Chapater- 3

Translation of Kalarekhalu
1
The first impression that was firmly implanted in Raju’s mind was the procession that
took place in his village twelve years ago. It was taken out to create awareness about
the 11th Andhra Maha Sabha6 that was going to be held in Bhonagir. Great
multitudes of people had thronged the streets to express their solidarity to the meeting
by shouting slogans.....

Jai Ravi Narayana Reddy....

Jai Baddam Yella Reddy......
Jai Andhra Maha Sabha.....

That was the first time Raju had ever seen so many people moving together in unison
singing,
Andhra sodhara! Andhra sodhara!
Andhra Maha Sabha lo cheru sodhara!
Cheyyetti jai kottu sodhara!
Jayapatakambettara sodhara!

[Andhra brothers! Andhra brothers!

Join Andhra Maha Sabha dear Andhra brothers!
Say zindabad to AMS!
Salute the flag of AMS!]

It was an exciting moment and Raju felt exhilarated to be a part of the crowd. The
village was over crowded with people. It seemed like an ocean of people.

A cart, bedecked with floral designs made of colourful papers was used to carry the
communist legends ...Ravi Narayana Reddy, Baddam Yella Reddy, Arutla
Ramachandra Reddy...etc to the venue. It was pulled by eleven pairs of oxen. Raju
could not believe his eyes for a while! It seemed to him like some wonder. Sathyam

6
A subsidiary organisation of communist Party.

83
chinnaayana7 had told him that it was a symbolic representation to mark the
beginning of eleventh Andhra Maha Sabha. Raju’s father Narasaiah and his
chinnaayana Sathyam were leading the procession.
Sathyam chinnaayana was shouting slogans and singing songs to encourage the
already excited public.

“Andhra sodhara! Andhra sodhara!

Andhra Maha Sabhalo cheru sodhara!
Taktalu8 raasina, dhaanyambu golchina
License9 techina, lanchalanivvaku
“Andhra sodhara! Andhra sodhara!
Andhra Maha Sabhalo cheru sodhara!10

[Andhra brothers! Andhra brothers!

Join Andhra Maha Sabha dear brothers!
Let the government look at accounts, and finalise levy
Let the rich get the license, but don’t you pay any
Andhra brothers Andhra brothers!
Join Andhra Maha Sabha dear brothers!]

The procession was moving ahead with the people belonging to Madiga11 community
beating drums followed by troops playing band music.

It seemed to him that the whole village i.e. young and old, male and female alike, had
taken part in the procession irrespective of caste, creed or gender.

Raju and his elder sister Suseela were following the procession. They desired to watch
Ravi Narayana Reddy and other legendary leaders from a close, visible range.
Sathyam chinnayana had told them a lot about them.

7
Father’s younger brother.
8
Taktha- Accounts.
9
License- Exemption from paying tax.
10
Dear Brothers and sisters of Andhra! Join AMS. It is the mouth piece of the poor and down trodden.
It
protects you from unjust taxes levied by the govt.
11
Madiga - Cobbler community, one of the oppressed classes.

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Their father, too, had told them that these leaders were real life heroes, a great source
of inspiration. In fact “avataramurtis,”12 who were reborn as Ravi Narayana Reddy,
Baddam Yella Reddy and Arutla RamaChandra Reddy to free the poor from the
shackles of forced labour.

Raju had learnt from Sathyam chinnaayana that their ruler was Nizam. He had
appointed Doras,13 as governors to collect the land revenue and to help him in
administrative affairs. The Doras, with their clout had rendered people to slaves
which led to an irreversable rift between ruling and ruled classes. The Doras, with all
their power and might, were highly influential. They could influence even the king.
Because the king was dependant on Doras for the collection of revenue, he became a
puppet in their hands. The King’s over dependency on Doras has become an
advantage to the latter to exploit the poor. Eventually, the atrocities of Doras had
reached to such a level that the ruled classes could no longer tolerate the torment.
Raju also learnt from Sathyam chinnnaayana that as God manifests His presence
through different ways when the order in the world is disturbed, so is Ravi Narayana
Reddy and his collegues who paid a visit to their village to rescue the poor.

Raju and Suseela forced their way to the cart, by-passing the oxen.
“There he is! He is Mr. Ravi Narayana Reddy, can you see him?” Suseela asked Raju.
“I can’t. My view is blocked as I am small. ” replied Raju.
“The one, who is sitting in the middle. Can you see now?” said Suseela.
“Who? The one, wearing a white shirt?’’ Raju asked his sister.
“All three are clad in white shirts. It is hard to distinguish that way. The one, who is
talking to Sathyam chinnaayana. Could you see him now?
“Ah! Ah! I can see now. The one who is sitting in the middle and who is talking to
Sathyam chinnaayana. Am I right?”
“Yes! You are right. And the one to his right is Mr. Baddam Yella Reddy and the one
to his left is Mr. Arutla Ramachandra Reddy.” Explained Suseela.

12
Reincarnation of God.
13
Zamindars

85
“Ah! Ah! Because I am a kid, tall people block my view, especially in a crowded
situation like this. I, now, have a clear vision. Now, I am able to see them clearly.”
Said Raju.

In fact, Raju was a bit disappointed at what he saw. He had a high opinion of the
leaders. He imagined them to be gigantic personalities. Tall, huge and well built.
Similar to the mythological characters, such as Lord Sri Rama, Lord Sri Krishna,14
that he used to watch in the street plays. But what he saw was totally different. To his
dismay, they appeared very simple. They looked pretty normal in their demeanour and
their attire.

The procession slowly reached the village centre. Womenfolk offered “mangala
haarathi,”15 to the leaders and wished them good luck.

After a while, the procession reached Raju’s house. Mother, chinnamma16,

peddammalu17, attayyalu18, and naayanamma19 were ready with plates in their hands
by then. Rukkamma chinnamma, Sathyam chinnaayana’s wife, gave harathi to the
leaders.
“Jai Ravi Narayana Reddy” shouted Sathyam chinnaayana at once. Jai Jai Ravi
Narayana Reddy... shouted public. He started singing again.

“Andhra sodhara! Andhra sodhara!

Andhra Maha Sabhalo cheru sodhara!
Taktalu rasina, dhanyambu golchina,
Licence techina, lanchalanivvaku
“Andhra sodhara! Andhra sodhara!
Andhra Maha Sabhalo cheru sodhara!

“Suseela! Rajaiah! You people had been out for a long time now. Enough! Come on
in.” Said grandmother the moment she spotted them.

14
Gods in Hindu culture.
15
lightening camphor as a sign of auspiciousness.
16
Father’s younger brothers (uncle’s) wife.
17
Father’s elder brothers (uncle’s) wives.
18
Father’s sisters.
19
Father’s mother. (Peternal grandmother.)

86
“No! grandma. Let us follow the procession for some more time; at least untill it
reaches the “chaavidi.”20 Said Suseela.
“The crowd is too big, and you people are too young! It is not an easy task to move
along with the procession. Your legs will pain if you walk too much. Listen to me,
come in, have some food and take rest for a while.” Cautioned their grandmother.

“Don’t worry granny. We are o.k! Our legs are not paining. We shall go to the
chaavidi to attend the meeting.” Replied Suseela.

“You people have been on an empty stomach since morning. Have some food and
join the crowd.” Said Radha, their mother.

“Ammo! The meeting will be over by then. “No food till the meeting is over.” Replied
Suseela.

“Suseela! Don’t you listen to your elders? Because of you, even your brother Rajaiah
has been roaming in red hot sun, skipping food. Look! How thin his face has become!
Roared their grandmother.

“Arey! You stay at home, I shall attend the meeting.” Said Suseela, pushing Raju.

“Nothing doing! I, too, shall attend the meeting. Till then no home, no food.” Said
Raju, holding Suseela’s hand firmly.

“You people have not had any food since morning. You have been roaming out on an
empty stomach all the while. Eat some food else you will faint out of fatigue.”
Warned mother.

“We are alright. Let us go!” They disappeared into the crowd without giving their
elders a chance to speak further.

20
the open place where the meeting is held

87
The procession, slowly reached the chaavidi21 after covering all the main streets in the
village. A stage was already set up there. One by one all the leaders were ushered to
their seats on the stage.

The public were asked to sit on the beaten earth itself.

After ensuring everyone was seated, Sathyam chinnaayana began to speak.
“Dear brothers and sisters! One of the great leaders, the president of Andhra Maha
Sabha, Mr. Ravi Narayana Reddy along with other legends Mr. Baddam Yella Reddy
and Mr. Arutla Ramachandra Reddy, has come to our village to spread awareness
about the eleventh Andhra Maha Sabha which is going to be held soon at Bhongir. I,
now, request everybody to listen carefully to his message.”

Ravi Narayana Reddy stood up to speak following Sathyam chinnaayana’s brief

introduction.
Once again the place resonated with slogans - Sathyam chinnaayana shouting
“Jai...Ravi Narayana Reddy”, and others joining the suit by shouting “Jai...Jai....Ravi
Narayana Reddy.”

Ravi Narayana Reddy started his speech.

“We, the people of this region, belong to the princely state of Hyderabad. This is one
of the most backward regions in the world. In a princely state, the power of
administration is vested with Doras. These feudal lords exploit the poor in
inexplicable ways which is really inhuman. They torment us making our lives
miserable by practising drudgery, and levying huge taxes. Urdu has been forced on us
as an official language for communication. To add to that, the government’s apathy in
promoting Telugu is one of the main reasons for no one showing any interest in
learning Telugu. It is an undeniable fact that our mother tongue Telugu has always
received step motherly treatment.

To put check to all these ill practices, it has been decided to start Andhra Maha Sabha
which serves as the mouth piece for the oppressed classes. It empowers people to

21
An open place.

88
wage war on social evils like the unjust taxes, bonded labour, and brings back the past
glory to our mother tongue. At this point I would like to stress the importance of unity
among us. “United we stand - Divided we fall.” We can achieve anything and
everything if we stay united. You all know how weak the blades of grass are. But
when woven into a rope, they can control even an elephant. That is the power of
collective strength. To promote the concept of one for all - all for one, Andhra Maha
Sabha has been founded.”

Ravi Narayana Reddy concluded his speech. Once again the place reverberated with
slogans Jai....Ravi Narayana Reddy, Jai Jai....AMS.

Later, Baddam Yella Reddy and Arutla Ramachandra Reddy wooed public with their
power packed speeches. Though Raju and Suseela did not understand what the leaders
had said, one thing was evident for them, all of them had stressed the need for
assertion of collective strength to fight against the feudal system.

The speeches were followed by burrakatha22. For the first time in their lives, Raju and
Suseela were watching burrakatha. They have listened very enthusiastically to the
main singer, who vividly, explained the plight of the poor in the hands of Zamindars
and Jagirdars, to the chorus of the other two accompanying singers.
They were very much amused by the phrases

“Bhala nanti bhali thammuda!

Mel bhalanoi dhadhana...”
Tandaana .....taana tandaana”

The ballad was about a poor peasant who fails to pay the tax owing to severe drought
conditions. The zamindar, turning a blind eye to his predicament, pesters him to pay
the levy.

22
Burrakatha is an oral story telling technique performed in villages of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The troupe consists of one main performer and two co-performers. It is a narrative entertainment that
consists of prayers, solo drama, dance, songs, poems and jokes. The topic will be either a Hindu
mythological story or a contemperory social issue.

89
The artistes explained the plight of the peasant so vividly, so much so that Suseela
began to cry. On finding his sister sob, Raju also started crying. They came to know
later that they were not the only ones who had cried, but everybody present there was
weeping.

The meeting concluded after three hours. People started moving towards their homes.
Suseela and Raju, too, started trudging towards their home with heavy hearts.
“What is levy,23 akka24?” Raju asked Suseela.
“Levy is the forceful confiscation of the crop from farmers by the government.” Said
Suseela.
“Why would the government confiscate the crop from farmers? Father had told me
that our King was kind hearted. Why would a generous king encourage such wrong
practices?” Asked Raju.
“I have no idea. Ask Sathyam chinnaayana when he is free. I think he will be able to
answer all your queries!” Said Suseela.
“How come Sathyam chinnaayana is aware of all these things?” Questioned Raju.
“Sthyam chinnaayana is well educated. He is an erudite person. Don’t you know that
Sathayam chinnaayana speaks baasa.25”
“Baasa! What does that mean? Asked Raju.
“Sathyam chinnaayana speaks not only Telugu which is our mother tongue, but also
Urdu which is the official language. Do you remember Maulvi Saheb (Priest/
Teacher) Jaffer Mohammed, our teacher? Sathyam chinnaayana is the only person in
the entire village who can speak to him in Urdu.” Explained Suseela.
“Akka, isn’t our father a literate?” asked Raju.
“Yes indeed! But not as literate as Sathyam chinnaayana.” Said Suseela.
“Does he speak Urdu?”
“Yes. But not as good as Sathyam chinnaayana.”
“You mean, Sathyam chinnaayana is a scholarly person?”
“I think he is. The reason is not all can speak baasa fluently.”
“What should one do in order to learn baasa?”
“One should be highly educated.”

23
Levy is the additional tax imposed by the state to cope with the adverse climatic conditions.
24
Elder sister.
25
Baasa is corrupt form of Baasha, which means language.

90
“I shall go to school. I, too, want to speak baasa like our Sathyam chinnaayana. Akka,
why don’t you join the school?”
“You are a boy. Boys enjoy the privilege of formal education. But I am a girl. Who
cares for girls? Girls are less fortunate. They do not have any rights, forget, the right
to education.”
“Why this difference, akka? Why girls should be deprived of their basic right to
education?” asked Raju.
“I have no idea. But what I have learnt from our elders is that girls, when educated,
become nefarious.”
“Who made these rules?”
“This is not something that happened overnight. These rules are in place since ages!”
Said Suseela.
Raju and Suseela, slowly, reached their home.

Their house was quite a big one. There were two large varandahs immediately after
the threshold. This is called “diwankhana”. Five to six wooden chairs, a wooden
bench and two or three cots were always placed there. Important meetings were held
there.It was usually occupied by male members of the family. Next to the
diwankhana, there were four front porches on all four sides. They were called
“jagillu” or “mallesalalu”. There were four rooms attached to the porches. They were
called “arralu.” It is in this Arralu, Raju’s family members lived. Then, there was an
open space in the middle named “houze”. It was meant for ventilation. It allowed
fresh air and light into the house. The rain water that cascaded through the tiled
roofing was collected in the houze and was drained out through the rainwater drain.
The Jagillu were the main part of the house because people slept there. Then, there
was a kitchen. It was equipped with a huge hall for dining purposes. And at the back
of the kitchen, there was a back porch which was used for food preparation. It
contained three to four hearths, firewood, dung cakes, drinking water pots...etc.

There was a lot of open space on all fours sides of the house. There were six to seven
gummulu26 in the backyard. They were surrounded by two big tamarind trees, a pair of
neem trees and jujube trees.

26
Wicker Grain Containers.

91
The atmosphere in the house was very animated with close to a dozen people. The
moment Raju and Suseela entered home, their grandmother thundered “you people
have been roaming on the streets without food and water since morning following the
footsteps of your Sathyam chinnaayana. To hell with the meeting!”

“Raju may become a leader like Sathyam chinnaayana. Like uncle - like nephew.”
Observed Rukkamma chinnamma27.
“One should be aware of the consequences too! Do you think Dora is oblivious to the
happenings in our village? Pointed Paarvathamma peddamma28.
“What will be the Dora’s reaction? How does he react to the meeting issue?” asked
Rukkamma chinnamma.
“You think Dora takes the issue light? He doesn’t rest unless and until everybody,
who had participated in the meeting is jailed.” Said Paarvathamma peddamma.
“Why, what’s wrong with the meeting? Is it a crime to hold a meeting? Why should
the innocent people be jailed? Asked Rukkamma chinnamma.
“Holding a meeting, denying the taxes levyied is something definetly against Dora
and his authority.
My younger brother had told me that Dora was well aware of the meeting. Nothing
can escape his hawk eye!” Said Paarvathamma peddamma.
“Oh God! Save my children. Why did they take part in the meeting? I have been
telling them not to take part in the meeting. My words have fallen on deaf ears. No
body paid any heed to my words. See what has happend now! Wailed grandmother on
hearing to Paarvathamma peddamma’s remarks.
“Raju and Suseela! You haven’t eaten anything since morning. Have some food first.”
Said Radhamma, their mother.
Both followed their mother to the kitchen.
“Who is Dora, akka? Raju asked Suseela.
“Dora is Dora. That’s it. Said Suseela.
“First, two of you go to the golem29 and wash your hands and legs. Said mother.
On hearing their mother, they went to the golem, washed themselves clean and
entered the kitchen. Their mother served them food in raathendi30 plates.

27
Father’s younger brother’s wife.
28
Father’s elder brother’s wife.
29
A wide mouthed large trough.

92
“You haven’t told me who the Dora is!” Raju reminded his sister.
“I have told you, haven’t I! Dora means Dora. That’s it.”
“I didn’t get you. Tell me clearly.”
“I, too, do not know much.”
“Who is Dora, amma?” Raju turned to his mother for an answer.
“Dora means a zamindar, a land lord. He is the head man for nearly forty to fifty
villages. The Jameen31, in all the villages that come under his perview, belongs to
him. However, what is it to you? Have food first!” Chided their mother.
“Ask Sathyam chinnaayana if you want more details. He is the right person. He will
be able to explain you in a better way.” Advised Suseela.
Just then man-servant Kistaiah entered the kitchen, carrying a kaavadi32.
“We ran out of drinking water long time ago. It has been a long time since you left to
fetch water. What’s wrong Kistaiah? Enquired mother.
“There was a long queue at the well. After all, there is only one well in the entire
village that caters to the drinking water needs of the people. To add to that, a public
meeting was held today! Eminent leaders graced the meeting. People attended the
meeting in large numbers. They took out juloos. (A Procession). Food arrangements
were made at the school building. I was told to supply drinking water for food
preparation. That is why I am late.” Reasoned Kistaiah.
Kistaiah’s body was covered with sweat. He was half naked. Other than a dhoti his
upper body was naked.
Kistaiah emptied his kaavadi in the perupu33 that was placed in one corner of the
kitchen and left.
“Fetch me two more kaavadis of water. I just can’t manage otherwise!” Said mother.
“You order me as if I have been idle the whole day. My shoulders are paining like
anything. To add to that the well is almost dried up. The water table has gone down
alarmingly. One has to draw water from the rock bottom.” Saying so, he left with his
kaavadi cursing his fate.

30
Plates made of German silver.
31
The land.
32
A sort of yoke or pole with a sling attached to each end and which is carried on shoulders.
33
A large pot.

93
“Oh God! What sort of a village is this! Is it a village or a desert? How long should
people suffer to quench their thirst? The wells getting dried up in the middle of the
rainy season itself is a paradox.” Mother blamed the fate.

