DEATH AS UNIFYING EVENT

Death as unifying event

The studies in the life and culture of the subaltern people are lacking in the country. More and more the country’s youth are attracted to the materialistic world aping the west. No youth can trace her/his genealogy beyond three generations yet they are conversant with the world events.
When my father died, I had the opportunity to observe the wonderful spirit of unity and togetherness among the community in the village.

On the day of burial/cremation, the son or grand son in case no sons to the deceased, must go to the common well of village along with his brothers-in-law and cousins from mother’s and father’s side as the case may be. The cousins and brothers in law would fetch water from the common well and bath the son/grand son of the deceased. Without drying, the son must walk through the streets to the place where the dead is kept for community respects. The water pots are once again filled in and brought to the house to bath the dead. This is to ensure that whatever disharmony exists among the cousins and brothers in law must end with the ritual.
Thereafter, the dead is bathed and kept ready to be taken to the church in case of Christians and to the burial ground in case of Hindus. Throughout the ceremony, the wet clothes worn by the son must not be removed.

On reaching the burial ground, the usual ceremony of breaking the pot is conducted. The pot one or more maximum three would be kept on the shoulders of the son who goes around the dead body thrice. Each time he crosses the body, the pot is poked once by the man who conducts the ceremony.
The near ones and blood relatives are asked to sprinkle the milk that is carried from home. Then the burial takes place. Later, the wet clothes of the son are removed and fresh clothes are given to the son by the man who conducts the ceremony.
The elder come around the son and consult the dates for the memorial service to be conducted on the 10th or 16th or 30th day. The moi ( a small amount of money) normally as low as possible is paid by each household to meet the funeral expenses. Thereafter, each one washes their face, hands and feet in the water available in the burial ground. The mourners walk back to the house to wash their feet once again enter the house to pay respect to the lamp that is lit alongside the photograph of the deceased. A simple food is arranged for the mourners. The crowd disperses after partaking in the food.
In the evening, after the sun set once again the mourners gather around in the house with small portions of cookies, eatables etc. These are collected in a small basket made of the palm leaves. A small prayer /invocation to the god is made. Thereafter, the cookies are distributed to the mourners. They then disperse without telling any one
Two things are clearly noticed in the ceremonies. One is the reconnecting and rejuvenating the bond among the cousins and brothers in law. A bond that lasts forever generations to come
The second one is that the spirit of unity expressed by the community to the bereaved family. To ensure that the bereaved family is not fully engulfed in the sorrow, the community gathers around to show their support and succor.

SOME MEMORABLE PICTURES OF DAVID DORAIRAJ

Here Mr David Dorai raj , AWM/ELE/FBW/EWS/AJJ, receiving the retirement benefits from his boss Chief Electrical Engineer, on 01/07/1987. it is customary in the Railways that the super annuation settlement benefits - the leave salary equivalent cash, the Group Insurance Scheme , the PF balance and the Death Cum Retirement Gratuity cheques on the next day of the settlement by the Principal Head of the Dept.

Here Mr David Dorairaj and his spouse and maternal cousin J D Savariammal who predeceased him in January 2000, receiving the blessing from Rev A M Chinnappa SDB then Parish Priest at Lourdes Shrine Parish, Perambur Chennai 11 now Arch Bishop of Madras - Mylapore on his completion of 60 years at the sacristy of the shrine. The Arch Bishop was very close the the family and on hearing the death of Mr David Dorairaj, on 13th May 2009, he came rushing down to the Railway Hospital Ayanavaram Chennai 23

Here Mr David Dorairaj is seen shaking hands with Rev A M Chinnappa SDB then Parish Priest at Lourdes Shrine Parish, Perambur Chennai 11 now Arch Bishop of Madras - Mylapore, as the Zonal President of St Anthony's Zone, Chinna Chembarambakkam, Ayanavaram, Chennai 23

Here Mr David Dorairaj is seen along side Mr Gnanaprakasam, retired Special Grade A Driver Southern Railway, brother of Chinna Rani teacher, husband of Leela, father of Jecintha, Rex, Sheila and John, now a resident of Jagan nathan colony off Foxen St, Perambur Chennai 11, displaying the flags of their respective zones.

