This happened two decades ago in Calicut during July when the fury of southwest monsoon was at its peak.Ours was an old house , 92 years of age.
Like most traditional tiled- roof houses in Kerala , ours too was was surrounded by open compound spaces with some coconut palms, arecanut trees, jackfruit and mango trees which provided cool shade in hot months and soaked up all rain water in monsoon.During monsoon,the advancing dark clouds hastily obliterated the sun lending an ethereal like glow of twilight even at midday making it a visual feast. The sound of rain falling on the roof provided a musical treat.The smell of earth and gurgling sounds of flowing water, the rain- drenched palms swaying in the wind seemed a heady mix. I was young and began enjoying the monsoon , despite the inconveniences of high humidity,muddy pathways, slippery verandahs, wet laundry, mossy walls flooded streets, choked drains, dangers from snapping of overhead electric wires, loss of crops and damage from falling trees.
That monsoon, it had rained nonstop for 48 hours with no letup. I was sitting in the open verandah reading the news paper. It was almost 10 a.m but the overpowering dark clouds gave no indication of time.I got up and went in to get myself a hot cup of tea. Then I heard a huge thud - The loudest and longest I ever heard in my life. the loud rattling , creaking, grinding, wailing of crashing beams, followed by blasting sounds of splitting roof tiles ending with the agonising crunch of total destruction. I stood rooted on the spot. stunned unable to comprehend. And then I saw it all. The majestic mango tree in the backyard had crashed on the roof, smashed through the wooden rafters supporting the tiles and broughtdown the frame of the roof down!!Our roof in the western and southern side was gone . Rain poured right into the house. And then I screamed and screeched in panic without stop.
Neighbours and passers by rushed in . Watching me scream they asked if anyone was lying buried under the heap of debris.I shook my head in reply. I was visualising myself lying dead mangled under this debris.. I was gone only for a minute when this happened, I could have been under it.
After long hours of mourning, when the nerves were calm,the focus shifted to crisis management --- emergency was declared ,all activities halted ,other plans cancelled with sole aim of clearing tons of debris and repairing the roof.An ageing but expert carpenter -Assari- as known in local parlance, was hurriedly awarded the contract of restoring the roof as per the original design.. He dutifully arrived with his team and surveyed the colossal damage, prepared a list of items to be purchased and gave the cost estimates.
I was getting restless for the work to start. A little later when I went to consult him, I saw him standing facing east, his eyes closed in meditation , his palms joined in veneration praying .
I stopped short and waited in silence till he finished and opened his eyes. . Then I saw his moist eyes. With great humility he said, ' amma, I was seeking the blessings of the Assari who built this magnificent structure. For, without the predecessor's permission and blessings , I dare not repair this. His spirit will guide me in the restoration work. '
Once more bowing his head deeply towards the unseen spirit of his predecessor, he picked up his tools and began work- rap, tap, snap, pop, knock, thump, plump, slam, bang, clang-- thereafter the house was full of such hammering sounds till the roof was restored to the original glory.
While his dedication in work brought cheer to the mind, the more ennobling experience was the sublime gesture in the Assari's humble prayer which almost drenched the soul!!
