Happy 80th Birthday to you. 

You are a kind hearted & humble person. You have a wide range of friends with whom you interact even today. You have shared many interesting anecdotes with me, both about personal and professional life. I still remember the 'KitKat' case, for which you had to give judgement.

During our stay in New Delhi, soon after my marriage, our two families developed a closeness which has bloomed into a beautiful relationship. When in Naraina, every morning you would come over to our home with baby Dhaya for a quick chat. We have travelled long distances, you & Geetha with Kutty Dhaya in your bike, Partha & me with little Pratibha in our scooter, to visit your relatives, & from there, to the nearby temples in Karol Bagh & R. K.Puram. We had many such enjoyable moments together. 

You were the first to  move out of Delhi, initially to Chennai & then to Calcutta. We continued in Delhi for a long time. Much later we shifted to Bangalore, Ernakulam & Chennai. Our association continued when you would visit us in Bangalore and Chennai.. 

Actually we moved out of Delhi soon after you were back in Delhi for a 2nd stint and then finally you relocated to Mumbai. When ever we visited these 2 cities we would stay at your place & enjoy Geetha's & your hospitality. 

During the later years (post 2001), when we were in Delhi again, you visited us, and our trip to Badrinath is memorable. So also the family trip to Srirangam and Kumbakonam down South in the recent years. 

Post retirement, we decided to settle down in Chennai, while you & Geetha stayed on in Mumbai. Your house continues to be a 2nd home for us. 

During our early days in Dubai, Emirates was not flying to Chennai. We had to travel from Chennai to Dubai and back via Mumbai. For going to Dubai there used to be immediate connections at Mumbai. Whereas for return journey we had to land at night in Bombay and catch the early morning flight to Chennai.  

When my mom and I were travelling back from our holidays in Dubai, Athimber used to pick us up every time from Mumbai airport at night and drop us back at the airport early morning. Thankful to him for that.

Our trips to Shiridi and Pandarpur along with Athimber and Athai were quite memorable and enjoyable.

We had great time with Athimber and Athai during their visits to Dubai in December 2009.

Athimber was keen to visit my office. So we took him and Athai to my office in Emirates Group HQ. The above photo was taken in the Emirates HQ Food Court during their visit. A photo I cherish.

On his milestone 80^th birthday I seek his blessings and wish him many more years ahead with health, happiness and peace! 

From Sujatha and Late Sister-in-law Susila and Blessings from Late C. R. Parthasarathy (your Co-Brother).

 

In fact GNS Athimber became “Friend”. We both call each other by that name now a days. 

In an off beat way, his interest in Pasurams kindled my interest in them. 

 

He has been a great help to Vikram and I during our  night-time  stopovers in Mumbai on our way to Chennai. Thankful to him and Geetha Akka for the great pilgrimages to Shiridi and Pandarpur – my long-standing wishes fulfilled.   We also had a good time in our shared native place Kumbakonam during Vatsa 60.

 

We enjoyed his and Akka’s company during their visits to Dubai in 2009.  I had to pull the “Coffee Filter” out of hibernation for my Friend. Getting the decoction to his perfection though was a challenge! 

 

He is truly a Friend and I could talk to him freely when I  need any advice or inputs. He is quite frank in what he says. No pretensions. I see that as a great quality. 

 

He is one who misses our “Friday Calls” though he doesn’t talk much. When our calls are delayed for some reason, he will be promptly making a call to us!

 

Hard to think that my Friend is turning 80.. Time flies. 

 

On his 80^th birthday, I wish my Friend many more years with health, happiness and peace and seek his blessings 🙏🙏🙏. 

My association with GNS started with my visit, accompanied by my father Shri KVVKrishnan, to his father G.N.Chari’s house on Appasamy Kovil Street, Mylapore in, I think, May1972. The Mission was to exchange horoscopes, as we were looking for a suitable “varan” for my dear sister Geetha. I was in Madras on a short trip from Bombay, where I was working in Bombay Telephones. We met Smt Bhooma Chari, mother of the “boy”, who was then working in STC, in NewDelhi. . This interaction proved to be auspicious, resulting in the Wedding of Geetha & GNSrinivasan in 1973, on the 5^th of February. Whenever I met later Smt Chari, she used to fondly recall this visit of mine to their house, which according to her, paved the way for this alliance!

And what an alliance it proved to be, GNS - you have indeed become an integral part of the KVV family!. You have become “Annathe” to me & my brothers.

