Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Devas


I sit here in Kuttikanam in the tree house, the flags of Misty Mountain Resort gently billow in the breeze. Across the road is the house of Devas, famed restauranter, comic genius, father of four close friend of mine and probably well known to all of you. I have to announce sadly that he is no more, he died last week. One week ago, here in Kuttikanam we were having a few brandies and beers with Devas, Lucosh, Rakesh our new friend Mike. It was the last we were ever to see of Devas. The following morning he walked back to his shop at 5.30 a.m as was his daily routine to read a selection of the local papers before opening the shutters of his restaurant to his customers. He died of a heart attack at his desk whilst reading. All here in Kuttikanam will miss him.

Underneath the sadness many great memories remain one, most recently, in his restaurant. Another guest Jamie; with probably the most well spoken accent I have ever heard; was asking Devas for more Parrotha’s and curry. Devas feigned bemusement and said ‘ your English is very difficult to understand here only everyone knows Michaels’ English” grinning encouragingly as I translated the perfect Queens into a mumbling mix of broad Northern and mis –pronounced Malayli words.