Tuesday, March 31, 2009
My family
My family is a very big one - My father is Dr.Pakki Venkataramana and mother Chittamma. We are four brothers and five sisters. All are married. My father was a Rural Medical Practitioner and my mother was a housewife. I lost my father in 1974 and mother in 2003. After my father's death, my elder brother (Sankar Rao) took over the family responsibility and because of which he had to leave his government job. Once he was in the village he started doing the Medical Practice that my father used to do. In our village and nearby villages we have good respect from the people. Since the medical facilities are limited in the villages at that time, many people used to come to our house for treatment and as people say, both my father and my brother's hand was very good and auspicious - whatever cases they take up they used to get well soon and people have that much of faith in our family. My other brothers Mohan Rao, who is now retired and settled in Koraput and his three daughters and a son are now grown up. The other brother Tirupati Rao is settled in Bhubaneswar and his two sons are also grown up. My elder brother, Sankar Rao, who was an Rural Medical Practitioner has lost his life at a young age. After that his son and two daughters are grown up and got married. All three of them are working. Out of the five sisters, elder one (Balakka) in Jeypore, second one (Gajakka) i Vizag; third one (Chinnakka) in Koraput, fourth one (Sarasakka) in Parvatipuram and the last one (Sujatakka) is in Koraput. I am the youngest of the nine member family. I have a son (Anurag) who is in 8th std and twin daughters (Ankita and Arpita) are in std-I. I am settled in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
Monday, March 30, 2009
Budabudakkalu vallu & Tommy our dog
There are different communities in the villages and some communities migrate to villages on seasonal basis. Some cultivate their own lands, some work as labourers and some arrange some street plays and earn money. Buda Budakkalu Vallu is one community who goes from one village to the other to beg for food, money etc.
Buda Budakkalu Vallu - basically this community wear lot of clothes and are of different colors and variety. They carry a lantern, a stick, a dog, some bells and also a Damru (musical instrument). they generally go to houses very early in the morning say around 3 am or so. They shout while playing the Damru. People get up to give them money etc. Generally these people visit in winter season. The children wait to see them. Many children get frightened to see them. Some hold hands of their elders and see these people.
As I mentioned in my post on pet animals, we were having a dog named Tommy. Tommy is not only liked in the family but also by people in the village and nearby villages as it always accompany my father when he goes on medical practice. One day the Buda Budakkalu Vallu approached my father and requested for Tommy. they wanted to take the Tommy with them. My father told them that Tommy is one of our family members and we cannot leave Tommy. After that on two to three occasions again they approached but we decided not to give Tommy to them.
After few days we found Tommy was missing. This news spread over to all the nearby villages and people were sympathising and were asking how it happened. We were all in the house were sad were not taking food. After a week or so, when one of the villages visited a long distance place on his official work, he heard a barking noice of a dog. Suddenly he realised that the Tommy was missing and he went near the place where the dog barking and to his surprise he saw Tommy there and these Buda Budakkalu Vallu tied it with rope. This person slowly went near and opend the knot. The dog showed affection to the person and left that place. How it managed to find the route back home, but finally it reached home. All were very happy and this news spread all over. When the gentelman came back we came to know about Tommy and how he could manage to liberate the Tommy.
Buda Budakkalu Vallu - basically this community wear lot of clothes and are of different colors and variety. They carry a lantern, a stick, a dog, some bells and also a Damru (musical instrument). they generally go to houses very early in the morning say around 3 am or so. They shout while playing the Damru. People get up to give them money etc. Generally these people visit in winter season. The children wait to see them. Many children get frightened to see them. Some hold hands of their elders and see these people.
As I mentioned in my post on pet animals, we were having a dog named Tommy. Tommy is not only liked in the family but also by people in the village and nearby villages as it always accompany my father when he goes on medical practice. One day the Buda Budakkalu Vallu approached my father and requested for Tommy. they wanted to take the Tommy with them. My father told them that Tommy is one of our family members and we cannot leave Tommy. After that on two to three occasions again they approached but we decided not to give Tommy to them.
After few days we found Tommy was missing. This news spread over to all the nearby villages and people were sympathising and were asking how it happened. We were all in the house were sad were not taking food. After a week or so, when one of the villages visited a long distance place on his official work, he heard a barking noice of a dog. Suddenly he realised that the Tommy was missing and he went near the place where the dog barking and to his surprise he saw Tommy there and these Buda Budakkalu Vallu tied it with rope. This person slowly went near and opend the knot. The dog showed affection to the person and left that place. How it managed to find the route back home, but finally it reached home. All were very happy and this news spread all over. When the gentelman came back we came to know about Tommy and how he could manage to liberate the Tommy.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Pet Animals
My father, Pakki Venkataramana (fondly called by villagers as 'Ramana Guruvu) was a village doctor and people from not only my village but also from very far off villages does come to him for treatment. Many people that my father's hand is very good one and whenever he treats a patient the patient and the family members are confident that the patient will be cured soon.
My father loves animals - always a dog (Tommy) accompany my father to villages when goes for check ups. This dog was there with our family for more than 10 years or so. Its a black in color and many people loves Tommy for its faithfulness.
We also used to have a parrot,tortoise, koel, goats, cows, hen etc. The parrot used to call names whenever people visit our house. Its so interesting to listen to the voice of these parrots. At times you will feel like the voice of a woman/children.
In the village you will find a number of types of beggars come on seasonal basis. One of those groups are called "Buda Budakkalu Vallu". People from different castes come for begging. There was an incident with these Buda Budakkalu Vallu - which you can read in a separate article.
My father loves animals - always a dog (Tommy) accompany my father to villages when goes for check ups. This dog was there with our family for more than 10 years or so. Its a black in color and many people loves Tommy for its faithfulness.
