Fri Nov 01 02:18:13 UTC 2024: ## 79-Year-Old Teacher Remembers Kerala’s Birth Through the Eyes of a 9-Year-Old
**Malappuram:** For V.P. Subrahmanyam, every Kerala Piravi Day evokes memories of a joyous school procession, filled with colorful paper triangles and the resounding chant of “Kerala… Kerala…”. Back in 1956, when the state of Kerala was officially formed, a nine-year-old Subrahmanyam, then a student at Ummathur LP School, witnessed the historic event with wide-eyed wonder.
“Our teacher, Moytheenkutti Mash, announced that we were all now citizens of the ‘Kerala’ state,” reminisced Subrahmanyam, fondly recalling the moment. “We, young and clueless, just stared in disbelief.”
Prior to this, northern Kerala was known as the “Malabar Area” under the Madras government. Though the concept of a state or Kerala itself was beyond their comprehension, the announcement, delivered with a sense of anticipation by their teacher, ignited a feeling of change in their hearts.
The announcement, delivered during a period of liberation from British rule, was met with a celebration akin to Independence Day. Teachers prepared colorful triangles, which the children proudly wore on their chests, brimming with a sense of pride. The school procession, conducted on foot due to the lack of paved roads, reverberated with the enthusiastic cries of “Kerala… Kerala…”.
Upon their return, the children were treated to sweets and a hearty meal of “chakarachoor”, a precursor to modern-day payasam. While indulging in the sweet delicacy, little did they know they were witnessing the birth of a great state. Today, as Subrahmanyam looks back, the event seems nothing short of miraculous.
Subrahmanyam, now 79 years old, spent 35 years teaching at Malappuram AUP School. After retirement, he leads a peaceful life with his wife, Jamuna Devi, and their children, V. Ranjith, V. Sajith, and V. Sajitha, who are all teachers themselves. His story reminds us that even the most significant historical moments can be experienced through the innocent eyes of a child, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories.
First Piper 