“Just then Paarvathamma peddamma entered the kitchen enquiring whether there is
any food left to feed her children as they, too, had just returned from the meeting.
“Enough left to feed another five to six people.” Replied Radhamma to her co-sister.
“Paarvathamma peddamma called out to her children to serve them food. On listening
to their mother her two sons, ten years old Chandraiah and eight years old Naganna
[Raju’s cousins] entered the kitchen and took the place beside Raju and Suseela.
“You are right! There is enough to feed another five people. But, what about the
curry?” Pointed out Paarvathamma peddamma.

“There is hardly any curry. I am feeding my children with the left overs! ” Said
Radha.
“You are always oblivious to others’ needs. No wonder, it never occurs to you that
there is always someone who is yet to eat. One should think of others before one fills
ones own belly” Fumed Paarvathamma.
“I had no clue that your children did not eat. I thought everyone in the house had food
except my kids.”
“What should I feed them now with?” Asked Paarvathamma still seething.
“We have mango pickle and tamarind pickle in store, don’t we?” Said Radha.
“You have taught us a fitting lesson. Pickle is what we deserve” Rebuked
Paarvathamma.
“I don’t like pickle. You know that, don’t you? I, rather, quit the meals.” Said
Paarvathamma’s elder son Chandraiah. Raju called him Chandranna.
“You must eat! Who cares for the late comers! It has been rightly said that beggars
cannot be choosers, so do the late comers. Late comers do not have any choices.”
Paarvathamma Peddamma scolded her son.
“No way! I’d sacrifice my meal rather than eating with pickle.” I shall eat only if I am
provided an omelette.” Said Chandranna adamantly.

94
“You are not the great grandson of Police patel34 to get royal treatment. Said
Paarvathamma peddamma sarcastically.
“For God’s sake! Please do not say that again. I do not demand any special privileges
to my children though my father is a police patel. Retorted mother.
“I am not blind. I am aware of how some people in this house enjoy special status.
Said Paarvathamma.
Chandraiah threw his plate away demanding an omelette. The food fell helter-skelter
all over.
“What has come on you? You wretched! Paarvathamma hit her son on his back.
Chandranna fell to the ground blubbering. He started crying out loud and rolling on
the floor that was smeared with red soil for aesthetic looks. After a while, he got to his
feet and started beating the door against the wall violently, still crying loud. His
clothes became soiled with red soil.
“Get up Chandram! You should not do like that. I shall serve you an omelette. Said
mother.
“I will not give up unless I get an omelette.” Said Chandram hitting the door to the
wall.
“I shall get one right now. Don’t cry. Look! Your clothes have become shabby with
red soil. The floor was smeared with red soil yesterday itself.
“You wretched fellow! You behave as if you are possessed. Why do you wallow on
the ground like a swine in the puddle? Are you a Madiga,35 or are you a Dakkala!36
Don’t behave like a low caste. I will sacrifice you to Mutyalamma37. Paarvathamma
lunged at her son one more time.
“No akka! Please do not thrash him. Do you think he will calm down if you punish
him! Never! The more you beat him, the more he raises his racket. I will take care of
him. Please relax a bit.” Said mother.
“I, too, want an omelette.” demanded Nagaiah, the younger brother of Chandraiah by
pushing his plate away.
“Ok. I will get two omelettes for both of you!”
Radhamma went into the adjacent room and brought two eggs. She broke them and
put the yoke in a small bowl. She added a pinch of salt and red chilli powder to it and
34
Police patel is the law and order in-charge in Nizam’s rule.
35
A person belonging to cobbler community. One of the oppressed classes.
36
A sub-caste to madiga community. Oppressed among the oppressed.
37
The village deity.

95
mixed thoroughly. She, then, went to the hearth, put some coals in it, stoked the fire
with a hand fan made of palm leaves. Once the coals became red hot embers, she put
a ladle on the hearth and poured some oil. She then poured the mixture into the bowl.
Thus, she cooked two omelettes within no time and served them to Chandraiah and
his brother nagaiah. On seeing the omelette Chandraiah relented a bit and started
eating his food.
Meanwhile, the public who had attended the meeting started to return to their places
at four in the evening after having lunch at the school building. Once again the
sorroundings reverberated with slogans “Jai...Andhra Maha Sabha” and Jai....Ravi
Narayana Reddy. On hearing the slogans Raju and Suseela hit the streets once again
like garden flies.
Bigwigs from the village followed the leaders to the outskirts to see them off.
On the way home, Raju spotted his uncle and called him out “Chinnaayana...
chinnaayana?”
“On finding Raju, Sathyam lifted him to his arms and kissed him. How come you are
here...? Sathyam exclaimed! How did you manage to walk such a long distance? Your
legs are not paining? Sathyam asked Raju.
“Chinnaayana...chinnaayana... could you tell me who the “Dora” is? Asked Raju
ignoring his uncle’s concerns.
“Dora is a zamindar, the king’s representative in the village. Explained Sathyam.
“What do you mean by the zamindar, chinnaayana?
“Zamindar is a landlord. He is the owner of hundreds of thousands of acres of land.
Because he is a landlord, he has the hukumath to do anything!”
“What is Hukumath?”
“Hukumath is power or the authority. Because Dora enjoys unlimited powers, he is
capable of doing anything at his will. You are aware of the Dora of Visnur.... right!
He is the supreme authority in the surrounding sixty villages.” Explained Sathyam.
“You mean the Dora of Visnur is our king? But father has told me something
different. He said that Nizam was our king, our ruler.” Queried Raju.
“Yes, my brother was right. Nizam is our king. But you see... it becomes difficult for
him to run the administration all by himself. That is why the king appoints his
representatives. Those representatives are called Doras.
“What do they do? I mean Doras.”
“You will slowly learn on your own when you become an adult.” Said Sathyam.

96
“Suseela akka has told me that you speak baasa. What is it chinnaayana? Asked Raju.
“Baasa is Urdu, the official language. Our mother tongue is Telugu. In fact it is the
mother tongue of the majority of the public. But Telugu does not enjoy the status of
the official language because the Emperor’s mother tongue is Urdu. In all honesty,
Telugu should be made the official language if we go by rule of majority. But who
cares! As the ruler, so is the public. You are still young. Your young mind cannot
comprehend all this. It takes some time. You will learn more as you grow older. Said
Sathyam.
Raju got down from his uncle’s arms and both strode towards their house.
They reached home within a short while.
That night, Raju went to bed thinking about Andhra Maha Sabha.

*** ** ***

97
 2

The next day, Raju and Suseela were playing “tokkudu billa”38 in front of their house.
They found father and Sathyam chinnaayana rushing towards their home. Sensing
something went wrong; Raju and Suseela quit playing and followed them into the
house.
After a while, Raju overheard his parents’ conversation.
“Dora came to know about the juloos (A procession) we had taken out in support of
the Andhra Maha Sabha. It angered him. He wants us to be put in jail.” Said father.
“How naive of you! Anything that happens in Dora’s jurisdiction is bound to reach
him.” Said mother.
“I have never thought that it would reach him this fast.” Said father.
“Aren’t you aware of the fact that he has his agents in every village? Someone should
have updated him.” Said mother.
“I, now smell a rat! It could have been that badmash Sherdar. (That scoundrel, the
Dora’s agent) None other than that wily bastard could dare do this.”
How did you come to know about Dora’s plans?” Asked mother.
“Sherdar, himself told me that Dora was furious. He must have met Dora on the same
day the meeting took place and reported him. We, now, fear what would happen to us
if his words were to become true. It is all because of that son of a bitch.”
“Why should you burn your hands and hold leaves.” It has become a routine for you.
Patching up when it is too late. Chided mother.
“What you said is true. I, now, understand how foolish it is to challenge Dora.”
“Any way, you are not the only one who took part in the meeting. There were many
others, weren’t they? You won’t get any punishment that others wouldn’t. Don’t
worry.” Mother tried to instill some confidence in father.
“I, never thought that Sherdar Latif would deceive us. He is a cheat. On one hand he
had encouraged us saying that Dora would not have any aitraj (objection) if we
participated in the meeting as he had already informed Dora that Andhra Maha Sabha
was not a political organisation, it was an association working for the development of
Telugu language, and on other hand he instigated Dora to put us in jail.” Father
blamed the Sherdar.

38
Tokkudu billa is a hop-scotch, a child’s game in which a player hops through a series of squares
drawn on the ground by tossing an object into one of them.

98
“He was doing his job. He was running with the hares and hunting with the hounds.”
Said mother.
“Why should he mislead us that participating in the meeting doesn’t amount to
defiance. Isn’t it a double game? Turaka lanjakoduku (Turaka - Muslim, Lanjakoduku
- son of a bitch) double-crossed us.” father accused the Sherdar.
“He did what he was supposed to do. That was his job. You should be wise enough to
use your own discretion.” Said mother.
“I wonder what happens next? You think, Dora gets us arrested! The very thought of
being jailed sends shivers down my spine!” panicked father.
“You should have thought of it before you lead the procession. You and your brother
are always first to take the initiation. You people are the first to join the sangham,39
you are the first to take out the procession, and you are the first to worry about the
consequences. “Should you ever worry about the pestle after you have put your head
in the mortar!” said mother.
“Give me some advice. Tell me, what should I do now? Your father is a Police
Patel40, isn’t he? Should I consult him?” Asked father.
“Why are you frightened so much? You are not the only one who participated in the
meeting. There were others too. Let’s wait and watch what happens. You fear as if the
cops arrest you alone!” Mother tried to instill courage in father.
“No one questions a madiga or a mangali41. We, the middle and upper middle class,
are the ones who should face the music.” Said father.
Raju always liked such discussions. It was a treat for his tiny ears. Father would do
something unwitting and confess to mother. She would listen to him patiently, and
then advised him. More importantly, she tried to instil confidence in him. She was a
very brave woman. Raju, often, wondered where in the world she got her courage
from. Doing something unwitting and rushing to mother was father’s routine.
Boosting father’s morale was mother’s routine. Listening to their conversations with
great intent had become Raju’s routine.
Raju and Suseela found their father in the diwankhana (A large Varandah). He was
engaged in a serious discussion with uncles Veeraiah, Venkaiah and Sathaiah along

39
Andhra Maha Sabha.
40
Law and order Incharge in a village.
41
Oppressed classes.

99
with police patel, maali patel (Law & order incharge and Revenue assistant) and other
gentlemen from their village.
They sensed something wrong.
“Dora has filed a khilaf varji (A Police case) against you. The police will come
searching for you soon. May be in a day or two! Said Police Patel Somaiah. People
call him Somanna.
“I have always advised you not to join the sangham. But you have turned a deaf ear to
my words. Be prepared to face the music.” Said Venkaiah pedanaayana.
Agriculture is the only thing that interested Venkaiah pedanaayana. It meant
everything for him. He seemed unperturbed by the developments in the village. He
had been working at chelaka42 even when people turned in great numbers to the
meeting. But unlike Venkaiah pedanaayana, Veeraiah pedanaayana was a bit
different. He was as interested in village matters as he was with farming.
“What are our options?” Asked father.
“No options. Just fall on Dora’s feet and beg for his forgiveness.” Advised, police
patel Somanna.
“Let me make it clear to you right now! I am ready to go to jail rather than begging
for someone’s forgiveness.” announced Sathyam chinnaayana. He was often called
Sathaiah by villagers.
“A baby crow does not know the poacher’s blow.” You are a fledgling! You do not
know the consequences. That is why you speak arrogantly. Dora doesn’t entertain
your antics. One cannot survive in this village by challenging Dora.” Said Veeraiah
pedanaayana.
“If it is impossible to survive in the village without Dora’s blessings, I will find some
other place to live. This is a vast country. I am sure that I can find some place to live.”
Said Sathyam chinnaayana adamantly.
“He is just a novice! Let us not take his words seriously. We shall meet Dora and beg
his pardon.” Said father.
“You are right! First, you people meet Dora. We will then discuss what to do next.”
Advised Somanna.

42
Farm.

100
“Later, many other things crept into their discussion. Raju’s tiny mind could not
comprehend all that. On listening to their mother’s call for lunch Raju and Suseela
went inside.
Two police constables came to their home by evening. “Dodda Narasaiah kaun
hai...Dodda Sattaiah kaun hai... In logoan ke Khilaf giraftar ki warrant hain.” (Who
is Dodda Narasaiah? And who is Dodda Sathaiah? An arrest warrant has been issued
against them.) One of the constables enquired with Venkaiah pedanaayana.
Everyone in the house was scared to death. Their faces turned pale on coming to
know that the constables had come to arrest Narasaiah and Sathaiah. On finding
police, Suseela and Raju rushed to their father who was in the backyard. He was about
to have toddy after spending a long day in their farm.
“Police have come searching for you, father.” Said Suseela.
“Narasaiah was shocked at this. He started trembling all over. Meanwhile, Veeraiah
pedanaayana also came there to alert his brother.
“You hide in one of the gummulu. Said Veeraiah.
“Yes. But who will lift the ilvaaram43. Asked father.
“I will! Here, this one is empty. Come on.” Hurried Veeraiah pedanaayana.
Narasaiah followed his eldest brother hastily.
Veeraiah climbed the elevated rock base on which the gummulu were placed and
lifted one of the empty gummi’s ilvaaram. Narasaiah jumped into it at once. Veeraiah
closed it by putting its ilvaaram in place.
“No sooner did he close it, two police constables walked into the house. “We have
come to arrest Mr. Narasaiah and Mr. Sathaiah. Where are they?”
“Narasaiah is in the farm. Sathaiah has gone to a neighbouring village.” Replied
Venkaiah pedanaayana.
“Tum Jhoot bolta hain.” (You are telling lies!)
“I don’t know Baasa44. I beg your pardon to speak in Telugu.” Said Venkaiah.
“Telangi hum nahi janthe.” (We do not know Telugu.) Said one of them.
“You hid your brothers somewhere and telling us lies,” doubted the other constable.
Venkaiah felt a little comfortable that at least one of them was speaking Telugu.
“I swear in god! I swear on my mother! I did not hide them. They will meet Dora at
his gadi tomorrow and beg his pardon by falling at his feet.” Pleaded Venkaiah.

43
The lid.
44
A shortened form of Baasha-Language. In this context it is Urdu.

101
The two constables searched the house in and out. They scanned all the rooms with
their hawk eyes. Nothing was found other than the pots used for storing grain.
After they searched the house, their sight fell on the gummulu. Meanwhile, Venkaiah
pedanaayana went inside, and came out with a one rupee coin in his hand and bribed
the Urdu speaking constable.
The constables relented a bit with Venkaiah’s act.
“O.k! You follow us to the police patel’s home and swear in front of him that you
would get your siblings to Dora’s gadi45 tomorrow.” Ordered, the Telugu speaking
constable.
Raju, silently, watched his pedanaayana following them.
Every one in the house heaved a sigh of relief once the police had left.
“Akka! Akka! Do you think our father is out of danger now!” asked Raju.
“Now that the police have left, I think he is.” Reasoned Suseela.
The women folk of the house suddenly turned to Radhamma and started weeping
loudly at her predicament.
“Chal! Shut your mouths, you awful ladies! The Police grow suspicious at your
wailing. Admonished Venkaiah pedanaayana, who had come in after seeing off the
police.
There was silence at once.
Of the four siblings Veeraiah was the eldest. Venkaiah was the second, Narasaiah was
third and Sathaiah was the last.
“Why is it that no one blames neither Veeraiah pedanaayana nor Venkaiah
pedanaayana? Why everybody points their fingers at father and Sathyam
chinnaayana.” Asked Raju.
“Because, Veeraiah pedanaayana and Venkaiah pedanaayana! They know nothing.
But father and Sathyam chinnaayana are literates. Besides, they have joined Andhra
Maha Sabha. Now, you understand why Dora has sent the police in search of father
and Sathyam chinnaayana only?” clarified Suseela.
“What is Andhra Maha Sabha, akka?” Asked Raju.
“Andhra Maha Sabha means sangham.”
“What is sangham?

45
Zamindar’s Palace.

102
“Sangham means sangham. That is all I know!” You are full of doubts. You keep
bothering me always with all such questions for which I do not have answers.
Sathyam chinnaayana is a learned man. He knows everything because he is educated.
He is the right person to answer all your queries. Why do you trouble me? I am
unlettered.” Chided Suseela.
Meanwhile, their father who was hiding till then, came out of the wicker grain
container. The male servant Kistaiah pulled him out. Father’s face was pale and
lifeless. He went to his room and laid on the cot.
“Where did Sathaiah go? He is not seen anywhere! Venkaiah pedanaayana asked
father.
“He is in the farm. Send him a message through Kistaiah that he should take refuge at
his in-laws’ place for a couple of days until the things settle down a bit here. Said
father.
Later, people who had participated in Andhra Maha Sabha (His father, Sathyam
chinnaayana and others) went to Dora’s gadi (Zamindars palace) and fell at his feet.
Raju did not like the idea of his father pleading mercy with Dora.
Raju and Suseela knew that father would share details of the meeting with mother
after returning home.
So, when he returned home, they were all ears, eager to listen to their parents’
conversation.
“We have started at mid night. All ten of us on whom the Dora had filed khilaf varji.
Naraboina Lakshmaiah, Navilipuri Ramaiah, Chintakindi Venkataiah, Gaddameedi
Ramaswami, Navilipuri Venkataiah, Gaadhegaani Ramaswamy...etc and I. Police
patel Somanna took us to Dora. Oh my god! Visnur, it is quite far, nearly eight miles!
We had to travel on foot as there was no transport. Thorny bushes covered the path.
My feet hurt because of the thorns. We reached Visnur trudging along those thorny
bushes by dawn. We brushed teeth at one of the wells near the entrance of the village.
Those who wanted to answer nature’s call found some bushes. By then, the Sun had
started his upward journey. After Surya namaskarams,46 we went into Dora’s gadi.
The gadi was awesome! You know how marvelous it was? You cannot imagine it
even in your wildest dreams. It is a paradise on earth. Oh my god! What a magnificent
structure! One can find such buildings only in cities like Hyderabad or London. One

46
Offering morning prayers to the Sun.

103
needs a fortune to build such a castle. But, it cost Dora very little because of the
practice of vetti.47
I still remember how the gadi was built. People from all the villages under his
jurisdiction were summoned and ordered to supply labourers and cart loads of
building materials free of cost. We were to supply foundation stones, bricks and lime
to the proposed site. The foundations were dug after procuring the raw material.
Unlike the normal foundations, they were dug as deep as a thirty feet well. Eight to
nine leather buckets were used to drain off the seepage water. I think you can now
estimate how deep they were! Walls were built with stone and lime from rock bottom.
Do you know how strong the building would be with such a solid foundation? It can
easily support four to five floors. Dora’s bungalow was a three storied building with
countless number of arras48. The floor was made of marble. It was really splendid. A
visual treat! One could see one’s own image in the marble. It was not just a bungalow.
It was Vaikuntam49. It was Indralokam50. The lighting system was spectacular! The
building’s beauty gets enhanced when all the lights are turned on. A dynamo has been
used for uninterrupted power supply. On the whole, it was a unique building; there is
no other building as good as Dora’s.
“Do you just go on bragging about the building and its grandeur? Or do you to come
to the point? Questioned mother.
“Wait a bit! I am almost there. But first let me finish what I have started. What I want
to say is it is just impossible for ordinary people to construct such a massive building.
No matter, however filthily rich they are! Because he is a Dora and because he is the
supreme authority, he could get things done without bothering to pay them a single
paisa. Salute to the forced labour practice once again.
“A king can punish anyone if he wishes.” He being a Dora, he can get things done at
the drop of the hat. He can plan ten more such bungalows. What is so great about
that? Said mother.
“No! That is not correct. It is highly impossible to undertake such a prestigious
project once again. Dora is no exception. You know why? Being a Dora, he may do
away with labour charges. But, what about iron, steel, marblestone, dynamo...etc.that

47
The practice of forced labour.
48
Rooms.
49
Lord Vishnu’s abode. One of the Indian- Hindu gods.
50
Lord Indra’s abode.

