In fond remembrance of some Family members
An article by Bellipady Rammohan Rai, Bangalore
From the day our Bellipady website is launched there is an inbuilt desire in me to make a little contribution by making a reference to some of the Family members who had made a real impact on me from my childhood days.
Of course, this is only my personal views and I request the family members to take the same in a lighter vein while reading this article:
1) B. Narasimha Rai (Surya) - The Founder President of our Bellipady Family Trust
In reality I came into contact with this uncle after Bellipady Family Trust opened an account with Vijaya Bank, Foundres branch, Mangalore, where I was in charge of the Forex section during that period.
My observation about this gentleman, being a senior man, professional advocate, a leading agriculturist but a humble, affectionate down to earth person, who used to treat me like a Bank professional rather than as a Family member, but is always very clear in his talks. Like for example, if some Foreign instruments received to our Family Trust, he told me to discount it if only I had powers to do so, even though the Trust is in dire need of immediate funds. When I accede to his request, he used to be very much pleased and put some appreciating words about me with his fellow colleagues.
A dedicated humble person who is primarily responsible for making Bellipady Family Trust and its achievements a reality.
2) Smt. Kalyani D’Shetty- my Malamma
Perhaps during her hey days a leading Bunt lady in Dakshina Kannada, highly respected, hospitable, affectionate and loving. Always very helpful and used to have some bit extra affection to her Bellipady relatives whom she used to help whenever they approach her with any sort of problems. Good organizer, Social worker, highly respected in the elite circles of Mangalore. Always her words used to carry a lot of weight in Mangalore Educational institutions.
As she was very fond of me from the day of my birth, I don’t want to put more words about this great lady.
3) Smt. Kamala N.Rai-Uramal Mallamma
(Also, my father’s maternal uncle’s wife)
A powerful, hospitable lady. Very good both in agriculture as well as in domestic work. I remember, even from my schooldays whenever I visit her place there is a warmth welcome, “Bale Yenna jokule” (come my children). As I used to be very fond of toddy during that time and Uramal is well known area for toddy tapping, she always makes it a point for arranging and serving fresh tasty toddy, of course followed by kori-rotti, which she herself used to prepare. A lady of generosity, hard working, sacrificing nature without any vested interests.
Perhaps a replica of our earlier generation Bunt ladies and how they used to be.
4) Smt. Sesamma B.Rai- Athrel Dodda
(Also my father’s eldest maternal uncle’s wife)
Earlier I only heard her as a lady of strong will, powerful, once if she takes an action no compromise and no going back. The reason for my making a reference to this great lady which I narrate in this small incident as follows:
It was somewhere during early 1970’s, I along with some of relatives visited her Athrel house to extend a marriage invitation. The time was around 10 0’
Clock in the morning and this Dodda was in her late old age living with her grand son Ramdasanna (was a bachelor at that time). With warmth greeting the lady welcomed us but with equal straight strong words uttered “no question of leaving now, anything only after taking your meal”. She made me to sit on a chair and squatting on the floor, she peeled open a tender coconut with a sickle. With her trembling hands she put handful of sugar in the tender coconut and with a smile told me to drink it, which is a touching scene for me. Even at that old age she used to cook in the kitchen and generally not allowing servants to enter the kitchen, except her grandson Ramdasanna, who had no other option but to oblige her. At that age, even her physical strength on decline, Dodda prepared a full meal of Kori- vanas and payasa and we can leave the place only after relishing it, of course somewhere at noon.
Here what I try to impress upon the dear reader about the grit, determination
Hard working nature of our old generation ladies, with age as no barrier for their activities.
5) B.C. Alva- My eldest maternal uncle
We fondly call him as “Malla mamu”. His achievements in professional and cricket fields already known to all, but here I am touching my observations about him as a person:
By looks he is a serious, commanding personality with a majestic appearance but by heart a simple, loving person. When I lived with him in Bangalore for about 3 years in late 1970’s I observed these characters of him:
Very popular, influential person in society as well as an able administrator with lots of fame in his professional field. Still a very loving, hospitable person to his relatives and friends alike. Even though had his childhood and education in Mangalore, without much personal touch of Puttur side, always very proud of belonging to Bellipady Family and his Puttur origin. Whenever any Bellipady family member visits him in Bangalore, always very happy to greet them and treat them, making lots of enquiries about the family connection.
One more good nature of him being Head of Karnataka Electricity Board during that period, eventhough a strict disciplinarian, as a boss always very sympathetic about the persons working under him and their families, including line men, peons, drivers etc; as such he was affectionately called as
“Alva Sahebru”.
Perhaps this trait he acquired from his great fore fathers, who by virtue of mere handwork, administrative and organizing skills, the love, faith and affection they imposed over their sub- ordinates helped them to amaze such huge potential agriculture fields and pass over to their next generations.
