They are from three generations, belonging to different communities, religions and even States, but all belonging to the same family tree. They had travelled from distances, spending money, time and effort to spend Christmas day together in Coimbatore. And, this they were doing for the 11 consecutive year. But the reunion ‘Star Bees’ at a club here on Wednesday was not for Christmas. It was for the family’s 96-year-old matron A. Subbulakshmi.
Some 12 years ago, when the youngest grandson Kathikeyan Balu was curious to know about the family tree, he was surprised that he could not go beyond some 30-odd members. In conservative terms this is a significant number, but for Karthikeyan it was way too less.
Not surprising, considering the fact that his grandfather had sired 22 children – 11 born to Ms. Subbalakshmi, while the other 11 to her sister, who got married to Mr. Gopalan after her.
An SSLC from Presentation Convent, it was after marriage to Coimbatore Varadarajan Gopalan (C.V. Gopalan), a football player and business man who established one of the popular bakeries ‘Star Bakery,’ and birth of two children later that she took up teacher training. After a long teaching stint as a history teacher, Ms. Subbulakshmi retired in 1977 and is a pensioner.
The first reunion was organised at a cousin’s terrace in 2002 with 30 members. Relentless efforts by the grandchildren aided by the amazing memory of the grandmother yielded results and today 11 years hence, “Star Bees” Facebook page has 189 family members. Though Ms. Subbulakshmi’s birthday is on October 2, the reunion is slotted for Christmas every year to make it possible for those abroad to travel during vacation.
Years fall away and her eyes glow every time a grandchild or great-grandchild calls her “avva” and touches her feet for her blessing. She remembers all their names, and rattles off events – with dates, months and years – that happened decades ago.
Though she uses a walker, it is the nonagenarian who rules the kitchen of her youngest son, with whom she lives in Kovaipudur. Leading an active life, she looks forward to many more such reunions and, and refuses to be bogged down by reading glasses and hearing aids that “are for old people”. She believes that it is not her children, but grandchildren and great-grandchildren that keep her zest for life going.
The grandchildren vow to keep the tradition going and also ensure that part of the contribution that is collected for the reunion is used for a cause.
