Veera Moni Chellam

Chellam Veera Moni – A Life Well Lived Deeply loved and revered by all, C.V. Moni (CVM) was an affectionate son, beloved brother, romantic husband, loving father and cool grandpa. Survived by his wife, Bhuvana Moni, three children, six grandchildren, six siblings, and many nieces and nephews, “Moni Anna” as he was fondly called, came from humble beginnings in the village Anchal in Kerala, India. He spent his boyhood days in careless abandon splashing around in the temple pond and playing rough sports with brothers and uncles. By his teen years, family circumstances forced CVM and his older brother, C. G. Krishnan (CGK), to leave home and seek employment in Madras City. CGK remained his lifelong idol, while Kolathu stayed his best friend. CVM spent some of his best years in those early days in Madras. After finding a stable job at Grindlays Bank, he settled down at Rama Bhavan to make lifelong friends. Transforming from a shy youth to a firebrand trade union organizer and dynamic leader, he devoted all his working life and beyond to the Grindlays Bank Employees Union. Till his last days, he continued talking fondly about his stint as the general secretary of the bank's sports club and the wonderful trip to Thekkady that he had organized. He was a champion Table Tennis player and a great sportsman, walking and exercising till the end. He often referred to himself as a sportsman. It was during those heady years in Madras, that he fell in love with the most beautiful girl in town, and CVM and Bhuvanam made history with their iconic love story, which belongs properly within the annals of classic Tamil romantic movies like Kaadalikka Neramillai and Anbe Va. It was a lifelong bond that they shared, and it often fetched CVM the moniker “kooja.” He enjoyed his life in the U.S. with his children as much as he looked back with fond memories on the years spent with his siblings and their families. “Always smiling”, “ever jovial and good natured”, fondly calling everyone Kondei (little one) – CVM was loved and respected by all! His life is a treasure trove of memories and life lessons for all who adored him! According to Bhuvanam, in their 53 years of marriage, he never said a single bad thing about anyone. He enriched our lives without intruding; and led a life of simplicity for the next generation to follow. It will be one tough path to emulate, but he proved that humbleness and simplicity lead to happiness. His passing will leave behind a deep void, one that can never be filled. A selfless and contented man, C. V. Moni’s life will stand as a testament to all things fair and just in this world. The Best Human Being We Ever Met Just Left the Building!