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Do our parents ever keep tabs on the love and affection

that they shower on us?

No, never.

As they grow up, the children they raised so fondly forget all of it.

This often happens.

They have no time to care for their parents.

As they grow old, their attitudes change.

We even come across children who abandon their parents.

Reading the story...

‘When the Doors of Heaven Open’ from the context of the present,

its relevance to contemporary society is really astonishing.

Among all of MT’s stories, this remains my favourite.

A story that touched me deeply, one that made me think.

I would rather call it a slice of life

than a family drama.

Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill

And over the banks of the silvery Nila river

O come to me, my lonely dreams

As you wander continually over my mindscapes

Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill

O Nagaraja, Serpent King!

Whose tongue drips truth

You are a hallowed name In Pambumekkat

You confer on us the wealth Of soil that is fertile

And the great good fortune Of bearing children

O Adisesha!

O Nagaraja, Serpent King!

Whose tongue drips truth

You are a hallowed name In Pambumekkat

You confer on us the wealth Of soil that is fertile

And the great good fortune Of bearing children

O Adisesha!

They want you to go at once to Madhavan Thampuran’s house.

I’ll come, you go on.

Must be for some errand.

Maybe he wants an offering to be made on his behalf

in the temple across the river.

If I go, he’ll first give me a whole lot of advice

and then hand me 25 paise as if it’s a great favour.

Thampuran is ill, and he’s much worse now.

Couldn’t you have told me earlier?

Go along, I’m coming.

So Madhavan Master’s time has come at last.

He’s 17 years older than I,

so he’s 72 now,

a good time to die.

Births, deaths and weddings,

ceremonies for a baby’s 28th day

or when a child is fed rice for the very first time,

Kuttynarayanan has to be present at all of them!

It was Chathu Nair who held this position before me.

But it was I, Kuttynarayanan who helped Chathu Nair die!

Well, it’s good that Madhavan Master’s decided to die.

After dusk tomorrow will be good.

He must draw the last long breaths, the oordhvan and the chinhan

and give his relatives time to arrive.

If it happens after dusk tomorrow it will be auspicious.

Customs must be followed for when to close the eyes and mouth.

It’s no small task to bathe the body,

lay it out and mark it with stripes of sacred ash.

No matter how great a sinner the dead man might have been,

once I lay him down, his body marked with bands of sacred ash.

all those who see him feel that he looks so noble, so dignified!

Kunhu Amma!

It’s me.

Kunhukutty Amma!

Our Madhavan Master seems to be drawing his last breaths.

I’m on my way there.

What has to happen must happen whenever it be.

Once I arrange everything,

I can’t eat or drink until all the rituals are over.

Give me a glass of good, clean water.

Children, who’s there?

Get a glass of tea for Kuttynarayanan Nair

and two idlis, if there are any left.

Whatever it is, bring it quickly.

They’ll be in utter confusion. not knowing what to do.

It’s at times like this, isn’t it, that we can be of some help.

Not just for weddings, betrothals and naming ceremonies...

people in Kizhakkumuri need you to be there even to assist people to die!

Do you know the number of people you’ve helped die till now?

No idea.

It must be my destiny to be of use to everyone.

Too much water in the chutney.

Maybe that’s why it lacks taste.

I’ll come when I’m free, Kunhukutty Amma.

Hello.

It’s Achu.

Can you come over, Doctor?

Uncle Madhavan is still unconscious.

No.

We’ve informed them.

Okay, okay.

Hey, where were you?

We are always bumping into you when we don’t need you.

But when we do…

I was just about to have a bath.

He responds if you call him.

Master!

Master,

it’s me,

Kuttynarayanan.

There’s phlegm in his chest.

Hey girl,

heat some rice bran and make two poultices.

Warm them lightly, hold them to his chest to clear the phlegm.

Otherwise, he’ll find it hard to take the last few breaths.

You have Kasturyadi pills here?

If you don’t, buy some.

And boil some water with cumin seeds.

How is he doing, Kuttyarayanan Nair?

He won’t last until the fourth day after full moon.

It could happen tomorrow or the day after.

Tomorrow after dusk,

the 11th and 12th days of the lunar fortnight

will coincide with the day when the Tiruvonam star is in the ascendant.

