VKN family based in Natarasankottai is my paternal grandfather Rama.Ramanathun’s maternal house. His mother Visalakshi achi was born in VKN family.
Visalakshi achi (siblings?) was married to Ramasamy chettiar (age?). She has three children. The first was Murugappa chettiar (my periya ayya), next was Rajambal achi and the last was Ramanathun (my ayya). Ramasamy chettiar died when his last son was 2 months old. Leaving a young widow with a lot of assets and businesses to handle.
She is fondly remembered to wake up in the morning, smear ashes on her forehead and get ready for the day’s chores. She wore a white saree and in the mundhanai she always had ghee roasted uppukandam ( dried mutton pieces) which she chewed all day long. A peculiar habit that starkly marks my paternal side is the their fond love for non-vegetarian food. They need it atleast in one of their meals everyday.
Visalakshi achi was very fond of her first two children.