 Two of us Varadan & myself also had the privilege of  staying in the same Delhi flat with you & Geetha – Varadan to do his M.Tech in IIT, Delhi, and me a Bachelor getting posted on promotion to TRC, ND from Bombay in 1973.

Our  initial stay in Inderpuri, as tenants in the “kothi” of the Haryana Jat- Harpal Singh, with JK & Mamta for company;  close friendship of Inderpuri Landlord Krishnaswamy “mama”, Vedha “mami”, Kanna & Radhu : sudden visit of Athai & Athimber to the house in one fine morning on their Gaudya Mutt pilgrimage trip stopping in ND railway Station, and her miraculous courage to fix up a taxi to come into the city, without knowing a word of Hindi – these are forever memorable nostalgic memories even though many decades have rolled by!

We then decided to cross the railway line,through the overbridge, to take new apartments in Naraina Colony. Nalini joined me in June 1974, after our wedding & I took an apartment in the next block.. We had our galaxy of friends in the colony - JK Mamta, Chandra GANS, Parangusam & Kasthuri, Vidya Sayinath, Venkatraman& Sundari, Chandra Ranganathan etc – we had a gala time going to movies & on picnics, on our precious Motorbikes & Scooters. You were always known as a Motorbike man & many days Geetha & me used to wait & look up the way from the balcony for the sound & light of the mobike, looking for you to returning  late from office / Karolbagh!

God has willed perhaps to bless both of us with two gems of  girls – Dhaya was born in Oct 1974, and Pratibha joined in Nov 1975. Nithya & Nirupama completed the two daughters’ gift from the Lord!  Dhaya & Pratibha growing up in Naraina together till ’78 also provided for close companionship of the 2 families. In 1978 I think you got transferred to Madras, and we also left Naraina to Government Quarters (unpopular) in Mayapuri. It became “popular” after we shifted I should say, for many of our friends also followed suit.

I had my 6 months Siemens Germany trip in 1981, Nalini joined me towards the end & we also visited Varadan & Bala in Boston. 1982 Nirupama was born & ’84 we went through the dangerous  periods in Delhi,after the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi in  Oct ’84.

 On promotion as Director I was transferred  to Bangalore in 1985, but you were moving in to ND on transfer from Calcutta.. As you were going on a foreign assignment to London for 2 months, Geetha & the children stayed with us. After your return you got allotment in Mayapuri colony, and we were together only for a few months before our departure to Bangalore!

Our lives took different paths, but our families are always close, providing support to each other. In 1992, I think after LTC trip to Darjeeling / Kolkata I returned to Bangalore & fell seriously ill with jaundice & had to be hospitalised. At the same time you were in Chennai to undergo heart operation in Apollo. Your surgery was getting postponed as some parameters had to be kept down. Amma accompanied by Srinivasa Mama visited me in the Hospital in BG, stayed for a few days & rushed back to MS to attend to the other son! Both our recoveries were successful. Remarkable Woman!

We can go on & on with many such episodes. Let me recall the most memorable pilgrimages we enjoyed  with our families 

-        Badrinath trip in 2005 ( though we could go only up to Joshi mutt, as landslides blocked further route to Badrinath)

-        Kumbakonam pilgrimage in 2015, with Dhaya & Vathsan family, and ours including Padmini 

-        Srirangam pilgrimage in 2016 with Nithya family with Amol as the charioteer

-        Pondicherry trip in 2016  organised by Pratibha, the full clan gathering just after Kutty Mama’s “Sathabhishekam”

-        Dwaraka / Gujarat trip in 2017 with Vathsan family ( Though both You & Geetha had to return from Ahmedabad due to her neck sprain)

In all our trips to Mumbai,  we always made it a point to stay in your house for a few days & you also feel quite “At Home” in our house whenever you visit ChennaI. That is reflective of the close bonds nurtured over these decades. 

We have also managed to attend all your landmark functions like your 70^th Birthday (2011) as also Geetha’s (2019) May the close relationship continue to prosper covering all our children, grandchildren & further down as well!

 
May ShriKrishna shower His Grace on all our families & lead us all in Healthy paths of  Peace & Prosperity!

 

 

I remember the debates Athim and I would have on politics, religion and public policy.  I was always amazed by his clarity of thought and expression.  Brilliant vocabulary and passionate arguments would always make for an interesting discussion.  As a judge in CENVAT he is used to being around fat books and copious writings. 

GNS Athim is also related to us through his sister's side.