The time at which the doors of Heaven open!

Buy the Kasturyadi pills as soon as the shop opens.

We don’t need anything else.

Have you informed the children?

We called all of them. Didn’t get through to Balu Ettan though.

We spoke to Sita Edathi and Vishala Edathi.

The doctor will come on his way back from the dispensary.

Is that necessary?

If we want him to go peacefully

it’s better to avoid doctors and their injections.

What a shock!

Even yesterday, he walked around the yard.

I read the newspaper to him.

Then we sat here a long time philosophizing.

Such is the human condition!

I have a committee meeting at 10.

The BDO is coming.

It’s a busy day!

Let Amma stay here.

If there’s an emergency send Chiru to my house

and Malu will call me from there.

I’ll see to things here, Achu.

Don’t forget the Kasturyadi pills.

Send one of the boys to buy them. I may be back late.

Three rupees for six pills.

Three will do for now.

This morning, when I came as usual to read the paper to him

there was no one around.

I tried calling out loudly.

Luckily, I thought of prising the window open.

Otherwise, no one would have known.

If you ask me, he should have just died in his sleep,

not suffered like this.

I don’t agree.

Death, like birth, is an important ritual in life.

A celebration!

It has so many stages.

To bypass them and let life end in sleep is a betrayal.

All those who do good must go through those stages.

They will.

Wait, I’ll get down there.

Pappetta!

When is this road ever going to be repaired?

Were you able to speak to Ettan?

No. I told those at home the news.

They said Vishaledathi will leave at once.

- What about your children? - They have class.

You could have brought Ravi at least.

He has a scholarship exam tomorrow.

He didn’t have to stay in the taravad if he didn’t want to.

Sending him three meals a day would have been no problem.

But, tho’ he can’t see at all, he insists on staying here

and cooking for himself. What can we do?

He’s strange.

How hard we tried to get him to stay with us!

He stayed a month.

And not even that long with Vishaledathi.

He’d have disliked the dinners and parties at her house.

Father...

Father,

it’s I, Sita.

The doctor is here. If you could all...

His pulse is weak and the blood pressure is low.

There’s nothing more to be done.

What’s your opinion, Doctor?

He could stay in this coma for days together,

with no change

or just go suddenly.

Doctor, please wait.

Thank you.

Is 50 okay?

It’s 50 or 100 if he comes home

but he doesn’t keep accounts with me.

He’s rented my outhouse.

Let me go to the kitchen.

Don’t trouble yourself. We’ll send food from the taravad house.

I’m going out for a while, Pappettan.

I had the board meeting cancelled.

But the MP’s coming to the Guest House.

I have to meet him.

I thought all would be over by the time we got here.

I thought so too, when the phone call came.

Whatever the doctor may say about a coma and so on …

he will not last beyond tomorrow night.

There are precise calculations for all these events.

Kuttynarayanan Nair is very experienced at helping people to die.

Don’t you want to change?

Where’s my suitcase?

Come along.

Here.

What if he lingers for days,

like the doctor said?

When is your MD coming?

I told you in Malayalam, didn’t I?

The day after tomorrow.

Can we invite him to dinner?

I’m not sure he has a halt.

But we’ll never get an opportunity like this again.

So many people are trying hard to become the Project-in-Charge in the new factory.

But we have no idea how or when we can get away from here.

I’ll wait till noon tomorrow.

If nothing happens by then...

I’ll leave on the superfast in the afternoon.

I wonder if Vishaledathi will come.

She’ll want to dish out all the news of her trip to Japan

with Bhaskarettan last month.

What’s the use of having a car, a position?

Only we have ever been of help to Father.

It was to me he wrote when he wanted a good muffler and a sweater.

How many cents of land here?

Sixty, I think.

Ah, you’ve arrived.

I just got the news.

What’s the price of land here now?

Well…

Koyassan sold four fields on the roadside at 5000 a cent.

I hear that money coming from Dubai is scarce.

That’s not true.

People do have money.

What would we get if we sell this place now, Sankunni Nair?

This would be...

Fifty cents, right?

Sixty!

Sixty,

and then the house.

Two lakhs for sure, not less.

Food has come from the taravad.

You can eat if you’re ready.

Sankunni Nair, aren’t you joining us for lunch?

