For almost a century, Kuttiyamma’s daily routine had been much the same. Rising early at home in the village of Thiruvanchoor in Kerala, the 104-year-old would begin her day’s work of cooking, cleaning and feeding the cows and chickens.
But now, every morning, there’s something new to get up for. She eagerly awaits the paperboy to deliver Malayala Manorama, the local newspaper.
For two hours, she buries herself reading the news and keeping herself informed about what’s going on in the world. But it is only in recent months that she has been able to fulfil this dream of hers – in April, Kuttiyamma finally began to learn to read.
“I was always curious about what was happening around the world,” she said. “On many occasions I regretted my inability to read newspapers and I used to plead with the younger generations at home to read out newspapers to me. I always wanted to write my name and address.”
After months of evening classes, she decided to take the Kerala state primary literacy exam last month, the oldest woman to do so. She achieved 89% in literacy and 100% in mathematics. It was a result that drew praise from the state education minister, who tweeted: “Age is no barrier for knowledge. With utmost respect and love, I wish Kuttiyamma and all other new learners the best.”
For most of her 104 years, Kuttiyama had been curious about reading and would often try to make out the alphabet herself, but when she was born, in a village to a low-caste rural family, there was no education.
“I hailed from Kerala’s backward Ezhava community and was born in the midst of poverty,” said Kuttiyamma, while pottering about in the kitchen.
“Education for women family members was unthinkable at that time. Even boys discontinued their studies at nine. My parents were landless agricultural labourers and it was my duty to cook food, wash dresses and keep the hut for my 11 siblings.”
And so she got on with her life. At 16, she married TK Konthi, who sold herbal medicines in a small shop, and they had five children. Decades passed, filled with cooking and housework, and Kuttiyama says she was content but always felt that something was missing.
It was only with the encouragement a year ago of her neighbour Rehana John, a 34-year-old literacy trainer, that Kuttiyamma was persuaded to start to learn to read. John had noticed Kuttiyama’s curiosity about her grandchildren’s learning and offered to give her some books. Previously, John’s oldest student had been 85.
After some gentle encouragement, they began meeting every evening, poring over literacy books together.
“Except for very little vision and hearing problems, she was a perfect and sometimes naughty student who made my teaching feel meaningful,” said John. “She always has her textbook, notebooks and pens ready before I reach her home. In addition, she will keep extra of the delicacies she has cooked at home to give me.”
John added: “She is my mother now. We are sharing a rare kind of camaraderie and relationship.”
Kuttiyamma now has her sights set on aceing the fourth standard examination, which students normally pass at the age of nine. This time it involves papers in Malayalam, English, environment and mathematics. “I don’t think English is alien and a hard nut to crack,” said Kuttiyamma. “I will try to achieve 100% marks in the equivalency examination for all papers.’’
John said Kuttiyamma still requested lessons every day without fail, while refusing to let any other family members take over the household chores or the cooking. “Her passion and commitment are exceptional,” she said.
