Memories of a larger than life Appa
It is 50 years since I lost my mater- nal granddad Mohamed Cassim Hajiar Mohamed (MCHM) Rasheed - we affectionately called him “Appa”. On July 19, 1968, I turned 18 and he 69.
Born on December 11, 1898, he stood tall and sturdy at 5-9: a wellbuilt man of powerful stature; a striking personality; always smartly dressed. He was a leader full of wisdom, a patriarchal figure amongst family who often sought his advice. Appa taught and trained us in many aspects of Islam; of proper speech and conduct; and of patience. The proverbial rattan cane was perched atop his wardrobe as a symbol of discipline, but hardly used. He was the epitome of an exemplary father. He was a landed proprietor and merchant, having established Kingston Agencies, an indenting firm, in the 1950s.
Appa was a great traveller in his heyday, having sailed with two first cousins, Abdul Hameed Mohamed Junaid, Mohamed Ali Mohamed Hussain with his nephew Mohamed Mohideen, through Europe in January 1930. They journeyed for over three months, touring the pyramids of Egypt, Mount Vesuvius in Naples, skiing across snow-capped mountains in Switzerland, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, witnessing bull-fighting in Spain, and sailing through the rough seas of the Bay of Biscay, photographs of which he brought home. I remember listening to him, in rapt attention while he relaxed on his armchair with a lit filter-tipped Bristol cigarette. In 1960, he left home in Bambalapitiya to Ratmalana airport, to perform Haj in Makkah and covered Madhina in Saudi Arabia.
In the 1950s, his compassion extended to bringing three young brothers from a tea estate in Rakwana and raising them like family. Alwis, a brilliant artist seated aimlessly on the street who was spotted and brought home by bookbinder Mustafa-nana who was Appa’s button-man of sorts, later became his driver.
In the evenings, my brother and I helped Appa write the accounts relating to the labour force, which he strictly supervised at his cousin SLM Abdul Rahman Haji’s construction sites in Wellawatte. Appa was meticulous in his financial dealings to the last cent. It was a profound lesson in financial integrity instilled in us.
Appa was also a great environmentalist; planting in our extensive garden a variety of trees, training us to water them regularly, the fruits of which we greatly enjoyed. Into animal husbandry too, he reared poul- try and goats. He taught us the finer aspects of weaving a chair with rattan; the art of skinning a chicken; organizing family get-togethers; and treating guests with honour.
Appa used to take our family to late night South Indian Tamil movies screened at the Plaza, Roxy, and Odeon cinemas. He enjoyed especially the meaningful lyrics of those memorable songs which he explained to us.
He suffered a stroke one morning in July 1968, and was taken to a Colombo hospital. He passed on serenely a day or two later in the presence of his wife Ummu Thahira, whom we affectionately called “Umma.” It was decidedly a heartrending moment. It was the end of a personality of genuine love, care and concern.
May Allah bless you, dear Appa.
Firoze Sameer