Somaari Katte

(My write-up was published in weekly supplement, Star of Mysore, November, 2006]

SOMAARI KATTE

By nature, man is a social animal. It is this natural instinct that pushes him to be with other people as and when he can almost all of his waking hours, be it with family or friends. Mysore's salubrious atmosphere has been typically most suitable for lazing and relaxing. The erstwhile Maharajas have arranged lovely granite stone slabs and sitting benches, called kattes [plural] in numerous convenient places, which have bred so many so called somaaris [lazy people]! The "pensioners' paradise" tag is a hard earned one, you see!

All what the somaaris need are such kattes to sit and something to rest their backs against is a bonus. Somehow, there will be a katte located usually in the vicinity of their houses. It has been a popular practice, almost a 'sacred culture' in our city, to spend time that way, usually after the day's college/work. A small group of people of differing wavelengths (otherwise, it will be dull!) somehow get together and a somaari katte is thus formed. Its formation or growth almost go unnoticed, but its activity can never.

The simple qualification is that all have to be "somaaris". Sometimes attending the katte sessions gets priority over other works on hand, even studies, for the younger lot; domestic work, for the elderly lot! There can be danger of shortage of attendance too at kattes! Somehow, time is squeezed in for this. Such is its force of attraction. 

Many somaari kattes are in vogue for many decades! Age or status is no bar (gender is!). Somaari kattes function usually from dusk and extend as late as 10 or 11 pm (Sundays, there can be morning sessions) depending the hotness of the topics. Topics are not set. They automatically divert to unforeseen branches. All subjects under the sun come up. Members voice their views in their own style, freely. At times, leading to healthy arguments and also unhealthy ones, leading to quarrels. The next subject session, they are friends again, even if the controversy resurfaces.

New ideas crop up in free discussions at the katte, unlike probably at formal meetings. One remarkable discussion was the cause of the formation of The Mysore Gymkhana in 1936. It happened in one such session on the stone steps in front of the then University Union building opposite the Maharaja's College ground where a group of youngsters were chatting in the evening. Sri M.Ananthaswami Rau, now 91, is a living witness. There must surely have been many such remarkable starting points at many other kattes too.

There was one somaari katte in the 60s on Gita Road [junction at Vani Vilas Road, next to Mission School] that was quite popular.  At times, a slight nuisance to the neighbourhood and passersby, for obvious reasons like eve-teasing, loud speaking, [young daring men], I'm told!  Of course it is dead since long, life responsibilities taking priority.  Almost its next gen got formed, on the opposite side, where yours truly is a 'member' for almost 3 decades. Most of us are connected to The Mysore Gymkhana, like that older lot.  In my reckoning, this somaari katte culture has been an important factor in building team spirit which has helped us win many cricket matches!  In fact, The Mysore Gymkhana's formation itself was the brainchild blooming out of a famous katte way back in 1936, on the stone-steps of the northern side of what was then the 'University Union Building' in the Maharaja's College premises, which is still there to see.

[Photo added]

Older group of men choose bus shelters, closed-shop steps, stone benches under trees, even on the road's kerb stones (now heavy traffic disallows this). Often, sentimental attachments grow towards the katte. Younger members that have moved away for greener pastures and visiting after long years crave to see the spot where a lot of their happy evening hours were spent, while his knowledge and friendships expanded. Many 'members' have become very famously successful in their own fields.

Time spent at the somaari katte could be rejuvenating, inspiring, entertaining and enriching experiences, each evening having its own charm. A katte culture is unthinkable outside India. Loneliness is a common ailment for them as they don't get to experience this katte culture and this is one thing they miss badly.

The somaaris may be doing physically nothing at the katte but then those that know first hand its fun, beauty and value, can say with pride that they are indeed the lucky ones, not regretting every minute they spent on them! In fact, it is an information bureau in itself and better than any TV channel.   No clicking of any button! Gossip, knowledge, fun, jokes, riddles, nostalgia, movies, politics, sports and what not!

 Long live somaari kattes!