Felicitation to my brother

 

SEENI, by which Ramanathan is known

To us, the family he has come from,

Holds now a function worth his position

To commemorate his sixtieth birthday.

 

We, his father, three brothers, two sisters

Together with our families wish him

Longevity of life, eternity,

Pleasure in leisure and bliss in service.

 

A cute, fair, bright, smart child that he was,

He had been a pet to his grand parents.

An able industrious boy that he was,

He had been a pillar to his parents.

 

His drive to grow is as green in autumn

As it had been in spring and summer.

No wonder, it’ll grow in winter too.

Where he entered there he fared with head up.

 

He’s come up on his own, single handed,

Propelled by his consort in all sorts.

He has braved many storms, beaten the heat,

And withstood the cold, to build his fort.

 

He entered the leather as a novice

And emerged from it as victorious.

He entered finance and farming likewise,

And in each field he wasn’t found wanting.

 

Meenal, his queen, is keen for his success

With her confidence and intelligence.

She is majestic in lending or spending .

She in his thought, SEENI built what she dreamt.

 

Lakshmanan, to us Kannan, is his son,

Too shy to express his joy and sorrow.

As talented as his dad, he strides well.

In him, parents find a prince to their throne.

 

Daughter Meena, the apple of his eye,

Is an aesthete and an embodiment of grace.

She leads a life merrier than her means.

In her, parents find a lamp to light up.

 

Son Arun, perfect in his profession,

Is tender in heart and kinder in deeds.

His concern for the people is immense.

In him, parents find a wall to lean on.

 

Arunachalam Chettiar, his father,

An open hearted man of happiness,

Built a mansion to be a monument.

SEENI made himself a proven builder.

 

Lakshmanan Chettiar, his grandfather,

Also an adopted son to the clan,

Earned wealth in trade and took pride in service.

Our wish: SEENI must emulate in both.

 

He did the clan proud, that he adopted,

Took pride on being a stalk of the clan,

And hoisted the flag still up for the clan.

In his strides, his progeny will be proud.

 

May the couple get strength and health

With which bliss and joy till the end.

Let them get the desired wishes.

Their mothers be their guides and guards.

28.04.2005