Here Mr David Dorairaj and his spouse and maternal cousin J D Savariammal who predeceased him in January 2000, is seen at Taj Mahal, Agra during a visit to his second daughter Philo Jawahar who passed away in a freak road accident in February 1997, married to V S Jawahar Sargeant at the Indian Air Force, father of Fatima and Magdalene Ph D scholar at Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, at Hindan Air Station near New Delhi India

This is a very rare photograph (may be 76 years old photograph) of the siblings of David Dorairaj.

(L to R ) sitting: D Isacc (D.1998) Packiam (D. 1967), Mary Swaminathan,

(L to R ) standing: D Dorairaj(D. 2009), D Rajendran(D. 2005)

das vidanya

Some of the photgraphs of David Dorairaj are published. The above photographs were taken in the village graveyard where all his forefathers are laid to eternal rest except his father S David who went to Malaya as a teacher in the Pinang Free School and died and buried there, his mother Packiam died at Megamalai Estate near Dindigul. He was adamant not to leave the village under the constant fear that his daughters at Chennai would some how find him a grave in Chennai city itself and may not spend to bring him back to his native village. Though he left the village along with his sister Mary at a very young age, the native village always beckoned him. We saw to it that his last and everlating wish to be buried along with his ancestors was fulfilled as said in the Holy Bible "thereafter he was buried along side his forefathers". May God be Praised!

THIRTIETH DAY REMEMBRANCE OF DAVID DORAIRAJ (06/06/1929 TO 13/05/2009)

The thirtieth day remembrance of our father D Dorai Raj was held on Saturday 13th June in our native village Nanchankulam, Tirunelveli dist with the visit to the graves of our parents Mrs. JD Savairammal (3rd Dec 1926 to 7th Jan 2000) and Mr. D Dorairaj(6th June 1929 to 13th May 2009).
The new grave integrated both of them in to a large one similar to our grand fathers and great grand fathers. The epitaph consisted the dates of birth and death beside the photograph of our parents carved in the black granite. It is customary to offer sweet pongal to all at the graves as a mark of respect and prayers were offered for the eternal rest of the departed souls. Then the garlands were offered to the graves of our parents, grand parents ( Mrs. Maria Packiam and M Jebamalai) and great grand parents ( Balavesam alias Belevendran and his spouse).

The thirtieth day remembrance of our father D Dorai Raj was held on Saturday 13th june in our native village Nanchankulam, Tirunelveli dist at 11.30 am in the St Gnanapragasiar (Aloysius) church. Fr Amalan former Parish Priest of Sankar Nagar parish presently in Thembavani Illam, Pastoral Centre was with us to celebrate the holy Eucharist.

The following relatives and friends were present. Mr Sahadevan, Hon Flying Officer IAF retired, Mr V Manicam Asst Commercial Manager – retired Central Railway, Jabalpur; Prof S Muthiah former HOD Dept of Economics, Presidency College, Chennai; Jesudasan Samuel retired Dy Planning Engineer BHEL Trichy; Mr Moses Manohar and Sheila Moses – Pondicherry; RFH Gnanaprakasam JSO retired Inspection Wing of Directorate General of Inspection and Supply- CVRDE, Avadi, Chennai; Joseph Jawahar Sergeant- IAF retired presently at CLRI Adayar, Chennai; Vijayakumar son of Rajendran brother of Dorai raj; Majeed Electrical Dept Southern Railway Nagerkoil and host of relatives were present at the church.

Fr Amalan who had long association with Dorai raj was all in praise for the deceased. He said that he was very closely associated with Most Rev Jude Paulraj Bishop In Palayamkottai the first and earlier bishop Most Rev S Irudhayaraj, Most Rev Dr A M Chinnappa SDB Ph D Archbishop Of Madras-Mylapore and a host of priests, nuns and religious. He was very liberal in supporting the church matters. He donated large sums of money for orphanages, poor and needy. He had sponsored many priests education at Sacred Heart Seminary Poonamallee, Chennai. Therefore it is fitting that a kind hearted soul must be remembered not only on the 30th day but every day.
After the Eucharistic celebration was over, lunch was served in honour of David Durairaj at his residence. Relatives from the village and form outside partook the lunch.

On completion of lunch the traditional ritual of offering new clothes by the brothers in law to the son and daughter in law of the diseased. On that account Mr Arumugam, husband of Mary sister of Gnanaraj the only son of the diseased offered the first new clothes followed by Mr Jesudasan Samuel, BHEL Trichy, Mr V S Jawahar, Mr Vijayakumar, relatives from Grace Gnanaraj offered the new clothes. It was a ritual to end the divisions in the family by promoting the unity among the immediate relatives of the diseased.

