---------- Forwarded message --------- From: N Sekar <[email protected]> Date: Tue, Aug 13, 2024, 5:29 PM Subject: Tambrahms To: <[email protected]>, Rajaram Krishnamurthy <[email protected]>, Ravi mahajan <[email protected]>, Rangarajan T.N.C. < [email protected]>, Chittanandam V R <[email protected]>, gopala krishnan <[email protected]>, Venkat Giri <[email protected]>, YM <[email protected]>, APS Mani <[email protected]>, SRIRAMAJAYAM < [email protected]>, Bala N. Aiyer <[email protected]>, Jambunathan Iyer < [email protected]>, A R RANGANATHAN <[email protected]>, Mantoo, Dheeraj <[email protected]>, Vanakkam Subbu <[email protected] > Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>, Narayanaswamy Sekar <[email protected]>
Thanks for fwding this beautiful write up. I have visited Chembur and Matunga for a few days and can identify with what is written. Brought back those memories. I did not live there but have visited. But as is the norm with the brahmin families now a days, the children, who can, have settled abroad, resulting in better economic conditions of their parents and other aged folks. But everyone, whether inwardly or outwardly, miss their children and more importantly their grandchildren. Video calls can only go thus far. The physical warmth of carrying and cuddling the younger ones and enjoying their pranks is missed by many. As age catches up, even the annual visits to the U S and other places get restricted. Loneliness becomes a big issue. But then, one can't eat one's cake and have it too. I am not sure whether there are decent Sr citizens homes there, like in Coimbatore, B'lore, and Chennai, among other places. I have heard about a few in Pune. I will share this with thatha patty and Kerala iyer groups so others can also enjoy the nice article you fwded. N Sekar Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=NativePlacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_EmailSignatureGrowth_YahooMail:Search,Organize,Conquer&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000945&af_sub5=OrganizeConquer__Static_> On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 4:39 PM, Rama <[email protected]> wrote: After Matunga, it was destination Chembur to where the Tambrahms of Mumbai migrated and gave boost to the the cooperative housing societies culture in Mumbai. Below is a write up by a Goan Catholic who grew up with that awesome community in Chembur. Chembur is home to a sizeable Tambrahm population. For those who haven't heard the word "Tambram" before, it is just a portmanteau coined from two words"Tamilians" and "Brahmins." The opening of BARC, RCF, and other giant companies drew many educated South Indian folks to Chembur, and Tambrams made Chembur their home. The fragrance of the fresh malligai poo, sandal, javadhu, fresh banana leaf, and the aroma of filter kaapi and hot-piping sambhar wafting in the air is how a few Chembur streets will welcome you. The mellifluous Tamil melam and naadhaswaram as you pass by Ahobila Mutt or Murugan Temple, the devout chantings by Mamis with brilliant diamond nose-rings in the evenings at small temples of Chedda Nagar, the veshti-clad Mamas enjoying their adais and vadais at Mani's, the melodious Ilayaraja songs in the vegetable market, the top-class Kacheris and Tamil plays at Fine Arts/Uttam Society/Union Park/Anushakti Nagar, the Bharatnatyam / Carnatic music classes in school halls, and the busy South Indian market below the Chembur flyover are some images that pop up when you hear the word "Chembur." Valli Stores and many other local stores take care of a Tambram's kitchen supplies, right from coffee powder to Coimbatore butter. Tamil Nadu-based Co-optex and Ramaraj Showrooms along with several silk houses cater to the clothing needs. The iconic Trichy-based N Gopaldas Jewellers specialized in designing Tambram ornaments have an outlet in the heart of Chembur. Residential pockets such as Chedda Nagar, Pestom Sagar, Shri Nagar,Shankara Colony in the West and Uttam Society, Diamond Garden, and the Station Avenue in the East of Chembur still exude the vibrant South Indian culture. Once you enter Chedda Nagar, the ubiquitous banana plants in the backyards and Suprabatham flowing from the houses will give you an Agraharam vibe. Needless to say, Chembur is a safe haven for Tambrams. So much of Chembur's charm had captivated Ben Gorham, the founder of Byredo - a modern Swedish luxury house, that he launched a luxury perfume named "Byredo Chembur." Ben was inspired to concoct a perfume that reminded him of the warm spiritual incense notes, evocative of a South India temple, which he experienced while growing up in Chembur. The breed of Tambrams from Chembur is unique. Their lives revolve around leading a respectable life, enjoying fine music, healthy veg food, obtaining a quality education, and helping others without discrimination. The axiom 'simple living high thinking' suits them well. I have seen that a true-blue Tambram is always grounded and humble. They don't discriminate based on caste or creed and relate comfortably with all other communities. This loyal, honest, and hardworking community that places its emphasis on education and integrity has produced many big honchos / achievers and most folks are doing well in their careers. Tambrams have an indelible and undeniable role in Chembur's growth story making Chembur a desirable, peaceful, and salubrious neighborhood. Quite a few Tamil movies show Chembur locality if the story is set up in Mumbai- OK Kanmani for example. Several popular Tambram film folks live/d in Chembur: Bombay Jayashree, Vidya Balan, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Ram Sampath, Shankar Mahadevan, to name a few. Besides, there are also some good-hearted doctors to whom many Chemburites are indebted. Dr Subramaniam at Tilak Nagar, for example, who even today charges just Rs 50 as his consultation fee offering genuine healthcare in return. Chembur boy Ajay Jayaram put India on the map through his extraordinary badminton skills. The Chembur Commercial Institute, the oldest typewriting and shorthand Institute in Chembur was founded in the year 1948 by Late Mr. N.R. Nathan, yet another Tambram. Many reputed Indian corporate companies in Bombay city sent their typist and stenos requirements to this institute and capable candidates of the institute were selected for jobs. One can go on and the list of Tam-bram achievers who made Chembur proud is quite long. Well, like most of us Catholics, the Tambrams too aimed throughout their lives at sending their children abroad for a "better" life. Now mostly, the oldies are now left behind to achingly meditate on loneliness. Of course, living in a Tambram-populated colony of Chembur offers some solace to these lonely souls as people share the same language and culture. While most of these older generation folks speak fluent Tamil (albeit heavily influenced by Malayalam) and English, the current generation can speak every other language, except their own mother tongue. They too like us Goans find vain pride in speaking English/Hindi over their own mother tongue. Also, it is pitiable that some Tambrams have diluted their culture by aping other communities' customs/practices and run the risk of forgetting their own identity. I'm afraid, like most popular civilizations, one day the younger, modern Tambrams will be pushed to a desperate time of severe identity crisis questioning their very existence someday. While most newer generation of Tam-brahms have embraced a modern lifestyle, Chembur Tam-brams' legacy lives on through the past remnant glory, this communities' contributions in the growth of this suburb/Mumbai, the vibrant Kacheri culture and temple events, the attractive Golus, old Tam-brahm colonies, a few remaining Tam-brahm bungalows, and the popular food joints and establishments. Long live Chembur Tam-brahms! Bobby Braganza =================== _These Tam-brahms are actually those who were called Palghat Iyers when they first landed in Matunga. Hence, the influence of Malayalam._ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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