Another reason to smile for this family

May 03, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:51 am IST - Anakkara (Palakkad):

Legendary:The 119-year-old Vadakkathu Tharavadu at Anakkara in Palakkad, and (inset) Subhashini Ali.

Legendary:The 119-year-old Vadakkathu Tharavadu at Anakkara in Palakkad, and (inset) Subhashini Ali.

Though a bedridden stroke victim for the last five years, 94-year-old freedom fighter G. Suseela was all smiles when she was asked about the recent induction of her cousin Subhashini Ali into the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Susheela, who underwent two years of imprisonment at Vellore Central Jail for taking part in the Quit India Movement, shares a rare camaraderie with Subhashini Ali though the former’s political ideology was shaped largely by the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

“I felt elated on hearing about her elevation. She deserves it. The hard work has finally been appreciated,’’ said Suseela, who manages affairs of the 119-year-old legendary Vadakkathu Tharavadu at Anakkara on the northern border of Palakkad district.

Vadakkathu Tharavadu has given birth to illustrious persons such as Captain Lakshmi alias Dr. Lakshmi Sehgal, who led the Jhansi Rani Regiment of the Indian National Army. Captain Lakshmi, who died at the age of 97 three years ago, is the mother of Subhashini Ali.

The celebrities born to the Tharavadu include freedom fighter and member of the Constituent Assembly Ammu Swaminathan, legendary Congress leader A.V. Kuttimalu Amma, Ammu Swaminathan’s daughters Captain Lakshmi and famous danseuse Mrinalini Sarabhai, Ms. Sarabhai’s daughter and renowned dancer Mallika Sarabhai, and CPI(ML) leader Srilatha Swaminathan.

The Tharavadu has also illustrious sons-in-law. Kozhipurath Madhava Menon, who for a long time had been a father figure in Kerala politics and Minister in Madras Province, was the husband of Kuttimalu Amma.

The celebrated scientist Vikram Sarabhai had been married to Mrinalini. Ammu Swaminathan’s husband Subburama Swaminathan and son Govind Swaminathan were legal luminaries.

The house was constructed in 1896 by P. Govinda Menon and his brother P. Theyunni Menon.

“Since this Tharavadu has a long tradition and history, the family members want to preserve it. Though they are living in different parts of the world, they keep coming whenever they find time,” says Geetha, a member of the family.

Subhashini Ali is a frequent visitor to the house and her last visit was in February, on the occasion of the CPI(M)’s State conference in Alappuzha.

The famous Anakkara Vadakkathu family rejoices over induction of Subhashini Ali into CPI(M)Polit Bureau.

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