 The Seven-Foot Sorcerer
 While Vaishnavites and Madhwas form a big group in Triplicane's population, Muslims also live there in large numbers. The Big Mosque is not their only meeting place. There are small mosques scattered in the area. Certain streets in the Ice House area have Muslim names.
In the Big Mosque, it is said, there are some special faith healers. Once I had to face some unusual problems. A relative told me only a faith healer in the Big Mosque could drive away the evil spirit, which he was sure was the cause of all my problems. Considering his age and standing in the family, I didn't want to hurt him. So I went to the Mosque.
 You enter through a small passage from Triplicane High Road. But once inside, you find it is a very spacious place! It is indeed a very Big Mosque. The faith healer I sought was also a big man. He must have been at least seven feet tall. At his behest, I visited him five times, and each time he uttered some mantras. He gave me a talisman and asked me to tie it securely to myself.
Let us scan Chennai again…
Ashokamitran
(Translated by Sujatha Pradeep)
|
