Sattanathapuram Roots: Pavattakudi S Venkataraman Iyer

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity

In this section, I have penned down an article about my Maternal Grandfather Shri Pavattakudi Venkatarama Iyer

Pavatakudi is a serene and calm village located 15 Kms from Mayiladuthurai. Pavattakudi is a Village in erstwhile undivided Thanjavur district and after re-organization of the districts, falls under Nannilam Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu State, India. It is located around 270 KM from the State capital Chennai. The nearest railway stations to Pavattakudi is Kollumangudi situated about 4 Kms. Peralam Junction Railway Station and Manganallur Railway Station are also closeby. Mayiladuthurai Railway station is located 20 Kms away from Pavattakudi village.

Shri Venkatarama Iyer (grandfather of PSV Iyer) was originally from Villia Nallur village (also known as Villinoor) Shri Venkatarama Iyer is said to be the owner of vast tracts of Agricultural lands in Villanallur .

Shri Venkatarama Iyer was married to Smt Alamelu. Much is not known about the exact number of children the couple had. We were able to trace only 2 descendants of Shri Venkatarama and Smt Alamelu.

1) Son- Pavattakudi V Sundaresan Iyer married to Smt Meenakshi.

2) Daughter Smt Annapoorani Married to Shri Narayanaswamy Iyer from Village Kali near Mayiladuthurai. Village Kali is situated around 6-8 KMs from Mayuvaram. See a photograph at the end of this blog section with members from this clan. Smt Annapoorani Married - Sri Narayanaswamy Iyer from Village Kali near Mayuvaram

Sundaresa Iyer moved to Pavattakudi, purchased lands and established the roots in Pavattakudi village. Smt Meenakshi w/o Sundaresa Iyer originally hailed from Pavattakudi village. Sundaresa Iyer eldest daughter Janaki was married at the age of 10 years with much pomp and splendour in those days. She retuned home as a child widow within few months of marriage. Sundaresa Iyer was crestfallen over this development and disconsolate. Within a year or so he passed away. Shri Sundaresa Iyer died in his late thirties (38 years or so of age) and the family responsibility fell on the young shoulders of his eldest son Pavattakudi S.Venkatarama Iyer.

Smt Meenakshi (w/o Sundaresa Iyer) had 2 sisters one younger and one elder sister respectively. The eldest sister was Smt Madhurathammal who was married to Alangadu Srinivasa Iyer from a reputed family in Alangadu village. As the couple were issueless they adopted the youngest son of Sunderasa Iyer and Smt Meenkshi couple. Shri Ramamoorthy was adopted by his own maternal aunt . Hence, Ramamorthy Iyer was referred as ‘Alangadu Srinivasa Ramamoorthy Iyer’ or A.S.R.

The younger sister of Smt Meenakshi was Thirukaragavoor Durgaambal. She was married to Sri Vaidyanatha Iyer from Thirukaragavoor Village. The couple had one daughter Smt Alamelu. She married Kaliakudi GanapathySubramaniam Srinivasan Iyer ( K.G.S Iyer). Very close relationship was maintained between the Pavattakudi and Kaliyakudi families thorough this matrimonial alliance.

Family Tree:

Sunderasa Iyer and Meenkshi couple had 2 sons and 2 daughters. The eldest son was Shri Pavattakudi Venkataram Iyer and the youngest son Ramamoorthy Iyer. See below family tree for details.

1) The The eldest daughter was Janaki also known as Pichhu athai. She was married at a very early age (around 10 years or so). Fate was unkind to her and she became a child widow. She stayed in Pavattakudi for the rest of her life and was taken care by P.S.Venkatarama Iyer ( her younger brother). Her husband name is not known as with the custom of those days elders forbade discussions on events related to unpleasant memories

R-L: Alangadu Ramamoothy Iyer, Pichhu (Janaki) Athai and P.S.Venkatarama Iyer

Janaki ammal (alias Pichu athai) dedicated her entire life taking care of the welfare of her brother PSV Iyer - Rajammal family and all the progenies of PSV Iyer were fortunate to have motherly affection from Pichu athai in addition to their own mother smt Rajammal. She nurtured and showered affection on the children of PSV Iyer as her own.

