Dubai Puttu in the Hospitality of Thalaivar
A few hours with our leader (Thalaivar)…
Two days ago, ever since I met Thamilchelvan, the person in charge of the Political Department, I had an incomprehensible joy and excitement that this was going to happen! I even lost my sleep.
Unlike in Colombo, where there were the smell of beggars and disabled people on the streets, although the streets were war-torn and houses were destroyed, the elegant Vanni looked after its people. The desire to meet my pure-hearted Annai (brother) that was looking after all of this arose within me after witnessing this in person.
‘Annai’ is how they called him. Living in foreign countries, we called him Methagu, honourable and Thalaivar from being at a distance. Unlike us, they were so close to him and called him Annai.
Listening to them calling him Annai with so much love and affection increased and grew my desire to meet even more. I had to meet the Annai that was mananging Vanni at least once. The desire began to grow into an obsession.
Having been born from my mother’s womb and planted his life for the independence of our nation, my younger brother Mayuran had been close to him once. I must discuss things I don’t know about Mayuran with him as well. Even that desire had rooted deep in my heart.
Unable to control my obsession, I wrote a letter to Annai and sent it to him without the knowledge of anyone else.
The day before yesterday around 4pm, Kilinochchi had been hit by the intensity of the sun. In search for shade and water, I sat in the corner of the reception of the Venpura company, where Thamilchelvan had sent people. He had told them to inform me that I wanted to meet them and that a car will be sent at 7pm to come and get me.
The car came a few minutes before 7pm. We left. Friendly eyes welcomed us into the Political Department’s office. The office was beautiful in its own unique way both in and out.
The same smile! With the same smile that we saw in newspapers and video tapes, Thamilchelvan welcomed us. He called my Akka with entitlement and spoke kindly. He spoke about my brothers that had martyred on the war ground. He asked about my sister who did a book launch in Parithithurai some time before. Our conversations went to many directions.
Dinner with him was the best. Prawns, meat and veg were all very tasty. The loved ones there served the food with so much love. Having been full both in the stomach and in the heart, we got up to leave.
Only then, Thamilchelvan took me to a side and told me this fantastic news. “On Thursday, Annai would kile to meet you,” he said. My heart shivered. When Thamilchelvan told me about meeting Annai, I got very nervous.
I was unable to fully focus when taking pictures with him or when thanking and saying farewell to those that cooked and served the food. I was so nervous and anxious.
Was this true? Was I really going to meet the honourable Methagu Leader Prabhakaran? Happy! Happy! Nervous! Anxious! All these feelings were within me. My nervousness did not decrease even after Thamilchelvan coming to Venpura this morning and telling me that the car will come at 4pm today.
The car that was supposed to come at 4pm came a little late. As a resukt of the war, the roads had many potholes and as the car drove over these, we shook in the car. Every time, the phone rang, I was worried that they were going to say that I could not meet Annai today.
My heart denied believing anything until I had met Annai. When the car dropped us off, I thought that was where Annai was going to be. After waiting for half an hour, I was waiting for Annai to come.
However, what came was another car. The doctor of the freedom fighters, Rekha, was driving the car. Even on our first meeting, she spoke to me as if we had known each other for years calling me Akka with ownership.
In a few minutes, the car entered an area with many trees. Thamilchelvan was sitting on a chair in the yard. He welcomed us with the same smile. I didn’t know if the inside was a house or an office. I could see many faces in the light.
After a few minutes of conversation, another car came. The entrance was slightly dark now. However, I knew that one of the people that has got out of the car was Leader Prabhakaran from just observing the way he walked. Only then, my heart completely believed what was happening.
After seeing honourable National Leader Methagu Prabhakaran, I was even able to greet him like a naturally do. My tongue had twisted and refused to speak. I could not believe what I was seeing. I could only feel that I was smiling.
After entering we all sat down on chairs. Just like the meeting with Thamilchelvan, the hospitality was beautiful. After a few minutes, the nervousness left, and I returned to my natural state. Annai Prabhakaran spoke naturally. With ownership, he sat close to us and spoke. When I laughed, he said “your laugh is just like Mayuran’s”. “Mayuran has the same curly hair as you,” he said.
