“How do you plan to keep your father’s legacy alive?” I’ve been asked a lot of questions these days.
Earlier, it used to be “What are you doing to keep your grandfather’s legacy alive?”
I guess this problem changed because my father passed away three years ago and my grandfather did it 45 years ago. People think that what is not done enough for my dad would be more ridiculous than what is done enough for my grandfather. (So, my grandfather and father are, achievers, what should I do. I thank the Lord’s Baba/Atta, the ordinary Bey I met didn’t know that my mother’s great-grandfather was a famous freedom fighter. Because I didn’t really like Nirahara Deeksha.).
Whenever I face this question – despite knowing the people I asked me, this only requires a free copy of my dad’s cartoon books when they come out – I do find myself answering defensively “Yes, I should do something”.
Now, through this column, I hope to silence all of these inner guis once and for all.
Until his last days, my father’s logic was unparalleled. Ironically, for a fanatical horse racing polish, he couldn’t do it in every other industry. For example, he just won’t buy the store owner’s change scam toffees. Although it is a three-wife every day.
“How much is this toffee?” he would tell the owner, sending out the Paler melody or Cadbury’s Elal instead of a bucket he owed.
The owner will answer: “One rupee, Saar.”
“That’s MRP,” my dad would fight back. “How much do you get from the distributor?”
“Swallow.”
“Let me tell you,” said the father, doing some math in his mind. “I know, you know it.
“Uh… maybe.”
“So essentially, when you owe me a sum, you can give me up to 60 Pace changes. You are making illegal, idle profits by suppressing the changes I owe. Where are my other 40 Paces?”
“How is it possible…?”
“Let’s meet in the Consumer Court. You’ll get some clarity.”
“Sar, why are you using Sar’s Peria Valtai? Here, there are five toffees.”
The case is closed.
I remember dad hired a taxi. This is more than ten years ago, please note. A few days later, he received a bill of Rs 940. Three hours of rent. It was a noticeable tear.
“How could it be?” he asked the taxi.
“ille, Sal,” the guy showed him the bill. “Actually – AA, only Rs 720, but when you add ST, OT, PT……”
He got rid of a bunch of meaningless initialism. Dad nodded, took the bill, walked into his room, and brought the cash back.
“Here,” he said.
“What, Saar,” Kabavara said. “You only offer Rs 560?”
Dad said, “Look at your bill.”
Handwritten with his art is “IWP Discount: RS 360/ – , 920 – 360 = 560/ – Total Settlement: 560/ -” which has a stamp, a random stamp he found in his drawer, and his unquestioned signature below to authorize/authorize it.
“IWP returns – aa?adu enna, Saar,” the taxi said.
My father said, “I won’t pay back the kickback.”
The case is closed.
Recently, I received a call from a real estate company asking me if I was interested in buying an apartment. I remember the brand ambassador of the apartment were three famous Tamil actors, two men and one woman. I told that person I was interested. He gave me a spire. I decided I wanted their best apartment, four bedroom penthouse with a small private pool on it.
“Great choice, sir,” said the guy, who did such a big sale on the phone.
“I don’t believe in this Installment-Loan business,” I said. “Single payment.”
“Great, sir,” he said. “When can I come to take the check?”
I said, “You don’t have to come.” “Send Sathyaraj.”
“Yaar, Saar, Sathyaraj?” he said.
I said, “Actor, your brand ambassador.”
“Why did he come, Sar?” the man said, somewhat shocked.
“Okay,” I said. “Prabhu or Tamannah is OK, I will make adjustments.”
“Sal, how about Sal?”
“Why not?” I said. “You are paying them a fee, no? This fee is from how much I pay, no?
He said, “Sir, I will talk to the boss and come back.”
“Hurry up,” I said. “Simbu should have returned to another apartment I booked today. Tell Sathyaraj I can’t wait.”
If that doesn’t make Naanna’s legacy live and kick, I don’t know what it is.
