In Memory of Raju

When my younger brother Ambu (R Aravamudan) was born, my brother Devu (R Devarajan) who was a toddler at the time, was sent to Kombur village with grandparents to reduce the burden on Amma. What he may not remember, but I remember clearly, is that when he returned for the first time, he had changed so much that Mother could not even recognize him immediately. He was unkempt and his hair was very bushy and curly. In those days, the first haircut had to be done in Tirupati, and he had not yet been taken there. Devu, of course, ran to hug Amma – but she did not recognize him and was asking “who is this boy?” She could not understand how this strange boy was so happy to see her. In a few seconds, when she saw the gold medallions on his aranakarai (waist string), that is when she realized it was Devu. Then she just grabbed him up and hugged him.