DHEEKSHITHAR THAATHAA ( 1)

                                            DHEEKSHITHA  THAATHAA ( 1)           

                        Gaomathi Sankara Dheekshithar ,as he is well known  is an exact contemporary of  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru , being born in the year 1889, at Suddhamalli a suburban part of Thirunelveli,South Tamilnadu.His parents were Rama Dheekshithar and Meenakshi Ammal ,a piouus and religious couple who strictly followed the culture and traaditions of those times.The father lived a life of  Sanniyasin and naturally did not mingle in the activities of the house though residing there itself. G  had one younger brother -Ananthanarayanan, two elder sisters Parvathi and Yagnamma and  also a younger sister by name Kalyani.

It was usual that after the two boys ( G &A) return from  school in the evening, used to play with K out of unbound affection towards her..One such evenig K was holding a toy piece of glass in her hand at her child age , which pearced the left eye of G ,not to the expectation of anybody causing a lot of pain, blood woozing and ultimate damage and permanent damage of vision in the left eye.One fortunate thing about the unfortunate incident is that the right eye was spared and unaffected.All were weeping for a while for what happened and then went to the Father and informed the matter. He heard patiently and replied "'" Don't cry, He is born withe the auspicious  star Bharani, He is desdained to rule the dharani  (world ) .with his single eye! ""  Of course he was ruling over the hearts all those he came across with,  without exception. Throughout the lifespan of eighty two years ,he never used glass for his eyes despite being a voracious reader of standard journals like Bhavans journals and books to assist his prayers!s.Until the last days he was able to read.He was also pious and led a simple life.

                   Days went off. After schooling , G began to wojrk as a teachher to start with, at  a village by name  Sundara pandiyapuram near Tenkasi in Thirunelveli district. A could pursue his college studies and 

finished  B A LT ,joined a school in Alwarthirunagari  in between Thirunelveli and Thiruchendur.As  had been the pract/ice all five got married in their young age, Sankariammal was the wife of  G

                 The couple G & S were blessed with two sons  Mahadevan and Ganesan and also two daughters Meenakshi and Subbbulakshmi,.In those days girls were not allowed to have education, even elementary education despite their intelligence and knowledge,Even boys went for jobs after completing school education,Getting employment was not a problem then.After marriage ,the girls took care of husband's famly and became a rare  and occasional visitors to then parents' family.Essencially they became part of husband's family.The second son   Ganesan did not maary..Others got married .That Meenakshi is none other than Meeanakshippatti who married KTV..     ( To be continued).