Amba Nayak Tribute

Hallo! All you Pangal Nayaks (and especially my friend Pangal Gopalkrishna Nayak who, I think, is the seniormost of the family) : Greetings! I was delighted to find this site dedicated to the grand old lady when idly browsing the internet.

I am V.. Narayan Swami who was posted in Mangalore in 1973 as a 22 year old. Was introduced to Mr Gopalkrishna Nayak through bird watching friends at the Bombay Natural History Society and wrote him a post card. The next day, there was a trunk call to the bank where I was working (this was before the intro of STD) and there was Mr Nayak at the other end of the line, inviting me to spend Sunday with him, birding at Katapady!

Thereafter, I spent practically every week end at your family home in Katapady. Mornings would be spent birdins on the grounds and the bank of the river, then a little tea and a chat in the thatch shed on the river bank, followed by lunch in your house. I remember the delicious food Mr Nayak's mother served, it was in your house that I first tasted raw cashew sabji (something new in my Tamil brahmin experience but delicious) with generous portions repeatedly ladled on by the lady, encouragung me to eat more! We had a language barrier of course but she always had a kindly and welcomng smile for the young visitor.

I could see that Mr Gopal Nayak and the rest of the family (some of whom were there, the kids, in vacation time) thought the world of her.

The afternoons would be spent in more birding on the river, either in the dug out canoe or in the boat with the Evinrude Johnson motor (the choice depending on whether the tide was in or out!). Followed more tea, a look at the astro lense Mr Nayak was grinding, his social work for the fishermen and, especially, discussions on Hindustani music (of which Mr Nayak was an afficionado and I an an ignorant). I have since developed a taste for this music and always remember Mr Nayak, his and his mom's kindnesses to em and your lovely home in Katapady almost every day.

When in Bombay in the 80's I was in touch with Gaitonde, a grandson in law I think and with Mr Nayak occasinally.

Would like to get in touch with Gopalakrishna Nayak. MY mail ID is : swamivn@gmail.com. I am sure, knowing him, he is on e-mail and can drive a PC. But just in case I am wrong would one of you put me in touch with him? Many thanks (and I will yet visit Katapady soon!!). V.Narayan Swami (Madras).

I will miss my bappama dearly. It was such sad news but she lived a great long life. I have fond memories of my trips to Katapadi. Bappama was so protective of me, even when I came there as an adult. She always wanted the best for me, warm showers, lots of food, comfort at night. I particularly remember how she used to chase me to the bathroom whenever I threatened to take a cold shower. She couldn't catch me but she tried. The Katapadi house won't be the same without her.