2) The 2^nd Child was P.S.Venkataraman Iyer married to Rajaammal hailing from Nemmaley near Mannargudi.

3) The 3^rd Child was Alangadu S.Ramamoorthy Iyer married to Smt Sarawathi. The couple had 3 children.

i. The famous Cine actor A.R.Srinivasan [A.R.S] is the eldest son of Alangadu S.Ramamoorthy Iyer – Smt Saraswathi

4) The 4^th child was a daughter and was known as Vallambhal. She died in her early 20’s or so during child birth.

Pavattakudi S. Venkatarama Iyer [ 1909 – 1986 ] - PSV Iyer

Sri Pavattakudi S.Venkatarama Iyer and Smt Rajammal

Shri Pavattakudi Sunderasan Venkatarama Iyer was born on 29-09-1909 and was affectionately called as PSV. Shri PSV and his brother ASR had their primary education in Raja Mannargudi and PSV Iyer completed his BA degree in Finlay College in Mannargudi.

PSV married Rajammal from Nemmaley village (near Mannargudi). The marriage took place in Nemmaley on 04th June'1925. Rajammal’s parents were Shri Nemmaley Sundaresan Iyer and Smt Nagalakshmi. Rajammal had 2 brothers namely shri S.Kunjithabatham and Shri S.Santhanam respectively.

Shri P.S.Venkataraman with his son V.Sethuraman

PSV's brother Alangadu S Ramamoorthy Iyer married Saraswathi who was the daughter of Shri Rajah Iyer. Shri Rajah Iyer was Superintendent of Police and also Deputy commissioner in Madras, a very powerful and influential position those days

Shri Rajah Iyer developed a liking for young PSV and on his kind request and compulsion, PSV Iyer spent 4 years in Chennai. PSV along with his brother ASR (and ASR’s brother in law shri A.R.Muthuswamy) met with a major car accident in Madras while returning from a movie in the late night hours. (Since the time period was during the 2nd world war, the lights were switched off during night time)Sitting in the front he had a miraculous escape and was seriously injured in his right knee. It is said that on regaining consciousness in the hospital, the first question he asked was “How are ASR and others? Hope they are safe !!” . Such was PSV affection for his brother and others. By God’s grace the injury to the others were minor in nature. PSV underwent treatment for almost 2 years and returned to his native village Pavattakudi.

P.S.Venkatarama Iyer and Alangadu S. Ramamoorthy Iyer

In those days, Bullock cart was the mode of transport and PSV Iyer owned 4 to 5 bullock carts in the village. Continuing in his father’s footsteps he took to agriculture and managed the lands in Villianallur and Pavattakudi. He owned about 70 acres of agricultural lands in these 2 villages and managed them through his agents. After recuperating in his village and regaining his health he joined the “Sterling General Insurance” as Branch Manager in Kumbakonam. He spent few years in Kumbakonam and the family also shifted to Kumbakonam.

The insurance companies were nationalized in the year 1956. In the re-organization of district branch offices, Shri PSV was offered as Asst Branch officer with the same remuneration and perks. Shri PSV refused to take the position lesser than what he held previously and resigned his job. He again moved back to Pavattakudi. PSV owned 2 cars (when they were introduced in Madras) , a Studebaker and later a Morris Minor to discharge his official duties and for his and family's personal use.

Young V.Sethuraman sitting on top Morris Minor car

Shri PSV built a new house in Pavattakudi village around 1940 or so. This was the first terraced house ( Maddi Veedu) in the village. PSV was affectionately called as 'Maadi Veetu ayya' [ Master of the Terraced house] by the village folks. All the children and grandchildren have a fond memory and liking for this house. PSV Iyer's children were referred as children of the terraced house.

PSV Iyer was an ardent devotee of His Holiness Kanchi Kamakoti Sree Sree Chandrasekara Saraswati swamigal. His Holiness during his visit to Tanjavaur district spent couple of days in Pavattakudi village and was hosted in the Terraced house of PSV Iyer. PSV Iyer used to recount this incident and his encounter with Kanchi Paramacharaya with humbleness and devotion.