NANCHANKULAM TIRUNELVELI DIST 627358

NAANJAI JACOB SONS - LINEAGE

IMAGES OF OUR PARENTS

MR DAVID DORAIRAJ (06/06/1929-13/05/2009)

MRS JEBAMALAI DAVID SAVARIAMMAL (03/12/1926-07/01/2000)

AT THE INTERIOR OF TAJ MAHAL

SIBLINGS OF DORAIRAJ

CHILDREN OF DAVID SON OF SAMUEL SON OF JACOB THE GRAND OLD MAN NANCHANKULAM, TIRUNELVELI DIST 627358
Mary Swaminathan (1914-)
ISAAC (1916-1998)
RAJENDRAN (1918-2005)
DORAIRAJ (1929 - 2009)

V.S.Swaminathan +Mary Swaminathan

1.V.S.Mahadevan +Gomathi
1.Rajaswaminathan (son)
2.Jana(Daughter)
2. V.S.Seethalakshmi +Radhakrishnan
Suganya+ Thirunavukkarasu
Rohit 2. Adityan
Suresh + Indira
Sathish
3 Mohandas Gandhi +Sudha
Saranya
Pavithra
4. Kasthuribai +Issac
Varunkumar
Prithishkumar
5. S.Jawahar +Philomina
Mary Fathima + Gnanapragasam
1.Caroline 2. Antony
Magdalene Catharine (Twinkle)

Issac(1916-1998) + Mary Cruize Issac
1 Lilly Josephin + Joseph Anand
Babu (married)
Priya (married)
2 Francis Xavier + Fathima Selvi
Seril Immaculate
Linda
3 Rani + Vyapuri
Devi (married)
4 . Arul John David + Amala
Anto (son)
5 . Philomina+ Joseph Danaswamy
Angel Jayamary
6. Theresa + Dennis
Rosa Mystica
7 .Christina Sagayamary +Arul Michael raj
Mercy Evangeline


Rajendran (1923-2005) +Swamiadiyal
David Udayakumar (Pastor)+Jayamani Stella
Timothy Arul Kumar
Serene Yoneko
Joyson Vasanth Kumar
2 Premkumar + Agnes Kalavathy
Frederick Judson kumar
3.R.Rajkumar + Arputha Mary
Livingston Joshua
4 Rathnakumar +Valarmathi Selvarani
Raveena
Enos
5. R.Tamil selvi
6 .Vijayakumar + Shantha
Praveena
7 Kalaiselvi + Vanaraj
Jeberson
Rakshanya

Dorairaj(1929-2009) + Savariammal(1926-2000)
1. Rosary + Gnanapragasam
David Rosario (Son)
2. Philomina(1952-1997) +Jawahar
Mary Fathima + Gnanapragasam
Magdalene Catharine
3 . D.Xavier Gnanaraj + Grace
Mukila Gnana Grace

END OF AN ERA- DAVID DORAI RAJ 1929 TO 2009

DAVID DORAIRAJ L.E.E.
06/06/1929 TO 13/05/2009
/E/TIRED ASST WORKS MANAGER
ELECTRICAL/FLASH BUTT WELDING
ENGINEERING WORKSHOP
ARAKONAM, SOUTHERN RAILWAY

An era ended at 07.55 hours on Wednesday 13th May 2009 at the Southern Railway Head Quarters Hospital Perambur, Chennai 23. Mr David Dorai Raj great grandson of the grand old man Jacob of Nanchankulam village, Tirunelveli Dist and retired Asst Works Manager/Electrical/Engineering Workshop/Arakkonam, Southern Railway passed away on that date after two days of illness

He started his early life in his native village Nanchankulam, Tirunelveli district. His father was Mr. S David, (1894-1929)who was the grand son Jacob(1810-1890) the grand old man who founded the village, and son of Mr. Samuel(1840-1905). At the time of Mr. David (1910) India was under the British rule and the British Empire in the East included Ceylon, Malaya, Java, Sumatra, Burma, Siam, Thailand, Cambodia etc. Hence no need of a passport and visa to go over to these countries. As most of the early converts to Christianity were teachers in the missionary schools, Mr. David also was trained as a teacher.

