My Grandfather Karikkottu Joseph

My grandfather Karikkottu Joseph on my mother's side was a teacher and a diviner. By diviner I mean he could detect ground water anywhere in a plot of land. He was in great demand because in Kerala virtually every family has a well and he used to advise them on where to dig for a well, for free. Once he went around our property in Kidangannoor and pointing to a certain area said that there is a treasure buried underground at the exact spot. Many times I had thought of excavating that area to see if it was true. However, I never had the guts or gumption. Still it remains a mystery to me. Hm.

Unlike me (hehe) he was a tall, fair and handsome man, also rich, I might add, as you can see from the picture (hope the picture gets uploaded okay) and had a large landholding of 100 acres (big by Kerala standards) in those days. He is wearing a shirt common in those days, held with removable buttons and an angavastram, or, a shoulder wrap. Remember that was in circa 1800 or thereabouts. Fashions change, attitudes change, his grandchildren are spread across the world in countries as diverse as: Dubai, Saudi Arabia, U.S., ireland, U.K., etc. Here's a blog I have made for his grandchildren by me. Recently we grandchildren got together to celebrate our kinship in Kerala (I couldn't go as I was tied down with work.). My regret. Today, when I think of him I think of an era that has faded from memory, a time that has been stilled, a voice that is only an echo in the mind. Rest in peace Valiappachen.