104
ought to be brought from the city? He has to pay for them though he is a Dora. It has
been speculated that the bungalow cost him Rs.2,00,000/- sans labour charges!”

“Anyway. What is it to us? I mean, to ponder how much it cost him to build the
castle? Stop beating round the bush and come to the point. I am busy with many other
things. Tell me fast. Otherwise my co-sisters will spread rumours that I am gossiping
with my husband leaving household work to the wind. We should be wary about
Parvathi akka in particular. She always tries to find fault with me. She doesn’t like me
and my children.” Complained mother.

“Dora gets up as early as 4 am. After answering nature’s call, he brushes his teeth and
takes bath. Then he prays to goddess Kaali51. He is a strong devotee of lord Shiva.52
He then, comes to the darbar53 and gives darshan.54 Dora is not just a god man but a
reincarnation of lord Vishnu.55 He is tall and well built. He is as tall as lord Sri Rama
Chandra.56 His skin shimmers like Gold. His face is very lively. We felt as if we had
a darshan of lord Sri Krishna.57 As soon as we saw the Dora, we bowed in reverence.
He even recognised us.”

“Em ra....Narasaiah! You are a native of Vaayalpadu, aren’t you?” Dora said the
moment he spotted me.
“Yes Dora. We are all natives of Vaayalpadu.” Replied all of us in unision.
“Why did you people come to see me all the way from Vaayalpadu? Anything
important?” Dora enquired casually, as if he was not aware of anything.
“We have committed a mistake. Maaf cheyyundri Dora.58 (Kindly excuse us Dora.)
We have all pleaded guilty with him.”
“What is wrong? Did you murder someone? Or did you steal something? Dora
enquired.

51
Goddess of Strength.
52
The destroyer according to Hindu cosmology.
53
The Court-hall.
54
Audience with the people who come to meet him.
55
The god who maintains law and order.
56
Incarnation of Lord Visnu in Trethaa yuga.
57
Incarnation of Lord Visnu in Dwaapara yuga.

105
“We didn’t commit any offence, Dora. We have organised a meeting without
knowing that it was against you. If we had even the slightest idea that it was against
your authority, we wouldn’t have conducted that programme at all.”

“It’s o.k. You have acted according to your instincts. Did I blame you for that? What
rights do I have? For that matter, who am I to reprimand you? You people are crafty!
“Baara khoon Maaf.” (You can influence people into believing that your hands are
clean even after committing twelve murders.) Said Dora sardonically.

“We touch your feet. We are your slaves.We were really ignorant. Please forgive us.
Police have come to arrest us. We were told that a Khilaf varji had been filed against
us.”

“Nobody is above law. One has to abide by the law of the land. It is the job of the
police to maintain law and order. Perhaps, what you did could be against the law. I am
extremely helpless. I cannot poke my nose in legal matters. That is the job of the
police. I am nobody to interfere in their duties.” Said Dora.

“We didn’t know that participating in the meeting angers you, Dora. “We eat your
salt. Why would we do anything that harms your interests?” Pardon us. We touch
your feet. Please forgive us. We beg you to remove the cases filed against us.” All of
us went to touch his feet at once.

“Wait. I shall consider your plea. But, what is the guarantee that you people will not
join the Sangham again?” Asked Dora.

“No Dora! We will never consider rejoining the sangham. Not even in dreams. If any
one of us was found joining the sangham again, hang us baanchan!59
“Who is there?” Thundered Dora.

“Ayya, I am at your service.” Meesala Venkadu came running. He got that name
because of his long, thick moustache. He is one of Dora’s henchmen, a trusted

59
We are your slaves.

106
servant. He looked like Yamadharmaraja60 with his jet black complexion. Children
would be frightened at the sight of him.

“Call Ameen saheb.” ( Inspector of Police.) Ordered Dora.

No sooner did Venkadu inform ameen saheb, he rushed in wetting his pants lest his
delay would anger Dora.

“These people are from Vaayalpadu.They are innocent. They are my loyalists. They
have joined Sangham unaware of what it is. I came to know that you had filed a khilaf
varji against them. Withdraw that!” Ordered Dora.

“Acha Saheb...Yes sir. Your wish is my command.” Relpied Ameen saheb.

“Ameen sahib took out the missal. (A file). First, he called out our names. He, then,
checked whether everyone was present. While checking, he enquired about Sathaiah. I
informed him that sataiah was my younger brother and that he had gone to his in-
laws’ place as he had received news that his father-in-law was not well. I promised
him that once Sathaiah is back home, I would get him to the station.” Ameen saheb
thundered that if I failed to bring Sathaiah to the station, he would be sent to jail.
Later, Ameen saheb took dastakat (Signature) of all of us and roared that if it came to
his notice that if anyone of us joined the sangham again, he would see our end. After
Ameen saheb had left, we all went to seek Dora’s permission to leave. He had asked
us to have lunch as it was afternoon by then. He ordered Meesaala Venkadu to serve
us food and retired to his room. Meesala Venkadu served us food. What a meal that
was! I never had such a delicious food in my life. There were all sorts of dishes,
vegitarian and non-vegitarian. Simply put, royal meal. We had stomach full. After
having lunch, we were about to leave. It was then we bumped into chinna Dora.61 He
was quite opposite to his father. They were poles apart. He was just eighteen years
old. He was too wicked for his age. He was holding a rifle. He aimed his gun at us the
moment he saw us. We all shouted at once, in fear. We pleaded with him to let go of
us. We begged him not to kill us as we had come to meet pedda Dora, his father.
Mean while, Meesala Venkadu came out running and informed him that his father
wants him to spare us as we were their acolytes. If he had not come in time, chinna

60
The lord of death in Hindu cosmology.
61
Dora’s son.

107
Dora would have claimed at least one or two lives. His name was Bapu Dora. And it
has been roumored that he would not get sleep if he didn’t kill someone. In case he
couldn’t kill a human being, he would kill four or five birds in the least case.
“A strange character!” Said shocked mother.”
“Really! If he doesn’t find anyone to kill, he seems to go to his grandmother and asks
her permission to kill some of their workers.

“All this reminds me of a fairy tale. How cruel he is to kill someone innocent. Is there
no one to question him about his atrocities? How come pedda Dora remain silent
about his son’s horrendous acts?” Asked mother.

“No one dares to question their authority. They are the rulers. Their word is final.
They act according to their whims and fancies. Who has the guts to question them? If
at all, if someone dares to, do you think that person will be left alive. Perhaps, Bapu
Dora was in a good mood, lest he would have killed some of us. By the time we came
out of the gadi it was already evening. The evening sun was sinking slowly. We
started our return journey. We had some toddy at Valmidi62 groove. The toddy tapper
served us fresh toddy which was as strong as arrack. After drinking toddy, we felt
relaxed a bit. We could regain our composure. Then, we resumed our walk. By the
time we reached our village, it was already dark and people started lighting lanterns.”
Explained father.

Raju and Suseela came to know that father had concluded his briefing. Raju
contemplated about the things that father was mentioning with mother. He felt that
pedda Dora was a good man, but his son (chinna Dora) was wicked. He felt that his
father was fortunate to have escaped from the hands of chinna Dora. It seems that he
kills anyone ruthlessly. Chinna Dora could even kill him in case he bumped into him,
dreaded Raju.

After that incident, Sathyam chinnaayana disapperead for quite some time.
Raju had no clue where he was hiding.

62
Name of the groove.

108
Sometime later, he heard that the eleventh Andhra Maha Sabha had taken place at
Bhongir. Sathyam chinnaayana had attended the meeting discreetly. Dussa
Shankaraiah, too, attended the meeting along with Sathyam chinnaayana. Dussa
Shankaraiah’s nephew (Shankaraiah’s elder brother’s son) and Raju’s classmate
Dussa Yadagiri updated him about all the developments while a game of playing
marbles in front of their house one day.

Roumors were ripe that Sathayam chinnaayana, Dodda Sathaiah and Dussa Yadagiri
would be arrested and put in jail. But, nothing of that sort happened.

*** ** ***

109
 3

Raju has always found the conversations between Sathyam chinnaayana and his
friend Dussa Sankaraiah very interesting. A month after his sister Suseela’s marriage,
Raju found them discussing something near the well under the banyan tree in their
farm. Raju, as usual, was all ears.

“The atrocities of Dora are alarming! Are you aware of the ghastly incident that took
place the other day at Kadivendi village?” Sathyam chinnaayana asked Sankaraiah.
“No clue.” Said Sankaraiah.

“Dora’s goons killed Doddi Komuraiah.”

“Oh my God! What’s wrong?” asked Sankaraiah.

“Dora’s mother lives in Kadivendi. She is a cruel woman. Her agenda is exploiting
the poor. She never pays tax to the government. Our cadres have taken her tax
evasion issue to the notice of the government officials several times. They exposed, a
couple of times, how much paddy she had stashed in her gadi without their
knowledge. They have foiled Dorasaani’s63 henchmens’ attempts to transport the
food grains in a clandestine manner to a hidden place, and forced them surrender the
stock to the government. Naturally, it had angered her son, the Dora of Visnur. He
ordered his hoodlums to kill some of the party activitists to create terror in public. On
reaching Kadivendi, they carried out Dora’s orders in a phased manner. At first, they
hurled abuses at comrades. The irate comrades decided to take out juloos (a
procession) as a counter action. Then, the goons started pelting stones
indiscriminately at the people who were participating in juloos.

Doddi Komuraiah, a shepherd, had come home just then, after grazing his sheep, and
was about to eat food. He was informed about the juloos. On hearing the news,
Komuraiah had rushed into the street to take part in the juloos skipping his food.
Unfortunately, he was in the front of the procession. As the juloos reached the
Dorasaani’s gadi, Dora’s henchmen Maskin Ali, Vanama Venkadu, Abbas Ali who
had been pelting stones at the juloos, got scared at the sight of the huge crowd and
63
Dora’s mother.

110
opened firing indiscriminately. One of the bullets pierced through Komuraiah’s
stomach. He fell to the ground shouting “Andhra Maha Sabha ki Jai”. Doddi
Mallaiah, Komuraiah’s sibling, who was next to him, was also badly hurt. A bullet
struck him in the knee. Luckily, he was out of danger. The saddest thing was
Komuraiah’s death.” Concluded Sathyam chinnaayana.

“What was the reaction of comrades to the heinous act?”

“The irate party cadres would have hacked to death all of the Dora’s henchmen who
were hiding in the gadi. But, with the party’s high command’s timely intervention
they had withdrawn the idea.

“I don’t understand the logic! Why should the high command restrain its cadres from
avenging Komuraiah’s death? It should have permitted the cadres to tear the bastards
into pieces.”

“One should also think of the consequences. If the comrades had killed them, it would
have appeased them for the moment, but what about the police cases that ensue? The
top leadership would have been jailed and tormented leading to confusion among the
cadres.It would dilute the movement altogether. That was the reason why the party
cadres were advised to maintain self restrain.” Explained chinnaayana.

“Does our fight die out? Or does it continue? Common people have lots of
expectations on our fight. Enquired Sankaraiah.

“It’s not easy to kill a political party’s sympathiser who was participating in a
peaceful rally! Our high command will take it seriously. The time has come for the
high command to take a decision on whether to continue the fight against the
zamindars peacefully or to turn it into an armed struggle. I would, personally, vote for
the armed struggle.” Said Sathyam chinnaayana.

“I agree with you. It is still fresh in my memory. How Dora tried tooth and nail to
seize Ilamma’s agricultural land in Palakurthi! It seems there will be no end to Dora’s
atrocities, if we keep calm.” Sankaraiah agreed with Sathyam.
“Who is Chaakali Ilamma, chinnaayana? Raju enquired.

111
“Chaakali Ilamma is a resident of one of the neighbouring villages called Palakurthi.
She had leased three acres of agricultural land. She leased it from a maktedar (Land
owner) from Mallampally. Her husband and her three sons are active members of
Andhra Maha Sabha, fighting hard against Dora’s atrocities. This angered him. He
got Ilamma’s husband and her children arrested on some pretext and sent them to
prison. But she didn’t budge. This infuriated him further. He had conspired to drive
her away from the land. He had fake documents prepared. And one day, he went to
Ilamma with the documents and anounced that he was the official lease holder of the
land. Since he had leased the land from the maktedar, he claimed that the crop
belonged to him, lest he would destroy the crop. Lionhearted Ilamma, undaunted by
Dora’s tricks, reported his cruel plans to the sangham members and sought their help.
The party had decided to save her crop. Comrade Yadagiri Rao was deputed for this
purpose. Taking the issue prestigiously, the high command appointed comrade
BheemReddy Narasimha Reddy, comrade Rama Chandra Reddy, comrade Nallu
Pratap Reddy to assist Yadagiri Rao on this mission. On one fateful day, Dora’s
goons tried to drive away Ilamma from her land and loot her crop. Our comrades
fought them boldly and saw to it that the crop reached Ilamma’s house safely. This
outraged Dora. He became as impatient as an inebriated monkey and filed a police
case against the comrades alleging that they had plundered his crop. He got
Bhimreddy Narasimha Reddy, and K. Rama Chandra Reddy arrested and sent them to
Visnur police station. The police tormented them like anything. They were forced to
drink urine. A stick smeared with chilli powder was inserted in their derriere.
Sathyam became emotional narrating the fellow comrades’ plight. His voice got
choked. He could not speak further.
Raju felt odd on hearing that. He felt like throwing out.

“The more you say about the atrocities of Dora, the more my blood boils. I feel like
killing Dora right now!” Dussa Sankaraiah rose to his feet at once.

“Let us not take any impulsive decisions. We should always abide by the party’s
rules. We should always believe in collective decision. A collective decision is more
powerful than individual decission. Don’t you remember Ravi Narayana Reddy’s
words! The blades of grass are very weak. But, when made into a rope, can control
even an elephant.” Sathyam chinnaayana tried to pacify Sankaraiah.

112
“Ah! Ah! I, now, understand the power of collective strength. Why don’t you give me
the updates about the world war that has been much talked about these days?” Asked
Sankaraiah.

“The war has ended. I came to know about that from one of our party men very
recently, when I went to Palakurthi. Allied groups have won the war. Hitler suffered a
humiliating defeat. Do you know one thing! It is because of the Communist Russia
joining the allied groups, they could win the war. If not, they would have been
defeated. Said Sathyam chinnaayana.”

“Who is part of the allied forces chinnaayana?” Asked Raju.

“The British, The United States of America, and Soviet Russia.”

“You mean the British has won the war! What will happen now? Will the British
declare independence for us?” asked Sankaraiah.

“They must! They are left with no other option but to declare independence. We will
be an independent nation soon. But, the problem is the country is facing the danger of
partition.

“What is it? I don’t understand! Please explain me in detail. Requested Sankaraiah.

“Muslims demand a separate nation for themselves. They no longer want to be part of
Hindu dominated country. The British is seriously contemplating the possibilities.
Looks like their wish may come true. Even our high command believes that partition
is inevitable.”

“Who are Muslims?” quried Raju.

“Muslims means Thurakas. Aren’t you aware of Thurakas in our village? Maulvi
Saheb Jaffar, Dora’s Sherdar Latif, Leather merchant Abdulla, Oil miller Madaar.
They are all Thurakas.” Said Sathyam.

“They are very nice people. Aren’t they? We are very comfortable with them. They
do not seem to have any seperatist agenda. They coexist with us happily. We have
been living in communal harmony since ages. Religion is the last thing that matters to
us. For that matter, till recently, I have thought of Peerla Pandaga (Moharram) as a

113
Hindu festival. I have always thought of them to be an integral part of the village,
similar to washer men, weavers, shepherds, toddy tappers....etc. Said Sankaraiah.

“I agree with you. What you say is very much true. Hindus and Muslims have been
living in peace with each other for so long. Our country stands an example for unity in
diversity. But, soon, this is going to be a thing of the past. Now-a-days, educated
Muslims want a separate nation. Mohammad Ali Jinna, the ace champion for the
separate nation cause, promulgated the idea that the Muslims being a minority
community, will never be able to enjoy the fruits of freedom in a country dominated
by Hindus. The British government seems to buy this argument. In view of all the
equations, a separate nation for Muslims named Pakistan seems to become a reality
soon. You know what happens if Muslims were given a seperate nation? Our ruler,
The Nizam of Hyderabad merges his Kingdom in Pakistan.” Said Sathyam.

“What should we do to prevent this merger?” asked Sankaraiah.

“We will have to defeat the Nizam. We will have to dethrone him much before we get
independence. We will have to establish prajaaraajyam.” Said Sathyam.

“What is prajaaraajyam?”asked Raju.

“Prajaaraajyam means democracy. It is the government by the people, for the people,
to the people. The ruled classes will be the rulers. Communist party alone is capable
of establishing democracy. It has established itself in Russia. I am sure it will repeat
the feat in India as well soon.”

“There is a rumour that if democracy is established, the communists will grab all our
lands and drive us away. How far it is true chinnaayana?” questioned Raju.
“Who told you so?”

“Rajesam pedanaayana. He told me when I had been to Maddipadu for Bathukamma

celebrations64 He even told me that Gandhiji was a better leader than Ravi Narayana
Reddy. Is it true?” asked Raju.

64
A festival of flowers heralding the nature, which is unique to Telangana.

114
“That was wrong! Ravi Narayana Reddy is a noble man beyond any comparisons.
Undoubtedly, Ravi Narayana Reddy is greatest of all leaders. No wonder Rajesam
spoke in favour of Gandhiji as he is a congress party worker. Congress party is
bourgeois party.” Said Sathyam.

“What was it? What do you mean by a bourgeois party chinnaayana?” queried Raju.
“You are a kid. You don’t understand all this stuff at your age. But you will for sure,
when you grow older. I want you to follow the footsteps of Ravi Narayana Reddy and
become a great leader like him.” Wished Sathyam.
Sathyam and Sankaraiah concluded their conversation and set towards the village.
Raju had joined his friends who were playing a game of marbles nearby, under a
tamarind tree.