He after marrying Bagyam (1905-1965) one of his cousins, gave birth to Mary (1917-) (later Mary Swami doss) Isaac (1920-1998), Rajendiram (1923-2005) and finally Dorai raj (1929-2009). Though the family had enough wealth, the growing population of the joint family made resources scarce. Therefore, every one set off to earn some. Mr David decided to try his luck by going beyond the seas. He set off to Malaya and landed in the Pulau Penang province where a large number of Tamil estate laborers lived.
He started his career as a teacher in the Pinang Free School. However, after some years he died due to sudden illness in Malaya. At the time of his death (1932), Mr. Dorai raj was three years old and had not seen his father since his birth.
His sister Mary along with her brothers, moved to Manamadurai and settled there as a teacher. The first brother, Isaac, became a teacher so also Rajendiram. Meanwhile Mary wedded Mr. Swami Doss. Mr Dorai raj wanted to study engineering and Mr. swami doss, due to his influence, got him a seat for Licentiate in Electrical Engineering (in those days -1950- there were no diploma or degree but offered Licentiate in all subjects for instance L T Licentiate in Teaching These terminology is still used in the theological colleges) in the PSG Polytechnic, Coimbatore.

After his three years study he returned to marry his cousin Savariammal(whose mother was the sister of Mr. David) in 1950. He got a job with the Tamil Nadu electricity Board office at the Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir at Mettur near Salem). There he worked as Electricity Metre specialist and his spouse worked as a teacher in the local school.

The lure of free privilege pass to travel in the trains was inevitable for him. Therefore, he along with his friends joined the Southern Railway as a chargeman. He had worked in the open line from trichy division. Thereafter he was transferred to Pune in Maharashtra(those days Pune was under the Southern Railway ).He was transferred to Hubli for some years. Thereafter, he was transferred to Vijayawada. He was posted in Pakala near Chithoor. There he was the Secretary of the Catholic Association(CA).

He came to Golden Rock Central Workshop as chargeman. There he along with his family lived in the North D, South D, and F type of quarters. His children Rosary, Philo, Gnanaraj, Luisa and Bagyaseeli studied in the St Joseph’s Girl High School, and St Agnes Higher elementary school, Ponmalaipatti both managed by the sisters of seven dolor (servite of Mary)
From Trichy he was moved to Mysore Ashokapuram shops. While his eleder daughters stayed at the hostel, the three younger ones joined him at Mysore and studied at the Board High School 100 Feet Road, Mysore. Later he was transferred to Guntakal where he worked as Foreman in the open line. He left the family at Ponmalaipatti, Trichy.

He was transferred to Villupuram in 1970 as Electrical Foreman. He stayed in the north colony railway quarters. In 1974 he was transferred as Electrical Foreman Nagercoil-Kanyakumari New BG line construction and was posted at Palayamkottai till 1976. He did yeomen service as an open line supervisor at the construction stations all along the new route. He was transferred as Deputy Shop Superintendent to the electrical workshop, Perambur in 1976. He worked as shop superintendent in the deluxe shop. In 1981 he was elevated to gazetted status – Asst Electrical Engineer – and was posted at Thiruvananthapuram Division. Later he was moved to Madurai division. Finally, he was posted as Asst Works Manager/Electrical/Engineering Workshop/Arakkonam in 1984. He finally retired on 30th June 1987 on attaining the age of 58.
From his retirement, he was living with his spouse at his native village Nanchankulam, Tirunelveli District. While his spouse passed away on 6th January 2000 he managed to live all alone in his village occasionally visiting his children at Chennai. He was so attached to the village and his spouse that he after six months of the death of his spouse, made a stone cross inscribed his name and planted next to his spouse’s grave. He never wanted any one to be buried next to his spouse. His last desire was fulfilled on 14th May 2009 when he was laid to rest along side of his spouse.

Some of his co-workers were Mr Seshadri, Mr Sebastian, Mr Nizar Ahmed. Mr Raja ram, Mr Chidambaranathan, who also were elevated to gazetted status in the Electrical Branch of Southern Railway. Some of his bosses were Mr Ranganathan, retired CPO/IR, Mr M J AlexanderCEE/Shops, Mr Gopalakrishnan,CEE/Shops

He is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, daughters, sons-in-law, grand children and great grand children. His second daughter Phiomina Mary Rani (1952) passed away in 1997. His third and last daughters passed away even before attaining age one(1955&1965).

Rosary, Gnanapragasam, David Rosario
Jawahar, Mary Fathima, Gnanapragasam, Magdalene Catharine
Xavier Gnanaraj, Grace, Mukila Gnana Grace