No, I’ll leave after I see Madhavettan.

I have to meet someone.

I must catch the 2.30 bus.

How is he, Kuttynarayana?

Can’t say, Padmanabha.

The day, the star, the lunar day are all excellent.

Perfect if it happens tonight.

If not, then tomorrow at least.

After sunset the star will change.

That’s what it looks like today.

Are you giving him some glucose or some watery gruel?

He swallowed a ladleful of gruel and then it came out.

It’s a sign that the last breaths will soon begin.

Narayani Amma,

I have to say your daughter-in-law is a gifted cook!

Let me lie down for a bit.

Give Ettan some water, Kuttynarayana.

Here… water.

Narayana, Narayana...

It’s a good time to make a list.

Sandalwood blocks...

Two kilos.

Yes, let’s have two kilos.

Master’s a great man, after all.

Twelve arms’ lengths...

of mull cloth.

Four arms’ lengths of silk.

Paddy...

rice grains...

and towels for the villagers who take part in the rituals.

Let there be 12 of those as well.

Thampuran...

Ah, it’s you.

Don’t you have work today?

There was work in the garden.

I came for lunch.

How is Thampuran?

Can’t say anything yet.

I hope it won’t rain.

It will probably happen tomorrow.

Be ready anyway.

Yes, yes.

Don’t drink and fall down senseless somewhere.

No, no.

- Find two more people. - Will do.

It’s raining, so preparing the pyre will be hard.

Not a soul when you need them.

Once he dies,

this place will be full of people.

Yes, yes, it will.

I was wondering when you’d come.

If you haven’t eaten, freshen up and come.

She came home directly, so she ate there.

It’s more convenient to park the car there.

Did she come by herself?

There’s a driver.

What about him?

Gone to Bombay. He’ll come.

Ah,

you’ve come.

Good.

Ettan would want to see everyone.

Has it been long since you arrived, Edathi?

I dozed off.

I thought I could return this evening.

My maid at home is on leave

and the children are alone.

Kuttynarayanan Nair, go in and see to whatever Father needs.

Edathi, if you want to change, there are clothes in my suitcase.

I brought some clothes.

They’re in the car, I’ll get them later.

Do you want something to drink?

No, I have a bad headache.

They say using hair dye causes headaches.

Someone in Pappettan’s office said,

when she consulted a doctor he told her to stop dyeing her hair black.

I didn’t sleep at all last night

and after Achu called it was a big rush.

Let me lie down for a bit.

I’ve spread a mattress in the other room.

I didn’t see you at the meeting.

I asked the President to postpone it, but he wouldn’t.

He’s a stubborn man!

Anyway,

is there any change in Uncle?

No.

When I see him lying there like that…

Has everyone arrived?

Sita Edathi and Vishala Edathi have come.

No news from Balu Ettan.

Poor Master!

I wish he would just slip away.

Then he would not have to to see and hear all this.

That’s what everyone wants.

If all ends quickly, they can divide the property among themselves

and then go their separate ways!

Let me go,

I have work to do in the bazaar.

There’s not much change.

I’ll come tomorrow.

Thank you.

I would have given it to him.

How does it matter who gives it?

You can go to sleep now. I’ll call you if there’s any need.

I’ve asked Thami to sleep outside.

Should I send mattresses?

No, these are quite enough.

Amma, can’t you come and sleep at the taravad?

No.

I’ll have no peace of mind.

I’m not coming anywhere.

Go and sleep with Pappettan.

I’ll sleep here.

Edathi, are you thinking of getting Indu married?

Not just now.

Let her finish her studies.

How was your trip to Japan?

Good.

When will Bhaskarettan come?

When will Bhaskarettan come?

Ugh, something seems to be crawling over me.

Pappetta,

are you asleep?

Um... mm...

When are you leaving tomorrow?

Let me sleep, Sita. I’ll tell you tomorrow.

It’s you who made a fuss, saying you had to meet the MD.

I thought, if I can’t meet him,

I could arrange to send him an expensive bottle.

Then I decided that it’s best to go and see him.

Giving him news of a death in the family...

would perhaps help me more than a bottle of Black Label.

Master!

Master!

Need something to drink?

It would be good if he drinks this.

