Idhaya Oli is a detailed life experience of the legendary industrialist, hotelier and educationist Dr Palani G Periyasamy. He prefer to call this book as a “detailed life experience” rather than an autobiography.
This book has 49 episodes. What I liked the most is throughout the book Dr PGP has captured his expression and experience in a detailed way without compromising on little aspects.
Loved reading this book since I had admired him as a kid. I was born and brought up in Purasawalkam. During 90’s whenever I use to go to my grandparents house in Ashok Nagar, the bus/auto/cab or 2 wheeler I use to travel has to go via Barnaby road, Kilpauk and I never use to miss the glimpse of the sprawling PGP Minor. There was another renowned heart surgeon who lived in the same lane (he is not anymore).
When I started reading the book which is in Tamil (English version also available ), I could connect more with his life because there were few similarities. The major one being his friendship with MGR. As a kid, I adored MGR more than anyone (though we had Rajni/Kamal and others by then) & my parents were his fans as well. How will one not be his fan especially when they are born and brought up in Tamilnadu. His meaningful songs, beautiful stories and the guaranteed happy ending made him a Demi-God. I still remember going to the now demolished “Mekala” theatre near my area to watch all his movies as and when they were released.
Born to Pazhani Gounder (who was a farmer) & Palaniammal in a village called Muthukapatty in Namakkal, his path was not “Bed of Roses” but of “thorns”. He was the first boy child and got special care and attention. His elder sister was Silambayi. Younger brother Perumal and sister - Parvatham.
How many of you know this?
He was born as Krishnasamy. Raised as Sankar but finally known as Periyasamy as it is the name that is given to him by Sayibu Teacher.
Dr PGP is a Distinguished Alumni of Dr Alagappa Chettiar’s institution. I too studied in Alagappa Matriculation Higher Sec school from STD 6 to 12.
How he got admission in Trichy St.Joseph’s and became a Lecturer in PSG College is a detailed story by itself. This comes at a time when he got an offer of almost 3 times the salary in MRF. He then worked in Tagore Arts College, Pondicherry as Asst Professor.
On 29.4.1964, he marries his better half Mrs. Visalatchi in his home town. This shows the kind of binding they have as they have completed 61 years of being together and going strong. I pray to Lord Almighty to wish them give more and more years of togetherness. The similarity here is my parents are married in Apr (Apr 21,1978 & completed 46 years of togetherness).
Mr PGP is the father of 4 - Jayanthi, Shanthi, Ananthi & Nalini. While the eldest daughter was born in India and they had to leave her when they traveled to USA for work, the other 3 were born in USA.
Do you know?
Despite plenty of opportunities that came his way to become a U.S. Citizen, Dr PGP still holds a Green Card.
₹4500 was one way airfare to USA in the late 60’s. When he got selected to University of Pittsburgh to pursue his PhD, he only had USD 7 in his hand. What pushed him to pursue his PhD there?
How Ganguly from RBI helped with forex and how he praised Periyasamy when the latter decided to forfeit them after securing university scholarship is a heart touching story.
He recommits an incident of “Be a Roman when in Rome”. How he missed an “open book” exam. How he get caught in “Judicius Non Excusat” (Ignorance of Law is not an excuse).
His detailed recount of his days with MGR is a breeze to read. What made MGR so special? How his speech in USA was misunderstood?
What steps taken by Dr PGP to arrange for treatment of Bharat Ratna Dr MGR in the USA.
Shivaji Ganesan meeting MGR in the USA.
How will I miss his meeting with late CM Perunthaliavar Kamaraj? He is one of the few cleanest politicians works world have ever witnessed. I take pride in mentioning here that his residence as a CM (which is now turned into a Govt Monument) was gifted by my wife’s family :)
Do you know?
Dr PGP’s House Name in the USA is called Tamilnadu
Publication - Vaazhum Thamizh Ulagam
Owns Ramada Inn hotel in USA
Who all helped him in various stages was vividly captured in this book.
His life of setting up the Cement factory - Dharani Cements and how it is transferred from Epodhum Vendram to Disayanvilai (The term he used Disai Thiruppi shows his sarcastic humour).
Setting up of Dharani Sugars and Distliieries, Schools and colleges.
Purpose of naming Dharani was so thoughtful.
He has mentioned few names including Professors who helped him shape his career, his close confidante Mr Chennimalai who is looking after Le Royal Meridien, Chennai in the capacity of MD.
The initial plan for Le Meridien in Coimbatore was 4 acres with ₹80 crore investment but later 2 acres were added - 255 rooms in total.
Le Royal Meridien in Chennai (on the 4 acres land that was purchased from the late NPV Ramasamy Udayar) has 250 rooms.
There is a dedicated chapter for his friends.
No hobbies. Only work. 16 hours. People who think that he got benefitted due to his proximity to MGR is incorrect since he never used that true friendship for his personal gains. Had it been the case, he would have grown manifold. Like what Ajit Kumar says in one of his movie “Each and Every Second of his life was sculpted by Dr PGP himself”.
It is really overwhelming to see him say this “people think I’m having all the luxuries in life since I own many properties but I too face difficulties from time to time” which clearly shows despite the heights he has reached, his legs are standing firm on the Earth(ground) and not flying above the sky.
I’m happy to publish this review today (12th Jan) which is his 85th Birthday.
You can also watch his interviews online (YouTube channel of Galatta).
