Voices!

Well. We hear them! A lot of them everyday actually! Most of us!
If not from other people and living and nonliving things around, at least from the media and phones.
And a prolonged period of being alone may drive us to a madness that we end up hearing our own sad voice as well.

And at times we wish we hear none of these too. Interestingly I found that I could recollect only a select few of all that I have heard ["Thats what I've been saying for a long time!", says my better half too] and of course was genuinely surprised. Why did these alone stay? I could not attribute any particular reason for this, yet it was good to have that trip down the fragile memory lane. Interestingly, the faces of these people have been lost, I don't know when. Only the voices remain.

The umbrella repair man who strolled all the streets to get one or two orders a day then, shouting "koda rippeer!", comes first. It has been three decades since I have seen or heard him, but the voice still remains fresh. Next comes the vegetable vendor from whom we never bought [not even once till we moved out of that house]. shouting "koththameelee! kareeppila, keeraa!", followed by the puffed rice and roasted groundnut vendors [husband and wife] whose distinct voices as well as their measuring units of several sizes comes to mind. He shouted "Poreeeeeeeee!" and after his demise, she came shouting "poreemmaaaa!" with a clear requesting note.

Then comes those voices of famous radio news readers like Saroj Narayanswamy and drama artists whom we heard in the radio. One notable voice that immediately comes is that of Heron Ramasamy, followed by the famous R.S. Manohar. It seemed like their voice substituted them for me whenever I hear them. One of my relatives choked while saying that he heard Poornam Viswanathan announcing the Independence for our country on 15th August 1947 in the radio news [Akashvani?]. And of course, I am awed whenever I hear those rare audio clippings of Gandhi. Interestingly, the viewing of some videos of people whom I heard before, reduces the effect of their voices somehow to me.

And of course our loved ones, who moved apart, elsewhere - their voices are enough to bridge the gap, be it a thousand miles or so. In fact, we would have pushed ourselves a lot and conveyed our love more freely to them while being away, but not while we live with them [after they return]. Not to miss the ones who left without a physical trace, but mostly remembered by their voices, acts and past presence. During those memorable days, we even get dreams and out of nowhere, we might have heard and seen them too. Ah! There are those voices that you hear from within, not anything known to you at that state of mind.

Voices in general bring in a lot of relief and are felt when missed just like anything else. Besides, that haunting monotone of the cuckoo hidden somewhere, keeps coming to you, at times in real and at times in mind, leading to many questions and finally leaving a longing so big! I may voice my observation about voices in writing nonstop, but then have to stop at some point - here!

 

Yes, now we have malls and big shops that procure directly from the sources and add a lot more to the price, Viji madam.
And there is something that I felt - You may feel like you would explode with the voice within you at times when you are quiet and practising meditation. Thanks for your like and feedback. -rgs

 

Thanks for sharing your childhood experience regarding other voices Viswa.
Happy to note that there were people of that milkman's variety who were proud in what they were doing and were ready to prove the blaming folks wrong. Just to add - Quite recently went to "Kalathi stall" in Mylapore and had that famed rosemilk that they make.
Sure it was delicious after a long walk. Someday I may attempt writing about things that I enjoyed during childhood. -rgs

 

That was a lovely feedback Jayasala madam. While I just brought the voices that I remember, you are bringing in their skill and the way of advertising through your post. Sure you have a keen observation right from the start. I recollect my parents saying about cinema advertisements in bullock carts and the crowd of children running behind to get the pamphlets. People too were a lot more inquisitive about what they bought during those days and that is understandable as they spent their hard earned money after a tight check.

With the advent of online sale too, there are a number of catchy slogans and shouts and short videos that cloud our decision.
We tend to buy anything online now, and are a bit relaxed in spending our money. Also, we are used to flaws and claim that less flaw the better, these days. Does that reflect our own state as well?

Thanks again for your nice feedback. -rgs

 

Thanks LathaSv for your appreciation and feedback. Happy to get your feedback and will read if you post your experience too. -rgs