In memory of Thatha - Sri T.V.Anantaramaseshan - Devin's great grandfather

Sadly, we lost a significant member of our family this week.   Ash's grandfather and the man I really only knew as "Thatha", unfortunately passed away.  He is one of the most kindest, spiritual and intelligent men I have ever had the opportunity to meet.  I only wish Devin had had a chance to meet this marvelous man and bask in the greatness he offered so freely.  I don't think my words can express how much Thatha will be missed, as such, I'll leave this to Asha's uncle. 

The following is a beautiful tribute Ramanan (Ash's uncle) wrote in effigy of his father.

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My father, Sri T.V.Anantaramaseshan (87) left on his journey to the higher worlds in the afternoon of Nov 22, 2010. He recovered well from a surgery for removal of malignant tumor in the intestine, completed the writing of his new book, a comentary on Siva Sahasranamam (unique interpretation of the 1000 names of Lord Siva) resumed his routine with gusto, but developed some unrelated complications and breathed his last.

As he was gasping, he raised his left hand, looked at me and looked at the space above and pleadingly uttered, 'Narayana.' That was the last word I heard from him. Even during his semi conscious state, his hand was doing japa.

He was born poor, led a simple life till the end. He never slept on a mattress. His utmost luxury was a wooden plank.

A brilliant student throughout, he did his M.A. in Economics at the Presidency College in Madras. From 1954 to 63, he taught Economics at the Loyola College, Madras. From 1963 to 1986, he served The Hindu as its Assistant Editor, wrote numerous editorials, managed the Books Review section and even after retiring from The Hindu, he helped Sri T.R.Jawahar in his News Today.

Father was a remarkable scholar and a spontaneous poet in Sanskrit and wielded a facile pen even while writing Tamil prose. He has composed about 27 Suprabhatams (hymns awakening the Lord within) in Sanskrit with commentary in Tamil. Trisakthi Publications released his two Tamil books Deviyum Manidhanum (a brilliant interpretation of Dhasa Mahaa Vidya) and Azagu Muruganin Aayiram PeyargaL (commentary on Subrahmanya Sahasranaama)

An authority in temple structure, he has performed Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) of many temples in India and abroad. He was a remarkable astrologer and thanks to his years of mantra japa, did not depend on horoscopes.

He was devoted to Kanyakuymari who is his Guru, Goddess and friend and Lord Vishnu. He had not missed his Gayathri Japa (1,000 each twice a day) for the last 76 years, since his initiation.
He saw some material comfort only very late in his life. He would laugh it off by saying, "Life is not all that bad I say! Only the first 80 years are difficult!!'' He was simple, affable and humorous and treated death as nothing more than a sanitation problem.

My Master used to say, "Death is an event whose proximity is unlimited; and distance very limited." How true! From the moment life enters the womb, death starts stalking. That is why whenever it happens, it seems it has happened all of a sudden. That is why it has remained a mystery. In a way, lack of knowledge of death is the reason for believing and not believing.

My father was fully aware of the nature and the aftermath of death from a very early age. He had unique experiences which he had related to me. His faith in divinity is due to his thorough knowledge of death and thereafter, which made him a humble human being.

You do not often come across a person who can quote miles and miles of Shakespeare and Kalidasa, who can write Editorials in 20 minutes, who can 'remember the future', who can compose hymns in Sanskrit and converse spontaneously, who can regale any audience of any age group with his silken English and impish sense of humor and walk away like an ordinary man unnoticed. Like my wife said, God doesn't make such calibre of people anymore.

This 'jolly good walker' as my Master would call him, has walked away in a huff. When his illness forced him into prolonged hospitalization which prevented him from performing his routine, he felt uncomfortable and thought it was below dignity to live in the body anymore.

Till the end, he was wedded to the Sri Uthara Guruvayoorappan Temple (Nanganallur) which he was instrumental in raising where he remained the Mel Saandhi (head priest) till the end. It was no surprise that his last conscious word was 'Narayana.' As a mark of respect to him, the temple will be closed for half a day on Nov 24, when his body will be consigned to flames at the Besant Nagar crematorium.

Love,
Ramanan

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Thatha will be forever missed.