We also used to have a parrot,tortoise, koel, goats, cows, hen etc. The parrot used to call names whenever people visit our house. Its so interesting to listen to the voice of these parrots. At times you will feel like the voice of a woman/children.
In the village you will find a number of types of beggars come on seasonal basis. One of those groups are called "Buda Budakkalu Vallu". People from different castes come for begging. There was an incident with these Buda Budakkalu Vallu - which you can read in a separate article.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ammavari Panduga
Ammavari Panduga - This is a festival of village Godess - this is mostly observed for a period of 9 days unless the village committee decides to extend it further for few days.
Initially the village commitee announces dates and accordingly the villagers does intimate the announcement to their near and dear ones and send invitations to be present during the festival. Since this is considered to be one of the biggest festivals people make it a point to be around during the festival. You will find that all the houses are painted and decorated. Even the people buy new clothes to wear during the festival.
During the festival everyday a procession takes place which goes around the village. The pujari (priests) carry the earthen pots which are decorated with colors, sindhur, pasupu, flowers and go to each and every house and the villagers offer prasad (cakes), rice, and any other items . They wash the feet of the person carrying the decorated earthen pot, light lamps, incent sticks. The devotee hold a bunch of neem leaves which are considered to be auspicious for the Godess. In turn the priest give paste of pasupu (turmetic) as Prasadam. During the procession, there will be village band (dappulu) and people accomopany the same and particularly the children dance all the way. The children used to get banana (plantain) which is offered to the Godess, to eat on the way.
The procession generally starts in the evening and by the time the cover each and every house of the village it at times becomes very late in the night to get back to its original place.
During the festival, you will find pendals with variety of games, sale of toys, sweet shops, light decoration all the places in the village. People play cards and enjoy.
During the festival you will find a number of street plays, Burra Kadha (three artistes will be there - one is the main one who leads the story by singing poems/songs and the second person used to explain while the third person always try to cut jokes and make spectators happy. These programmes generally runs all through the night.
While this process runs throughout the nine day period, the ninth day has more significance as it is the final day and you will not find a place to sit - so much of rush not only from the same village but also people visit from near and far off places.
During this period a number of bullock cart shows where people decorate in shapes of different Gods and stand on the Cart. There are number of cars and people enjoy and follow the bullock carts.
You will find pindi vantalu (sweet and hot dishes) in all the houses. In each house you will find full of relatives.
Government also make arrangements to ensure proper sanitation, security and other facilities.
Initially the village commitee announces dates and accordingly the villagers does intimate the announcement to their near and dear ones and send invitations to be present during the festival. Since this is considered to be one of the biggest festivals people make it a point to be around during the festival. You will find that all the houses are painted and decorated. Even the people buy new clothes to wear during the festival.
During the festival everyday a procession takes place which goes around the village. The pujari (priests) carry the earthen pots which are decorated with colors, sindhur, pasupu, flowers and go to each and every house and the villagers offer prasad (cakes), rice, and any other items . They wash the feet of the person carrying the decorated earthen pot, light lamps, incent sticks. The devotee hold a bunch of neem leaves which are considered to be auspicious for the Godess. In turn the priest give paste of pasupu (turmetic) as Prasadam. During the procession, there will be village band (dappulu) and people accomopany the same and particularly the children dance all the way. The children used to get banana (plantain) which is offered to the Godess, to eat on the way.
The procession generally starts in the evening and by the time the cover each and every house of the village it at times becomes very late in the night to get back to its original place.
During the festival, you will find pendals with variety of games, sale of toys, sweet shops, light decoration all the places in the village. People play cards and enjoy.
During the festival you will find a number of street plays, Burra Kadha (three artistes will be there - one is the main one who leads the story by singing poems/songs and the second person used to explain while the third person always try to cut jokes and make spectators happy. These programmes generally runs all through the night.
While this process runs throughout the nine day period, the ninth day has more significance as it is the final day and you will not find a place to sit - so much of rush not only from the same village but also people visit from near and far off places.
During this period a number of bullock cart shows where people decorate in shapes of different Gods and stand on the Cart. There are number of cars and people enjoy and follow the bullock carts.
You will find pindi vantalu (sweet and hot dishes) in all the houses. In each house you will find full of relatives.
Government also make arrangements to ensure proper sanitation, security and other facilities.
About Me
My name is (Mr) Suresh Pakki. I have a son - Anurag - in Std VIII and twin daughters - Ankita and Arpita both of them are in Std-I. My wife - Saigeeta (Laila) is a housewife.
I am born and brought up in a small village called Panchali of Salur Mandal of Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh,India. After my education I moved to Orissa which is bordering Andhra as my brothers and other members are employed in Orissa.
I started my career with an International NGO/Donor agency - Oxfam GB and continuing my work in the same field but worked/working with other INGOs like HIV/AIDS Alliance; Save the Children UK, UNDP, Interact World Wide.
My area of interest in the NGO sector is Financial Management, Grants, HR and Admin Management. I worked both in India and abroad.
Purpose of the blog: I wanted to write a series of articles on my village and my life.
Enjoy Reading
Suresh
I am born and brought up in a small village called Panchali of Salur Mandal of Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh,India. After my education I moved to Orissa which is bordering Andhra as my brothers and other members are employed in Orissa.
I started my career with an International NGO/Donor agency - Oxfam GB and continuing my work in the same field but worked/working with other INGOs like HIV/AIDS Alliance; Save the Children UK, UNDP, Interact World Wide.
My area of interest in the NGO sector is Financial Management, Grants, HR and Admin Management. I worked both in India and abroad.
Purpose of the blog: I wanted to write a series of articles on my village and my life.
Enjoy Reading
Suresh
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