The gentleman in the photo is Krishnamurthy Iyer, known as Kittu Mama in the colony he lives.
Kittu Mama is a 66 year old makes and sells Dosa and Idli in Trichy near Theppakulam, closer to Chathiram Bus Stand. He sets up his shop after 6 PM and sells delicious Idli, Dosai with tasty chutney at very affordable prices. He is a roadside cart based outlet. He is helpedby his wife and a young worker.
Most of his clients are labourers, working women staying in Women’s hostels, Bus Conductors/Drivers, Auto Rickshaw & taxi drivers, goods cart pullers, Tempo Drivers/Truck Drivers etc. Local people there highly respect him for the purity and taste of his product sold at very reasonable prices.
Few days back he was making and selling idlis and dosa as usual. And a local muncipality councillor Pandian came and asked for Idli/Dosa.. He was punch drunk. He is a local ruffian and collects hafta from vendors. He was with two rowdies. All of them ate food and Pandian did not pay the money for the food.
When Kittu Mama’s wife asked for money, Pandian became angry and pushed Kittu Mama and threw away Utensils with dough for Dosai/Idli. And abused them – “You Iyer – how dare you ask ME money?”And he proceeded to pull and tear the janeyu (Sacred thread worn across the body) of Kittu Mama.
Kittu Mama became ferocious and picked up a bamboo stick which was lying nearby and bashed up the goons. And he was saying “Yes I am a poor brahmin but my Poonool (Janeyu) is vedaswaroopam. How dare you try to insult it? I also know martial arts and have learnt it perfectly”. Then he showed his skills in Silambattam and thrashed the goons again.
Everyone there were watching but did not stop the goon due to fear. The thuggish neta Pandian ran away but threatening Kittu Mama that he would come next day with his party workers and sort him out. Kittu Mama continued his work of serving food. Few labourers around there told Kittu Iyer that next day they would protect him when the goons come.
Next day evening Kittu Mama started his shop as usual. The Councilor did not come, next day also he did not come.Then Kittu Mama came to know that after fighting with him, the councilor met with an accident and was in ICU and in need of rare blood group for operation.
Blood donation request for the rare blood group had been flashed in TV too.
Kittu Mama immediately went to hospital, donated blood as his blood group matched that of the councilor, stayed in the night till the operation was over to see if there was any more requirement of blood.
Next day morning, Councilor’s family thanked him and Kittu Mama went and met the councilor who was in a condition to talk. He apologized profusely to Kittu Mama and Kittu Mama told -“I had to defend my Janeyu as it is my dharma. I had to save you too as it is also my dharma. And you have a family hence I felt I should definitely donate blood” and moved away.
story Chenna Keshav
