Respected Scholars,
I have been a silent reader and beneficiary of this SriRangaSri yahoogroup. My questions now are regarding our Vaishnava family tradition of addressing family members by relationship and the sad lack of family networking in the 21st century.
Just as we call our parents Amma and Appa, our grandparents as Patti and Thatha, we call our silblings as Anna, Akka, Thambi, and Thangai; our aunts as Athai, Perima, Chithi; our uncles as Athimber, Perippa, Chithappa, Mama; our Mama's son as Ammanji; our Mama's daughter as Ammanga; our Athai's son as Athanga; our Athai's son as Athan; our Perippa's son (who is also elder to us) as Mutha.
We follow the tradition of addressing our in-laws just as our spouse addresses them -- Amma, Appa, Akka, Anna, and so on -- though there are names for relationships like Mamiyar, Mamanar, Nathanar, Machinar, and Orpadi.
Now, my questions are --- Is there any other name for Perima-Perippa/Chithi-Chithappa Ponnus besides Akka and Thangai? Is there any other name for Perima-Perippa/Chithi-Chithappa sons (younger than us) than Thambi?
I have been brought up in a family that respects all these traditions. At the same time, I also had the freedom/liberty to address my silbilings, and all my cousins (a couple of whom are over 25 years older than me) by their first names. I have also called the spouses of my elder sisters by their first names though ofcourse with respect -- Vaango, Varela, etc. I am now in my mid-thirties and in an alien country. I now realize how endearing it is to be addressed by the relationship by our family members.
In this fast-paced, post-modern era, most of us are able to keep in touch only with parents and siblings and their families. Unlike our parents, we fail to stay in touch with our aunts, uncles, and cousins. Most of us catch up with them during weddings and other such celebrations. Regular visits are not possible when families are scattered across the world. Sadly, we do not even make regular phone calls or send e-mails to wish each other on important occasions. We now go in search of online social/professional/religious networks. More and more children and teens find no need for relatives when there are so many friends.
What do you all think on this? Please share your thoughts in reply to this mail.
Best Regards,
Mythili Ravi
"...melaiyAr seivanagaL vENDuvana kETTiyEl ..." - Sri Andal