(.....Maxie's account to classmates who were absent at the 2nd Reunion)
This little account is especially to Raphael, Terrence, Ozzie, Cyril, Denver, Melville, Sylvie etc. -- all those of you who could not make it to the 2012-reunion of our SAC batch of 1960 ….scheduled to meet on Jan-26 (India's Republic Day) for our second rendezvous of batch-mates. It is no less to all others of our group too, who took pains to attend this our 2nd reunion after passing out.
Much as I had timed myself to reach our erstwhile campus by 9am for Fr Walter's mass at our St Aloysius' Chapel, I was a few minutes late thanks to having to turn back midway to pick up my camera which I had forgotten to carry despite all the meticulous planning. (Had I not turned back and ensured my camera's presence, you guys would have been denied the web album of 175 pictures of yesterday, the links to which you must have already received from me some hours ago. I hope you've had an opportunity to view the album by now).
As a consequence of my delayed arrival, this late lateef had the embarrassment of alighting from my car in the presence and full view of quite a good crowd who constituted the lot who had already assembled before me – but what was heartening was the welcome I got with cries of greetings and warm hugs from all …that swelled within me nostalgic emotions of camaraderie and filial bonds of affection that had stood the test of time over half a century and more. It was good to be back in familiar company on the precincts of good old St. Aloysius', our alma mater.
Among the new faces at this 2nd Reunion which were absent at our 2010-reunion were those of Arun Talwar from Cardiff/ UK; Claudius Pais all the way from Vancouver/ Canada; Bopayya with wife Krishna from Mercara/ Coorg …and Rabindranath Kini from Albany/ New York – like Raphael an American citizen, with quite an accent too. Faces from the 1st reunion missing at this meet were those of Victor, Raphael, Redmond and Terrence. Had the pleasure of having in our midst at this meet Harry's wife Cherry, Siggi's wife Hariette, Norman's wife Maisie, and Rex's wife Lennie. Missing face from the ladies at the last meet was that of Radhika – Prabhakar's wife.
No one minded the delay, everyone quite at home to 'go-with-the-flow'. At the commencement of mass, Fr Walter formally greeted all and thanked The Almighty for making it possible for those present to have made it. While remembering also those who could not, he especially remembered all those from our batch The Lord had already summoned for their just reward in the nether world: Victor Currie, Wilber Fernandes, Orlando Fernandes, Jagadish Uchil, Canute Machado, Archibald Pereira, Melville Pinto, Prakash Eipe, Lancelot Rodrigues, Rudolf Velu, Loy Saldanha, Subraya Shenoy B., John Unger, Yeshwant Karnad, Winston Farias, Bonaventure Martis (…it was a bit disturbing to note how long the list was of the dear departed from amidst us!).
The first Reading was done by Rosemary, wife of Victor – the latest addition to the list of the 'departed' between the last reunion and this. And the singing was ably led by Hector's wife Elvira and Siggi's wife Hariette. With Fr Walter's Homily et al it was indeed a touching service – there was a wonderful feeling of one-ness, of a family togetherness, with no barriers or differences of creed and religion, class or status. For this, I can't but help thank each and every one present for their participation and tolerance. Why can't the whole of India be like our little group of classmates!
Lots of photographs after mass – of the group together on the altar steps against the backdrop of the stunning chapel with its paintings; and plenty more outside the chapel too. Everyone signed the visitor's book presented to us by the church-guide, a new introduction perhaps after the St Aloysius' Chapel has been declared a national heritage monument.
The next assembly for the group was for a cup of coffee at the Woodlands in Candle Gardens below Jyoti Talkies. Lots of bonhomie there too. The St Aloysius College bus (…courtesy Fr Walter) that ferried us from the chapel to Woodlands, then took us on a joyride across the city from Padav hills to Mangaladevi, and finally to Mangalore Club… where the grand reunion lunch had been arranged by the organizing team led by Harry. At the Club, first the savouring of the stunning views of the Netravati from the Club terrace, and of the railway bridge – even the Railways obliged us by sending a train for us to view on the bridge. Lots of photographs and catching up; which continued even when we adjourned to the dining hall two floors below. Born leaders Arun and Prabhakar then took over – with not a little help from some of the gracious ladies too – to organize games and competitions with forfeits that showcased quite the quantum of talent within our unique family! Like did you know Trilochan Bailur is a guitarist and an uninhibited lovely baritone? Like who could imagine Bopayya coming out with the shortest joke ever.. with his "Boy scouts, girl guides" Brilliant… ! And then, singing competitions between two teams, one led by Rose Currie and the other by Elvira Noronha. It was a fun session, and I must repeat, lots and lots of camaraderie too. That the Bar helped in bringing out the talent in some, is just a whispered and mild aside. And at Fr Walter's behest, there were short speeches too – even at which, of course, there were still some who managed to keep their lips sealed tight. Wise guys… ! …or spoil-sports?
Most of us then adjourned to our respective lodging stations (….majority from outstation, especially the Bangalore group, were housed at the Fatima Retreat House – courtesy Hector's brother Fr Ronnie Prabhu) for a well-earned late afternoon siesta. Which regretfully I had to deny myself because of my rather stupid sense of duty towards the 'group' and especially the absentee guys, for sharing with all the pictures and all the fun and frolic that we were up to at this reunion! So spent the available time transferring from my camera all the snaps to my laptop, then editing and captioning them and uploading them to my web albums on picasa – and sharing with all, the url and links to this web album.
All this, before we met again for dinner at Harry & Cherry's penthouse at 804 Symphony on Sturrock Road. At the end of which we were all unanimous in our conclusion that the ladies put the men totally to shame. The absentee guys really missed something – it was such a fun party. With Leo and Siggie valiantly practicing their long forgotten vamping chords on the piano, the ladies saved the day leading in all the party songs including Konkani bailas… and then literally burning the floor with their feet and enthusiastic dancing – thanks to Harry & Cherry's son Samir coming to the rescue with some fantastic foot-tapping and romantic oldies music on his sophisticated Bose contraption. (Harry and Samir, please do not forget the request from some for copies on CD of these great medleys that Samir treated us to!) That drinks were flowing and Cherry had a spread that beat hollow the afternoon Club fare, is quite an understatement. I repeat, ….the ones absent, missed it all.
Talking about absentee guys, the illusive doctor Bailur who graced us with his presence at the afternoon lunch was missing at the 'Symphony' dinner - perhaps saturated already with his once childhood lot and their now re-lived ideosynchracies. Subraya and Kini were other missing faces too from the morning/ afternoon lot. In their place, we were happy to have the company - though very very short-lived - our once funny-guy Pfoka aka Francis Mascarenhas. One got the impression he is either intimidated by human company in numbers that he cannot cope with, or is totally paranoia driven over injuries he suffered some decades ago (...or so he told me)! He left without even having dinner.
Despite the fact that we all were scheduled to marshal up for the bus pick up for our Kundapur trip early next morning, the party at Harry/Cherry's did not wind up till late, with even the early sticklers starting to make their exit not before 10:30pm. On the looked-forward-to agenda for the next day was a visit to co-batchmate Sylvie Rego at an old age facility near Padubidri followed by a full day with a night halt and more at Kundapur. In addition to Harry and Subodh Malli who else is involved in organizing all this is still a bit hazy to me… but then, that doesn't appear very important to me at this moment…
Till my next, ...….Maxie
(PS: the above is just my little summing up of the Day-1 activities – I am sure there'll be others who'll write more, with better comprehension and narratives of their own… )
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