---------

115
Raju was a fast learner. He was doing well in Telugu alphabet and Mathematics. He
could read Balasiksha.65 He had memorised some of the poems in Sumathi
Sathakam66. He was learning Urdu too. But he found Urdu to be the toughest among
all the subjects. He felt Urdu and Telugu were poles apart. While writing Telugu
script, one started from left hand side. Where as, when it comes to Urdu, it was the
opposite. i.e. right to left. It took quite some time for him to just learn Aleef and Bei
(The first two letters of the Urdu alphabet). To his bewilderment, his friend Yadagiri
was doing quite well in Urdu. By the time Raju could learn Aleef and Bei, Yadagiri
had already learnt all the letters of the Urdu alphabet. Raju was unable to digest the
fact that he was lagging behind. He didn’t like the idea that someone was more
intelligent than him. If someone praised Yadagiri infront of him, he felt like crying.
One day, it was announced the Naazar Saheb was visiting the school. The floor was
pasted with cow dung and designs were drawn on it with white powder. Chapraasi
(Attender) went round the village and fetched more number of students than usual.
Even Chandranna, who always bunked school, was present at school that day.

Clad in Sherwani and Roomi topi (A Knee length suit and a hat that is traditional to
Muslims) Naazar saheb visited the school. He asked all the students to read Urdu
book. He even scolded those who failed to read Urdu.

When Naazar saheb visited their classroom, Saaber, the brother of Maulvi Saheb
Jaffar Mohammad, introduced Yadagiri and Raju as intelligent students in the class.
Naazar saheb asked them to write the Urdu alphabet. Raju was surprised to see
Naazar saheb speak the Telugu language.

“More than the surprise, he cursed his fate. He felt that instead of Urdu alphabet,
Naazar saheb should have asked them to write Telugu alphabet. He recited many
poems in Telugu apart from writng the alphabet. But unfortunately, Naazar saheb had
asked them to write the Urdu alphabet.

Dussa Yadagiri could do as if it was a piece of cake walk. But for Raju, however hard
he tried, he could not write more than a few letters.

65
Text book meant for children in lower classes.
66
An anthology of poems by Baddena Bhupaludu, a Telugu poet.

116
Naazar saheb looked at their slates.

“Yeh ladakah bahut hushaar Ladakah Hain.” (This kid is very clever). He praised
Yadagiri. Turning to Raju he said “You do not know anything,” and left the class.
Raju was deeply hurt. He took it as a great insult. He felt like crying because Yadagiri
didn’t know as many poems as he knew in Telugu. In spite of all that, he could not
impress Naazar saheb just because he lacked proficiency in Urdu. To rub salt to his
wounds, Naazar had praised Yadagiri before he left.

Raju hated Urdu language like anything. It’s because of Urdu he had to face
humiliation.

By the time he reached home in the evening, he found his father, Sathyam
chinnaayana , pedanaayanalu and some other noted people from the village in
diwankhana.

“There were no crops because of famine this year. How should we survive if whatever
little we are left with is confiscated in the name of tax? Said Sathyam chinnaayana.
“The government is least bothered about whether we eat or starve. All that it is
interested in is collecting the taxes levied.” Said father.

“In that case, leave it to sangham. Sangham will take care of it. Our party’s high
command is aware of how much grain has been amassed by the wealthy people
keeping the government in dark. The high command will take it to the notice of the
government officials. Rule is rule - rule for all. Said Sathyam chinnaayana.
As soon as Raju passed the diwankhana and reached jagillu, he found his sister
Suseela.

“What is the matter, akka? He asked hinting at the meeting.

“It seems the government officials are collecting taxes. Tahasildar, Girdawar
(Revenue inspector)...etc should have camped in the village. Our father and Sathyam
chinaayana are worried about how we should survive in the adverse climatic
conditions if whatever little that is produced is confiscated in the name of tax.

117
Meanwhile, Sheikhsindh Narasimha (Peon at the office of the Tahasildar) came inside
the house announcing that the Tahasildar and Girdawar want the details of crop.

On hearing this, father, Sathyam chinnaayana and Veeraiah and Venkaiah

pedanaayanalu got up. No sooner did they get up, the Tahasildar and Girdawar
followed by another Sheikhsindh Rampullaiah, Sherdar Latif, Patwaari Narasimha
Rao, Police patel Somanna....etc.walked in and went straight to the gummulu and
checked them. There were five in all. Of the five, two were empty. The other two
contained paddy and the last one was filled with jawar.

Sathyam chinnaayana and father were found speaking to Girdawar in Urdu. He asked
them how much grain was produced. Father replied “rendu putlu.”67
They left without asking any further questions.

Raju found their father and pedanaayana murmuring.

“We are lucky. Their eyes did not fall on the gummi that was at the back of our
home.” Said pedanaayana.

“If they spotted that one, we would have to pay eight more bags of paddy towards
levy. Sathaiah was very articulate. His command of Urdu made them run away.
Perhaps that could be the reason why they didn’t dare to go to the back of the house.”
Reasoned Father.

The officers, then, set towards Janagaon with cartloads of paddy collected towards
tax.

Just before they left for Janagaon Sathyam chinnaayana and Sankaraiah, on behalf of
Sangham, took the Girdawar to Sherdar Latif’s (Dora’s agent) house and exposed
how much grain he had hoarded. Girdawar ordered him to pay “aidu puttlu”68.
Suseela feared that Sherdar Latif would bear grudge on Sathyam chinnaayana for

67
16 bags.
68
40 bags.

118
spilling the beans. That was for a split second. She assured herself that Sangham
would protect its activists anyways.

“Does sherdar take revenge on Sathyam chinnaayana.” Asked Raju.

“Don’t worry! Sangham will take care of it.” Said Suseela regaining her confidence.
“Are the police afraid of sangham?”
“Yes, indeed!”
Girdawar wets his pants at the sight of Ravi Narayana Reddy. Said Chandranna, who
had just joined them.
Chandraiah told them many things about sangham’s activities which were, hither to,
unheard of.

Mean while Raju had finished Balasiksha and joined first standard. He had learnt that
he lived in Hyderabad State. It consisted of sixteen districts. It was ruled by his
highness, the Seventh Nizam, Mir Usman Ali Khan. He started labelling his books as
Dodda Rajaiah, son of Dodda Narasaiah, resident of Vayalapadu village, Janagaon
Taluq, Nalgonda district.

Time rolled fast. Seasons changed quickly. Summer was followed by rainy season.
Rainy was followed by winter. But, there was no change in farmers’ lives. They were
busy with their routine. Planting seeds in rainy season and harvesting the crop in
winter.

Raju was going to school regularly. The more he learnt about new things, the more he
felt like learning. Education was the only thing that interested him. He never got
distracted from his academics. He slowly started mastering Urdu. Within a short time,
he could read Urdu Balasiksha, “Boltakhaaida”.

Meanwhile, it was time for Palakurthi jaathara.69

Raju’s father had vowed that if he could perform his daughter Suseela’s marriage that
year, he would visit the temple during the carnival season.

69
A religious congregation that takes place one in a year or once in two years to mark the birth or death
of a deity.

119
So, Raju’s family set out to Palakurthi on a bullock cart. Raju was astonished to see
people turning in great numbers.

The carts made three circumambulations round the temple hill. Raju’s cart also made
three rounds.

“Wow! An ocean of public! Countless number of carts! Exclaimed Suseela.

“Raju was also astounded at such large numbers.
Neither had he seen that many people, nor those many carts!
It slowly grew dark. People parked their carts, tethered the bullocks to the posts and
started preparing meals on makeshift hearths.
“We are going to have a darshan70 tomorrow morning.” Said Suseela. Their mother
Radha was busy cooking food.
“Does God live on the hill?” Asked Raju.
“Yes. All these people have come from distant places to offer prayers to God and get
His blessings.”
“How does He look like? Have you ever seen God?”
“I visited this place once in the past. I even had a darshan!”
“Is God a giant personality with huge body and big limbs?”
“No. What you find on the hill top is just a Lingam71. On the hill top, there is a tunnel.
One has to crawl on knees in order to pass through it. It is pitch dark inside. After
crossing the tunnel one finds the Lingam. It is considered God.”
“Is that it? I thought God to be a gigantic personality.
Meanwhile their father, who had been out for a while, approached them.
“The situation here is very much tensed. Looks like a commotion takes place sooner
or later.” Said he.
“Why? What is wrong?” asked mother.

“The communist party is organising a public meeting. Dora’s goons are trying hard to
disrupt the meeting. On one side the communists, and on the other side Dora’s
henchmen, ready to fight with each other with weapons like knives, spades,
crowbars...etc.”

70
An audience with god.
71
A symbol of lord Siva.

120
“Communists! What a terrible people they are! Don’t they have any work? Can’t they
find any other time to hold a meeting? Blamed mother.

“People turn out in large numbers during the theertham.72 This could be their reason
to hold a meeting now. Our Sathaiah is one of the active members in the organising
committee. It is said that eminent leaders grace the meeting. Nalla Narasimha, Arutla
Rama Chandra Reddy, BhimReddi Narasimha Reddy...etc are going to address the
public. Awareness programmes like Golla Suddulu, Burrakatha are also being
conducted. Do you hear the sound of Burrakatha? ” Said father.

“Akka! Akka! I want to attend the meeting. Could you take me there? Urged Raju.
“No! It angers father!”

“He doesn’t. I shall take his permission.”

“O.k. As you wish.”

“Father! Father!....Shall Suseela and I shall attend the meeting? Raju sought his
father’s permission, a little apprehensively though.

“Nothing doing! The situation is very volatile. In all likelyhood a commotion takes
place sooner or later. It may lead to a fight between the communists and Dora’s
goons. Who knows! A few heads might be broken.” Father denied permission.

“Heavens are not going to fall. Don’t discourage them. Let them go. Advise them to
be a bit more careful. Ask them to watch the cultural programmes from a safe
distance.” Mother came to their defence.

“I am afraid of sending them alone. Let me send our male servant Kistaiah along with
them.” Said Narasaiah.

“Arey! Kista! Take the children to the meeting and show them burrakatha.” Said
Narasaiah.

72
A Religious congregation.

121
Raju and Suseela followed Kistaiah making their way through the carts. One after the
other, they passed many carts. They lost count of how many carts they had passed.

After a while, they reached the venue. People were watching the ballad sitting in front
of the stage. The place was illuminated by petromax lamps and diviteelu73.

The place was swamped by public. Reaching the dais seemed difficult. They had to
satisfy themselves watching the programmes from a distance.

People were listening to the artistes intently. Raju felt very excited.
Suddenly, there was a hubbub.
Dora’s acolytes started pelting stones at the public. They were hurling stones using
slings. The stones came whirring and hit the public.
Public got scattered to protect themselves from raining stones.
The place reverberated with Slogans.
“Andhra Maha Sabha ki Jai”
“Ravi Narayana Reddy ki Jai.”
“Arutla Rama Chandra Reddy ki Jai.”
“Akrama Levy – Nasinchaali.”
“Dorala Dourjanyam- Nasinchaali.”
A deep voice started addressing the crowd.

“Dear Public! Please do not move. This is a conspiracy to disrupt the peaceful
atmosphere. We know the people behind it. We also know who sent them here. Dora
has sent them here. Our activists will teach them a befitting lesson. Please do not
leave. Burrakatha will resume soon. There is no danger.”

Stone pelting has ceased slowly. Scattered public started moving backwards.
Again the voice started speaking.“Ladies and Gentlemen! The goons have learnt their
lesson. They fled the place. We are out of danger. Please watch burrakatha.
Gollasuddulu74 follows next, followed by speeches of the leaders.”
Public roared.

73
Hand torches made of rags and soaked in oil, wound to a wooden or metal handle.
74
A lyrical ballad, an oral narrative.

122
“Andhra Maha Sabhaki – Jai”
“Prajaporatulu – Vardhillali.”
“Vetti chaakiri – Nasinchaali.”
“Akrama levy – Raddukaavaali.”

[“Andhra Maha Sabha - Zindabad.”

“People’s fight - Zindabad.”
“We demand the Practice of Vetti.”
“Unjust Levy – Should be prohibited.”

Peace was restored. Burrakatha had resumed.

Raju’s heart leapt with joy. He felt like dancing to the accompaniment of the musical
instruments. Burakatha had always fascinated him. He took special interest in
watching burrakatha. He was unaware of time. He fell asleep slowly at midnight.
Raju had no idea when Kistaiah brought them back to his parents. All he remembered
was leaning on his sister’s shoulder before falling asleep.

The next day, early in the morning, Raju’s family took bath in the tank next to the
temple hill and climbed atop the hill for darshan. Raju felt like he was moving into
another world. He was greatly amused at the sight of people and houses downhill
becoming dwarf.

They took the steps to climb the hilltop. The place was already overcrowded with
large numbers of devotees. Then, there came the tunnel. As his sister had said, one
has to crawl on knees in order to pass through it. Only then one can have a darshan of
God. Raju started crawling alongside his mother, father and sister. It was totally dark
inside the tunnel. Raju felt uncomfortable crawling in the dark. To his relief, he could
see some light after a while. There, in that light, he could see two priests seated in the
middle of the room. Raju tried hard to find God. There was a stone between the two
priests. He was told it was the Lingam, the God.

“Join your palms and pray to god.” Said Suseela.

“Where is God? Questioned Raju.

123
Don’t you see the Lingam? That is God.

“You mean the stone lying there!” How come a stone be treated as God! Asked Raju
in dis belief. However, he prayed to it by joining his palms in respect. He felt greatly
discouraged. He imagined the God to be tall, handsome and well built. They have also
visited the temple of Lord Narasimha which was closeby.

After offering prayers. They climbed down the hill.

Raju’s mother started cooking food. Kistaiah was helping her.

Meanwhile, Sathyam chinnaayana visited them in the disguise of a shepherd. Raju

could not recognise him first. He was clad in a dhoti75 and was half naked. He was
wearing a gongadi76 to cover his chest. He, also, tied a turban cloth to his head. Raju
started listening to his father and Sathyam chinnaayana’s conversation.

“What happened last night?” Asked father.

“Dora’s goons hatched a plan to disrupt the meeting. They seemed to have conspired
to kill some of our comrades. But luck didn’t favour them. We were all geared up to
face them. They were only ten people; we were more than hundred in number. We
beat them black and blue. It was a second major setback for Dora since Ilamma’s
case.
“Do you think Dora takes this matter easily?”

“We know that he never takes these matters lightly. Do you know what he did last
night? He called the police. The police swarmed the place within minutes. They have
arrested many of us and taken them to Visnur. A search has been launched to arrest
me as well. There is a tight vizil all over. However, I came to visit you on receiving
the news that you had come to the jaathara. I must be moving. It is not safe for me to
be at one place for too long. Please do not bother about me. I have no idea when I
return home. I am a full time activist in the party. Our party’s high command decides

75
A lower garment running from waist to ankles.
76
A hand woven woollen blanket.

124
our activities. I am supposed to implement them. Vadina77, kindly take care of my
wife.” Requested Sathyam chinnaayana.

“What can I do? I am helpless. Why did you join the sangham? You are not born in
poverty. You have everything in abundance. What is bothering you?” asked mother.
“I am fine. I was born in luxury. There is no dearth of anything. But there are many
others who are homeless, pennyless and living in abject poverty. I have joined
sangham for the sake of them.” Explained Sathyam chinnaayana.

“I am scared of Dora. He is all powerful. He may harm you.” Father’s voice was
choked. There were tears in his eyes.

“Please don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. I have public support. This is
peoples’ movement. They will protect me. He turned to Suseela. By the time I come
back home, you will be at your in-laws’ place perhaps.”

“Please be careful chinnaayana.” Said Suseela.

“I can take care of myself. I am more concerned about you.”said Sathyam
chinnaayana.

“What is wrong chinnaayana? Asked Suseela.

“I am worried about your fiancé. He is not a good man. You are as soft as jasmine and
your fiancé is as hard as coal. I am worried how your future will be.”
“He is not as bad as you think. Moreover, he is our nephew. Our sisters treat my
daughter like a princess. She gets a royal treatment at her in-laws’ place.” Said father
confidently.

“Food is ready. Have some food before you leave on your mission, Sathaiah!” said
mother.

“No, Vadina! I should not be here for too long. Police are searching for me. My party
has made arrangements for some of us to take shelter at a Lambaadi thanda.78 Party

77
Elder brother’s wife.

125
cadres will be awaiting my arrival. Sathyam chinnaayana covered his face in gongadi
and left.

Raju’s family had food and started their return journey. He felt very happy. He liked
to drive the bullock cart. However, his father remained tensed till they reached
Vayalapadu. All the while he dreaded, what if either the police or the Dora’s hit men
detained them enquiring Sathaiah’s whereabouts. He also dreaded that he would be
arrested if he did not tell them the truth.

*** ** ***

78
A tribal hamlet.

126
 4

One evening, Raju returned home from school after playing a game of marbles with
his friend Yadagiri. He found a crowd around Suseela.
He rushed to his sister immediately.

She was lying on a cot. Her eyes were closed. Ramadasu, the only doctor in the
village, was checking her pulse.

“What’s wrong? What happened to my sister?” Raju asked Satthemmattha.

“Your sister has been suffering from severe fever, Rajaiah! Replied Sattematta. Raju
had no clue when she had arrived.

After a thorough investigation, doctor Ramadasu assured them that there was nothing
serious, it was a general fever and that he would put her on medication.
He opened medical kit, and gave some tablets to Raju’s mother.

“Give her these tablets thrice a day. Two tablets each time.” He said.
He took leave after talking to Raju’s father about Suseela’s condition. Raju put his
hand on his sister’s forehead. She was running high temperature. He felt as if her
whole body was boiling.
“Akka! Akka!” he called her.
“Uhmmm! She groaned. Her voice was very low. Almost inaudible.
The next day, he was told her condition was a little better.
Suseela smiled weakly on seeing Raju.
“Akka! How are you feeling today? Asked Raju.
“I am alright. Did you go to school today?” She enquired.
“Yeah.” Replied Raju.
“Everyone thought that I would die yesterday itself. I, too, thought that it was my last
day on this planet.”
“What is death, Akka? What happens if one dies? Asked Raju.
“If one is dead, one is taken to Yamalokam79.

79
The abode of lord Yama.

127
Yamakinkarulu take us away to Yamalokam.
“Yamakinkarulu? Who are they akka?
“The servants of lord Yama.80 Whenever someone dies, Lord Yama sends his servants
to get them to Yamalokam.”
“How do they look like? I mean Yamakinkaralu.”
“The same as the characters in the Saavitri.81”
“I never had a chance to watch it, akka!”
“It is quite popular. It is performed by Daasarollu82 regularly. I will take you to the
play next time it is played.
Meanwhile their mother Raadhamma had come there.