6) B.Y. Alva- my maternal uncle
Yeshwanth Alva, we fondly call him “Yesu mama”. Third among Alva Brothers. Here, I fail in my duties if I don’t mention, being one of our Bellipady member, he excelled in academics (being a gold medalist from Annamali University of Engineering), an excellent sports person representing the University, a cricketer who played Ranji trophy matches for the then states of Madars, Mysore and represented Indian Board President’s IX against visiting Pakistani Team. Besides starting his professional career as Engineer with Kolar Gold Field, later joined Tata’s in Mumbai and by mere hard work, administrative skills held a very high executive post till his untimely death rather at a younger age. Instrumental in commissioning first Thermal project of Kuwait and our own Raichur Thermal plant.
As a person soft spoken, athletic built, disciplined, well dressed and known for his good mannerism. To confess the truth, even though I used to be fond of all my 4 maternal uncles, Yesu mama is always a bit more favorite of mine. Whenever he used to visit our place, I used to accompany him to different places. In the later days whenever I visit Mumbai and stay with him,
I liked his simplicity, in-depth knowledge and lots of affection he is pouring on us.
Perhaps, a true son of the soil and a national builder, whom the country has lost at quite a younger age.
7) Dr. B.T. Premnath Punja- Prem mamu
(My mother’s chikkamma Smt. Rukmini Punja’s youngest son)
Even though a born rich planter, a simple, nature loving person who is very fond of his relatives and friends alike. From my very young age, this is one of my affectionate mama, who always used to play, eat and stay with us in “Puttur Budara” whenever he passes through Puttur. As he generally used to travel by his car or jeep, his presence is a pleasure for us children and wherever he goes he used to take us for a ride.
It was always a joy for us to visit him in his ancestral house “Ram Bhavan” a huge mansion in Mangalore where he used to stay with his big favorite dogs and servants, during his student days at KMC, Mangalore. Come summer vacations, we are going to his Glenmore Estate in Mercara, and it is a luxury for us to stay in his spacious British type Bungalow with lots of servants around and of course, stupendous food to eat. Whether it is going for hunting or playing cricket or hockey in his large kapi-kana (coffee drying yard) he is always one among us. In fact, Prem mamu used to be a good hockey player.
When it comes to rides, he used to take us around Mercara town; even the trip once extended upto Mysore, his favorite destination.
8) Smt. B. Parameshwari Rai
Kombettu Parameswari akka, we fondly call her, eldest daughter of Sri Maila Rai lived in Kombettu House. From my childhood (when for some time we stayed in a nearby rented house) I always relished her generosity and simplicity. I was very fond of this lady, and whenever I meet her she used to shower the same affection.
A tough looking lady, appears to be rude in her talks but in reality a loving, down to earth person. One of her great qualities, whatever she wants to express, straight at the face without any second thought.
A great lady, equally loving her Bellipady family members.
9) B. Raghunath Rai- Kochanna
Fourth son of Sri Maila Rai, taken agriculture profession and settled in Bellipady village. A very generous person, known for his hospitability, used to treat us as friends, even though elder in age and discuss various matters whenever we meet. I used to visit his place from my school days till now but the approach remains the same.
A dedicated person, devoted to Bellipady temple, House and always in praise for the good deeds of his Bellipady members.
10) B. Ramanna Rai – actor
A born natural actor, from my very young age, enjoyed his dramas, the comedy sequences in Tulu in which he used to excel. Apart from his stage plays whenever he is present in our midst, there is no dearth for his jokes, and we used to enjoy thoroughly his company. In the same time, a person very proud to be belonging to Bellipady Family and used to shower lots of affection whenever we met.
Of course, a very talented personality.
11) B. Somshekhar Rai- Uramal Shekaranna
(Uramal Kamala Mallam’s eldest son)
For me, from my childhood days till his death at quite a younger age, Shekaranna was like a friend, not as an elder brother, such was his approach for life. Good sport’s man in his younger days, handsomely built, a person with lots of guts but in the meantime a very sensitive, affectionate person to the core. He took life as it came, earned a lot during his life time but always happy to spend unto the last penny he had, to the people around him.
Good gentleman, always behind the screen even though very intelligent with sacrificing nature, always.
12) Smt. B. Prafulla V. Shetty._ Prafullakka
(Third daughter of Uramal Kamala Mallamma)
This lady does not require any special introduction. I had seen her from her Uramal agriculture background to the present day successful Restaurant owner in Bangalore. Only one mantra she knows in life work- work- more work and I never heard her complaining about it. She learnt the art of preparing excellent Kori-rotti from her equally talented mother. Very hospitable lady always enjoys serving guests with stupendous food.
Perhaps one of the few present day ladies who work like her and believe in hard work only will yield results.
There are many other Family members I wish to mention in this article, but for the shortage of time, not being a professional writer, I put my pen down and request next younger generation members of our Family to continue this work, from this point.
--- Bellipady Rammohan Rai
Bangalore