Shri Pavattakudi S Venkatarama Iyer (PSV Iyer) was a calm and suave gentleman with charming manners. He was always polite and courteous. A noble hearted individual to the core, he was always in a state of willingness to help others and accepted such requests with alacrity. PSV was religious in nature and spent his time engaging in dharmic activities, was well respected and held in high esteem by all those who were associated with him. As an agriculturalist PSV Iyer was loved and liked by all the kisans. The love, affection and respect between PSV Iyer and the kisans were mutual. PSV Iyer always reciprocated with monetary help, kindness and goodwill for the events in the Kisans families. PSV Iyer epistolary skills were exceptional. He enjoyed and had a flair for communicating through letters.

PSV-Rajammal couple had 6 children (5 daughter and 1 son - refer family tree on details of the progenies). All the children imbibed the qualities of PSV-Rajammal . The same is reflected in the upbringing of the grandchildren of PSV Iyer - Rajammal couple. His eldest daughter Smt Jayalakshmi was married to her own maternal uncle Mr S.Santhanam. The marriage was conducted with much fanfare. Reputed vocalist of yesteryears Smt M.L.Vasanthakumari concert was organized for the reception. A well was dug in the village to cater to the needs of the guests. Similarly his other children were all married into reputed families in and around Thanjavur.

To quote verbatim, his brother Alangadu Srinivasa Iyer used to always remark " PSV's son-in-laws are golden boys' !

Shri PSV spent his winter years in calmness and quietness in Neyveli with his youngest son MR V.Sethuraman. After a period of illness he passed away in Neyveli in May’1986 and was 77 years old.

Smt Rajammal – 1914 - 2000

Rajammal was born to Shri Nemmaley Sundaresan Iyer and Smt Nagalakshmi. The family hailed from Nemmali village near Mannargudi. Rajammal was born on 08-Jan-1914. She married PSV at an early age of 11 years and settled in Pavattakudi in the year 1925. Her devotion to her husband and family was total.

Smt Rajammal with her children and Grandchildren

Smt Rajammal was very calm and patience personified. She was very loving and caring towards all her children, grand-children and servants of the village household. She possessed an impeccable character. Being an eldest daughter-in-law in the reputed family with vast landholdings, she was a materfamilias. All her grandchildren have good memory of the quality time spent with her and recall and recount their numerous interactions with her. She showered love in abundance. She was compassionate and one had never heard or seen her complaining about anybody. She had great belief in the strength of Prayer. Till her last day, she was very active attending to the daily chores. The end was sudden and she passed away in March 2000 in Neyveli and was 86 years old.

Family picture taken during V.Sethuraman's wedding

L-R Sitting in 1st row: S Santhanam, Cine actor ARS, Smt Saroja, Smt Jeyam
Sitting in 2nd Row: Dr S.Vaidyanathan
Standing: R.Ranganathan

Mr V.Sethuraman youngest son of Shri P.S.Venkataraman joined Neyveli Lignite Corporation as a Junior engineer in 1973 and retired as ‘Director- Power’ in 2010. With the blessings of elders he steadily climbed and rose in the NLC organization through sheer hard work and commitment. He has imbibed many of the qualities his father Shri Venktaraman had possessed.

Pavattakudi Venktarama Iyer and Smt Rajammal lived a life of simplicity and possessed sterling qualities adhering to the principles of Dharma. The believed and followed the precept "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha" ( Those who follow and protect Dharma, Will be protected by Dharma) They sowed values which were worthy of emulation by succeeding generations. They continue to be living legends in our family. Their spirit and blessings will always remain with us and guide us in our endeavours.

Connectivity in the Clan !!

Enclosing a picture, I got while researching the Pavattakudi roots. The picture below has the clan members belonging to Kali Narayanaswamy – Smt Annapoorani Clan. ( Smt Annapoorani is the sister of Pavattakudi Sundaresan Iyer )

P.S.Venkataraman Iyer and Kali Subramanian Iyer (In Cap, Coat and minor chain in the picture below) were nephews .They were very close and had mutual love and respect for each other. Kali Subramanian Iyer moved to Bangalore in 1954 and many of his descendants continue to live in Bangalore.