“Suseela! Get up my love. Take this medicine.” She handed Suseela some syrup.
“No...amma!. It tastes bitter. I die right now if I consume it. Said Suseela.

“For Heavens sake! Please don’t say that again. Just close your eyes and gulp it
down.” Said mother.

“My daughter-in-law is a sweet girl. She respects her elders’ advice. Get up! My
dear...get up! Said Satthemmattha affectionately, who had joined them. Mother and
Satthemmattha brought Suseela into a sitting posture and poured some syrup into her
mouth. She gulped it with some effort. She looked like she would throw away any
moment. Somehow she had managed not to, and lay down on her back and closed her
eyes.

“I came to take my daughter-in-law to her husband, but the merciless God has decided
her fate like this.” Said Satthemmattha sadly.
“Unknown malady has gripped my daughter.” Cursed amma.
“It could be Kontethanam. Tonight, we need to pray to Mutyalamma83 and pacify her.
Said Satthemmattha. Raju was puzzled. He had no idea what kontethanam was!
Meanwhile Raju’s father Narasaiah had joined them.

80
God of death in Hindu cosmology.
81
A faithful wife in Indian mythology, who fights with the lord Yama and wins her husbands life.
82
People belonging to Daasari community, one of the backward classes.
83
Village deity.

128
“I have brought Maulvi Saheb Jaffar with me.....to check Suseela’s health. He said on
reaching them.

Maulvi Saheb Mohd. Jaffer walked in.

He had examined Suseela for a long time and ordered for a glass of water.
Chanting some mysterious incantations, he pulled out an amulet from his bag and tied
it around Suseela’s arm.
“How are you Suseelamma?” He enquired. Suseela opened her eyes and looked at
him.
“Don’t worry. No spirit can trouble you from now on. He assured.
“Don’t the servants of Yama, trouble me from now on?” Asked Suseela.
“No one dares to trouble you. I have tied an amulet around your arm. Haven’t I? Said
Maulvi Saheb.
“Don’t worry Narasaiah maama! Your daughter will be alright soon. This is my
word.” Said Maulvi Saheb turning to father.
“Raadhammatta! Don’t worry. I am with you. He said turning to amma. Maulvi
Saheb addresses mother as atta84.
He took leave, but not before reassuring them.
The next day, Suseela was down with fever again.
Once again, Ramadasu paid a visit, offered some medicine and assured them it was
rheumatic fever which could be cured easily.
But there was no respite.

One day, Father brought Baindla85 Somaiah with him to check Suseela. Baindla
Somaiah was a witch doctor. He went round the house chanting incantations, reciting
mystical words and tied mudupu86 to the main door frame. All the while, he was
beating Jamidika87.

At night, Satthemmattha came to Suseela holding a hen in her hands. She made three
rounds around Suseela’s cot and offered it to Muthyalamma. Even then, there was no

84
Aunt.
85
One of the sub castes to Madiga community. Oppressed among the oppressed.
86
An offering to the village deity.
87
A drum traditional to People of Baindla community.

129
use. The temperature didn’t come down. To make the matters worse, her health
deteriorated further and she lost the power of speech gradually.

Amma became inconsolable on finding her daughter in hapless condition.

Satthemmattha started praying to all the Gods known to her.

Doctor Ramadasu’s and Maulvi Saheb Jaffar’s visits became a routine. As usual, one
was giving medicines, the other was reciting incantations. But, Suseela was showing
no signs of improvements.

One late night, Satthemmattha awoke Raju.

“Arey Rajayya! Akka’s health condition has worsened. I am afraid; we will have to
prepare for the worst.” She was crying inconsolably. Raju was startled to hear her
words. He felt like he was hit hard with a Palmyra stalk on his back. He became
emotional. He did not know how to respond.

“Raajayya... hurry up! Catch the last glimpses of your sister! The girl, who was
supposed to meet her husband and lead a happy life, is now in her death bed. Come
soon. Satthemmattha cursed the fate wailing.

Her words sent shivers through Raju’s spine. He felt weak in his knees. So, she took
Raju to Suseela.

Suseela was laid down on the cot, surrounded by family members. They were wailing
loudly.

To his surprise, Raju found Suseela speaking. She was in a frenzy.

“Have you come to take me along? You want me to go with you! See how you look?
You and your coal tar face! Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror? Why did
you come too early?” Raju did not understand who she was talking to.
“Suseela...My dear! Who? Who do you see? Who are you talking to? Who is
bothering you my darling? Your brother Raju has come! Please look at him. Speak
talk to him once, said Satthemmattha.

130
“I am speaking to the servant of lord Yama. Look! How he mocks at me! He is as
thick as a tar black log. He has come to take me away from you all. Look! He is
mocking at me again. I shall not go with him. Orey, I shall not go with you. Wait!
Don’t harm my mother and brother. I will listen to you. I shall go with you. Please, do
not harm to them. Why do you stare at me? May your glamour go begging! May you
be buried alive in Jilla cheruvu...”88 She hurled a couple of abuses at the invisible
person who was supposedly bothering her and became inanimate all of a sudden. She
never spoke again. People surrounding her started wailing at once.

Raju was confused. He was thinking. “What could have happened to my sister, for she
suddenly stopped speaking.”

He didn’t feel like crying like others. Instead he was quivering with fear, terrible,
uncontrollable fear.

Rukkamma chinnamma came to him and took him away.

“What’s wrong chinnamma? Please tell me why everyone is crying?” Somehow he
could manage to ask her.

“Suseela is no more, Raju! She has left us! She is dead!” Said Rukkamma
chinnamma.

“Raju was caught in a train of thoughts again, unending train of thoughts. What is
death? Why did Suseela die? Who had killed her? All these questions swarmed his
little brain.

The way people were wailing, it seemed to him that the rooftop would be blown over.
He asked Rukkamma chinnamma to take him to the God, so that he could ask Him as
to why He had killed his sister.

“Where should I take you Raju for God is invisible? He is said to be omnipresent yet
He is invisible.” She expressed her helplessness.

88
Name of the tank.

131
“I know where He lives! He is on a hilltop at Palakurthi, Suseela akka had told me
once. Please take me there.” Rukkamma chinnamma broke into tears, crying out
loudly at his innocence. But Raju didn’t cry. Instead, he was terrified; he was gripped
with fear.

Raju thought of going to Palakurthi temple the next morning, and confront God. He
then, wondered whether God would reply to him or not.

It was still dark. Unable to control his sleep, Raju leaned against the bed. The last
words of Suseela were reverberating in his ears. Especially, Ni andam adukku
thinnatle vundi. (May your glamour go begging). Some times, he and Suseela used to
visit their farm. Whenever they bumped into someone whom she didn’t like, she
would scornfully say Vaalla andam adukkutinnatte vundi. Mother was always busy
with household work. It was his sister who took care of his needs. She would bathe
him, dress him up, groom his hair, prepare his slate, serve him piping hot food, and
send him to school early, earlier than all others, even chapraasi89. He felt dejected
now that he lost her to an unforeseen illness. He retrospected what death actually
was? Why should people die? What is the secret of birth and death? Akka used to say
God is the one who creates us and he is the one who kills us. Now, he had a question.
Why should God create people if only to kill them? It all seemed mystery to him. He
thought, he should discover the secret when he grew old. Slowly, he fell into deep
sleep. He had dreams of yamakinkaralu taking his sister away from him.

He woke up late the next morning. By then the sun had already started his upward
journey. Mother, Satthemmattha, Grandmother, Peddamma were still mourning near
akka’s body. Raju felt scary listening to their sobs. He felt like running away from
there. He heard father weeping in the diwankhana. Maulvi Saheb Jaffar, Police Patel
Somanna, Patwaari Narasimharao, Dora’s Sherdar Latif saheb, Navilipuri Ramaiah,
Chintakindi Venkataiah, Gaadeboina Chandraiah were trying to console him.
Veeraiah Pedanaayana was sitting next to father. All and sundry in the village were
visiting their house to have a last glimpse of his sister.

89
Peon.

132
Meanwhile, there came a cart. Raju found his brother-in-law Somaiah and his mother
Vajrammatta getting down the cart.

Vajrammatta walked in weeping loudly. On finding her, women folk broke out at
once. The atmosphere in the house was very heart breaking.

Somaiah sat near Suseela’s (his wife) body for a while. There were no tears in his
eyes. Later, he moved into diwankhana. There, he found his father-in-law Narasaiah.
Both hugged each other and wept loudly.

The news of Narasaiah’s daughter’s death spread quickly. Near and dear started
turning up. Bullock carts queued up in front of Raju’s house. Bhaskaraiah,
Ramanaiah, Raajammatta, Jogammatta,90 Sudheshna, Samyuktha, Saraswathi,
Ammamma,91 Chinna maama, Pedda maama,92 Nadipi maama, Pedda atta, Nadipi atta,
Lakshmamma peddamma,93 Suryam anna, Lalithamma chinnamma94 had arrived by
noon. Amma cried even louder on seeing her people. She was inconsolable. Now,
Raju had a doubt, what would happen to his mother if she cried non-stop.

By afternoon, people of Madiga community gathered in front of their home and

started beating drums. Raju did not understand why they were beating drums. Some
of them were seen preparing a frame of bamboo sticks.
Chandranna came to Raju and said “Paade is being prepared.”
“What is Paade?” Raju asked him.
“A frame to carry the dead.”
“Where to?” asked Raju.
“To the graveyard.”
“Why?

90
Atta- meternal uncle’s wife. Rajammatta, Jogammatta-Meternal uncles’ wives.
91
Ammamma-Mother’s mother, a grandmother.
2.Maama - Mother’s brother, a Meternal uncle. Peddamaama, nadipi maama, chinna maama- mother’s
siblings.
93
Peddamma- Mother’s elder sister. An aunt.
94
Chinnamma- Mother’s younger sister. An aunt.

133
“Cremation takes place there. When someone dies, the dead body would be burnt if
she/he is married or buried if she/he is unmarried. Suseela’s would be burnt because
she is married.” Said Chandranna.

Raju didn’t speak for a while. He was reminded of some of the abuses the women folk
in the village hurled at each other in a fit of anger. Ninnu paadegatta... (May your bier
be prepared), ninnu kaaleyya... (May you be burnt), ninnu bondha betta... (May you
be burried). It, now, became clear to him that all those words referred to death.
Parvathamma Peddamma, once scolded him may you be buried. Mother became
furious on hearing that. She had quarrelled with peddamma for a long time. After the
quarrel ended, she cried for a long time hugging him to her bosom. He, now,
understood that people who were quarrelsome would desire for the death of others.
Suseela’s body was bathed and draped in a new sari. Satthemmattha cried her heart
out while akka’s body was being dressed.

“Draped in a silk saree, my little darling is leaving for her in-laws’ house. All come.
Let us see her off. My darling’s bridal design on her feet is still wet. But the merciless
god has killed her. Darling Suseela........ Satthemmattha was crying loud beating her
chest. Suseela’s body was laid down on the bier. Somaiah baava was standing there
holding a pot in his hands.

“Shouting Govinda! Govinda!” People lifted the bier. Every one in the village
gathered to see the last journey. It was a huge procession. Somaiah baava was walking
in front of the procession.

The Paaraani95on her feet was still fresh and yet she had to die an untimely death.
The crowds blamed God for killing her at a young age.

Shekar chinna maama, the youngest brother of his mother, came to Raju.
“It is a great loss!” He said holding Raju’s hand.
Raju was overcome with emotion. He did not know how to respond.

95
The decoration of the feet with a mixture of turmeric paste and lime which turns red and which is
applied on the occasion of marriage or any such auspicious occasions.

134
I have spoken with the doctor. He told me that Suseela had been suffering from
Typhoid. Said Shekar chinna maama.
Raju had no clue what Typhoid was!

“If Suseela had been treated by a specialist doctor, she would have survived. Your
father had faith in quacks and exorcists rather than the doctors. At least, if he had
informed us, we would have taken her to the doctor at Suryapeta.” Said Shekar chinna
maama.

Raju did not understand what he was saying.

The procession reached the outskirts of the village.

People of Maadiga community prepared a pyre with logs. The body was laid on it.
Somaiah went round the pyre three times carrying a pot on his shoulder before he set
fire to it. The moment he set fire, the tongues of fire spread fast engulfing Suseela’s
body. It seemed as if the God of fire was on a fury. Public moved far from the pyre to
protect themselves from the flames. Shekar chinna maama took Raju away from the
pyre.

Within no time Suseela’s body turned into a pile of ashes.

“What happens to the dead chinna maama?” asked Raju.
“No clue! Suseela was a nice girl. She should not have died an untimely death. I still
don’t understand why God destroys his own people.” Said Shekar chinna maama.
“Is God our creator?” Raju asked him.
“I am not sure. But I was told to believe so.”
“If God is our creator, who is the creator of God?” asked Raju.
“Who knows? We should ask the elderly people. But they say questening the
existence of God is considered arrogance. They even threaten that whoever questions
God’s existence, goes blind.” They simply scare us but don’t give a satisfactory
answer. Said Shekar chinna maama.
People who had attended the funeral took bath at a well nearby. Though, everyone
was heavy hearted, Ramanayya baava and Bhaskaram baava were laughing at
something.

135
Bhaskaram baava seemed to have watched an Urdu movie in the cinemas at Peta96.
Besides briefing the story, he was singing a couple of songs from the movie in Urdu
language forcing people into fits of laughter. Raju had found it difficult to follow him
because he was not fluent in Hindi.

Everyone returned home after the funeral. Mother was still crying.
Three days later, the family members went to the pyre. There was nothing but for
heaps of white ash. Satthemmattha, crying loud, collected the ashes in a winnow tray
and dumped them at the trunk of a thangedu chettu97.

Priest Narasimharaamayya got the place cleaned and started chanting incantations.
Later, Somaiah baava was asked to serve food in a Vistaraaku98to the birds. No
sooner did he serve the food, an eagle which was making rounds in the air came down
and picked it up with its beak.

Everyone saluted the eagle and felt happy that the bird ate the food. The whole
process was called pittaku pettadam, chinna maama had told him. Suseela akka is
believed to have become a spirit and comes in the guise of an eagle to eat the food.
The same process was carried out for the next ten days.On the tenth day, pindaalu99
were offered to Suseela’s spirit. Mother had been weeping all the while. She quit
eating food for a couple of days. But with the insistence of Ammamma, Varamma
chinnamma, Lakshamamma peddamma, Lalithamma chinnamma, she broke her
fasting.

Relatives left after the completion of eleven days.

Raju was bugged by all sorts of weird questions all through those eleven days. He
wondered what if mother died unable to digest akka’s death. What if father dies after
amma? Raju feared that yamakinkarulu would take away all his family members from
him. Suseela’s last words “ni andham adakkatinatte vundi”were still lingering in his
ears. He was amazed at how boldly his sister had spoken to the yamakinkarulu.
After a long time since Suseela’s death, Sathyam chinnaayana came home wearing a
disguise. These days he was not staying at home. He was not found in the village

96
Peta is another name of Warangal.
97
A small shrub called Cassia auriculata.
98
A Plate made of leaves.
99
Rice flour mixed with cow’s milk and made into lumps.

136
either. He became a full time activist in the communist party. Rumours were ripe that
Dora would kill him at any time.

The moment father saw his younger brother, he started weeping. Sathyam
chinnaayana also broke into tears embracing father.

“It was a loss beyond words! A grave injustice! I have told you repeatedly not to get
her married at a young age. And I have also advised you that Somaiah was not the
right person for her. You didn’t pay heed to my advice. Further, you went a head
against vadina’s wishes. You did not even consult her. If only you had reconsidered
the idea of marriage, Suseela would have survived. In a way, we have killed her on
our own. Said Sathyam chinnaayana.

“What a terrible loss vadina! He said on reaching mother.

Mother was heart broken on finding her brother-in-law. Rukkamma chinnamma
consoled her.Sathyam chinnaayana stayed at the home that night.

At midnight, Raju woke up to pee. As usual, he went to the backyard. Slowly, he

reached gummulu rubbing his eyes. It was a fullmoon day and the moon was shining
bright. To his surprise! He heard some murmurs coming from behind gummulu. He
went a little further.

There, on the cot, he found Sathyam chinnaayana and Rukkamma chinnamma buck
naked, lying one on top of the other. However hard he tried not to look at them, he
could not resist the urge. Curiosity got better of him. He peeped at them brazenly for a
while and then returned to his cot. Now, he was overcome with guilt for sneaking at
them. He wondered what they were doing in seclusion at late night. Chandranna
would explain, he thought. But he withdrew that idea. If he did so, Chandranna would
fabricate a romantic story about the intimate moments of uncle and aunt and go
gossiping as if he himself chanced upon them. So, Raju decided not to share it with
him.
But a doubt is a doubt, and it remains a doubt until and unless it is cleared. His uncle
and aunts’ late night episode kept bugging him. He was curious to know what they
were at. Unfortunately, Chandranna was the only person whom he could approach.
He didn’t like that idea. Chandranna behaved odd at times. When they were playing

137
bride and bridegrooms, he would insist on sleeping with the bride stating that wives
and husbands shared the same cot. Once, Chandranna played husband and Suseela
played wife. Naagaiah and Raju played the band music troops. Though it was a game,
Chandranna insisted on them to arrange for a cot. He said, after marriage wife and
husband would be united. So it was decided that Suseela should go to bed with him.
Chandranna treated Suseela as his real wife. He tried to pull her towards him. He
behaved lewdly with her. Though it was a game, Raju could not tolerate his wanton
behaviour. He loathed Chandranna. Later, Raju questioned Chandranna about his
obnoxious behaviour. He got a reply that was how husbands and wives behaved after
marriage.

Chandranna referred to Sathyam chinnaayana and Rukkamma chinnamma’s marriage

as an example. He even claimed to have watched the ritual of their okkati
cheyyatam100. He, further, said that he was aware of how the newlyweds spend their
first night. He went on to say that, in farm families, sometimes grain is stored in the
arralu101. Grain occupies entire space leaving no room for young couples. You know
what a husband and a wife do during those times? He questioned. When there was no
reply, he anounced that they would find some privacy behind gummulu, as if he had
discovered a secret. “I happened to watch chinnaayana taking chinnamma to the back
of gummulu to do that thing.” Claimed Chandranna. Raju got infuriated when
Chandranna made lascivious remarks about Sathyam chinnaayana and Rukkamma
chinnamma. He doubted that Chandranna would have spied them. Surprisingly, he did
the same mistake today. No big difference!

Raju wondered whether all couples exchanged intimacies in private. His thoughts
shifted to his parents. He could not think further. He felt guilty to think of their private
life.
He thought that it would be better if he could avoid such negative thoughts, even
better if Chandranna didn’t discuss with him about such things.

*** ** ***

100
Sharing the same bed as husband and wife.
101
Rooms.

138
 5

‘Razakar’ has become a buzzword in the village.