He told me a lot about the Mayuran’s mischief, who’s body exploded in the Poonakari Thavali Paachal battle. He told me about him wearing other people’s identity number and his playful nature. He spoke about Morris. “However, I was unable to meet Morris for the last time,” he said. Apparently, Morris was supposed to come to him in a week. But before then he became a seed planted in Pariththithurai. “I really like the letters that Mayuran’s sister sends. Everyone sends letters telling them to return. However, she does not write that in her letters. She gives him assurance and motivation,” he said. He was talking about Chandra Ravindran. Him still remembering my younger sister who had immigrated brought me joy and surprise. He told me about taking English lessons for the late poet Theetsandiyan Pottamaan’s son Paarthipan.
After many conversations about different topics, I was surprised when he said, “Come let’s eat.” I thought he will only give us half an hour of his time. We had already spoken for a long time. A feast as well! My heart was warmed.
The food was amazing. Dubai puttu was extremely soft and delicious. We spoke a lot whilst eating. We laughed openheartedly. We spoke about topics from feminism to politics.
Only when talking about Feminism, I realised that although Annai Prabhakaran lived in Vanni, he was such a forward-thinking individual. I gave al the rights that women deserve and need. He has no liking in women being regarded weak. Mostly men cooked there. He showed so much importance in women not being confined to the kitchen and cooking. He had a lot of belief that women could do other meaningful jobs other than cooking.
He worried about some of the women who did not listen and reduced their food intake, resulting in them getting tired quickly while being in action. He explained the difficulties faced when there were no female swimming teachers at the beginning and women were obliged to learn swimming.
“Some warriors are not showing interest in learning English even though we keep telling them to,” he said, worried. I understood the care he had for the Tamil community and the healthy future ahead whilst talking to him.
Our conversations diverted and diverted. After the jokes that my husband made, we came back to the food. The Dubai puttu and chicken was really very delicious. I told Annai, “the Dubai puttu is really good. I really like it.” I asked him how to make it. “We need to ask the people that make it,” he said.
Just like this, we spoke about many things like family, politics, and war. A few hours were spent with many different stories. We took photos together.
When parting ways, I could not believe that I had met Annai. From then, I could not say Thalaivar as the time I spent him with was so close.
“Thank you for accepting my request and meeting me so soon and showing such hospitality to make me happy,” I said to Annai.
Immediately he said, “No, no, don’t thank me for this. I should call you and meet you. You have given three of your family members for our country. I should have called to meet you,” he said.
His proud words truly made me elated. With that happiness that I have found the meaning of my journey, I left. Even after arriving at Venpura, the memories were filled in my mind.
The next day, Annai had sent Nimalan and Pugaloviyan to show me how to make the Dubai puttu. I could not believe it. I really liked the Dubai puttu. I did not at all expect him to be so affectionate for me just asking how to make it.
Annai does not behave like this with just me and my family. He gives respect to all the families of the warriors who lost their lives for the nation. I understood how much respect he has in his heart for them from just spending a couple of hours with him.
Speaking with him made me realise that he is not just an armed force leader. Every second that I spoke to him, I understood the place he had for each and every warrior in his heart. Everyone will think, “they are just people fighting with weapons.” Only speaking to him in person showed the compassion he has in his heart. I was astonished by the love and affection he has towards the fighters.
When speaking about a fighter, he will say everything about that individual and I saw how he has a place for each warrior in his heart. I only fully understood the meaning of Thalaivar then.
Not only the elegance of Vanni… the discipline he shows in every action. The beauty in him himself following that disciplinary regime. Really meaningful rules. I was awe-struck.
Fighting and war is not only his aim like everyone thinks. His attention lies in creating a free Tamil Eelam and a race with freedom. The respect he gives to women, the rules that he has made to bring no issues or mistakes at war. There are no words to explain the awe I am in.
I can never forget the time I spent with Annai. Even now, the memories of the time I spent with Annai and the way he treated us with respect and love still live in my heart clear and unforgotten.
Chandravathana – Germany
translate by Purvaja Sivakumar
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