Just try.

I’ll be back in a minute.

Who is this, at break of day?

- Nothing new, is there? - No.

I got up when Raju arrived. Didn’t sleep after that.

- Balu’s? - Second child.

I must have seen you when you were a little boy.

Is your father coming?

He said to find out how things are and call him.

Go in, go and see him.

Aha...

When did you come?

Early morning.

Did you come by bus or by train?

By train. Then I caught the last bus from Kuttippuram.

Won’t your father be coming?

He asked me to see how things are going, then call him.

Father!

There’s a slight change in him.

Let the doctor come once more, right?

Let the doctor come and see him, Achu.

He hasn’t been passing urine freely.

If that can be put right

it will be a great relief to him as he lies there.

But there should be some intake for that to happen.

May he not lie here and suffer, Guruvayurappa, my Lord!

Amma, can’t you go home for a bit?

I’m not going anywhere.

I’m going out. I have a lot of work. The MP’s here.

How will we get the breakfast snacks from your place?

Hey Nair! Tea, snacks, rice, will all get here on time.

All you need to do is be with Uncle.

The women will look after the kitchen.

Did you call?

The water’s going down his throat all right.

But did you notice the way he’s breathing?

I’m leaving at 5.

Sita can stay back here.

No. If you ask me, all will be over tonight.

So, you can finish the rituals and leave tomorrow at noon.

I have hundreds of things to do there!

It’s just tonight, be patient.

Is it enough if I come for the rituals on the seventh day?

Yes, that will do.

Someone said, if I wait until the body is taken away,

I’ll have to stay on until the 14th day.

Oh no. Don’t accept the piece of cloth they give you

for the ablutions after the rituals are over, that’s all.

I have to go on an excursion day after tomorrow, at night.

You have to reach Coimbatore the day after, at night?

That won’t be a problem at all.

Ah, everyone’s here.

But I don’t see the President.

He’ll come soon.

It would really help if it stopped raining.

Yes, yes.

Deepam… deepam... (The ritual evening salutation to light)

[Reading of the Ramayana]

Master! Master!

What's it?

Master...

Who’s there?

If you have Ganga water, bring it quickly!

What is it, Ettan?

Master...

I… want… to… get… up.

What?

What's it?

Want... to... get... up...

You want to get up?

- Lift him! - Achu! Rajasekhara!

Uncle! Uncle!

Let’s prop him up here.

Master! Master!

Father!

W-a-t-e-r!

Water!

Get some water.

Father! It’s me.

Ettan!

Uncle!

Give him some water.

Master! Master!

Drink some water.

What is it?

It’s not hot.

Heat it and bring it.

Bring it hot...

Water!

Bring it hot...

Hot...

My Guruvayurappa! You saved him!

Things like this could happen just before a person dies.

A situation that suggests a complete recovery.

But only minutes may be left before the end.

The old man in Poothottu,

the headman’s father

and Kalathil Kurup.

I saw it happen to all three of them!

Tell Achu to call us if you need anything.

I’ll drop Sita at the junction before I leave.

Come to us once you feel well.

We’ll get your eye surgery done.

I’ll leave now.

Father...

Well, I’ll leave then.

I will go and come back.

You want to go?

Mm...

Go then.

Okay, son.

Don’t you want to leave?

Achu...

Achu...

Are you listening?

If I fall ill like this again,

don’t call the children.

They are all so busy.

It’s enough you tell them when you’re sure that all is over.

Those who find it convenient can come at that time.

Are you weeping, Ettan?

Oh no!

My head’s all heated up,

so my eyes are watering.

Recently, I ran into a journalist

who said to me

that she had written down a 1000 questions to ask MT when she met him.

This was just an expression of her deep admiration for him.

MT is someone who has plenty of questions to ask

and has an answer to every single one of them.

The one and only MT, who asserts through his own style

that the beauty of language lies in its simplicity.

A human being is the greatest creation

and the quality of being human is the greatest dharma.

This is what all his timeless characters proclaim.

When he looked for and found the title ‘Manorathangal’,

he was thinking not only of the chariots his mind was steering,

he was also assimilating the thoughts of the readers

and the spectators who were steering their own chariots.

Bowing my head before that pen of gold,

let me now take leave of you.

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