Discussions have started on how to face Razakars if they attacked their village.
Razakars raided the villages in the day time as they were scared to carry out attacks at
nights. Sensing this, the villagers geared up accordingly. Men armed themselves with
slings, slingshots, axes, spears...etc., and women with long thick wooden rice
pounders and red chilli powder. They decided that all of them should gather at a
common place and fight back, the moment the warning bell was rung.

Though he was a child, Raju started contemplating on how he should fight the
Razakars. He had trained himself in hurling pebbles at the enemy using a sling. But,
no matter how hard he tried, he could not master the technique. Compared to him,
Chandranna had learnt it fast. Raju also tried to imagine how the Razakars looked
like. He imagined them to have big teeth and horns on their heads. Like the “demons”
in street plays that he had watched. Mere thought of killing a few of them made him
immensely happy.

Chandranna used to update him about the atrocities committed by the Razakars in the
neighbouring villages.

“Razakars had attacked a village called Devaruppala and killed ten inhabitants.
The Communists had killed ten Razakars in a revenge attack at a village named
Kaamareddygudem.

The villagers of Kanmaigudem made a valiant effort in turning down the Razakars
assult on their village. They did not even allow the Razakars to enter their village.
Razakars had suffered major injuries and fled the place.

Bapu Dora, the son of pedda Dora, joined Razakars in killing some of the innocent
villagers at Polukonda.

Razakars had gunned down two innocent brahmins at kodakandla.

139
“Nalla Narasihmulu, slayed ten Razakars at Dadidepelly. He even tried to kill Bapu
Dora, but the latter managed to escape.........etc.”

Raju would wonder how on earth Chandranna managed to get the information. But
then it occurred to him that Chandranna never stayed at home. He always roamed
around. No wonder he gathered all the information. Raju, on the other hand, went to
school. Once in a blue moon, he would visit Dussa Yadagiri’s home. These days,
Yadagiri was busy learning cloth weaving on handloom. He was a quick learner.
Within no time, he became an expert. To Raju, it was amazing to watch the spindle
movements and the threads being woven into a cloth. He felt that Yadagiri was
creating something new, something that was not in existence till then.

Yadagiri and Raju belonged to the same age group. He noticed that not only Yadagiri,
but most of his classmates were also found learning their traditional occupations
whenever he visited their homes though it it happened very rarely. Vadla Narasaiah
was found learning carpentry. Kummari Saaraiah was found learning pottery. It seems
every community teaches its offsprings, the occupation that is traditional to it.

Though Raju belonged to a farmer’s family, he didn’t know the ABCD of farming
which had been their traditional occupation. Chandranna, on the other hand, was
quite good at farming. He did it with finesse. He was not only good at tilling the land,
but also equally good at watering it with leather buckets. To his bewilderment, none
of his family members had taught him farm work. When Suseela akka was alive, she
would always insist that he focussed on his academics rather than farming. As a
young boy, he didn’t understand her words. Later when he grew old, he felt he was
lucky to have had such a wonderful sister.

A week later, Chandranna came to Raju and said. “If Razakars raid our village, our
family will be the first on their hit list!”

“Why is that?’ asked Raju.

“Sathyam chinnaayana is an active member of the communist party. Razakars and the
communists are at loggerheads for a long time now. They target our family
considering it as an opportunity to take revenge on the communist party.”

140
“Is it? What will they do?”
“They beat us black and blue, they may kill us even! It is alright. But what I am more
worried about is Rukkkamma chinnamma’s future.”
“What do they do to Rukkamma chinnamma?”
“Rukkaama chinnamma is in prime of her youth. Razakars behave cruelly with young
women.”
“I don’t understand!” said Raju.
“Chedagodataaru.” Replied Chandranna.
“What is Chedagottatam102?
“Chedagottatam is chedagottatam, that’s it!
“I still don’t understand what you are saying!”
Here, let me make it simple for you. Do you have any idea about what
maanabhangam is?
“I am sorry; I do not have any idea.” Said Raju.
“Maaanabhangam is a sexual assault on a person.” Chandranna had given a detailed
account. In the process, he had used a lot of obscene words. Raju felt embarrassed to
hear such fowl language.
Now, Raju started experiencing mixed feelings. On one hand, he wanted to fight
Razakars, and on the other hand he was worried about Rukkamma chinnamma.
“If the communists have prior information about the raids of Razakars, don’t they put
check to them?”
“They will, for sure. But how do they know about Razakars where abouts?”
“Someone should take the initative.”
“It is not an easy task. The Communists do not stay at one place constantly. They
change their hide outs frequently.”
“But why?” asked Raju.
“For security reasons! The police are close on their heels all the time!”
“Are they afraid of police?”
“Yes indeed. Police have arms. Mainly, 303!”
“What is 303?
“It’s the name of a rifile. With the help of 303, one can hit distant targets. The
rumour is that a single bullet fired from 303 is enough to kill four to five people.

102
Rape.

141
Though the communists possess weapons, they are mostly the traditional type, not as
sophisticated as the police.”

“I have a doubt! Do the police and Razakars have the same agenda? I, mean, wiping
out the communists!”

“It depends! Right now, as a common minimum programme, they have joined hands
in weeding out their common enemy. But there is no guarantee that they work
together on all issues that show up in future. You know what Baapu Dora did the
other day? He had killed nine people with a single bullet. He took the Razakars and
police with him to Mallampally. There, he captured nine people who were suspected
to be the communists. He made all of them stand in a queue and fired his 303 rifile.
The bullet split open their heads one after the other and finally landed in hallow of a
tree. He, thus, claimed nine lives at one go.”

“Is there nobody who can put check to his atrocities? What about Nalla Narasimhulu?
I have heard a lot about his heroics. Can’t he do something?” asked Raju.

“Baapu Dora wets his pants at the mention of Nalla Narasimhulu. But he has police
protection. The police take care of his security.

Chandraiah used to update Raju about the developments in the neighbouring villages.
A few days later, late at one night, Sathyam chinnaayana came home accompanied by
five other comrades. Dussa Shankaraiah and Maadiga Saayanna were found among
them. All of them possessed rifiles. Chandranna pointed at 303 they were carrying.
That was the first time Raju ever had an opportunity to look at 303 from a close range.
Mother, Rukkamma chinnamma, and Paarvathamma peddamma prepared food for
them.

They called for a meeting with the villagers that night.

After the meeting, they freed the villagers from all the debts by setting fire to the legal
documents possessed by Police Patel Somanna, Patwaari Narasimha and Pawn broker
Navulipuri Ramaiah. That night, they slept in the diwankhana.

142
The next day, they distributed nearly two hundred acres of Dora’s land to the land
less poor. Not just the Dora’s private lands, but they also distributed the government
lands.
“From now on, you are the owners. You are not labourers any more. Our party has
taken a stand. Those who cultivate the land should only possess it, said Sathyam
chinnaayana.

He had also made an announcement that nobody should pay taxes to the government.
Sathyam chinnaayana had trained the villagers how to fight the Razakars if they
raided their village.

Later, he and his aides left the village shouting slogans.....

“Andhra Mahasabhaki Jai”
“Communist partiki Jai”
“Razakarla julum - Nasinchaali.”
“Dorala Dourjanyam - Nasinchaali.”
“Nizam Nawab - Nasinchaali.”
“Dunnevaadide - Bhoomi.”
“Ravi Narayana Reddy ki - Jai.”

[Zindabad Andhra Maha Sabha

Zindabad Communist party
Down, Down - Razakars’ atrocities
Down, Down - Doras’ dominance.
Down, Down – Nizam Nawab.
Those who cultivate should only possess it
Zindabad Ravi Narayana Reddy.]

Two days later, Chandranna awoke Raju from his sleep early in the morning.
“We are going on a picnic today!” He said.
“What is picnic?” asked Raju.
“A trip or a party that includes outdoors meal.” Replied Chandranna.
Raju got up from his bed at once on hearing his cousin’s words.

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By then, the servants of the house were found loading the bullock carts with the
necessary utensils.
A farm house on the outskirts of the village had been chosen to be their picnic
spot.The carts made two trips. First trip, to drop the cooking utensils at the picnic
spot. And the second trip, to carry the family members.

There was a well in the farm. Near the well, there were two banyan trees and two
tamarind trees. There was a cattleshed between the two tamarind trees. And, there
were two mango trees a little away from the tamarind trees.
A hearth was dug under the banyan trees. Mean while, the male servants Kistaiah and
Komuraiah had cut the fowl and prepared the meat. After cooking rice, the women
folk cooked chicken curry on the hearth.

Meanwhile, the male members enjoyed swimming in the well. Raju had learnt
swimming recently. So he enjoyed swimming.

At noon, all the family members gathered under the banyan trees for lunch.
Suddenly, there was a chaos. A large group of people were found running towards the
farm house making piercing cries.

They were shouting “Razakars have come...., Razakars have come....”

Raju’s father and his uncles who had sat for the lunch got up at once, startled by the
shouts. Mother and aunts advised them to hide somewhere. Grandmother was
whimpering uncontrollably.

Veeraiah pedanaayana started sweating all over.

“I had suspected this and got a pit dug in the cattle shed. It can accommodates four
people. Once we get into it and cover ourselves, no one can trace us.” Said Venkaiah
pedanaayana.

“Hurry up! Don’t waste time.” Said one of Raju’s aunts.

“Arey Kistiga! Once we get into the pit, cover it with the frame of bamboo splits and
hay.” Said Venkaiah pedanaayana.
“Take me there.” Shouted grandmother.

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“You, old cow! Nobody harms you because you are aged. We are all worried about
Rukkamma.” Said Father.
“Take Rukkamma with you.” Said mother.
The commotion calmed down all of a sudden.
Now, they heard shouts “No fear!...No fear! They were not Razakars.”
Venkayya pedanaayana who was dashing towards the cattle shed stopped running.
Komuraiah, a fellow villager, who was passing by explained that the sentries on guard
mistook the horse cart belonging to Yedunoothula Ramachandraiah, one from the
neighbouring village, for Razakars.

On hearing that, Raju’s family members heaved a sigh of relief and gathered again
under the banyan tree to have their lunch.

“Pindaarilu103 used to rob the villagers in the past. Now, the Razakars have replaced
them.” Said Veeraiah pedanaayana.

“Razakars have camped at a village called Kodakandla. Muslim population is high in

that village. Razakars camp in the villages where the Muslims are densely populated.
Their job is indiscriminate killing of either the Hindus or the Communists. If they
attack our village, it is via Kodakandla they come. The other day, they had killed two
innocent Brahmins for no reason. I knew both of them. They were learned people.
They were learned in Vedas and Puranas. On that fateful day, they were returning
home from Paakhaala. On finding the Razakars, they started running to protect
themselves. “Maardhalo Maakelavudonko!” (Kill the mother fuckers!) The leader of
the Razakars issued shoot at sight orders. Poor things, they died on the spot. What a
tragedy!” Said father.

“What if the Razakars attack us? How should we face them?” Questioned Venkaiah
pedanaayana.

“However hard we tried to convince Sathyam not to join the communist party, he had
joined the communist party without paying any heed to our advice and he seems to be

103
A group of robbers.

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fine there. It is we who have to face the music.” Veeraiah pedanaayana blamed his
youngest brother for their miseries.
“It appears to us that he is safe over there. But it is not the case. The situation is very
volatile there. He is living under precarious conditions. Said father.

“On hearing their conversation, grandmother started wailing, worried about her
youngest son’s future.

“We shall all die one day. We are mere tourists. No one stays here for good. Why do
you fear so much about Razakars? Veeraiah pedanaayana questioned grandmother.
“Razakars are cruel people. They torment the victims before they kill them; I am more
worried about the torture than death. Kindly take me to some safe place.” Asked
grandmother.

“Idea! Most of our relatives are migrating to “Bitrish.” We shall join them. That way,
we can escape from Razakars.” Suggested father.

“What is “Bitrish?” Queried Venkaiah pedanaayana.

“Bezawada and Bandhar provinces are called Bitrish.104 They are our neighbouring
districts. Because Britishers rule those provinces, they are called Bitrish. We are
called Nizam because we live in a princely state. Nizam is our ruler.”Explained father.
“It is not easy! What about our assets? Who will take care of them? I can’t even
imagine it. Anyways, I am an illerate. I am innocent. No one dares to harm me. Also,
I didn’t muddle myself with anything that is against the king. I am not afraid of
Razakars. I stay here. You people leave if you want to.” Said Venkaiah pedanaayana.
“I didn’t mean it. It is one of the options. It is not the only option. I don’t believe in
individual decissions. I always believe in collective decissions.” Replied father.
“Don’t we find Razakars in Bitrish?” Questioned grandmother.

“No, there is no problem of Razakars in Bitrish.” Chandranna was quick to respond to

his granny.

104
The province that was under the direct control of Royal British kingdom.

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“If so, take me there, my son.” Grandmother pleaded with father.
“The trip has not been finalised yet! It is a collective decision. Give us some time to
think of it.” said father.

“You people do whatever you like. But my wife and I will not join you. We will stay
back to take care of the cattle and agriculture.” Said Venkaiah pedanaayana firmly.
“Our sacrifice goes unnoticed at the end. That is the order of the world. We shall also
migrate to Bitrish. Besides we also need protection, don’t we?” Said Venkamma
peddamma, Venkaiah pedanaayana’s wife.

“You people speak as if the trip to Bitrish has been confirmed. I repeat, it is just one
of the options open to us. It is not the only option.” Said father.

“You are a learned person. You speak Urdu, the official language. My husband and I
are illiterates. You are a better judje than us. So you decide what should we do?” Said
Venkamma peddamma, turning to father.

They all had lunch discussing the prospects of going to Bitrish- first the men, then the
women and then the servants.

In villages, it was a common practice to offer prayers to Uppalamma105 once in a

year. People go on a picnic to pray to Uppalamma and offer a billy goat or a ram to
the goddess.

Uppalamma, usually, shows up in the backyard. When she shows up in someone’s

backyard, it is believed that one has to offer a he-goat. If not, she gets angry and kills
some one in the family.

Last year, when Venkaiah pedanaayana proposed a trip to pray to Uppalamma, father
opposed the idea owing to severe drought. It had infuriated the goddess and she had

105
When a mushroom appears in the shape of fist, people believe that it is their village deity,
Uppalamma.

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claimed Suseela akka, Chandranna told Raju. Since then, he started dreading
Uppalamma.
Once, when there were heavy rains, Chandranna took Raju to their backyard. He
pointed at a white plant which was in the shape of a fist and said it was Uppalamma.
To Raju’s amazement, there were many such plants in the backyard. When he pointed
out the same, Chandranna told him that the biggest among all was Uppalamma.

Raju felt elated whenever their family went on a picnic. Going to their farm house
riding bullock carts, cooking food under the big banyan trees, swimming in the well,
eating food in the leaf plates made of flame of the forest tree appealed to him a lot.
Once, Raju discussed the Uppalamma’s topic with Sathyam chinnaayana. He reported
to him that Chandranna had told him that the village deity had claimed Suseela
because they did not assuage her when she showed up in their backyard. He asked his
uncle whether it was true.

“Suseela died of typhoid. Uppalamma is nothing but a mushroom. It is a superstitious

to treat mushrooms as village deities. There are many superstitions in our society.
This is the tip of the ice berg. Once you grow older you will come to know how
superstitious people are! You are educated. You should not entertain them.” Said
Sathyam chinnaayana.

Later, when Raju reported to Chandranna about what Sathyam chinnaayana had told
him, he advised him not to buy Sathyam chinnaayana’s words, for the communists
never belived in God.

Now, Raju was caught in a dilemma. He was confused whether to believe his uncle or
his cousin. Finally, he voted for his uncle.

Raju heard Veeraiah pedanaayana cautioning the danger of a rainstorm. He was

urging all the family members to quickly get into the carts so that they could reach
home before the storm struck.

The male servants, Kistaiah and Komuraiah, moved the cutlery onto the carts
hurriedly. By then the sky got dark and it started roaring. Soon, there were lightinings

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and thunders all over. Everybody started chanting Arjuna! Arjuna!106 Some how, they
managed to reach the house before the rain turned into a heavy downpour.

People began to say that the Razakars would come to the village today or tomorrow.
They started considering what to do if they really came. True to what had been said,
as the sun went down in the west and as people returned to their homes from the
fields, from atop the tamarind tree in the centre of the village the bell started ringing
incessantly.

“The Razakars have come,” shouts went up in a high pitch. Raju, who was playing a
game of marbles with Dussa Yadagiri heard the shouts and ran inside the house crying
aloud, “The Razakars are coming.”
Father and Veeraiah pedanaayana were drinking toddy sitting in the backyard.
Mother and peddammalu were getting ready to cook. Grandmother lay in a cot and
was coughing non-stop. Chandranna, Nagaiah and Savithri climbed the jujube tree in
the yard and were gathering jujube fruit.
They heard Raju shouting and quickly came into the house. Grandmother started
wailing, “Take me away to a safe place.”
Mother said, “If we stay in this house the Razakars will come and kill all of us. Let’s
go to somebody else’s house.”
“To whose house shall we go?” father enquired.
She replied, “We’ll go to the house of our neighbours, the Dussollu. They’re poor
people. The Razakars won’t come there.”
Grandmother sat up and said, “That’s right, let’s go to the house of the Dussollu. Take
me with you.”

Father was apprehensive. He said, “The Razakars will rob our house. So throw the
brass vessels and other containers into the well. And the gold jewellery too.”

Out in the street somebody shouted, “The Razakars are coming riding ten horses.”
The members of Village Protection Committee went around and announced, “Twenty

106
One of the hero’s in an epic named Mahabharath. Popular belief is that Arjuna would save people
from the thunderbolts whenever it rained heavily, if people chanted his name.

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horses are coming; they are coming from Kodakandla; arm yourselves with slings;
keep your long wooden pestles ready; women should keep chilli powder ready.”

There was confusion in the house. “I won’t go anywhere. I’ll go up the attic and sit
there. Nobody can harm me as long as I have this axe in my hand,” Venkaiah
pedanaayana said.

“I, too, will go up the attic; I’ll stay with you,” Venkamma pedamma proposed.
“Don’t do that. Go with the others to the house of the Dussollu,” Venkaiah
pedanaayana ordered.

Father said, “Even when we go to the house of the Dussollu, if somebody informs the
Razakars that we are the elder brothers of Sattenna, they will shoot us. We’ll hide in
those large Wicker grain containers. You women folk go to the house of the
Dussollu.” He walked towards the wicker grain containers, lifted the lid of the last one
in the row, jumped into it and replaced the lid from inside.

Veeraiah pedanaayana hid himself in another grain container. Venkaiah pedanaayana

went up the attic climbing a ladder and sat behind bales of paddy, unseen by anybody.
The women and children threw everything they could lay their hands on into the
drinking water well. They threw necklaces, ankle bracelets, earrings and nose studs
into the well. Brass vessels, large metal containers, serving spoons … everything went
down into the well.

