I’ve previously written about my travels to Sri Lanka to visit my favorite author and friend, Sir Arthur C. Clarke. After the long flight from America to Sri Lanka, I enjoyed settling in at the fabulous Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, a charming Colonial era building adjoining the Indian Ocean, before adventuring elsewhere on the island. This hotel was where Arthur wrote most of his last novel in the Odyssey series, 3001: The Final Odyssey. It was also among the only places that enticed Arthur to leave the comfort and convenience of his home to join me for dinner or a drink, or to watch the sunset.
I meet many fine people in Sri Lanka during these visits. One of the first I got to know was Mr. Kuttan. Simply known as ‘Kuttan’, he was the doorman and official greeter of the Galle Face Hotel. He’d be the one who’d come to your car as it rolled into the driveway to open the car door for you. Palms pressed together in front of his chest, he’d bow slightly, then help guide you and your bags to the lobby and reception desk. Kuttan didn’t speak any English, at least not that I ever heard, but his welcoming smile and gracious manner were appreciated by thousands of the Galle Face’s guests over his many years of service to the hotel. Short of stature, he more than made up for it with his big smile and gracious manner. He enjoyed posing for photos with guests and became somewhat of a local celebrity.
Many famous people have visited the Galle Face and Kuttan had a chance to greet most of them, and was proud that he had. Besides Sir Arthur C Clarke, Kuttan had welcomed Emperor Hirohito, President Richard Nixon and Sir Laurence Olivier.
Always looking distinguished, Kuttan’s uniform was a white jacket with shoulder embroidery and white sarong. In his last years he proudly displayed an assortment of pins on his jacket given him by travelers from around the world. He was a good looking man, with a grand handle-bar mustache. He might have been the most loyal employee anyone ever had, because he worked for 72 years at the Galle Face Hotel. Kuttan never retired, and I know he loved his work. Sadly he will not be going to work anymore because he recently died at the age 94.
Kuttan always welcomed me on my arrival in his usual manner. He’d smile and then instead of guiding to reception took me to the bust of Sir Arthur in the hotel’s lobby. He’d point at the bust, then at me, then at the bust. I understood these gestures as his way of letting me know he understood I was there to visit Arthur, so I’d smile and nod “yes”. Kuttan would also smile and bow and resume his duties by the driveway.
Farewell Kuttan, I hope someone opened that final door for you. You’ve certainly earned it.
(More about Khutan at this link.)
For a list of DrFumblefingers blog posts on Sri Lanka, please click on this link.
I’ve just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, ‘The Uncommon Reader’, about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan’s serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he’d written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn’t it be interesting?
It would be fascinating to know what he thought, PM. I suspect Kuttan was the kind of man who mostly thought the best of folks, or gave them the benefit of the doubt. I know he genuinely liked people, and it showed in his daily interaction with the Galle Face guests.
He and Sir Arthur were very fond of each other. Kuttan met and knew Arthur from the time he arrived in Sri Lanka in the 1950s.
There are a few people you meet who have natural “Charisma”
They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world.
You were lucky to have met this man.
Agree completely, Garry.
Thanks for sharing this. It’s wonderful people like Mr Kuttan that make travel so special.
I’ve just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, ‘The Uncommon Reader’, about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan’s serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he’d written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn’t it be interesting?
There are a few people you meet who have natural “Charisma”
They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world.
You were lucky to have met this man.