A family person who loves a large get-together and a devoted and loving grandfather he loves to observe the antics of children. I have seen him show care and concern for Athai, his daughters and sons in law which has gradually transformed over the years to friendship.

Regards,

Arvind

 

1973 to now – 48 years – there are are innumerable  memories..

 

Traveling threesome in his Rajdoot in  Naraina

Watching him Umpiring in Presidency Grounds in Marina

 

Having snacks in Mylapore Club Canteen 

Hearing about his father’s Bridge experiences in between

 

Serving him, on a cold night in Plymouth, Upma

Sharing in Bayswater, London a Cuppa

 

Driving around with him Chennai in my Fiat 

Including to and  from Apollo Heart

 

Going  on pilgrimage to Shiridi and Pandarpur

Praying @ temples in Guruvayoor and Trichur

 

Gracing Vatsa 60 @ Kumbakonam and blessing me

Reminiscing at  his Kalyanapuram home 

 

Visiting us in Dubai in 2009 December

Having great time in UAE to remember

 

Being there in Chennai  for our Grahapravesam

Blessing Vikram on his Upanayanam

 

Calling  him on Fridays a pleasure

Missing it means a call from him on the reverse

 

Time as flown fast and Genius is celebrating 80. On this occasion my namaskarams to him seeking his blessings. 

 

குருவாயூரப்பன் அவருக்கு ஆயுள் ஆரோக்ய சௌக்யத்தை அருளட்டும்🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

 

 

The name itself appeared to me to be very formal, scary and distant. It was only much later in life that i realised that what the world refers to as 'Athimber' is nothing but our friendly, cool, dear "Athim"!

GNS is often called 'Genius' - i don't know how the name came to be, but has stuck on, and quite apt too! As a kid, i even used to wonder if GNS was the abbreviation for Genius!

Though i've never been the hugging kind, i have always admired the warm embrace spontaneously planted by Pratibha whenever she meets Athim and equally warmly returned by Athim. This is one bond i find very special. i've heard him say, "i don't even hug my own daughters as much as i do Pratibha." Hope the mutual warmth continues forever.

Friendly and gregarious is what comes to mind when i think of Athim. Wherever he goes, he has a ready set of friends to call or drop by for a visit. And he's welcomed with spontaneous warmth - no formalities. He will just pick up the landline at our home and call somebody, and the next minute, he'd be walking out of the door, saying "I'll be back in an hour." Infact, he sometimes reminds me of the 'Phone Pe' advertisement. (hope you know which one!) While in Chennai, he will make sure to stop by some restaurant for morning coffee, and return with a load of packed idli, vada, pongal etc for breakfast for everybody.

His 'friend'ship with Amma (Nalini) is really cute. Despite the conventional familial relationship hierarchy, they share a very warm equation, with a hint of naughtiness and dash of humour, and it's always a pleasure to hear them in conversation. Hearing the familiar 'i want to talk to my friend', Amma will reach out for the phone with a smile and return with a broader smile that will last through the day!

Aside from the long and enjoyable Delhi companionship, of which i have limited memory but heard much, his stay at our home in Chennai helped me connect closely with him. That's when i discovered him to be a person of deep reflection and learning, always ready to listen to the perspectives of others, including those younger to him, with full interest and humility.

Whether about political and legal matters, about human relationships and values, or reflection on life experiences and drawing learnings from them, the conversations with Athim are always intense and touch a chord. i still recollect his observations on each of the KVV children, his great respect for Thatha,  Paati and Athaipaati, our conversations on the role of material comforts in leading a 'good life', creating a will early in life, experiences from court cases, etc. His referring to himself as 'See ma, i am a Pensioner", his joy upon every increment, his explanation of why he never bought a car though he could afford it, showing his scars from the life-saving surgery which was also a turning point in his life - all point to a man who has accepted life with all its ups and downs, with humility and gratitude.

His relationship with his machinan (Pachu) is equally fascinating. The bonhomie between the two of them is to be seen to be believed! Appa will eagerly await talking to Athim, and get perturbed if there is no contact for a few days. Similarly, Athim will call and say 'i haven't heard your voice for a few days, so i called'. Their conversations would span everything from politics to policy, samsara to spiritual life. Whenever Appa buys a book or calendar that he thinks will interest Athim, he's sure to buy an extra copy for him!