“Keep these pouches of chilli powder with you.” Mother gave the pouches of chilli
powder to Rukkamma chinnamma and Paarvathamma peddamma. They hurried to the
house of their immediate neighbours, the Dussollu.

It was still not completely dark.

The swish of the shooting slings could be heard out in the street. Many people were
seen standing on trees and on rooftops, hurling stones with their slings in the direction
of of Razakars. Stones hurtled through the air after being flung from the slings.

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The house of the Dussollu was actually a hut. It had only one room inside. Dussa
Somakka herded the women into the room and locked it. She and her son Yadagiri
stayed outside attending to their work. Somakka was spinning the charakha. Yadagiri
was weaving cloth operating his loom. The women stayed silent inside the room.

What was going to happen now? If the Razakars entered this room as well, what
would be their fate? They held their lives in their hands and were afraid even to
breathe, for it would let the enemy find their hide out.

There was shouting and yelling and the sound of men running away from the village.
As the men ran stamping the ground, the horses chased them neighing loudly.
Suddenly, the neighing of the horses was heard close by. Razakars had come. They
went straight to Raju’s house.

Raju, his mother, Rukkamma chinnamma, and others heard the shouts “Allaho Akbar!
Allaho Akbar!! All of them understood that the Razakars had stopped in front of their
house.

“Is this Sattaiah’s house?”

“This is it, saab.”
There was the noise of breaking the door of their house.
The thought of what would happen to father and pedanaayanalu if they were caught
sent shivers through the family members’ spines. Nobody could save them now.
To Raju it appeared as though everything was happening in a dream or as if he was
watching a drama performance.
The door was broken open.

The Razakars entered their house.

“Who’s inside … come out, otherwise we will burn the house … come… come out …
otherwise, we’ll kill everyone,” they shouted.

“Don’t go inside the rooms, saab! They may have weapons,” somebody was saying.

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From the clanking of their boots it was clear that they were going round inside the
house. Would they go to the wicker grain containers? Would they catch father and his
siblings? They held their breath and waited.

The Razakars did not stay in the house for long.

They came out very soon.
“Everyone has run away,” they declared.
Suddenly they came to the house of the Dussollu and started pounding on the door.
Inside, the women felt that they would soon lose their life.
Somakka walked to the door and opened it.
“Who are you? Who are you? Are Sattaiah’s people in this house?”
“No, I’m your slave. Nobody is here, I’m your slave,” Somakka replied.
“Lies … Lies … All lies … Those people have come here.”
“Nobody came here, I’m your slave. I fall at your feet. Only my son and I live in this
house,” Somakka explained.

The women inside the room were trying hard to stay quiet. But, grandmother could
not stop herself from coughing. Peddamma closed the mouth of grandmother to
prevent her from coughing, but to no avail.

Soon they heard pounding on the door of the room they were in.
Mother whispered, “Let’s die if necessary, but not surrender to them. Keep the chilli
powder ready.”

How brave mother was! Everybody was scared, but she was not. Raju wondered.
The door was broken. Three men in police uniform stood there. They held guns in
their hands.

“Come … come … come out… Who among you is the mother fucker Sattaiah’s
wife?” asked the man standing between the other two.
Nobody came out.

One of the men recognized Rukkamma chinnamma standing amidst the women.
“That’s her ... that’s her ... I won’t leave you.” He took a few steps towards the room.

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That did it! Paarvathamma peddamma and mother threw chilli powder into his eyes.
He cried, “Ya Allah, ya Allah,” and stepped back covering his eyes with his hands
and writhing in pain. The women threw chilli powder into the eyes of another Razakar
who made a similar attempt to come near them.

The third Razakar aimed his gun at them and thundered, “I’ll kill … I’ll kill
everyone.” He went on saying, “Come out, all of you. Otherwise, we’ll shoot you all.
We won’t harm anyone if you hand over Sattaiah’s wife to us. That’s all.” The
women understood that, of the three Razakars, only this one knew Telugu.
“We’ll shoot you. Come out.”

The two men, into whose eyes chilli powder was thrown, were still rolling on the
ground.

Mother and peddammalu surrounded Rukkamma chinnamma. Somakka picked the

long wooden pestle from its corner in the room. She then roared, “If you touch her,
I’ll break your heads with this pestle.” She lifted the pestle high into the air.
“Eh buddi, chup!” (Shut up you old woman!), said the Razakar who held the gun. He
moved forward and tried to hold Rukkamma chinnamma’s hand. The women let out a
big cry in unison. Hearing their cries, six other women came running from the
neighbourhood Navulipuri household.

They, too, held long thick wooden pestles in their hands. Some held sickles in their
hands. All of them also had pouches of chilli powder with them.

On seeing them, Mother and Peddammalu regained their confidence. The Razakar
tried to grab the hand of Rukkamma chinnamma again. The women responded by
crying aloud.

Maremma, who came there from the Navulipuri household said, “If you harm
Sattaiah’s wife, we’ll bury the three of you alive here. Go away! Just go away from
here.” The women raised the pestles into the air. The dishevelled Maremma looked
like Goddess Kali. It was said that Maremma was often possessed by Goddess
Mutyalamma.

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The men, into whose eyes chilli powder was thrown, finally gathered themselves to
their feet. They were still rubbing their eyes. They were not able to open their eyes
and see properly.

Meanwhile, three more Razakars came there riding horses, shouting “Allaho Akbar.”
They said to those who were trying hard to seize Rukkamma chinnamma’s hand,
“Come … come … come quickly … Things are not good … come.”

They all went away in the same direction that they had come. The Razakars who were
thrown chilli powder into their eyes were led away by the others.

Raju’s mother and his aunts emerged from the house of the Dussollu and went back to
their own. They brought down Venkaiah pedanaayana from the attic. They brought
out father and Veeraiah pedanaayana from the grain containers. Everybody heaved a
sigh of relief on finding themselves safe.

They heard somebody shouting out in the street, “The Razakars have gone away. The
Razakars have gone away.”

Everybody ran to the meeting place in the centre of the village. Some members of the
Village Protection Committee, too, gathered there. A few people came running from
the Madiga locality and said, “The Razakars have shot Sai’s wife, younger brother
and father. They also set their house on fire.”

They all hurried to the madiga locality. People there were fetching water in earthen
pots and splashing it on the smouldering hut of Sai.
Three bodies were lying at a distance from the hut.
“While going to Kodakandla the Razakars had killed my people.” Sai’s mother wailed
loudly.

Madiga Durgaiah said, “They pointed a gun at me and asked me to show them Sai’s
hut. I showed them his hut. What could I do? They said they’d shoot me dead,
otherwise.”
Now, it was completely dark.

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Public put out the fire. Many people of the Madiga locality fell on the three bodies
and started crying.

A member of the Village Protection Committee Masku Komuraiah addressed them:

“Do you think the Razakars would’ve gone so soon? They would’ve killed many
more people. Three Razakars entered Goundla Ramakka’s house and tried to molest
her daughter-in-law. Ramakka acted wisely. She came out of her house and shouted
aloud, ‘The Sangam people are coming … the Sangam people are coming. They’ve
already reached the tank bund. Nobody need be afraid. The Sangam people have
come.’ The Razakars inside the house got scared. They immediately came out, took
the other Razakars who went to the house of the Doddollu with them and rushed
towards Kodakandla. While they were passing through the Madiga locality they were
reminded of Sai’s joining the sangham. They, then, shot his three relatives, set fire to
his house and left the place.”

Sai’s mother fell on the three bodies and started wailing loudly. Raju felt fear
creeping in when he saw her crying. He was reminded of mother and Satthemmattha’s
cries when Suseela akka died.

Father pointed to Raju and said, “You better go home. You’d be scared to look at
these bodies.” He called servant Kistaiah and ordered, “Arey Kistaiah, take Raju
home.”

The women started leaving for their homes.

Mother, Peddammalu, Chinnamma, Grandmother, Dussa Somakka, Dussa Yadagiri
and Goundla Ramakka came away from the Madiga locality talking about the
Razakars, and reached home via the potters’ locality. People poured onto the street
and were talking about what happened in their respective homes.

It seems ten Razakars came in all. As they entered the village they got divided into
three groups. Each group went the way it liked. They asked Maulvi Saheb Jaffar and
the leather merchant, Abdulla, to join them. Both of them frankly told the Razakars
that they would n’t join them. The Maulvi Saheb went a step further and said, “You
shouldn’t try to harm anybody in this village. Go away the way you’ve come.”

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Leather merchant Abdulla too pleaded with them, “In this village Hindus and
Muslims live together like brothers. Don’t ruin the harmony.” The Razakars seemed
to have paid no attention to them, though.

People said to each other, “Maulvi Saheb and leather merchant are both good men. In
spite of being Muslims they didn’t support the Razakars.”
As soon as the women came home, Rukkamma chinnamma hugged mother and
started crying aloud. Everybody started crying. Grandmother was so scared that she
felt she would die in a short while.

Chandraiah came near Raju and said, “It was a narrow escape. The Razakars
would’ve violated the honour of Rukkamma chinnamma.”

“It helped to throw the chilli powder in the eyes of the Razakars,” Raju felt.
Chandraiah continued, “Yes, when the first two had chilli powder thrown into their
eyes the third one was afraid of coming closer. If the three of them had together
pulled Rukkamma chinnamma, our women couldn’t have saved her. Right in front of
everyone the bastards would’ve defiled her. If it really happened she would’ve hanged
herself and died.”

“Why would she do that?”

“How can she live after the Razakars have robbed her of her honour?”
“Why shouldn’t she live?”
Chandraiah felt irritated and said, “You ask silly questions. You don’t know anything.
You’re a stupid.”
The women went on crying for a long time.
Then father, Veeraiah and Venkaiah pedanaayanalu returned home.
As soon as he entered the house Veeraiah pedanaayana burst out, “By joining the
sangham Sathyam has been tarnishing the image and bringing down the prestige of
this house.”
Venkaiah pedanaayana addressed grandmother and said, “Just because of him they
seem to be keen on killing all of us and violating the honour of our wives. You
should’ve strangled him to death when he was an infant.”

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Veeraiah pedanaayana turned to father and said, “You’ve spoiled him since his
childhood. You sent him to a private school and got him educated. Because he’s
educated he’s gone astray. If he was not educated he would’ve lived like me,
ploughing the land. Do you think the Razakars would stop with this? They’d come
back and shoot all of us as if we are birds. They’d set our house on fire. They’d rape
his wife.”

On hearing him, Rukkamma chinnamma cried aloud again. She suddenly rose to her
feet and dashed towards the well. The women held her and stopped her. Raju
understood that she attempted to commit Suicide. She held his mother and cried for a
long time.

“I’m told, because of the Razakars most of our relatives are migrating to Bezawada
and Bandar. Shall we join them?” suggested Raju’s father.
Venkaiah pedanaayana replied, “I prefer to die rather than go somewhere else leaving
my land and my beasts behind.”

“Take me to Bezawada. I’d die if I stay here,” grandmother pleaded.

“We are all here, aren’t we? Why are you alone so scared? Would they kill you alone,
leaving all of us?” father wanted to know.
Grandmother went on, “Arey Narasaiah, I fold my hands before you. Take me away
somewhere. Don’t keep me in this house. They say the Razakars would come again.”
“Where will you stay, if not in this house?”
“Let me sleep in the house of the Dussollu. Don’t keep me in this house.”
“All right, somehow stay in this house for this one night. We’ll think about it
tomorrow if we are alive.”
Nobody had had food that night.
When it was past midnight they lay down wherever they were and went to sleep.
They hardly slept for an hour when they were woken up.
There was a hubbub in the village.
Did the Razakars come again? Didn’t Sathyam chinnaayana say that the Razakars
would not come in the night?
No, this time the communists had come.

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Many people were heard talking outside the house. Somebody was knocking on the
door. Everyone got up, trembling.

“Veeraiah garu, open the door.”

It was the voice of Komuraiah, the leader of the Village Protection Committee.
Father recognized Komuraiah’s voice and asked, “What’s it Komuraiah? Who’s
come?”
“Sattenna has come. The guerilla squad has come. There’s nothing to fear. Open the
door quickly,” Komuraiah replied.
The moment they heard that Sathyam had come they hurriedly sat up.
Father walked to the door and opened it.
Sathyam chinnaayana was accompanied by five others. Three of them held guns in
their hands. On seeing her husband Rukkamma chinnamma cried aloud. Sathyam
chinnaayana went near her and said, “Keep quiet Rukkamma, keep quiet. Don’t cry.
Don’t make a noise. Stop crying.” He then held her arms and continued, “Rukkamma,
stop. I tell you, stop!”
She fell at his feet and said, “I won’t stop. I want to die. Kill me with that gun and
then go and join the guerilla squad. Don’t leave me behind in this house. Kill me and
then go. Throw me into the well and go.”
“Shut up!” Sathyam chinnaayana shouted causing a reverberation in the house.
Rukkamma chinnamma stopped crying. After a while she said, “Take me with you.
I’ll join the guerilla squad.… But don’t leave me behind in this house.”
“All right, I’ll take you with me. But first be quiet,” Sathyam chinnaayana said.
Everybody stayed silent for a while.
Out in the street, many people gathered.

Police Patel Somanna, Patwari Narsimha Rao, Navulipuri Ramaiah, Chinthakindhi

Venkataiah, Maulvi Saheb Mohd. Jaffar, Leather merchant Abdulla, Gone
Ramanarsaiah, Annavarapu Ramaiah, Naaraboyina Narasimha, Kanne Durgaiah,
Dussa Narsaiah and many others came there on learning that Sathyam chinnaayana
had come.

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Sathyam chinnaayana turned to them and said, “We’re camping near here, in the
Katrepalli orchard. We came to know at 11 o’clock in the night that the Kodakandla
Razakars had attacked our village. We started immediately and reached here.”

Father said, “This time, somehow, we escaped unharmed. If they come again …” he
trailed off.

Sathyam chinnaayana said, “How can you say nobody has been harmed this time.
Aren’t you aware of what has happened in the Madiga locality?
“Why am I not aware? I do know! They shot Sai’s wife, father and younger brother.
They set his hut on fire. What I said was that nothing happened to the people in our
house. Said father.
“Don’t think of our people and other people. Think of all in the village as one. Think
of what happened to Saayanna has happened to everyone,” said Sathyam
chinnaayana.
“Now that you’ve told us, we’ll think so.” Agreed father.
“What shall we do if the Razakars come again?” Veeraiah pedanaayana wanted to
know.
“You should face them the way you faced them now even if they come again. This
time we’re giving a couple of rifles to the Village Protection Committee.”
“What help are a couple of rifles? If they come again, they’ll come in large numbers.
If we have two rifles they’ll have fifty rifles.” Said father.
“Our two rifles will be a match to their fifty rifles. We’ll train the members of the
Protection Committee of our village. This time the Razakars won’t even be allowed to
reach the outskirts of the village. Be assured,” Sathyam chinnaayana walked out.
Rukkamma chinnamma tried to stop him, but mother, Paarvathamma and Venkamma
peddammalu held her back.
The villagers walked with the guerilla squad to the Madiga locality. They helped
Saayanna in performing the last rites of his dead relatives.
Sathyam chinnaayana and his men stayed in the village till noon the following day,
exhorting the people to be brave, and then left. They took members of the Village
Protection Committee with them.

159
Four days after this incident, Chandraiah came to Raju and suggested that they should
go to the edge of the village.

“Why? What happened?” asked Raju.

“The Razakar camp at Kodakandla is on fire. It seems the sangham people had
attacked their camp and set it on fire. They’ve killed eight Razakars. A big war is
going on between the Razakars and the communists at Kodakandla. If we go out of
the village we can see the smoke. We can also hear gunshots. They say Sathyam
chinnaayana’s squad is also participating in the attack on Kodakandla along with
other guerilla squads,” Chandaraiah explained.

Raju, Chandraiah, Yadagiri, Nagaiah, Somaiah and other children of that street ran in
the southern direction, towards the Kodakandla side of the village. They crossed the
Madiga locality and went farther ahead. A lot of people gathered there and were
looking at the thick smoke spreading across the sky. They could also hear the boom
… boom … boom… of gunfire.

A few people who gathered there were saying, “With this the Kodakandla Razakar
camp would be finished.”

“Who do you think Satthenna alias Sathyam is? He’s a tiger.”

“The Razakars attacked our village and killed three people. That’s why Satthenna
attacked Kodakandla and paid them in the same coin.”

“He has ensured that the Razakars won’t come to our village again.”
“Don’t you ever think like that! If not from Kodakandla, they’ll come from Visnur.
Because Satthenna burnt their camp they might want to take revenge on our village.”
“We should take our own precautions. They’ve given us two rifles. They’ve also
trained the Village Protection Committee to fire the rifles. It’s all right now. We
shouldn’t allow the bastards to cross the border of our village.”

“Timid bastards … the moment they hear that the communists are coming they piss in
their pants, mount their horses and disappear.”

160
“These bastards have been boasting that they’d fly the Asaf Jhahi flag on the Red Fort
itself.”

Raju felt excited by the words he heard. He also felt enlightened as he did not know
many of these things earlier.

Some travellers coming from Kodakandla related to the people what had happened
there. “Today in the morning twenty guerilla squads attacked the Razakar camp in
Kodakandla. They set the entire Muslim street on fire. Houses are still burning. Ten
Razakars have been killed. Firing is still going on. We don’t know how many people
would be killed by the time the sun goes down.”

Raju, Chandraiah, Yadagiri and other boys stayed there for a long time. By the time
that they returned to the village, it was already evening and the sun was sinking.

*** ** ***

161
 6

That night Madaar Saheb visited Raju’s ammamma’s107 home. He assured Pedda
maama108 not to worry about the Razakars camped at Chityala. He said that he would
accompany Raju’s family till Chityala to ensure that they reached Vayalapadu Safely.

The next morning, every one got up at cock crow, and set for Vayalapadu on a
bullock cart. Madaar saheb, as had promised, accompanied them till Chityala. He
negotiated with the Razakars and managed them to let go Raju’s family to
Vayalapadu.

They had lunch at Karakaala109 stream and reached Vayalapadu in the evening. By
the time they reached their village, it was getting dark slowly. People began to light
lanterns to fight the darkness.

Grandmother’s condition was very critical. The moment they got down the cart,
Raju’s parents rushed to the cot where she was lying. On hearing the footsteps, she
opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes searched for Raju’s father. It took her some time to
recognize him.

“My dear son! I thought I would die without seeing you! I am happy that I could see
you at last!” She hugged father. Every body wept on listening to her words.
She enquired whether all the family members had arrived or not.
“Yes amma! Satthemmattha and Vajrammatta fell on grandmother weeping loudly.
“Radhamma! My count down has begun! I do not live long! It’s time for me to bid
adieu to you all! You have to take care of my son and my grand children. Said
grandmother, looking at mother.
“Raajayya! I am leaving! You should go to school regurarly and become a scholar.
She said turning to Raju.
“Rukkamma! What about my youngest son, Sathyam? Do you have any idea where
he is? How unlucky I am! I could see all of you but not my younger son. I wonder

107
Meternal grandmother.
108
Meternal uncle. Elder brother of mother.
109
Name of the stream.

162
what has attracted him to the sangham. It still remains a puzzle to me. I am worried
about his future! The time has come... The Razakars have come. I am leaving; I am
leaving......” Those were her last words. The family members started wailing louldly.
Grandmother’s death took Raju to the flashback. He was reminded of the painful
memories of Suseela’s death. He was quite upset then. He felt as if the world had
turned upside down. But now, he felt some what okay!

