Maama and Marumaan in Tamizh stands for maternal uncle and his nephew, a relationship most revered and most talked in old Hindu households was an unbeatable winning combination at that. The celebrated Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha portray and capture very beautifully this essence of relationship in more ways than one- be it the famously infamous Shakuni and Duroyadhna- the Kaurava King, a Lord Krishna and the young warrior prince Abhimanyu (son of Arjuna and Subhadra and the powerful King Shalya – uncle of Nakul and Sahadev who was mischievously cheated as he brought his mighty army to war and later on realizing being cheated took part in the war as Karna’s charioteer.
That maternal uncles will throw caution to the winds and even by putting their lives at peril is best showcased when Marichi and Subahu impersonated as the golden deer only to help their nephew the whatsapp mobile number list mighty Raavan to abduct Sita and carry her away to Lanka. As we understand maternal uncles are not only relief pitchers of fatherhood in many families but also qualify as ‘alloparents’ or caregivers to kids. My maternal uncle who recently passed away was one of this kind.
He always used to take pride to the fact that he first picked up the job in the very same year I was born when he joined the State Government service at a very young age, till he finally retired at the level of a Joint Secretary – a matter of immense pride for all of us in our family. – the numerous tennis ball cricket sessions under him, our Sunday fixtures to watch the local club cricket matches and then to the colosseum of Chennai cricket at Chepauk – his particular favourites being PK Belliappa (wicket keeper and opening batsman), Michael Dalvi (son of Brigadier Dalvi who fought.