I just sent an erroneous message to my dear cousin wishing him 75 - whereas the young lad is just 73!
Baluchachen is the oldest surving Matthan cousin in the Dewan Kuriyan Matthan family. (We sadly lost his very dear elder sister, Amminikochamma, 3 years ago.)
Baluchachen is the elder son of my late godfather, George Matthan Sr. He is one of the most talented of our cousins and also one of the most modest, quiet personalities that you can find. But humour runs deep in this individual.
Baluchachen was very much a member of our family when he came to live in Bombay in the late 50s. He stayed with us for a short while in Meher Mansions, Cooperage Road, and then moved to the Y.M.C.A. hostel which was just behind our house. He was a regular Sunday lunch visitor.
I am sitting on the floor on the extreme right.
My late father's 60th birthday celebration in Mumbai November 1970.
His most memorable statement, that I laugh at almost everytime I think of him, was when I asked him what he had given up for "Lent". His answer was so fast and off the tongue that it did not sink in for a few minutes.
He said: "Church!"
All of us at the dining table rolled over with laughter, and even my more late conservative dad (at the dining table) could not contain himself. My late mother laughed over this joke for many many weeks.
Unfortunately, we could not attend his wedding as my late sister, Nalini, got married on the very same day, in Kerala. Baluchachen and Nirmalakochamma got married in Bangalore. Nirmalakochamma became one of our family members and has been one ever since she joined Baluchachen in Bombay.
Probably the most frivolous thing that Baluchachen did in his younger days was join us as the lead singer in a rendition of The Platters hit "Only You" at "Grace Home" in Basavangudi. The event was a family party, a usually very formal affair in those days, in our grandparents home. Ajeet led the way with his mouthorgan and Anand, Ranjit and myself formed the rest of the group. Our dear grandmother thoroughly enjoyed that version of a "pop" song.
Happy birthday, dear cousin -and we miss you very much.
One more line to all Maliyakals. Thanks to Suresh (Rev Kuruvilla Chandy, who lives in Lucknow), the web page of Maliyakal Dr. Kurian Kuruvilla is being updated this weekend. Thanks Suresh.
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