The 105 year old Veerakathy is very likely the oldest man in Jaffna. The tobacco farmer from Velanai has already outlived six of his sons. He talks about a Jaffna way of life that has helped him live a very long life. Photography by Kannan Arunasalam.
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I wanted to meet the oldest man living in Jaffna. I found out that there were two contenders, and at 105, Veerakathy was one. Veerakathy’s friends in town told me that arrack was the tipple of his choice and so with a bottle of Mendis, I travelled to Vellanai, a village on an island off the peninsula, where among tobacco and coconut plantations, I found Veerakathy’s home.
He and his family were busy with a ‘thivasam’ for one of the sons, a Hindu ritual remembering loved ones on their death anniversary. Veerakathy has outlived six of his sons and now lives with his wife, four daughters and grandchildren.
Although mindful of the ceremony going on around him, Veerakathy found a little time to speak to me about his life as a farmer and his daily routine. Cheerful and coherent, at the end of our conversation, he wished me a long life.
RT @iam_project: I wanted to meet the oldest man living in Jaffna … http://iam.lk/the-tobacco-farmer/
I am a decendant of the Veerakathi clan. My great, great grandfather was named Veerakathi Udaiyar. He had three daughters and a son. To maintain the clan identity, the name Veerakathi was kept in its original form. My dad’s mother was the third daughter of Veerakathi, named Thanggam Veerakathi. He married one Chinniah Sinnathamby and lived in Kokuvil, Jaffna. Sorry, both have now left us and so have my parents. I wonder whether I am on the right track.
Beautifully crafted. Excellent.
Amazing stuff. Thank you for this project!
His outlook to life is amazing and his good spirit is what most people lack. May he live a healthy life.
LOVE this. THANK YOU.
Thank you for your thoughts! What a project. You stopped me in my tracks.
I was left speechless! What a life! What a man!
“I AM” ALL FOR WINE …… AND SONG AND LIVE TO BE 105.
Amazing interview from my neighbouring village man. I am from Punkudutheevu!
I love this interview about my village man. I was born in Velanai and I know him!
How was 196 Vallalaar St in India?
amazing. beautiful. nicely done.
amazing interview, may he live a long life. appreciate your project.
so beautiful, i love this ancient man and his voice is incredible.
I saw my late father in him, who would have been of the same age 105. ‘Uncle’ Veerakathy reminds me of our old way of life in his rhythmic voice. Keep up the good work.
My Appappa’s (grandfather’s) name was also Veerakathy, “Brave knife”. It seems to be a mixed blessing to live so long and to outlive your sons. This is a very special experience, to hear such a voice, touched by some sorrow. Another precious link to our collective past.
This could be my father. Very steady and straight talking. He doesn’t care about people’s comments about his age. Veerakathy enjoys his life by keeping his body working perfectly. He feels good to feed his stomach with sustenance. I hope he will live some more years.
It is really pleasing to see. The black and white pictures are wonderful.
What a spirit!
I am praying that he should live even longer and continue to be looked after so well. Well done whoever is looking after the periyavar.
My mother and I just enjoyed listening to this lovely story: ‘Tobacco Farmer’ http://iam.lk/the-tobacco-farmer/ <- 100% Heart Warming.
We are really proud to be from Jaffna. For someone at his age to still talk about the good things is wonderful, and more than anything, he’s very happy with his life. How many of us can put our hand up and say that we are happy too?
Great job. Keep up the good work…
Hmmmm…miss my home…
A nice video from a great Sri Lanka multimedia project called “I Am”. The 105 year old tobacco farmer: http://t.co/bj8dPLsJ
Amazing, no words to say! Photography, voice, translation everything perfect – more than perfect.
Happy to report that Veerakathy, now 107 year old and living in north Colombo, is keeping well http://t.co/fgS5bl5W #lka elders
Happy to report that Veerakathy mama is keeping well. I met the 107 year old today in Aluth Mawatte, north Colombo. I took along some Jaffna mangoes and murungaikai in case he’s missing home, and of course his favourite tipple, a bottle of Old Arrack. Photographs from my visit can be seen here https://www.facebook.com/iamprojectsrilanka
[…] Watch the video on Kannan Arunasalam’s amazing project, I Am. The responses to the clip, in the comments below it, are as moving as the clip itself. […]
He is my uncle, my mothers brother. He died on 29.06.2016.
Thank you for letting us know the sad news, Anthivannan. Veerakathy lived life to the full.
We are probably related then!