Athim, the way you smile (child-like innocence and glee), the way you laugh (with a cackle), the way you talk (emphasising words and intonations) - all have a unique lovable character to them, and i often watch you in action, mesmerised. Even how you watch TV is unique - you never get tired of watching replays of old cricket matches in loop, and that too on Mute! "i'm watching the action, why do i need the sound!" Ofcourse, you also consider the TV as your "sleeping dose", and are not particularly great friends with other gadgets like computers and smartphones (though this may have changed in the last 2 years).

You are a very devoted family man. i have heard you talking with much admiration, respect and gratitude about Geetha (Athai) and how she has transformed your life and family with her values and personality. i also see the father talking with pride about his two talented and capable daughters, how they decide and 'dictate' everything from your choice of clothes to the choice of home that you purchased, and when you say 'i simply follow their instructions, do i have a choice?', it is unmissable that your 'freedom' and 'choice' is willfully surrendered with much joy and pride!

Really admire and appreciate your measured schedule - eating (only 2 rotis), sleeping (10PM hit the bed), waking (early), walking (a must every day), all as per schedule and routine. You rarely get tempted to stay awake late, and will not hesitate to announce that you need to go to bed and follow your schedule. A bit like Madras Thatha (KVV) in this regard. Despite a setback to your health three decades ago, you have bounced back and kept yourself physically and mentally fit and healthy all the way till 80 and pray it continues well-beyond for a long, happy, healthy and peaceful life, much like Madras Thatha.

Wishing you a very meaningful commemoration of a grand 80 years, and wishing for greater joy, peace, prosperity and health in the years to come. You are one of the few elders in the family who can bless all of us, so earnestly seeking your blessings and praying to God to shower Their blessings on you and your family.

Nirupama

Happy birthday thatha have the best day ever ..I love visiting you all in Vashi so much and you are so sweet and welcoming . Thanks for all the gifts everytime we meet – money, fruits, snacks and lot of love. But I have never seen you smile and will make sure I do when I can see you soon. Have the best 80^th birthday ever and we will hopefully be able to celebrate it in person too soon aswell but till then a very happyy online birthday and we send all the love wishes and cake virtually have the best day ever! And we will for sure visit all the parks museums and the seven wonders of the world park together that are all around.

 

 

Here’s wishing you a very happy 80^th birthday, and many more!

~ Tanmay Arvind

Wishing you a very happy and wonderful birthday just as you are. 80 years and counting, of which I have known you for over half. Seems a long time yet so short… 

With a serious exterior many would mistake you for a very quiet and strict man but I know my Athim as a very jovial and friendly man. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t know you either directly or indirectly. That you could strike a conversation with anyone around and go visiting them is a marvel I still cannot fathom. I remember even at my wedding, you knew so many people from Arvind’s side… His periappas, one cousin or uncle. Makes one feel secure that this is a known family. It is wonderful how my amma or Shantini chithi are your friends and you share a close relationship with my father. Likewise with our old friends. 

When I moved to Mumbai, one big comfort was that should anything be, I have my Athai and Athim to take care of me. I have always felt a part of the family and very welcome and can even claim my place just as your daughters would with you –from being scolded to telling you things with a right!! One of the first trips alone was to Fanswadi temple for your 60^th birthday. And then experimenting with buses to visit you all at Hyderabad estate. I remember you advising me to take the train over a cab for ease of convenience and categorically telling me that you never “needed” a car!

When we were younger, it would be fascination for the kinds of things you would do. I didn’t know lawyers and judges beyond what one would see in the movies. Your set of Perry mason books in TTK road that Dhaya and I would stake claim to, would add on to this image. Who could think of reading all those “gundu gundu” law books??? They would best be used as Golu padis 😊. But you would still keep them to study!!

The numerous discussions on topics ranging from politics, to stories to how girls behave to marriage and jobs to Mumbai to chatting about our relatives, bordering on arguments or deep discussions, or stories on your life gone by or the anecdotes and passionate watching of cricket… all have a special places embedded within.

Always a “Genius” man, like you would say. The first thing I noticed when I came to your Vashi house was that the calling bell had Genius written on it! Even the building chose the right owner! When I went from calling you Athim and not Athimber, I remember the look you gave me finding it so “modern” perhaps to mangle a relationship name… but I persisted and like that a lot more! Likewise with giving you a big hug and finding my place where I want. No wonder I am you only hugging niece!

So Athim, heres again wishing you a very happy healthy and peaceful year. We do hope to meet you soon… on the pretext of celebrating your 80^th birthday. Waiting to see a big smile and sparkle then...

Love,

Pratibha