down in black and white how their cars should be taken care of,” explains Kylas, adding that he finds such love stories between people and their machines more heart-warming.
Some of them would have personally maintained these cars till age caught up. He cites the example of Dr. Rangachari, a famous general practitioner, who went to great lengths to have one Vauxhall Velox and two Chevrolet Styleline cars impeccably kept. “At his house in T. Nagar, he built a trench so that he could access the under-chasses of these cars. He built a ramp to give the cars a wash. He installed a pulley chain hoist to dismantle engines.
He also kept a host of spares,” says Kylas. “The best part is that he operated these equipment and attended to the cars himself.” Kylas also remembers his uncle K.G. Veeraraghavan who did his best to keep an old Hillman in running order. Says Kylas, “When the car would not start, he would keep at it, rotating the starting handle. The young ones in the family would make a jest of it. ‘You are winding the car so much. Are you headed for a long journey?’ He would laugh it off and continue his efforts to get the car started. The car was with him till the end.”
