Tamil Nadu recently witnessed protests at various centres demanding the ban on Jallikattu be lifted. Some of the organisers said Tamil Nadu was facing a severe drought because Jallikattu was not conducted for three years in a row. While their reasoning sounded bizarre to many, it triggered the nostalgic memories of superstitious stories I have heard during my childhood days in my native village Manapad.
Apparently, there was a gentleman by the name of Carvalho Sr (Senior). He was said to be in possession of some strange powers. Most of the time, he used to be confined to an easy chair reciting Vedic mantras from some century-old manuscripts. He had a power which enabled him to be present in different places at the same time.
Another power he had was to control the fishes in the sea. It seems that once a fisherman refused to give him any fish. That was the last day the fisherfolk of the village got any fish from the sea. After that, when they apologised, he recited some mantras standing in front of the sea and normalcy returned. People maintained a respectable distance from him, mainly out of fear.
My father had no faith in such ‘miracles’. Once my father had an abscess in his left foot. Unfortunately, the abscess erupted and immobilised him completely. Administration of medicines, both native and allopathic, failed to give him any relief. Looking at the agony of my father, other elders in the village suggested that a gentleman with some healing powers whom the villagers called vaathiyar should be summoned to have a look at the issue. Though my father had no faith in such a treatment, the agonising pain made him agree to the suggestion.
At our request, the vaathiyar arrived in the evening and had a look at his abscess. He then took out a sharp knife and as a 12-year-old standing nearby, I was terrified to even imagine what he would be doing with his knife. He started reciting some mantras, simultaneously moving the knife over and around the abscess at a slow pace. At times, he raised his voice as if he was giving some special commands. By the time he completed the ritual and placed the knife down, we were able to find a remarkable change in the face of my father. He said the pain had suddenly vanished and he was able to move his foot with ease.
My father who until then never believed in such strange occurrences, stood bewildered and awestruck over the mystic incidence that happened before our eyes!
Email: tharci@yahoo.com