Enthralling Trails

  Schooling and Journey Beyond Alleppey Recap: T he story begins with Achuta Pai, a prominent figure in the local trade, whose life changes when his beloved wife Karuna dies while giving birth to their twins. In an unexpected turn of events, he marries Karuna’s friend, Lakshmi Ammal — a woman known for her unwavering strength and kindness, lovingly called Dindakka. She is a woman of indomitable spirit and faces the herculean task of raising her children. Despite the challenges, her determination and commitment to her family never waver. Now Read on…… Dindakka was a lively woman who started her day at 4:00 am by milking the cows with the help of Mallamamu. She stored the milk in the kitchen before Rama, her assistant, arrived at 7:00 am to distribute it to the neighbouring homes. Ellikunju was a young girl who helped Dindakka with her household chores. As the children had grown and begun attending school, Dindakka had enough free time to manage her household. Achutha had a vision of...

Early Days in Alleppey Although this is my father’s biography, its roots can be traced back many decades before his birth. My ancestors were Saraswat Brahmins, a Hindu Brahmin community in India known as Konkani Brahmins who hailed from the Konkan coast region of Western and South India that was once located along the banks of the Saraswati River. They migrated from Goa after the Portuguese arrived in Goa in the early 16th century. With an unknown language, the only occupation that suited them was trade. They tried to fit into the new environment but still preserved their heritage. They identified market needs, established networks, and contributed to the town’s growth and prosperity. My paternal grandfather Achuta Pai lived in Mullakkal, a locality in Alleppey many decades back. He was a well-known grocer in the area, tall and handsome. He married a pretty young girl named Karuna and life became even more exciting. Achutha would run the shop while Karuna managed the home. The afternoo...