The first encounter ****

Thandavarayan Mudaliar walked in his trademark erect posture, taking long purposeful strides. He never left his house without his umbrella. A vast black cloth contraption, with a solid thick wooden handle. He would hold it in the crook of his arm. It was Mudaliar’s habit that whenever he wanted to make a point, he would swing the umbrella from his armpit towards whoever he was speaking to, jabbing the air as he made his point.

Mudaliar was a tall man with a proud bearing. Bare-chested, he invariably wore a spotless white hand-spun veshti, with a thundu draped around his shoulders. His mouth was occupied all the time - constantly chewing the betel leaves. When he spoke he had to tilt his face upwards, to avoid spilling the contents of his mouth. And this further enhanced his air of authority. He carried a yellow cloth bag, slung over his shoulder. Occasionally he would dig into it. Often to replenish the betel leaves, or paaku. Or to get some small change if he needed some money.

Mudaliar was a respected elder at the village of Valliampatti, a tiny hamlet situated on the coast, not far from Thoothukudi.

Valliampatti was a fishing village. The fishermen lived on the coastal fringes of the village. The menfolk went out to sea in the kattumarams (small rafts), leaving before dawn, and returning in the late evening. The women cooked and cleaned, and mended the nets. Some went street to street in the village, selling the seafood produce as well as shells and other trinkets.

The other villagers were farmers, tilling the land themselves. They toiled on the land everyday, growing rice, grains and vegetables. The farmers would often barter their produce for the fish. The villagers were quite self-sufficient, and rarely needed to venture outside for their needs. But on occasion, some would visit the santhai (market) at Thoothukudi. To buy cloth, household utensils, rope or a new plow.

There were a few wealthy landowners in Valliampatti. Such as Thandavarayan Mudaliar. Although they were rich, and did not have to toil like the others, they too had a place in the society. They were accepted, and respected. And they in turn respected the fisherfolk and the farmers. It was a harmonious society.

It was close to noon. But Mudaliar still had his umbrella under his arm. His bare feet were calloused enough not to feel the scorching heat of the sand as he walked down the street. The street was deserted. Everyone was inside their huts. A hot wind blew from the sea.

“அய்யா.... அய்யா........ ஒரு பெரிய படகு வருதுய்யா. வாங்கய்யா ....,” (Ayya, there is a big boat coming. Please come and see.) Kaathan was delirious with excitement. Mudaliar followed him hurriedly. At the bend of the road, the sea became visible. Mudaliar looked out at the scene. He slowly took in what he saw. A group of the fisherfolk and a large number of women and children were gathered on the beach, looking at the strange apparition. Out at sea was a gigantic ship. Huge cloths were spread up to catch the wind. They had not seen anything of this sort before.

“அய்யா ... என்னையா பண்ணறது ... ?” (Ayya, what should we do?) Munian joined them. The unflappable Mudaliar was dumbfounded. His hands trembled a little as he held them up, trying to calm the people. The group watched in silence.

Soon the ship appeared to have come to a halt, a good distance from the shore. As they watched, several men appeared on the ship’s deck. They lowered what appeared to be a smaller boat into the water, and a few of them got into it, and began rowing. Seeing this, there was a nervous chattering among the fisherfolks. “யாரு இவங்க ? நம்ம ஊருக்கு இப்படி வராங்க . எதா இருந்தாலும் நம்ம தயாரா இருக்கோணம்.” (Who are these people ? Why are they coming to our village like this ? We should be prepared for the worst.) Many of them took up their knives and sickles. Some pushed their kattumarams into the water, ready to meet the intruders at sea. By this time the crowd had swelled to a few hundreds. Mudaliar spoke in his authoritative voice. “அவசரபடாதீங்க . யாரு என்னன்னு கேப்போம். அவங்க சில பேரு தான் இருக்காங்க. நாம நூத்து கணக்குல இருக்கோம் . பொறுமையா இருங்க ,” (Don't be hasty. Let us find out more. There are only a few of them. we are in the hundreds. Be patient) he advised. Although he felt quite apprehensive himself. Soon the boat was nearer the shore.

The crowd strained to make out the people in the boat. They all had their palms shielding their eyes against the glare of the noon-day sun. As they looked, the fear among them grew. The men in the boat looked strange and foreboding.

Mudaliar watched as the boat drew closer. There were 4 men inside. They were pale skinned. Their hair was red or white. They wore cloth shields, covering almost the whole body, with patterns of lines and circles on the front. Their heads were almost fully covered by a wide head covering. All four held stout sticks, which they were pointing in the direction of the villagers. Mudaliar’s apprehension grew as he realised the men could be unfriendly. The sticks could be weapons. His only comfort was that there were so many villagers.

The boat beached, and the men leaped on to the shore, crouching with the sticks pointed at the crowd. One of them waved. The villagers drew back. There was pin-drop silence.

Mudaliar realised that he had to show his leadership. Putting on a brave face, he pushed his way to the front. He spoke to the men in his authoritative voice. “நீங்கல்லாம் யாரு ? எங்கேயிருந்து வந்திருக்கீங்க ? இந்த கிராமத்துக்கு ஏன் வந்திருக்கீங்க ? ”
(Who are you ? Where do you come from ? Why have you come to our village?)
He swung his umbrella, pointing to the newcomers as he moved towards them.

The alien men flattened themselves on the beach, pointing their sticks at Mudaliar. Mudaliar took this as a sign of obeisance, and emboldened, moved forward.

“Fire,” one of the men shouted.

A deafening explosion. Followed by several more. Fire shot out from the sticks that the men held. Mudaliar fell in a heap, letting out a blood curdling scream. Several others fell. The group of fishermen, sensing the attack rushed forward, slashing the four intruders and stabbing them. More explosions. This time originating from the ship. The whole beach seemed to be in flames. Many of the people lay on the sand, dead or mortally wounded. The screams were deafening. The women and children ran for cover. There was chaos. Huts were on fire. The erstwhile peaceful village of Valliampatti was engulfed in flames.

***
Captain Campbell surveyed the area. The whole village was scorched. No survivors. And he had lost 8 men. It had been a disaster.

“We set sail. Further to the north.”

The men boarded the boat, taking their dead with them. The dead of Valliampatti lay among the burnt out ruins of the village.