Kanhaiya Lal
Met this old man at the Mumbai local train. He is Mr Kanhaiya Lal. He was sitting besides the adjacent seat, just like me, over the edge. He got happy when I asked the co-passenger to slide & make a little space for me! We became instant friends and started talking. Hailing from the town of Jaunpur UP, he came to Mumbai some forty years back.
Kanhaiya ji starts at Eleven everyday from his chawl at Malad. 75 years old, he doesn't interest himself sitting at home. There are reasons for it. He said that his wife would demand several stuffs and that's expensive! He said that if he remains back, there might also be fight. In his own words, ".. at old age, we lose memory and gets angry every now and then. What if I beat her down? It's bad. This is not a good thing. I ask her to not fight. What will neighbours say! They will make stories & laugh at us. We should maintain harmony.."
He asked me, "what biraadari(caste) you belong to?". He showed open his strong palms and said I am a Vishwakarma. Kanhaiya Ji is a carpenter by profession. Wherever he goes out, his tools and instruments comes along with him in a cotton bag. He whispered to me, "don't you know there are so many thieves around. I always keep these with me..". He sits somewhere at a Naka where he would get the work. No worries even if he doesn't get a full day work. He is happy that he saw the crowd, the high rises and the city's cosmopolitan vibe. Besides, little work maintain his expenses.
He wants to die a sweet death. He is afraid to be getting ridden by bed. As per him, he used to be a strong man in his younger age. He would eat fifteen chapaati in one go! His father was a muscle man. He died ten years ago. Remembering him, he took a pause and said, "but he studied a lot... He was talented. He did BA, MA.. He could have easily become a collector.. Later he would tell us kids. We said, don't worry now. We are mature enough to take care of the family!". He signalled at the pouch of tobacco in his shirt's upper pocket, asking if I wantwant a little. He said that he will eat after getting down from the train, else where to spit! He told me a little about the Ramayana too!
Everyone has a history that pins them down. Kanhaiya's wife conceived eight times. Five of the kids died before the birth only. Doctor would have to take out the dead babies. Not cool. He would cry hell, he said. Last of three babies were healthy. He is a father of two daughter and a son. Hello! He also has a twenty year old grandson. He is happy... He is introspective. He is someone who smiles while talking. Some days back his grandson purchased a second hand two-wheeler. Mentioning the local train, he said that he travels in a worth crore & crore of vehicle, isn't it!!
Wondering how this quiet looking guy has so much to talk about. He talked about honesty & being a gentleman. We talked over random topics. Later, before getting down, he told me that we met by destiny & it's all about fate & that he will remember me. He said that if he wouldn't come out of his house, he wouldn't meet new people. Standing up, he hails his hands forward for a handshake. He melted with gladness as we shake hands! As he moved forward, he couldn't look back at me, as crowd was already pushing near the exit door! "Malaad..."
Fascinating
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