Raju had thought she would die by the time they reached his home. In fact, he was a
little surprised to see her alive. He had anticipated the scene at his home to be similar
to that of Suseela’s death. Because of prior anticipation, he wasn’t upset too much. He
did not even cry though others were crying out loud.

Chandranna, Naaganna came to Raju on spotting him.

“Grandmother had remained unconscious for the last four days. Surprisingly, she not
only came back to her senses but she could also speak the moment you people turned
up. That was something amazing! We thought she would breathe her last the day
before yesterday itself.” Said Chandranna.

“It is incredible! Like a wick of lamp that shines bright before it puts off! Attamma
regained her senses the moment her children and grandchildren showed up!” Said
Parvathamma peddamma referring to grandmother.

“The last four days, she didn’t bite a morsel. I thought she would die day before
yesterday itself.” Said Veeraiah pedanaayana.

“She was so petrified even if someone mentioned the word “Razakars”. She would
always force us to find some safe place for her.” Said Venkaiah pedanaayana.
That night, everyone stayed at the body of grandmother. Raju, being a child, he slept
in Chandranna’s house.

Chandranna apprised Raju about the incidents that had taken place while the latter
was out of town.
“One day, a guerilla squad headed by Nalla Narasimha visited our village! He is a
super man! He has super natural powers! He could trick anyone. Visnur Dora has

163
made tireless attempts to kill Narasimha. He did not succeed no matter how hard he
tried. Nalla Narasimha fights his opponents single handedly. He makes his enemies
bite the dust.

Raju, gradually, fell into deep sleep listening to Chandranna’s words.

The next day, people turned in great numbers to pay homage to the departed soul. It
seemed to Raju as if the whole village had turned up: Washermen, barbars, potters,
shepherds, weavers, Muslims, goldsmiths, farward castes...etc. Madiga people paid
homage to her from a distance, because of the practice of untouchability.
Near and dear started turning up from distant places.

By noon, preperations for last rites began.

Madiga people paid a visit to the home and beat the drums.
Gangireddula vallochi gangireddulani aadinchaaru, The people who beg for alms
with the help of adorned bulls, paid a visit and perfomed a show.
Every one in the village took part in the last journey.

Two of Raju’s uncles and some of his relatives carried grandmother’s body on
shoulders to their farm. Father walked a head of the procession with a pot in his
hands.

The body was placed on a pyre for cremation. Father made three rounds around the
pyre, before setting it on fire. Tongues of fire engulfed the body turning it into a pile
of ashes.

------------------------------

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Sathyam chinnaayana came home three days later. He spent sometime consoling the
family members and left, as usual.

Kharmakaanda110 started from the third day of grandmother’s death. Two elder uncles
and father carried out priest’s instructions at the site of cremation while he was
chanting manthras.

It was said that a soothakam111 had arisen because of the death of a family member.
Raju had no clue what soothakam was! He was unaware of the term. He was asked
not touch others for eleven days. Suppose he touched someone intentionally or
unintentionally, the person whom he had come into contact with should take bath
immediately to avoid contracting soothakam. Because grandmother had passed away,
Doddollu112 were supposed to observe soothakam for eleven days. Those eleven days,
Raju and his family members should not visit anyone’s house. Even if they visit; they
should not enter the house, for there is the danger of the person visited contracting
soothakam. Not just that, they should sleep out side. Satthemmattha, Vajrammatta
should cook food for them. Though, they were her daughters, they were immune to
soothakam because they had married people belonging to Sunkari dynasty. When
Suseela akka died, the people of Sunkari dynasty observed soothakam because
Suseela was married to Somaiah from Sunkari dynasty.

Raju felt odd about customs and practices. Denial of entry into the house seemed
bizzare. He felt like a stranger at his own home. Whenever he tried to enter the house,
either to drink water or to get his books, his parents as well as Satthemmattha and
Vajrammatta made a lot of fuss. Much to his bewilderment, the practice of cleansing
the utensils, touched by people observing soothakam, seemed rather unusual.

Raju could not digest people’s behaviour. Public stayed away from him as if he had
committed some sin.

“Why do you stay away from me?” He asked Dussa Yadagiri.

110
The ritual of offering food to a crow or an eagle.
111
A ceremonial pollution.
112
Family members of Raju’s grandmother’s dynasty.

165
“You are observing soothakam. I am not supposed to touch you. If I touch you, even
if it is accidentally, I should take bath and wash my clothes immediately. Better to
stay away rather than doing all that stuff,” said Yadagiri.

Those eleven days passed rather slowly.

Chinna kharma and Pedda kharma113 were performed respectively on the tenth and
the eleventh days after grandmother’s death. Father, Veeraiah pedanaayana and
Venkaiah pedanaayana had got their heads tonsured. It was one of the customary
practices. In case of a parent’s death, children should tonsure their heads. They
should perform the rituals with a tonsured head. Only when they perform rituals with
a tonsured head, it is said that the spirit of the dead will be appeased. It is believed
that the dead become ghosts. Preparing pindams114 and dropping them in the well was
to assuage the spirit of the dead!

Raju was allowed to enter the house on the eleventh day.

On the eleventh day, all the relatives gathered at Raju’s house. Four to five billy goats
were cut. Not only the relatives but also many others turned up. Washer men, barbers,
potters, carpenters, toddy tappers...all showed up and had lunch. Madiga people were
distributed rice instead of being invited for lunch.

Food was sent to Sathyam chinnaayana and his squad on learning that they had
arrived at a tamarind groove near by. Later, chinnaayana came home in the evening,
spent some time with the family members and left as usual. Raju noticed that unlike
his siblings, chinnaayana hadn’t tonsured his head.

Pedda Kharma was attended by almost all the notable people in the village. Patwari
Narasimharao, Police Patel Somanna, Gaadeboina Chandraiah, Chinthakindi
Venkataiah, Maulvi Saheb Mohd.Jaffer, Leather merchant Abdulla.....etc. The
moment they found Sathyam chinnaayana, they greeted him affectionately and
followed him till the outskirts of the village to see him off. The whole village

113
Comemoration ceremony.
114
Food offered to the dead.

166
extended unconditional support to the communists. Villagers would serve piping hot
food whenever the sangham people visited their village.

All the while, there were gossips about the encounters between Razakars and
communists.

Suddenly, there was a hubbub after fifteen days of grandmother’s death. Village
Protection Committe Members started ringing the bell incessantly.

“Razakars have come...” they shouted.

“Their number is very large.They are coming on lorries.We can’t face them. All the
men of the village should flee!” They alerted the villagers.

Public started running for their lives. But there was no use. This time, the Razakars
raided the village from all four sides. To add to that, they had police support. They
have also adopted a different strategy. Some of them came riding horses. Others,
came by trucks.They chased the people and held them captive.

It was Mothkuri Gaddam Ameen who was leading the Razakars.

Mothkuri Gaddam Ameen was a very cruel man. He was notorious for killing people
ruthlessly. Now, the villagers dreaded how many lives he would claim.

The moment they heard the news that Razakars were raiding their village, father and
Veeraiah pedanaayana thought of fleeing. Next, they thought of hiding in the wicker
grain containers. By the time they made up their mind, four Razakars had come to
their home riding horses. Shouting “Allah ho Akbar,” they entered their house. They
held both father and pedanaayana captive and summoned the rest of the family to the
tank bund. The rest followed them without any resistence.

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The Razakars and the police looked very petrifying dressed in Khakis, with red kuchu
topis115 on their heads and fire arms in their hands. They summoned all the villagers
to the tank bund.

A tall, man sporting a long beard was seated in a chair. Raju could easily guess that he
was Gaddam Ameen. He belonged to Mothkur. That was how he became popular as
“Mothkur Gaddam Ameen.” The moment people saw him and his long beard, they
lost hopes on life.

Men and women were ordered to sit seperately. Raju was made to sit along with
women. Father and Veeraiah pedanaayana, who sat with other men, were extremely
terrified. Veeraiah pedanaayana was found weeping.

Satthemmattha, Vajrammatta were crying their hearts out. Mother and Rukkamma
chinnamma remained emotionless. Paarvathamma peddamma and Venkamma
peddamma were crying off and on.

“Palakurthi Somanna! Kindly come to rescue my brothers! Somanna, we did not

harm anybody! Kindly rescue my siblings! Lord Yaadagiri Narasimha! Kindly rescue
my siblings! We will come to your temple and offer prayers! Godess Sammakka!
Please rescue us!” Satthemmattha was praying to all the Gods in the world, begging
them to rescue her brothers.

Some Razakars were still bringing people to the bund. Gaddam Ameen sat patiently
till they returned. He stood to his feet after every one had arrived.

The police were on guard holding rifiles in their hands.

Gaddam Ameen approached the womens’ group. “Stop crying you ugly women, he
thundered! You pretend to cry at the sight of us. But when you find the Communists,
you run errands for them. I will kill you, if you don’t stop crying!”
They all bowed to him.

115
A decoration made of a bunch of strings fastened at one end of the hat.

168
“We have never supported the communists! We are innocent! We fall at your feet.
Please excuse our men, Dora! They folded their hands in obeisance.

Lies! All lies! Tell me the hideout of the communists. Only then I will pardon you.
“Bolo....Bolo....Sangham ko madat karne wala kaun hain! Bolo.” (Tell me....tell
me...come on, tell me.... who are the supporters of the communists from this village!)
Roared Gaddam Ameen.

“There are no communists from our village, Dora! We fall at your feet! We are your
slaves!” Pardon us! They pleaded.

Now, Gaddam Ameen moved towards the men’s group. He examined them carefully
for a long time. Chaakali Yellaiah, who sat at the far end, caught his attention. He
reached Yellaiah, caught hold of his hair and lifted up. Chaakali Yellaiah started
wailing at once.

“I am your slave! I belong to washerman’s community, Dora! I earn my living by

washing clothes! I am innocent!” Yellaiah pleaded for mercy. He was quite young.
Raju remembered that he used to collect clothes from their home to wash and return
them neatly pressed.

Gaddam Ameen gave Yellaiah three blows on his back with a cane. Unable to bear
the caning, Yellaiah started rolling on the ground, crying loudly.

“Come on... tell me, who have joined hands with sangham from your village. If you
tell me the truth, I will not beat you. If not, I will skin you, bastard! He struck
Yellaiah with the cane once more.

“I will, Dora! I will! There are many people from my village who have joined
sangham. I will reveal all their names. Please do not beat me. I beg your pardon!
Pleaded Yellaiah.

“Bahut acha! Bahut acha! Dikhaavo! Dikhaavo! Ab dikhaavo! (Good! Good! Very
Good. Show me! Show me then!) Said Gaddam Ameen.

169
Yellaiah rose to his feet.

Every one held their breath. They knew that whoever was pointed by him would be
shot dead by Ameen.

Yellaiah moved towards men’s group. He was followed by two Razakars with guns in
their hands.

He pointed at Madiga Sai’s father-in-law. No sooner did he point at him, Razakars

dragged him out of the group.

He, then, went on pointing at Dussa Mallaiah, followed by Avusali Parameswaraiah,

Chintakindi Venkataiah, Navulipuri Ramaiah, Raju’s father and Veeraiah
pedanaayana. The Razakars pulled out father and Veeraiah pedanaayana and made
them sit along with Madiga Sai’s father-in-law. On seeing that, Satthemmattha fainted
at once. Mother and Rukkamma chinnamma started crying loudly.

On the whole, Yellaiah pointed at some twenty odd people.

“Is that all? This is a very small number, given the size of your village! Give me the
correct details! Gaddam Ameen struck Yellaiah twice more with cane.

“Oh my God! I am dead! I will tell you! Please do not beat me, Dora! Wailing, he
went to the crowd and pointed at three others.
Razakars dragged them out.
“That is all?”
“Yes, Dora!” Said Yellaiah, folding his hands.
“Go and sit there! Gaddam Ameen showed him a place at the far end. He followed his
instructions.
Women folk started cursing Yellaiah.
“He will die the death of an orphan.” Cursed someone.
“May his head break into hundred pieces! They rained curses at him.
“What will happen now? Will Razakars shoot all the twenty three of them at once?
Will they shoot father and Veeraiah pedanaayana also? Or, will they be pardoned?

170
How good it would be if Sathyam chinnaayana could attack them now with his squad
and kill Gaddam Ameen! Raju thought.

As soon as Gaddem Ameen passed orders, all the twenty three people’s hands were
tied at their back with ropes.

“Arey! Is there anyone who belongs to Yerukula116 caste?” asked Gaddam Ameen.
Three people came forward from the men’s group.
“Get me a bundle of Palmyra stalk. Ameen ordered.
They moved towards their huts. Razakars followed them.

At first, no one understood why Gaddam Ameen ordered for Palmyra stalk. Slowly, as
it became clear to them, they started shivering.

Gaddam Ameen pointed at three others from the crowd and ordered for tamarind
stalk; Get me a bundle of tamarind stalk quickly! He thundered.

Within a short while people returned with Palmyra and as well as tamarind stalk a
bundle each.

The twenty three people’s shirts were taken off.

Soon, the Razakars started beating them wildly. Their skin got peeled off and blood
started oozing out. The place reverberated with the painful cries of the victims.
Women started wailing beating their chests.

Mother, Rukkamma chinnanmma, Satthemmattha, Vajrammatta, were unable to see

the torture, they started praying to God.

Father and Veeraiah pedanaayana were beaten black and blue till the blood in their
bodies was drained off.

116
One of the scheduled tribes. Opressed among the oppressed.

171
Raju wondered whether they were dead or alive after enduring so much torment. He
turned to his side to find his mother and aunt Satthemmattha fainted already. He cried
loudly. Chandraiah and Nagaiah were also found weeping. Rukkamma chinnnamma
took Raju’s younger brother from the hands of his fainted mother.

The canes turned red. Some were broken even. But the torment seemed unending.
Mean while, Maulvi Saheb Mohd Jaffar and Police Patel Somanna had come to the
spot. Raju wondered where they had been so far! Mohd Jaffar started speaking to
Gaddam Ameen in Urdu after greeting him.

“Nobody from the village works for sangham sir.” Said Maulvi Saheb.
Gaddam Ameen pointed to Yellaiah.
“That fellow had misled you, saab! Said Maulvi Saheb.
“Maulvi Saheb! Please save us! Women folded their hands in respect.

“I, along with Maulvi Saheb, have been to Janagaon saab.There is none from this
village who works for communists, Ameen Saheb. Chaakali Yellaiah had misguided
you. They are all loyalists to Visnur Dora! Each one of them is either a farmer or a
landlord. There is absouletely no need for them to support Sangham” Said Patel
Somanna.

“Arey washerman! Patel and Maulvi Saheb were ridiculing you. Give me the exact
details? Ordered Ameen.

Once again, Yellaih walked towards the twenty three victims who had turned into
human corpses. This time he pointed at only four of them.

“These four are full timers in communist party, Dora.” Said Yellaiah.
Father, Veeraiah pedanaayana, Navulipuri Ramaiah and Chintakindi Venkataiah were
among those four.

Every one there thought Gaddam Ameen would kill them for sure.
Father, though he was too weak to speak, requested Mohd Jaffer to rescue them.
“Narasaiah maama! I shall take care of it. Don’t worry! Assured Maulvi Saheb.

172
Maulvi Saheb pleaded with Ameen once again.
“Even those four people are also innocent saheb.” Said Mohd Jaffer.
“Now, I will not listen to you, any more!” Said Ameen.
Father and three others were separated from the group.
“Put them on the lorry.” Ordered Gaddam Ameen.
What would happen now? Raju wondered.

Rumour is that they take the people till the outskirts of the village and kill them. Their
relatives were supposed to collect their bodies.
Even the last hope had vanished.

“Ameen saheb, they are really innocent. I shall take their responsibility. If you find
anything against them, you can arrest me even. I am responsible for them. Requested
Maulvi Saheb one more time.
“You think the washerman’s is not enough proof?
“He is just a lad saheb! He pointed at somebody randomly to avoid the punishment.
Kindly excuse them. Pleaded Maulvi Saheb.

“What, Patel saheb...What do you say?” Asked Gaddam Ameen turning to Somanna.
“They are really innocent saab.”, what Maulvi Saheb says is true . They are landlords.
Why would they join the Sangham? Said Patel Sommanna.
“Acha! Acha! Chode dho....” (“Ok. Ok. Leave them...”) Relented Ameen.
“Somanna! Mohd Jaffer! You have done a big favour for us. We shall be greatful to
both of you forever. Said Satthemmattha
By now, Razakars had got on their vehicles.

“I warn you once again. Don’t support sangham members. Inform me the moment
you come to know their where abouts. Otherwise, I will kill you all. We are the
Government. Hyderabad is ours.... Delhi is ours.... We will fly Asafjahi flag on the
Red Fort. We will slay all the Congress men and the Communists. If you are loyal to
the king, you survive. Otherwise, you die. Gaddam Ameen warned the villagers.
“Allah ho Akbar....! Shouted Ameen.
“The place resonated with the shouts “Allah ho Akbar... Allah ho Akbar.”
He, then, got on the lorry.

173
The trucks moved ahead making a loud noise, followed by horses.
Once, the Razakars reached the Palmyra groove which is on the outskirts, their guns
roared. The villagers heard four rounds of gunfire.

Later, it was rumoured that they had shot dead some people suspecting to be the
communists from other villages.

Now, women fell crying on their men, looking helplessly at their battered skin.
Satthemmattha, Vajrammatta, mother, Paarvathamma peddamma, Venkamma
peddamma and Rukkamma chinnamma fell on father and Veeraiah pedanaayana and
wept.

The villagers went to Maulvi Saheb Mohd Jaffer and bowed to him in reverence.
“We do not know whether God exists or not! But you are the God for us, for you have
saved twenty three lives.

“Gaddam Ameen doesn’t know that your brother Satthenna is a sangham member. If
he had known even the whif of it, no body in this world could have saved you from
him.” Said Maulvi Saheb.

Everyone cursed Yellaiah.

“What has come of you? You will die the death of an orphan.
“I was unaware of what I was doing. Please, do not curse me!” Yellaiah left the place
apologising.

It was already evening and the public started moving in the direction of their homes.
After coming home, Raju’s family members cried their hearts out by falling on father
and pedanaayana. Satthemmattha was inconsolable. She strongly believed that
Palakurthi Somanna had saved her siblings.

No one had food that day. Every one looked like they had a nightmare.

*** ** ***

174