KOTTAYAM: Pathukutty in Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's "Pathumma's Goat" loves cats. She gives them rice and fish as much as they come in search of food and caress them. Planting and watering gooseberry, lemongrass, mango and jackfruit trees and sharing memories of 'Moothappa'(Vaikom Muhammad Basheer), Pathukutty is happy at home in Chengalam. Today marks the 30th anniversary of Basheer's passing and Pathukutty remembers going to bath with her 'Moothappa', holding the goat's tail very clearly as it happened yesterday.

Four of the characters in "Pathumma's Goat" are still alive. Pathukutty, Zeitu Muhammad, Khadija and Arifa. Basheer's younger brother Abdul Khader's eldest daughter Pathukutty is 76 years old. Her husband Abdulkhader passed away before 38 years. Eldest son Muhammad Shafi serves as deputy collector in Kottayam. Second son Naushad works as a Surveyor. Pathukkutty lives with her younger son Nisar who runs a petrol pump in Chengalam.

Basheer is the paternal uncle of Pathumma. She have read all books written by Basheer. 'Pathumma's Goat', 'The world-renowned nose' and 'Mathilukal' are her favourite. Pathukkutty read 'Pathumma's Goat' after class 10th. 'Moothappa used to travel always. He was so loving. When he came home, we used to gather around," Pathukkutty said.

Where everyone feasts

The cats are in the vacant house of Pathukutty's son Mohammad Shafi. She will reach there in the morning. Serve rice and fish to the cats. Two tomcats came in first. Now there are eight cats. Front yard is full of guavas, tamarinds, plantains and flowering plants. Everything is planted by Pathukkutty herself. When the season arrives, squirrels, woodpeckers and other birds feast on mango trees and jackfruit trees. Like Basheer, Pathukkutty has prepared a place for all living beings to live.