Bama's life took a new leaf after the temporary exit of Parthasarathy in 1969.She pursued her academic aspirations unhindered with Kamala taking care of the Kids in the best possible manner.

The Kids  had the genetic benefit of a creative father,
inspiration from a hard working  mother,a very simple and culturally rich upbringing of the brave and honest grand mother. The Kids were the Cynosures of the whole community in the town. Despite the father's absence the kids were widely respected for their  behaviour and academic excellence. There were many friends of Parthasarathy who empathised with the family and took active interest in the welfare of the family and the kids. Two of them played a very significant role as unborn brothers of Bama. They were highly repected by Kamala and their  admiration for the old lady was great. They extended all possible help to the family and always ensured fom the old lady at least once in six months that all was well. One  gentleman was Shri. Rengasamy Reddiar, Head Master and the other Shri. V.J.Avadhani Asst Head Master.

The HM lent a considerable amount when Kamala bought a house and also during the marriage of Vijaya. Shri Avadhani was the "GURU" for all the kids and practically made all decisions in the family as an elder brother of Bama would have done. He groomed  all the kids for GOLD medal in their School Final. But only Gopalan accomplished the feat. All others secured single digit ranks. But there was only one common feature in their academic performance. All of them were School first in ENGLISH which was a subject handled by Shri Avadhani. If the kids owe their existance to Kamala and Bama , they owe their successful careers to Shri.Avadhani.

On her part Bama kept telling her Kids to bear in mind the benovolence of their GURU and the family remains in touch with their GURU even today. Shri Avadhani is a man of such greatness that even now he cherishes his association with all the kids as they are  the kids of his dear friend Parthasarathy and never looks at them as benefactors of his kind heart.

As the children sailed through the 14 years between 1969 and 1983 when Parthasarathy returned to family after his retirement, there were many significant incidents which show how the kids were brought up.

VIJAYA
She was a very simple girl and being the eldest shouldered responsibilities which are too heavy for a girl of her age. She always shared the domestic chores with Kamala.Helped Bama in her Music classes. She sacrificed her better quality High School Education for the sake of her younger brothers Murali and Cheenu(Srinivasan the writer). She continued upto 8th standard in the same Middle school so that  she can escort her brothers to school and back. She was like a mother to both of them and even did homework for them when they were too young and wept lest the teacher may beat them for not doing the home work. It was a common sight for the people in the street - the girl escorting her brothers on either side , writing their homework on their slates while walking to the school. She got third rank in the School Final. Had she been transfered to High School for 6th Standard itself, she also would have got the Gold Medal like Gopalan.

GOPALAN
He always stood first in the class and finally secured the Gold Medal. Apart from studies he used to get prizes for  extracurricular activities. Kamala kept a close watch on him perhaps she was afraid that he may become uncontrollable like his father. One day she asked him to draw Rs 100 from the Bank for household expenditure. He withdrew the money and  while returning home just remembered his need for note books and bought them for Rs 2. When he handed over Rs 98, Kamala admonished him for his highhandedness and the child was forced to return the notebook at the shop and  give Rs 100. Though it was cruel, all the children learnt a lesson in propreity.

MURALI
He was very creative and his oratorical skills were astonishing. He refelected all the creative talents of Parthasarathy. He stood District First in Oratorical competion during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Indian Independence day. He had the honour of unfurling the National Flag  on the 25th Independence day and delivering the speech. The content and delivery of the speech enthralled the audience and they felt as if poet Bharathy himself had descended on earth when he thundered with his verses. He started writing poems when he was only 14 years.

CHEENU
He was the youngest and focus of affection of the entire family. Kamala found him very submissive and called him for anything that she wanted. Thus he became a master in meeting all household needs - fetching water from municipal tap, going to rice mill, oil mill, buying firewood,groceries and
stacking it, accompanying Grandma whereever she went. When he was 11 years he drafted a budget for the family and showed it to his Grandma. She was very happy to see the responsibilty of the child and proudly showed the budget to everybody. During one vacation he came with an idea of making paper covers  out of old newspaper. All the four children worked on it. The covers were sold at the Grocery shop for Rs 35/. Had they sold it as paper it would have fetched only Rs 10. The money was sent to Bama who was in Mysore doing her B.Ed training.

All the Children obediently followed the words of Bama,Kamala and their GURU. The children did feel the absence of their father during occaassions when they met other families. But they never let out their feelings.
The children were always a source of pride for both Bama and Kamala. During one Annual day in the school, all the kids received prizes under various categories. Shri Avadhani humourously told Kamala,"Paatti, better bring a cart, you have to  carry home a ton load of books which come as prizes for the kids."

During 1977 Kamala fell ill and died of Blood Cancer after 6 months. Bama got her to the best hospital in the nearby city - Trichy. She was in bed for 2 weeks, but the Doctor told her about the cancer and asked her to make a decision. Kamala sensing trouble told Bama, "I don't know what has affected me. But I am sure I won't live longer. Don't waste your hard earned money on me. Please take me home." When Kamala died, it was a great shock to the entire family circle. Kamala's elder brother performed the rites and took the place of  Kamala  in making decisions for the family.

When Kamala died, Vijaya had taken a job with DOT after finishing her BSc Maths and discontinuing her MSc in the first year.Gopalan also took a job in 1979  with DOT and Murali was doing his B Com. Vijaya ran a family at Trichy with these two brothers. Bama and Cheenu were in Turaiyur.  Bama could not recover from the loss of her mother easily. It took at least two years for her to come to terms with Household
and managing finance, Kamala had bought all materials for Vijaya's marriage. When a decent alliance came their way Bama readily agreed. Vijaya's marriage was the first major function in the family. As per Shri.Avadhani's advice Parthasarathy was invited and he only performed "Kannihadhan". Though children resisted the move initially they fell in line once they knew Bama also wanted it that way.

The marriage was conducted in a hall in the city  and was grand. The entire town admired Bama's perseverance. Marrying off a daughter at the age of 23 ,to an exexcutive in State Bank of India was really a  big achievement for a woman who was struggling alone.

(The picture depicts the Family after Vijaya's Marriage.)

.....................Will be continued,