Grandson Anand shares

One of my most cherished memory of Patti and Thatha is from when I was in 9th grade and spent a few weeks of my holidays with them in Thatamangalam. What made it truly special was the time I spent solo with them, fully immersing myself in their world. I still remember when Patti would prepare dinner and insist that I go to bed by 7:30 pm—literally, by 7:30, our day would end! I would joke, “Who goes to bed so early?” I loved the experience of being in a completely remote location, exploring small-town life, visiting dispensaries, and enjoying the close-knit neighbors—making friends on the street, and simply soaking in the slow, unhurried rhythm of everyday life. In fact, on my return, Thatha sent me back to Bangalore on a private bus from Palakkad all by myself—my very first solo trip! I would say that experience planted in me a love for small-town living, a quiet contrast to the hustle of the big city. - Anand